Running for Gaza
It is almost one year since the violent terror attack on Israel by Hamas. The horrific event last October became the biggest single incident of Jewish killings since the Second World War. The subsequent Israeli military strikes have led to a humanitarian crisis, particularly in Gaza. As well as being shocked at the tragedy of so many innocent injuries and deaths (both Israeli and Palestinian), and the destruction of infrastructure, homes and the spread of disease, I have also felt occasional guilt when I throw away some of my family's uneaten food. In desperation, some residents in Gaza resorted to grinding animal feed into flour in order to survive earlier this year. They would have been glad of what I discard. There hasn't been a single day in my life when I haven't been able to find food. Not so for many in Gaza today.
In an attempt to offset some of my guilt and summer eating, training has now begun and I'm putting more miles in my legs and a bit less food in my stomach ahead of my half-marathon run in October. This will be an opportunity to raise funds (hopefully £500) for Christian Mission to Gaza. I have been receiving their regular email updates and was glad to read earlier this month that their charity was able to serve 2,000 meals to vulnerable families in the northern and central areas of Gaza, alongside providing a tank of clean drinking water in the north. I am pleased CM2G believe every financial contribution, no matter how small, makes a meaningful impact.
A group in my church continue to like watching DVDs about Israel and its place in God's future eschatological plans. But I am not so sure the Jews returning to the land of Israel is crucial to the 'end times', and when I think of Israel I think of the vibrant Arab Christians I met there in 2018, in Nazareth and Galilee, who are most certainly part of God's future plans! Oh for a bit less DVD-watching (from presenters who may have visited Israel but have probably not really got to know Christians actually living there) and a bit more engagement with real people who are indigenous to the land!
Over the summer I read Ian Stackhouse's new book Beyond Christian Zionism. It narrates his journey away from being an adherent of the fundamentalism of Christian Zionism. I may be able to share some of his quotes if I can get the publisher's/author's permission! By the next time I write I should have permission granted or denied, and I will most likely have a few more training runs completed, ready for the 13.1 mile challenge on 27th October.