Happy holiday greetings to all!
We want to update you on a very tragic event that happened this past Shabbat, and we appreciate your prayer for this situation. Kristine Luken and Kay Susan Wilson, both believers in the Messiah, were hiking in an area around Beit Shemesh (near Jerusalem) when they were attacked by two men, allegedly Arabs. Both were brutally stabbed, and Kristine was killed. Kay was badly wounded, but played dead until the men left, at which time she was able to walk to a nearby parking lot where she called out for help. She is currently in a hospital in Jerusalem recovering from severe wounds. More on that later.
Kristine was an American living in England. She was working for an organization called CMJ which reaches out to Jewish people with the Gospel. Kay is a Jewish Messianic believer, an Israeli citizen and an independent tour guide. She has often worked with Shoresh Tours in Jerusalem who are affiliated with CMJ. Both women are well-known and loved by believers in Israel and outside of Israel.
As in our case, the details of the investigation have been put under a media gag order, and more and more questions are arising among believers and non-believers as to what really happened. All we know is that Kay said that she believes that the attackers were Arabs, but some reports say that she said that they spoke Hebrew also. On the Israeli news she said that the attacker gently removed her Star of David, and then stabbed her where it had been on her chest, in the area of her heart, but other news agencies reported that the necklace was ripped off of her neck. The police haven't come out decisively to say whether this was a terror or criminal attack.
The attackers have not been apprehended, and now the media is silent on the case. In the Israeli press, when it was discovered that Kristine worked for a "missionary" organization, many reports centered on that other than the brutality of the attack. (read the talkbacks on the below articles). Again, as with our case, the issue of Yeshua and faith in Him sparks scandal and an attempt to hush up and downgrade the seriousness of the crime.
In the meantime, Kay is still in hospital. The below was released about her situation by a friend from the tour company, and we would appreciate your prayers for her, and for Kristine's family. We will report further when more information is revealed, God willing.
REPORT ON KAY'S CONDITION
"I was not at the hospital today, but understand that Kay is in very serious pain. Thank you to everyone who wanted to visit but did not come - Kay needed and continues to need a break from too many visitors (more on this below).
There will be a memorial service for Kristine Luken, Kay's friend who was murdered in the attack, at Christ Church in Jerusalem on Thursday 23 December at 16:00. "
News Updates:
http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=200165
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4001856,00.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40737195/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa/
PRAYER REQUESTS
1) Surgery to Repair Lacerated Diaphragm
Some of the stabs that entered Kay's side cut her diaphragm. She will undergo surgery tomorrow to repair the damage. This is the first time Kay has had surgery.
Please pray that the surgery would go smoothly, that trauma to Kay would be minimized, and that full healing will occur.
2) Pain Relief
Kay is in intense pain, and the pain killers are giving her adequate relief. She is not comfortable in any position. Please pray that the Lord would lift the pain and reduce Kay's suffering.
3) Recovery from Trauma
The process of recovering from such a severe trauma can be long and involved. Please pray that the Lord would help Kay to really surrender to His healing process and schedule for her, and for the Holy Spirit to minister to her in a powerful and ongoing way.
4) Catching the Attackers
These men are still on the loose and could hurt others. Please pray that the Lord to help the police to find the attackers quickly, and for them to be brought to justice. Also for God in His great mercy to grant them salvation through faith in Jesus the Messiah.
5) Financial Support
The police have not yet made an official determination as to if the attack was a criminal or a terrorist attack. If it is determined to be a terrorist attack, the government can provide significant financial support for Kay's recovery process. In either case, she has expenses that will need to be taken care of. Please ask the Lord for ample provision to meet all of Kay's needs, so that she will not have money troubles on top of everything else.
TRIAL UPDATE
As I reported, the hearing was postponed on December 2nd as Teitel's lawyers (the 3rd set) quit and two other lawyers were appointed. A tentative hearing was set for the 20th, but was also postponed because of an ongoing State Prosecutor's strike. Well, the strike has ended, and so we will see what will happen now! Hallelujah, the Lord is in control.
We appreciate being bound together in love with you as the days get darker and more unsure. As we pray one for another in unity, we will see great answers to prayer in 2011, because the promises of God are not subject to any circumstance. The more impossible the situation appears to be, the greater the testimony of the Lord will be. May He continue to be lifted up and glorified in our lives.
Luke 18:27 "What is impossible with man is possible with God."
Yours in Yeshua,
Leah
PS. Please check out our website www.amiortiz.com which has been totally redesigned by Aviad Cohen, the creator, designer and maintainer of the site. It is beautiful! If any of you need a website designed, or know anyone who does - his website is www.acmediaservices.com
We want to update you on a very tragic event that happened this past Shabbat, and we appreciate your prayer for this situation. Kristine Luken and Kay Susan Wilson, both believers in the Messiah, were hiking in an area around Beit Shemesh (near Jerusalem) when they were attacked by two men, allegedly Arabs. Both were brutally stabbed, and Kristine was killed. Kay was badly wounded, but played dead until the men left, at which time she was able to walk to a nearby parking lot where she called out for help. She is currently in a hospital in Jerusalem recovering from severe wounds. More on that later.
Kristine was an American living in England. She was working for an organization called CMJ which reaches out to Jewish people with the Gospel. Kay is a Jewish Messianic believer, an Israeli citizen and an independent tour guide. She has often worked with Shoresh Tours in Jerusalem who are affiliated with CMJ. Both women are well-known and loved by believers in Israel and outside of Israel.
As in our case, the details of the investigation have been put under a media gag order, and more and more questions are arising among believers and non-believers as to what really happened. All we know is that Kay said that she believes that the attackers were Arabs, but some reports say that she said that they spoke Hebrew also. On the Israeli news she said that the attacker gently removed her Star of David, and then stabbed her where it had been on her chest, in the area of her heart, but other news agencies reported that the necklace was ripped off of her neck. The police haven't come out decisively to say whether this was a terror or criminal attack.
The attackers have not been apprehended, and now the media is silent on the case. In the Israeli press, when it was discovered that Kristine worked for a "missionary" organization, many reports centered on that other than the brutality of the attack. (read the talkbacks on the below articles). Again, as with our case, the issue of Yeshua and faith in Him sparks scandal and an attempt to hush up and downgrade the seriousness of the crime.
In the meantime, Kay is still in hospital. The below was released about her situation by a friend from the tour company, and we would appreciate your prayers for her, and for Kristine's family. We will report further when more information is revealed, God willing.
REPORT ON KAY'S CONDITION
"I was not at the hospital today, but understand that Kay is in very serious pain. Thank you to everyone who wanted to visit but did not come - Kay needed and continues to need a break from too many visitors (more on this below).
There will be a memorial service for Kristine Luken, Kay's friend who was murdered in the attack, at Christ Church in Jerusalem on Thursday 23 December at 16:00. "
News Updates:
http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=200165
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4001856,00.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40737195/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa/
PRAYER REQUESTS
1) Surgery to Repair Lacerated Diaphragm
Some of the stabs that entered Kay's side cut her diaphragm. She will undergo surgery tomorrow to repair the damage. This is the first time Kay has had surgery.
Please pray that the surgery would go smoothly, that trauma to Kay would be minimized, and that full healing will occur.
2) Pain Relief
Kay is in intense pain, and the pain killers are giving her adequate relief. She is not comfortable in any position. Please pray that the Lord would lift the pain and reduce Kay's suffering.
3) Recovery from Trauma
The process of recovering from such a severe trauma can be long and involved. Please pray that the Lord would help Kay to really surrender to His healing process and schedule for her, and for the Holy Spirit to minister to her in a powerful and ongoing way.
4) Catching the Attackers
These men are still on the loose and could hurt others. Please pray that the Lord to help the police to find the attackers quickly, and for them to be brought to justice. Also for God in His great mercy to grant them salvation through faith in Jesus the Messiah.
5) Financial Support
The police have not yet made an official determination as to if the attack was a criminal or a terrorist attack. If it is determined to be a terrorist attack, the government can provide significant financial support for Kay's recovery process. In either case, she has expenses that will need to be taken care of. Please ask the Lord for ample provision to meet all of Kay's needs, so that she will not have money troubles on top of everything else.
TRIAL UPDATE
As I reported, the hearing was postponed on December 2nd as Teitel's lawyers (the 3rd set) quit and two other lawyers were appointed. A tentative hearing was set for the 20th, but was also postponed because of an ongoing State Prosecutor's strike. Well, the strike has ended, and so we will see what will happen now! Hallelujah, the Lord is in control.
We appreciate being bound together in love with you as the days get darker and more unsure. As we pray one for another in unity, we will see great answers to prayer in 2011, because the promises of God are not subject to any circumstance. The more impossible the situation appears to be, the greater the testimony of the Lord will be. May He continue to be lifted up and glorified in our lives.
Luke 18:27 "What is impossible with man is possible with God."
Yours in Yeshua,
Leah
PS. Please check out our website www.amiortiz.com which has been totally redesigned by Aviad Cohen, the creator, designer and maintainer of the site. It is beautiful! If any of you need a website designed, or know anyone who does - his website is www.acmediaservices.com