“I saw the look on my nephew’s face whenever he heard the sirens. No child should have to live with that fear.”
Amidst war, sometimes the most astounding fact is that life goes on.
It is a highly intense form of ordinary life. In the evening, a full night’s sleep can be rare, ever waiting to be interrupted by a different kind of alarm.
In the morning, employees go to work. They join their scheduled meetings before they are interrupted by piercing sirens emanating from their phones. Immediately, they make their way to the shelter, if they have one. Once the all-clear is given, they return to work and continue about their day.
“I couldn’t sleep for the entire period,” said Majdoleen Nawatha, SERVE Coordinator. “Even if we don’t get an alarm, deep inside you need to be ready to go to the shelter.”
The ever-present undercurrent of anxiety and sleep deprivation makes going about the day a struggle. You have to find solace.
For Majdoleen, that solace came from Jesus Christ, ‘the Prince of Peace.’
“That He won’t leave us.”
Dr Salam Hadid, Director of the Nazareth Academic School of Nursing and a mother of four, found rest in God’s presence.
“I drew my strength first and foremost from my deep faith that God is with us every moment, day and night, even on the roads, and that He protects us even in the most difficult circumstances.
“I drew so much strength from my family—my students, my staff, and the administration of our institution—who gave us a sense of unity. Prayer was a source of strength and comfort, reminding me that despite the fear, there is hope, and nothing lasts forever.”
Her eldest son lives in Tel Aviv, which suffered prolonged missile assaults during the war. One of her daughters is a nursing student working at Nahariya Hospital under the immense pressure the war inflicted. A son was studying in the United States, worrying about his family in Israel. Her 11-year-old daughter is studying remotely at home near the border conflict in Lebanon.
The daily commute to Nazareth became a constant source of anxiety, with frequent changes depending on the security situation.
“As a family, we tried to support each other, and prayer played a significant role and gave us a sense of peace,” she said.
“I tried to focus on the present – how to ensure the continuity of education for our students and how to maintain the family’s cohesion.
“I kept my thoughts occupied with hope and faith that the coming days would be better.”
She hopes for the return to security and stability, that her students will be able to complete their education, graduate, and serve their community.”
The Nazareth Academic School of Nursing gives Arab-speaking students, who are underrepresented in the Israeli medical field, access to education through its scholarships. It equips them with the necessary skills to thrive in nursing.
“I believe that light is always stronger than darkness,” she said, “and that God is with us and accompanies us every step of the way.”
Thank you to our supporters who have walked with us through these difficult times. Your support makes a real, tangible difference in the lives of Nazarenes. We ask you to pray for peace to prevail and for the people of Nazareth.
