Reflections
& Update on
“The
shop is burning!”
said the voice on the telephone. Our friend had received a call and
passed the news on to us. Just today Eddie talked about taking the
television out of the shop because of the threat of theft. A Palestinian
tried to walk out the door with it today and an Arab friend stopped him. Not
the first time, but no time now for regrets – must get to the
shop! God is in control – focus!
Fire! We wondered what the
Haredim would do next! Is this it?
We pulled
up to the shop, camera in hand; a policeman was
openly annoyed that we were there. His first question, “Who called
her?” He cornered a medic, “Did you call her?” I wondered why
that was important????? I answered, “This is our
shop – we need to be here!” Then I noticed the restaurant owner from next
door. The police had called them, but not us! Questions!!!
The
fireman was hosing the place down with lots of water and it was still
smoldering. There was a heavy smell of smoke and gasoline in the
air. We were warned not to get too close because the electricity was not
turned off yet and there was water everywhere. I walked to
the back of the shop and the water was pouring from under the rear door.
I wondered if it was just the water from the fireman’s hose or did the pipes
break in the bathroom?
I took
some pictures and then called our landlord & his wife, waking them,
and broke the news to them. Within 10 minutes, he and his wife were at
the scene. They were sympathetic and at the same time worried about their
property. I assured them we would honor our agreement and repair it
He was glad to hear that we would continue on, and began making
suggestions as to how to improve security. We had been unable to obtain
insurance since we are a private venture.
The restaurant
owner was also worried about his adjoining property. He asked us what
are we going to do? – We answered, “Repair it and
continue on!” He was not happy about that. Our presence is a danger
to his restaurant.
The
police officer requested that I sit in his car with his accompanying IDF
soldier and give a statement about the fire, so I did. He was reluctant
to include any report of the Haredim threatening us or anything about their
newly opened chess club behind us. I insisted.
The electrician
showed up to turn off the electricity in the club, and discovered that the
restaurant’s current also runs through our electrical box. It took
another hour to figure out which wire was ours and which belonged to the
restaurant.
Meanwhile
the books were still smoldering with a glow underneath. The
fireman had finished his work, rolled up the hose and left. We
called the fire co, again and told them, but they said it was O.K. and didn’t return.
I walked
behind the darkened shop, and in the light of the street lamps, I saw stones
lying around the back door. There were more stones in front of the shop.
I noticed new indentations in the window of the back door, and of course, the
front windows were totally broken. It looked to me as if more than one
person was involved. What kind of arsonist throws rocks and burns a
place, too?
The whole
scene was disturbing, yet both Eddie and I were sensing a supernatural
peace. God was in our midst. Somehow, we know in our hearts that HE
will be glorified through this situation.
The next
morning, arson investigators came from Beersheva and carefully examined our
burned building. They said at least 40 liters of gasoline had been
used to start this fire. That’s more than one person can carry.
The chess
players began to arrive and were shocked to see the condition of the
shop. Some had tears in their eyes. Eddie began to bring out
the tables which barely survived in the fire – They are blackened and warped,
but usable. The chess clocks are almost a total loss. The chess
boards all have the touch of fire upon them. It is a sad picture, but the
players are encouraged by our promise to renovate and continue on in the face
of opposition.
Many
friends have sent us notes of encouragement and Bible verses. It is
comforting to know that so many are praying and holding us up. A number
of believers have asked for suggestions as to how they can help in a practical
way. We will begin to clean-up on Tuesday morning. (We want
to show the people what happened to our shop on Monday open-air market
day.) We can feel your love and we thank you for it! God bless you in
Y’shua’s Name and for His Glory! We appreciate you!
Monday –
we were greeted by the orthodox who were passing out
flyers which stated that we started the fire to gain attention. I
thought, “How arrogant!” They burned the place down and then have the
nerve to appear in public and make fun of us. They circled the shop
and laughed and gloated and spoke lies about us. How devilish!
This is what the Pharisees did around the cross. Y’shua compared them to
the bulls of
Tuesday,
lots of chess players showed up willing to help! What an
encouragement! Just last evening, someone came to me and told me “it was
not worth doing a chess club for these kind of people…
they have no hope in their heart and will do nothing for anyone.
They are beyond help.” I assured that they were exactly what we wanted:
we want to give hope to the hopeless! She didn’t understand. Yet
here were these “hopeless” men happy to pitch in and carry things out to the
dumpster
Within an hour all the burned items – all the melted plastic – all of it was in
the dumpster. We were a sooty crew but satisfied with our labors!
God is good! Next came the clean up, and the people from
Cleaning soot off walls is an experience, especially without electricity.
There are no windows in the bathroom, so I was feeling my way around trying to
get enough soot off the walls so that light would reflect. We had a
flashlight, but it was useless against the sooty walls – Black, black and more
black.
Three of the Haredim have been arrested and charged with arson. All three were released
on a limited basis awaiting trial.
IMPORTANT: The Haredim are so
determined to get rid of Eddie, that they have
been going to the police and have put several false charges against him.
They have come up with a number of outrageous stories. Of course this means, that we had to hire a lawyer. In
We
can see the Lord in this situation, because now the illegal activities of
the Haredim and the police in
The
lawyer even agreed to work for 20% compensation instead of regular
hourly fees. And he lowered the $5000. retainer
and filing fees to $3000. and allowed us to pay it off
in increments.
The
assessor came to see our damaged and blackened shop – He was very sympathetic
as he walked around and listed the various items that need to be
replaced. He will send his report to us later.
The
building supply company sent some people over to estimate the damage and talk
about renovations. They promised to write up each of the various projects
so we could put them on line and allow our friends and supporters to see what
is needed. New doors and outside walls front and back need to be
replaced. New wiring and lights must be installed. The walls need to be
re-done. The dry wall was burnt and is cracked and peeling. So
much to be done… the Lord knows!
Several
donations have come in so far. 50 shekels each from two friends, a check
from a tourist, a donation promised from someone in
Lots of
people want the work and are coming in and measuring and trying to get a
commitment out of us, but most of these people have no tools and are not
qualified – they are just hungry. So far we have been unable to hire
anyone.
Yesterday,
a television crew from channel 3 (
Pray for
us for patience and opportunities to witness further! Pray for compassion
for those who persecute us – it is difficult to receive insults, lies and more,
on a daily basis and maintain peace. However we are experiencing
supernatural grace in the face of evil – for that we praise the Lord and give
Him thanks! Thank you for standing with us in a difficult place!
Love and blessings, Lura and Eddie Beckford,