Only days after being released from Hamas captivity, former Israeli hostage, Emily Damari, returned to the very place from which she was kidnapped and taken to Gaza.

Kfar Aza, a beautiful kibbutz of 860 people very near the Gaza border, was attacked on October 7 when at least 73 residents were tortured, raped, maimed and beheaded by Hamas psychopaths. Eighteen more, including Emily, were taken captive into Gaza.

Last weekend, Emily was released after 16 months in captivity. After reuniting with her family and being checked out medically, she returned to the scene of the crime. Imagine walking back into the scene of such horror and evil. But for Emily, it was necessary.

Read her story here:

In a few short days, a group of us will be in Israel and, among other things, we will visit kibbutzim where Israelis stared Satan in the face. We’ll see for ourselves the remains of evil and chaos inflicted on that day. We will talk to those who survived the attack, and perhaps even a released hostage.

It is important to attempt to fathom the unfathomable. It is important to be able to convey what took place there on October 7. No, I don’t believe we will fully fathom it or be able to fully articulate the horrors, even when we see the aftermath with our own eyes. But it will give us incredibly deep insight into just how atrocious Hamas’ acts of terror were that day.

Stick with us as we engage with Israelis in acts of service and encouragement. Pray for us, and for those with whom we cross paths. May the love of Jesus shine brightly to our Israeli friends.