By Marelinke van der Riet

For twelve days in June, Israel found itself in a sudden and tense war with Iran. The nation faced relentless missile barrages, widespread alerts, and an atmosphere heavy with fear and uncertainty. Life across the country came to a screeching halt. Here in Jerusalem, the physical damage was minimal, but people still lived on edge – especially the elderly and those living alone. Yet, even in the shadow of war, acts of compassion, courage, and faith illuminated the darkest moments. Corrie van Maanen, the ICEJ Homecare nurse, shared with us some of her experiences of hope and resilience that unfolded in the quiet corners of this latest crisis for the people of Israel:

It was still early in the morning when I began to plan for the day. I could not see what lay ahead, but I chose to put my trust in the Lord. We were in the midst of a war within a war that would last twelve days – twelve intense, exhausting, and emotionally draining days. We were on alert day and night. The energy it consumed was staggering.

Where I live, there is no suitable shelter. For ten nights, alarms startled us from sleep. Each time, we rushed down four flights of stairs to the street and into the large shelter under the synagogue. There, I met my neighbours – many in pyjamas, some holding dogs, and a toddler wrapped in a blanket. It was a unique experience, but strangely unifying.

Then suddenly, a ceasefire. It happened so abruptly that it was hard to comprehend. Only when the tension began to slip away did I realise how much strain we had all been under. Jerusalem had remained relatively quiet, and we were spared from direct harm – but the fear never fully left. We often heard the Arrow and Iron Dome batteries intercepting rockets with dull booms overhead. The aftermath left us all in a state of reflection.

Had my presence brought comfort, support, or some sort of blessing to my neighbours and the elderly whom I visited during this time? Was I able to minister peace in the midst of fear and uncertainty? With all my heart, I thanked the Lord for His protection and was grateful to be where I was. It took time to regain my breath and bearings.

Meanwhile, the war in Gaza against Hamas has continued. Many hostages are still not returned. For Israel, this has remained a raw wound. Families have grieved unbearable losses. Please continue to pray for them.

One day, I visited a woman who was frightened and deeply anxious. She lived alone – no husband, no children. The television was always on, giving repeated news updates. She had not slept or eaten much in days. I could see the fatigue and worry on her face. Even before I could speak, she declared, “No one, no one we can trust, except God alone!” Then, without missing a beat, she declared: “God is for us. He will save us.” Tears began to fall. She spoke with clarity: The world was in a spiritual battle – between light and darkness, between God and His adversary. She was vulnerable, but her faith was unwavering.

After a cup of coffee, I suggested a short walk, that fresh air might do her good. We stayed near buildings in case of an alarm. As we walked, her tension began to ease. Near her house, we sat on a bench. She loves animals, so I found a video of animal bloopers on my phone. It made her laugh out loud – a sound so out of place during wartime that passersby looked surprised. “Too bad you don’t live closer,” she said with a smile. “Then we could walk every day.”

Later that day, I visited Luba. She is 99 years old and still lives independently. She welcomed me warmly; the caregivers had not been by in four days, and her social group for the elderly had been suspended due to the war. She admitted feeling lonely and abandoned, but my presence sparked something in her. She wanted to bake blintzes – a sure sign the visit would last a while.

In her tiny kitchen, she worked with renewed energy. Being together visibly lifted her spirits. As we sat down with blintzes and tea, I shared about my recent trip abroad. “I’m so thankful to God that I made it back just before the airspace closed,” I said. She listened quietly, then asked, “If you hadn’t returned in time, would you still have seen God’s goodness?” Her question struck deeply. Luba, though not religious, had survived the horrors of World War II. She knew suffering. Where is the Lord when life turns against us?

Together, we found solace in our conversation. Often, we notice God more when life goes as we hope. But even when we do not feel Him, He is still there – in the hardship, in the silence. As I left, I wished her peace and held on to the quiet confidence that the Lord would continue being merciful to her.

These are just two stories. Each day was filled with caring for the elderly and supporting the vulnerable – shopping, assisting with hygiene, meaningful conversations, but most of all, just being there with them. The days were full, the nights interrupted. The war started suddenly, and just as suddenly it ended.

The very next day, at 8 AM, a plane from France arrived in Tel Aviv with 110 new Jewish olim (immigrants), 40 of whom were sponsored by the ICEJ. Most were young families. One woman was heavily pregnant. They stepped off the plane with hope and expectation, facing an uncertain yet promising future. This is Israel: resilient, hopeful, grounded in the promises of the God who never forgets His people.

Now that the dust has begun to settle, those twelve unnerving days have already entered our collective memory. We experienced deep sorrow for lives lost and homes destroyed. Yet in the midst of pain, we also experienced miracles, unity, and an unshakable trust in the Almighty’s guiding hand.

These stories reflect just a small part of the daily work we do through our ICEJ Homecare Program – offering emotional and physical support to the elderly, the lonely, and the vulnerable, especially during times of crisis. If these stories moved you, we invite you to be a part of this mission. Please consider donating today to help us continue providing vital care and comfort to those who need it most.

Donate here: help.icej.org/homecare