🏠 Ray & Jane ｜BBPN Beit Simcha｜February 9, 2026
On February 4, we hosted the 12th group of Israeli backpackers—E, R, A, and T. They met one another during their travels in Cambodia and later journeyed together to Taiwan. BBPN Beit Simcha became the only Beit Simcha they encountered on this trip. For this, our hearts were filled with gratitude, and we poured out the love of Yeshua upon this round table with all we had.
This time, we treated them to a meal at a Chinese restaurant. The rotating Lazy Susan at the centre of the round table felt novel to them, and as it turned, it allowed everyone—through conversation and response—to clearly meet one another’s gaze. The distance between us naturally grew closer.
During the time of self-introduction, the sharing of R and A left a particularly deep impression. Both of them had been seriously injured during or after the actions related to the Israel–Hamas war on October 7. As R entered the restaurant, he carried with him a medicine storage box that needed to be plugged in. We learned that two months after the October 7 incident, when he entered Gaza, he was injured by RPG shrapnel. The right side of his body was covered with wounds, and both of his legs had suffered burns that required skin grafts.
When Pastor Jamie said to him, “I am sorry to hear that,”
he responded calmly, “I am alive. I am here. I am travelling.”
In that moment, our hearts were shaken. Yes—he is alive.
Sitting beside him was A, who was also injured on October 7 and spent an entire year in rehabilitation before fully recovering. As we looked at the scars on their bodies, our hearts ached; yet even deeper was our reverence for the truth that their lives had been preserved.
After the meal, we returned to Pastor Jamie’s home, where we had intentionally set aside a special moment. With kombucha in hand, we raised our glasses one by one—to Israel, to Taiwan, to love, health, freedom, friendship, and family. In the end, everyone formed a circle, waving the flags of Israel and Taiwan, clinking glasses and shouting together, “L’chaim!”—a toast to life.
Afterward, Ray shared the biblical story of the woman who had been bleeding for twelve years. This was his first time sharing in English. Though he was nervous, the process of preparation helped him realise more deeply that Yeshua not only healed the woman’s body, but also restored her long-wounded heart. He also openly shared how he himself had experienced such healing and restoration. As we presented them with gifts symbolising the tassels of Yeshua’ garment, we conveyed a simple yet real conviction: when you are in need, Yeshua has the power—and the willingness—to heal you.
Finally, we released the “Voice of Burning Bush”—the prophetic blessings received for each of them by the Reserve Prayer team. Every one of them was deeply touched. A asked in astonishment, “How did you know these things about us?” We smiled and answered that even before they arrived in Taiwan, the team had already begun praying for them. All of this came from a God who loves them. The Heavenly Father had already seen them and is watching over everything concerning them.
That evening, Pastor Jamie took out the Guest Book for the first time. When they learned that they were the very first backpackers to leave messages in it, they smiled with unmistakable joy. This time of hosting not only allowed us to witness the resilience of our Israeli friends’ lives, but also reaffirmed this truth: since God Himself brought them to meet us, He will surely continue to lead them forward.
