Thursday Morning Update

Dear Family,

This AM we were up at 5:30 to the sound of the "get-to-the-shelter" sirens. There were apparently no hits in Haifa though. Life here is a bit surreal. Everywhere life is the same--you have laundry to do, food to cook, relationships to attend to and so on, so in some ways the differences are subtle. People don't go outside much unless they have to. There is a way that having things fall out of the sky keeps people off the streets. It is getting more clear what the facts are about the bombs--so when the sirens go off, we only need to stay in the shelters for about 20 min. then the threat is passed unless another siren goes. We are all getting so that when we hear a high pitched noise ie pigeons, it sounds like the beginning of a siren and we go "on alert" for a moment. Two days ago we had about 90 bombs here during the day. Since then it has been getting sparser. Many of the outposts in Lebanon have been hit and so are no longer shooting, and also many of the supplies from Iran have been intercepted so there are lots of bombs that won't be fired at us.

It seems that it is getting safer for us. We have great compassion for the Lebanese. I think that we do have the belief that it will end in about 10-15 days. There is a sense here that the Israelis are doing their best to hit strategically and to avoid hitting civilians when possible and not to overstep into aggression with another country. Naturally the world is watching to see what Iran and Syria will do.

We continue to go to work everyday and plug away at our tasks. Both Eric and I remain pretty busy in our various roles, caring for people. I have actually not had too many really freaked out people, and the ones that are really disturbed are going for a while. It is amazing how people adapt to things--even here. Generally, people are staying good-humored. Interestingly, there is a lot of bonding and unity developing amongst the staff, which is comforting and supportive. We are aware that as war goes, it could be much worse and many people here have been through things that are much worse--ie Iran/Iraq war. Most of the Moms and babies here (BWC) are leaving. It is hard having babies in bomb shelters and of course parents are concerned for their safety.

It seems that people following the Israeli guidelines for homeland safety are staying safe--we are. I think that we are as comfortable and safe as one can be during a war. As one young lady put it--"look, they are shooting these tiny bombs that are about 2 feet long and shooting from Lebanon, and their aim isn't very good. We are staying in buildings with thick walls with lots of rebar, and keep away from the windows. What are the odds that you will get hit? If you do, it is probably your time and it could happen in California on the freeway. We should just chill out." :)

Much love
Tricia