Tragedy in Carmel

Dreadful fires across the Carmel range of mountains have claimed some 50 lives. The strong winds and drought have contributed to this awful tragedy. 40 of the dead were prison guards on the way to move prisoners but their buses were trapped by the fires and engulfed them. Absolutely dreadful. Let's hope foreign countries will respond to Israel's call for help and send aircraft to douse the fires. And let's hope this doesn't happen to the south of Israel which is much more arid. When will God send us some rain? Why all the snow in Europe and not here?

The Carmel range is famous because it is associated  biblically with the prophet Elijah and especially the famous challenge between Elijah and the prophets of Baal by calling fire to fall upon their sacrifices. The sanctuary of Muhraqa ("sacrifice") is right in the middle of the mountain range - let's hope the Carmelite fathers are safe. The Carmel mountains are venerated by the Carmelite Order as the location of its foundation. The friars have 2 monasteries and the nuns have one, all along the mountain range. The Carmel mountain range ends with the coastal city of Haifa. The university of Haifa would also be in danger. The nearby Druze/Christian village of Isfiya is also evacuated.

Last night at 10pm our area shook from a series blasts of stun grenades. There must have been some rioting in the Silwan (Siloam) area south of the Old City just 1 km from where we stay. We could hear shouting and lots of stun grenades exploding. All very disturbing. It was the 2nd night of Hanukkah and many Jews had gone to the Wailing Wall to pray - which is directly next to the Silwan neighbourhood.

Today is the feast of St. Francis Xavier, the jesuit missionary who lived in Malacca and Macau. Pray for us St Francis Xavier, that we may be saved from war and natural calamity.