Dr. Yftach Gepner does not see himself as a hero, but don’t tell that to his brother. On October 7 Hamas terrorist invaded southern Israel with the sole intent to kill, rape and destroy. And they succeeded, except in the moshav village of Ein HaBesor where they ran into Yftach, his brother Elon and others from the villages security team. Elon was shot several times and it was his brother that saved his life. Their story is remarkable and how they are helping rebuild the surrounding communities destroyed by Hamas terrorist is even more unbelievable.
Last week Pastor Paula sat down with Dr. Gepner, his wife Michal and two of their three children, Ella (14) and Alon (10) to talk about the attack on their community and to discuss the partnership between Paula White Ministries (PWM) and Ein HaBesor.
WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW SPECIAL REPORT HERE
Over the past eight months PWM has teamed up with CityServe Israel, the National Faith Advisory Board and Nashville based Conduit Church to adopt this community and to resource them to be a resource to the entire Eschol Valley. Pastor Paula marveled at the resiliency of the Gepner family. “To go through what they went through, and to experience the heartache of hundreds of their friends and family members who died, is almost too much for anyone to bear,” said Pastor Paula. No stranger to tragedy herself, Pastor Paula immediately connected heart to heart with the Gepner family, especially with the children.
Ella and Alon were stuck in the family safe room with their sister and mother for 27 hours before the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) came and cleared the area of terrorists. “I can’t imagine my grandchildren going through the horrors they went through,” said Pastor Paula as she listened to the children describe what happened to their classmates and friends. Both children had close friends kidnapped and others murdered by the terrorists.
The Gepners are touring within the United States with PWM Pastor of Global Outreach Todd Lamphere and CityServe Israel Executive Director Uri Steinberg, sharing a message of restoration and a plan to help heal children going through trauma. “The coalition of faith partners that have rallied around Ein HaBesor is truly amazing,” said Lamphere. “Most of the residents of Ein HaBesor had never met an Evangelical Christian before October 7th. It has been a wonderful connection to show our Jewish brothers and sisters that they are not alone.”
Pastor Paula was moved by the need to address the trauma that is plaguing the children in the region. “These precious children need emotional support for healing. The sooner we can get them help and resources, the greater chance they have for healing.” It has been proven that one of the greatest antidotes for childhood trauma is play therapy which is why PWM and her partnering organizations have started easing funds for the Ein HaBesor Sports Complex. Trauma isolates you and draws you inward. “Getting kids outside and playing is incredibly therapeutic for children. We need to raise the funds necessary to help the children of the Eschol Valley rise above their pain,” Pastor Paula said.
The sports complex center and bomb sheltered senior center will cost approximately $1.5 million to complete.
Prayerfully consider being part of helping children regain their childhood.
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