Liel’s Story
Liel was 3 years
old when she, her mother, and her grandmother were caught in the July 2005
suicide bombing attack in front of the Sharon Mall in Netanya. The mall is
less than 5 blocks from her apartment and they were waiting to cross the street
when the bomber struck. Liel’s 26 year old mother, Rita, was horribly burned
with 3rd degree burns over 50 % of her body and sustained extensive internal
injuries resulting in the removal of portions of various organs. She was not
expected to live but Praise the LORD, He did a miracle and she survived. However,
she suffers from severe depression. The 50-year-old grandmother, (Rita’s mother)
was also severely wounded and died in the hospital from her injuries the day
after the attack. Liel herself sustained serious burns down her back, arms
and legs covering 60% of her little body.
Update: March 2006
Hugs helps 4- year- old Liel become a Queen for Purim
And Transforms a Household
4 year old Liel has a Hugs Adoptive Grandparent in Washington who financially
sponsors her through our Adopt-a-Grandchild Project. With the funds received,
we are able to ministry the healing power of the LORD’S Love in tangible ways
month after month.
The Jewish holiday of Purim (based on the Biblical account of how Esther
saved the Jewish people from destruction) is one of the children’s favorite
holidays as they dress up in their favorite costumes. As the holiday was getting
closer, I really wanted to get her a very nice costume that would make her
feel extra special. I decided on a princess/queen dress. My plans to visit
her however had to be postponed because of a major storm warning for the area
and I would not be able to get there until after the holiday was over. When
speaking to my Jewish friend Nina, who also lives in Netanya, she quickly
offered to shop for a dress and all the accompanying paraphernalia. She would
then take it to her that night so she would have it in time for Purim on behalf
of Hugs and the Adoptive Grandparent. Later Nina told me the effect the dress
had had on Liel when she first saw it and also on the rest of the household
members. Suddenly there was laughter and joy in the house and even the mother,
who is in deep depression, was happy!
The following week, after Purim, I was able to visit her. Without a doubt
Nina found the most beautiful dress I believe in all of Israel. And Liel was
still ecstatic! She couldn’t wait for us to arrive (myself and a different
Jewish friend) so that she could put it on and model it for us…complete with
her tiara and scepter. She was such a joy to behold as she really hammed it
up …singing, jumping and swirling around the room. The mother told us what
a difference that dress had made in Liel and how excited she was to have it
because it made her feel like a queen. When she wore it to her kindergarten
all the teachers said it was the most beautiful one they had seen. This is
the little girl who had been badly burned in the July suicide bombing…the
same attack that killed her grandmother and severely wounded her mother as
well. The newspapers reported that while she was in the hospital treatment
had been difficult because she refused to talk with anyone. This is not uncommon
for those suffering severe trauma. Even when we made contact with her for
the first time at her home a few months later, she was still very much withdrawn
and sad. But as we have continued to go back on a regular basis always bringing
something extra special for her, (including her 4th birthday celebration in
February) slowly her demeanor has begun to change and she is laughing again!
