ADDING to post no. 812:
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2008/s08030126.htm
ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA
Visit our web site at: www.assistnews.net — E-mail: assistnews@aol.com
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Son of Ariel pastor injured in blast
By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries
Dalit (“Untouchables”) are the poorest of the poor in Indian society.
ARIEL, ISRAEL (ANS) — The 15-year-old son of a prominent Christian pastor living in the Samarian Jewish town of Ariel was seriously injured on Thursday, March 20, when an explosion rocked his home as he opened a Purim gift basket that was left on the family doorstep.
Police are investigating claims that the explosion was caused either by illegal Purim firecrackers or a malicious Purim* gift basket.
According to a story written by Rebecca Anna Stoil of The Jerusalem Post, Judea and Samaria Police Spokesman Chief Supt. Dani Poleg said that the police have not ruled out the possibility that the explosion was terror related.
“The youth [Ami] was home alone at the time of the blast and suffered shrapnel injures to his neck,” said the story. “He was rushed to Petah Tikva’s Beliinson Medical Center where he was listed in serious condition.
“The boy’s parents, David and Leah Ortiz, were informed of the incident and were on their way to the hospital.
“The Ortiz family is well-known in Ariel, where they have been living for over a decade. An ordained minister, Ortiz works mainly with Palestinians living in the West Bank, encouraging them to embrace Christianity. Ortiz, said one acquaintance, has received death threats in the past from radical Muslims incensed by his missionary efforts. A number of his followers have been beaten up and jailed by Palestinian Authority officials.
“Ortiz has a close relationship with Ariel Mayor Ron Nachman who has actively pursued strengthening the town’s connections with overseas Christian groups. David and his wife Leah, described by a neighbor as a Jewish believer in Jesus, also lead a small congregation of a couple dozen Christians in Ariel.”
A friend of the family said, “Ami has just gotten out of a five hour surgery with severe injuries all over his body. Doctors say his condition is “uncertain.”
“Please pray for Ami’s life and physical restoration. Please pray too for David and Leah for the Lord’s Hand to be upon them in a dramatic way at this time. They need His peace and grace right now! Please pray too that the church will rally around the Ortiz family at this time with prayer and support.”
* Purim is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people of the ancient Persian Empire from Haman’s plot to annihilate them, as recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther (Megillat Esther). According to the story, Haman cast lots to determine the day upon which to exterminate the Jews.
Dan Wooding, 67, is an award winning British journalist now living in Southern California with his wife Norma of 44 years. He is the founder and international director of ASSIST (Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times) and the ASSIST News Service (ANS). He was, for ten years, a commentator, on the UPI Radio Network in Washington, DC. Wooding is the author of some 42 books, the latest of which is his autobiography, “From Tabloid to Truth”, which is published by Theatron Books. To order a copy, go to www.fromtabloidtotruth.com. danjuma1@aol.com.
** You may republish this story with proper attribution.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1205420743532&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Mar 20, 2008 23:50 | Updated Mar 21, 2008 11:01
“Boy hurt in Hebron Hills bomb attack”
By JPOST.COM STAFF
ARTICE SNIPPET: “A 13-year-old boy was seriously wounded on Thursday night when terrorists detonated a bomb next to a car he was traveling in near Pnei Hever, in the southern Hebron Hills.
A group affiliated with the Aksa Martyrs Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack and IDF troops were sweeping the area in search of the perpetrators.
IDF sources said that remnants from an explosive device were found at the scene of the bomb attack.”