HOUSTON – A mission trip led by the Jerusalem Peacebuilders organization was cut short due to the Israel-Hamas war. Danna Kurtin and Reverend Nicholas Porter had been leading the pilgrimage in Jerusalem earlier in the month. They are now back home safely.
“While we were there, the fighting broke out, and horrible atrocities occurred,” said Reverend Porter.
“We knew from our sources that we were in a safe location,” said Kurtin.
After facing several canceled flights, the group was eventually able to leave the war-torn country. However, their concern remains with the hostages and stranded Americans waiting to be rescued.
“No one is talking about them,” said Kurtin while expressing worry for the stranded Americans.
They have a close friend, Suhaila Tarazi, among the hundreds of US citizens stuck in Gaza. Tarazi is the director of Al Ahli Hospital, where the devastating blast killed hundreds of people last week.
Reverend Porter called her “the Mother Theresa of Gaza” for her tireless work to heal the sick and the poorest of the poor.
Danna has been in contact with Suhaila, who is okay but has received little information from US officials on how to leave Gaza.
The two are now calling on lawmakers and officials to take swift action.
“Do the right thing, do the brave thing, do the courageous thing, but also do the unforgettable thing, which is to bring these Americans home,” said Reverend Porter.