Prayer Asked For Messianic Believer Severely Injured By Bomb

SANTA ANA, CA (March 28, 2008) – On Thursday, March 20, a “mishloach manot” (a Purim food basket) was placed at the doorstep of a family of Messianic believers in the Samarian settlement of Arie in Israel. In Jewish tradition, food gifts are exchanged before the Purim festival. The gift was addressed to David Ortiz, the father of the family, and the label said in colorful Hebrew letters, “Happy Purim” and was decorated with innocent smiling faces. The top half of the gift was transparent cellophane, showing chocolates inside.

Ami (or Amiel), the 15-year-old son of David and Leah Ortiz and youngest of six children, brought the gift inside and opened it on the kitchen table. While unwrapping the gift, a bomb exploded in front of Ami, leaving him severely injured on the ground.

A neighbor who heard the explosion ran over to the apartment and called for an ambulance. Ami was wounded all over his body and was rushed to Schneider Hospital in Petach Tikvah, where doctors immediately operated in five places on his body.

The bomb must have been a sophisticated explosive device, put together by a “pro” and designed to maximize the killing power. It contained a substantial amount of explosives and many metal particles, nails and bolts. Many believe it was a miracle that Ami was not killed instantly.

The injuries are severe. Since the bomb went off in front of Ami, shrapnel hit his face and every part of his body. His left eye is unhurt but doctors pulled a sharp piece of metal out of his right eye. According to the doctor, there is a chance that sight in his right eye can be saved, but only if the nerve is unharmed after the swelling goes down.

There are deep cuts in his neck, but no damage was done to the main arteries. His lungs were penetrated by some 10 pieces of steel. One of his lungs is collapsed still and medical personnel are trying to restore it. No damage was done to the heart, and his organs seem to be functioning well.

Ami has second and third degree burns over most of the front of his body. He has a torn tendon in one hand, which is a difficult injury to heal completely. He has a gaping wound in one of his thighs, exposing the terribly lacerated muscle. The doctor believes that there is a chance it can be saved. According to local sources, he lost two toes. Ami remains in an induced coma as doctors continue to treat him.

According to a local believer, “Doctors are witnessing miracles as they see the lad respond to treatment. However, his recovery period is likely to be a marathon rather than a sprint, due to the severity of his injuries. Pray this will prove to be a tremendous testimony of God’s healing power!”

Motivation and Investigation

The police are investigating the attack, but most people are convinced that faith played a part in the cause. David Ortiz is pastor of a Messianic congregation in Ariel, and they have an outreach to Jews as well as Arabs. Ariel is a Jewish settlement in the West Bank and around 10 Messianic families live in this settlement.

Currently, it’s unknown where the cruelty originated. It could have been initiated by a fanatical Muslim faction as well as by a violent orthodox Jewish group.

This is a difficult time for both Ami and his family. Leah, Ami’s mother, shared with a local source that at one point, when she was feeling overwhelmed, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around to see who was seeking to comfort her but there was no one there. Also David shared when he left the hospital, “At first I was overwhelmed with despair. I felt darkness. But then the Lord spoke to me, ‘David, I have a plan.’” Please pray for the Lord’s plan to come to pass.

• Pray that Ami will not lose sight in his right eye and that the nerve is not damaged.
• Pray that the damage to his lungs and the injuries to his arm and leg can be repaired and he will not lose any bodily functions.
• Pray that God will work powerfully in the recovery of this young boy so that doctors can testify about the miracles in his healing.
• Pray for the Ortiz family, since this attack deeply impacts the family’s life. Pray that the Holy Spirit will bless them with peace, endurance and wholeness. And pray for protection of their work.
• Pray that, despite the tragedy, God will honor the suffering by a breakthrough for His kingdom, that media coverage brings Messianic Jews into the spotlight.

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