Former Huntsville television news anchor and Kids to Love founder Lee Marshall is in Israel as the United States and Israel conduct “major combat operations” against Iran.
Marshall is visiting with Eagle’s Wings, a Jerusalem-Christian non-profit that provides critical resources to first responders and assists displaced families. A group of around 120 women from various ministries and nonprofits is on the Esther Awakening trip at a resort on the Sea of Galilee. Marshall said the timing of the frontline mission trip is not lost on her.
“I think if you look at the scripture parallel with this being an Esther Awakening and the Esther mandate and mantle that the women here feel like they have on their lives, that's exactly what Esther did, which was to risk everything,” Marshall added. “So, I do feel like for such a time as this, this is the first time that they've ever brought this many female leaders here. In fact, we were supposed to have dinner with the president of Israel tonight, but we told him not to even try to come. But when you look at the female role historically in society in this part of the world, we have that courage to come here, and it's been amazing.”
The facility has bomb shelters, and Marshall said they feel safe and said the worst of the conflict is happening a couple of hours away from her location.
“They have bomb shelters in Israel like we have tornado shelters in Alabama,” Marshall said. “It's kind of crazy, the uncanny peace that I have. It's nerve-racking when the alarm goes off, and we have to go in and out of the shelter. So, we've probably been in and out of the bomb shelter maybe 20 times today.”
Rusty and Lisa Nelson, founders of the Rock Church in Huntsville, are on the trip. Marshall said Lisa Nelson called her after hearing about the combat operations. The group knew before going on the trip that there was a possibility of conflict, but decided to proceed with contingency plans in mind. Marshall said the trip has made headlines in Israel because of the large delegation of women.
The group is continuing to pray and worship.
“When you get 120 fired-up women, it's been a very moving day,” Marshall explained. “There has been a lot of, a lot of prayer and a lot of praise and yeah, it's, it's definitely been a religious experience.”
The group is on day four of what was supposed to be a 10-day trip. They started with two days in Tel Aviv before heading to the Sea of Galilee. The group is now working on logistics to return to the U.S. In the meantime, they are assisting other women with trauma therapy.
Marshall said while she understands the risk, she also understands the mission. She said knowing Huntsville’s role in defense systems is also giving her peace.
“I know what we do in Alabama in the world of defense and defense contracting,” she said. “We've got some of the best, smartest people on our side back home doing their job well. So, it gives us peace on this side knowing that our hometown has us.”
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