SUFFOLK, Va. — Members of a Suffolk church are finally on their way back to Hampton Roads after days of Facebook updates saying they're stuck in Israel.
On Friday, Relate Church's Facebook page re-shared a video from its pastor, Steve Bellavia, who said, “We are out of Israel... we have landed at our first stop. A long journey ahead, but we are out!”
“I have been praying and praying since they touched down over there,” said church member Christina Jarrell.
Jarrell said 12 people, including Pastor Bellavia, flew to Israel last week for a mission trip, but their plans changed quickly.
“I know as soon as they touched down, that is when they heard about the attacks.” Jarrell said.
On October 7, the terrorist group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel. The Israeli military responded with airstrikes on Sunday, and war has continued all week.
A post shared by the church from Bellavia said group members in Israel could hear air raid sirens and the sounds of nonstop missile attacks in the distance.
“Definitely was nerve-wracking for a little while but definitely reminded us this is why we pray, this is why we believe what we believe,” Jarrell said.
Bellavia posted about trouble securing flights back to the states... until his group got tickets home for Friday.
Jarrell credited the power of prayer for their safe return.
“I look forward to hearing from them and seeing them and hugging them and awaiting their testimony from all of this,” Jarrell said. “I know good is going to come out of this and we are just going to use it and remember to keep praying for Israel.”
The church group initially planned to stay in Israel until Saturday.
Senator Mark Warner is urging Virginians in Israel to contact the U.S. Embassy in Israel, or his office, for further assistance.
“We are working with the state department to do everything we can to get these folks to safety,” Warner said.