River Lake Church members in Israel prior to Hamas attacks. Photo courtesy of Nic Smith's Facebook.
By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
Updated Oct. 11, 9:25 a.m.
Roughly nine hours ago, Smith posted on social media that the group was at the airport.
“Ready to be home,” the post stated. “12 hours down and 23 to go. Can’t wait to be back in the States.”
The group was originally set to travel back to the U.S. on Oct. 9 but had their return flight canceled after Israel declared war on Hamas on Oct. 7. Their return on Oct. 11 represents a day delay caused by the fighting.
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Updated Oct. 9, 1:48 p.m.
Approximately one hour ago Smith took to his social media to post an update on his group’s situation. In the video, which appears to be shot in his hotel room, he re-emphasized that all members are “really good.”
“We’re stuck in Israel right now but we’re safe,” Smith said in the video. “Israel’s defense are incredible and we’re grateful for all they’re doing.”
He added that he views this as a “Psalms 46 moment” and he continues to ask for prayers both for the group and for the nation that is “walking through a lot more” than the group is.
The video update did not contain any additional information as to the group’s departure. He said he will provide additional updates when possible.
“Thank you to all who have reached out,” Smith said. “God bless and hope to see you soon.”
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Eighteen members of the Glasgow-based River Lake Church found themselves stranded in Israel and unable to return to the United States after Israel declared war on a Palestinian Islamic terrorist organization.
River Lake Church Pastor Nic Smith with his daughter and 16 other members of the congregation left for a trip to Israel on Sept. 30, according to the Faith-based expeditions website, with the goal to tour “God’s testing ground of faith.”
According to the itinerary, the group landed in Tel Aviv on Day 2 of the 11-day pilgrimage, and visited the Sea of Galilee.
The band of 18 Glaswegians were originally scheduled to return to the U.S. on Monday night, Oct. 9, but on Oct. 7 at 6:30 a.m. local time, the Hamas — a Palestinian Islamic terrorist group — attacked Israel with “an estimated 2,200 rockets [being] fired toward southern and central Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, by the Hamas militants.”
As of today, Oct. 9, roughly 700 people are dead with 2,300 injured.
The surprise attack led to Israel declaring war on Hamas at 10:30 a.m. local time and subsequently canceling flights to and from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport, leaving Smith and his group unable to return home.
Several airlines have said they are monitoring the situation and will resume services should conditions improve.
Smith went live on his Facebook profile on Oct. 7 to provide answers on the group’s situation.
“We are still in Israel,” Smith said on the live. “If you are not aware yet, Israel has just declared war on Hamas, and we are in the middle of a conflict over here. We are fine. Everything is okay. Everybody is calm. Where we are at, we have not seen anything…We ask that you pray for Israel though.”
“We are good. We are okay. Everything is good on our specific end, but the nation we’re in is in real chaos so pray for them [and] pray for us that we’ll return home,” he added.
One day ago, Oct. 8, Lorne Saltsman, a member of the group, took to Facebook at the Grand Court Hotel in Jerusalem to provide an update on the situation.
“We are leaving this hotel and going to another safe hotel,” Saltsman said on Facebook. “The guide said that Israel has secured it now and feels very comfortable taking us there. All flights for all airlines have been canceled so leaving is not an option today. He said we are closer to the airport there than where we are right now. Our guide is very confident and was a military commander. So he understands the war and where it’s safe and where it’s not. We are all safe and under the circumstances in good spirits.”
“We have arrived at a new hotel in Jerusalem, waiting for the airport to open to fly out of here ASAP. Prayers please for the safe return of 18 of us from Glasgow.” he added in the post.
Approximately four hours ago Saltsman again posted an update on social media saying they had arrived at their new hotel safely and were all doing okay.
Congressman Brett Guthrie’s office released a statement on the Israel situation saying they were closely monitoring the issue.
“We are praying for all those affected by the deadly attacks in Israel,” the statement reads. “Please know my office is fully engaged to assist any Kentuckian’s safe return home.”
The Glasgow Police department similarly put out a statement of support for those over seas.
“The Glasgow Police Department is sending our thoughts and prayers to Riverlake Church Pastor Nic Smith and all that are involved with the situation currently going on in Israel,” the post states. Pastor Nic Smith is one of Glasgow Police Department’s Chaplin’s and has a group of local folks with him over in Israel and we are praying for all that are involved in their safe return!”
Members of River Lake Church declined to comment when Glasgow News 1 reached out to them via email.
“…out of an abundance of caution, we won’t be making any statement of any sort before the group is back on the ground in the U.S.,” the email stated.
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