October 7th 2025

Underneath this moment captured, of a backpacker's smile, was the chaos of uncertainty. This photo was taken on the 9th October 2023, when the reality of war had somehow become the norm. Leading up to this moment were experiences that couldn’t fully be put into words… as I look back to the day, October 7th, 2023, I think of both the fear of the unknowns of making it out of Israel alive as well as the evident hand of God in amongst it all. What remains is that my life since that day was changed. We may not understand or be able to explain the realities of war; we might not even be able to make sense of the ‘why,’ but what we do know is that our God is greater than even the uncertainties of war. Today, I remember and specifically pray for those affected by the horrific events of this day. I think of those in Israel who live in the reality of war EVERY SINGLE DAY of their lives. I pray for the safety of Jewish people all over the world. And most importantly, I pray for both sides, both Jews and Arabs, to come to truly find ‘peace.’

We long for the day when pain and suffering are no more, but until then, we pray and know that our God hears our prayers. My experience of Israel wasn’t a coincidence or a mistake but rather, I believe, a path God had me on for such a time as this. May our hearts and minds be filled with a peace that is not of this world… a peace that only comes from above. Our ways are not His ways, and our thoughts are not His thoughts.

Today, we remember October 7th, 2023.

Jessie Steenkamp