Well, there are approximately 101 reasons why I continue to go to reserve duty in the IDF.
First of all, you are obligated to go, and the conversations are always deeper at sunrise, the coffee tastes better with a little bit of sand, you sleep deeper in a sleeping bag (while being alert in full uniform), the long marches are easier with a heavy gun bag on your back, and because military food tastes better than the food at nice restaurant (not really).
Jokes aside, I go because if I don’t show up, who will? Who will serve our beloved country?
In combination with the deep ideology that characterizes the vast majority of reservists (myself included), it’s really fun to meet up with the guys and to get into the atmosphere. Interestingly, the harder or more demanding the mission is, the stronger our connection is as a team of soldiers; the experience unites us.
I’m called to do reserve duty almost every year. I serve in the paratrooper brigade for both during my mandatory service and in the reserves.
As usual, reserve duty comes at a bad time – there’s a lot of pressure in the office, there are needs in the community, extended family comes to visit from abroad, and more. The first to suffer from reserve duty is the family – my wife and children. I take off my hat to single-parent families. I have no idea how they manage, to me it seems virtually impossible.
It is difficult for my wife who stays at home while I go off to reserve duty and suddenly everything falls on her shoulders. What we used to do together as a team she must do by herself. For instance, take care of the dog, the children, prepare meals, take the children to school and to afternoon activities, give baths, manage the home and repairs, spend quality time with the children, put everyone to bed, and many more tasks, including dealing with the emotional stress.
This year I am on active duty in the Nablus area. The surroundings are pleasant and the company is good. We are here in the Samaria area, at the foot of Mount Gerizim, and the Bible stories seem to peep out from every corner.
We are near a Christian-Zionist settlement in Har Bracha (Mountain of Blessing). The first settlers came here 14 years ago to cultivate the Promised Land as a fulfillment of prophecies. I was so happy to come and meet them personally (unfortunately it was short, duty called).
I feel great pride and satisfaction for having the privilege and the opportunity to serve the State of Israel and the Israel Defense Forces.
Now, how could one end without saying thanks?
First off, I want to thank God for His protection, for the hand of God that is on me, my life, my family, and on all the IDF soldiers.
Thank you to those who fear God and remember us in prayer.
I must thank my family for the endurance, patience, and willingness to sacrifice on the home front in order to give us, the fighters, a tailwind to succeed and focus on our mission.
On a Personal note, I want to say thank you to my wife, Lydia, for your heartfelt support.
Thanks to the Ro’eh Israel congregational family, a loving and supportive community.
Thank you to the New Beginnings Church, who have been faithfully supporting our Messianic soldiers for many years. The coffee kit in the picture is one of the many gifts that this dear church has contributed over the years.
Finally, a special thanks to Netivyah, which is my home, my work, and my life. Thank you for your support, for understanding the national need for reserve duty, and for the unit BBQ we got to enjoy courtesy of the food products you donated.
Once again, I thank God for everything.
I’m more or less still in the middle of my reserve duty when you see this post. Please continue to keep us in prayer, and hopefully I’ll be able to post more photos and stories soon.
In the love of Yeshua the Messiah,
Yehuda Bachana
