A Big Island teacher stranded in Lebanon since the Israeli military began bombing the country a week ago is expected to be in Cyprus this morning.

The father of Sarah Ahmadia, 27, said yesterday afternoon that his nephew, who is with the Lebanese police, and other relatives escorted his daughter last night to Beirut from Sharoon, the mountain town where she was staying.

Sarah Ahmadia had been visiting family in Lebanon since July 8 — about four days before fighting began. Because roads have been targeted by Israeli bombers, Sarah's father, Jamil Ahmadia, said his biggest concern for his daughter was "the trip between Sharoon and Beirut."

Getting Sarah Ahmadia out of the country has been a family affair. Besides her cousins guiding her back to Beirut, her brother in Chicago called the U.S. State Department yesterday and let them know Sarah was traveling with two aunts and three cousins ages 2, 7 and 12. Because children were involved, their evacuation was sped up. Initially, the State Department said Ahmadia's evacuation "could be several days."

Sarah Ahmadia text-messaged and also talked to The Advertiser via her cell phone yesterday morning.

"Please let me know if you get notice that Americans hiding in safety outside of Beirut should come to Beirut," she text-messaged.

Reach Brittany Yap at byap@honoluluadvertiser.com.