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Operation ExodusA ministry of Ebenezer Emergency Fund International

•Atimetomourn•Atimetosow•Atimetobuild

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Issue 2 – 2011

In this Issue:

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Operation Exodus — A Christian ministry helping the Jewish people return to Israel

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“Comfort, yes, comfort My people!”

Says your God. Isaiah40:1

An Urgent Cry forJewishPeopleandtheChurch

Toulouse Jewish school attack — 19 March 2012.

Ebenezer Emergency Fund International Ebenezer House, 5a Poole Road Bournemouth BH2 5QJ. UKTelephone: +44 (0) 1202 294455 Fax: +44 (0) 1202 [email protected] www.operation-exodus.org

Ebenezer Emergency Fund USa PO Box 568 Lancaster, NY 14086Phone: 716 681 6300 Fax: 716 681 [email protected] www.ebenezerusa.org

operation Exodus SE asia oceania Level 2, 39 Leighton Place Hornsby NSW 2077 AustraliaPhone + 61 2 9482 [email protected] www.operation-exodus-seao.org

Operation Exodus is an instrument of the Lord to encourage and help the Jewish people to return to the Land of Israel from the land of the north and all the nations and to proclaim God’s Kingdom purposes for their return.

All articles in this publication Copyright © Ebenezer Emergency Fund International May 2012. Operation Exodus is the operational part of Ebenezer Emergency Fund International. Started in 1991 with just three people, it now has representatives in over 50 countries worldwide.

alan FieldCEO & International Coordinator

Pleasecontactyournearestofficeifyouwouldliketobeaddedtoourmailinglist.ThispublicationisFREEbutdonationsarewarmlywelcomed.

Dear Friends

‘ See, I will beckon to the Gentiles, I will lift up my banner to the peoples; they will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their shoulders.’ Isaiah 49:22

By God’s grace, Ebenezer Operation Exodus has helped many thousands of Jewish people return to Israel. Praying for aliyah highways across the nations, building relationships with Jewish communities, seeking out and helping those who have never heard that God is calling them back to their homeland – all remain a prime focus.

However, the Word of God to the Jewish people is very specific: ‘I will beckon to the Gentiles … they will bring your sons … and carry your daughters …’ The Lord does not limit this call to one ministry such as Ebenezer. The work of aliyah is so vast that no single ministry or organisation will ever be able to complete it. Timeistooshort!

We see the urgency of the hour through horrors like the sudden and brutal killing of Jewish children and their teacher in Toulouse. The Lord wants the whole Gentile Church to understand His end-time plan for Israel and take up their God-given responsibility to stand with the Jewish people in the Diaspora. We have teams who travel throughout the nations to teach and speak in churches. They seek to encourage the growth of our intercessory network and envision and prepare the body of Christ to become engaged in the holy work of aliyah. This Bulletin brings not only a salutary warning but also a glimpse of the fruit possible when the body of Christ ‘runs with the vision’ and becomes prayerfully and practically involved in helping the Jewish people go to Israel.

The ultimate exodus (Jeremiah 16:14-15 and 23:7-8) will call for multitudes of believers around the world to standalongsidetheJewishpeopleinprayer,protectionandpracticalhelp. Praise God that He who calls us is faithful and He will do it!

TIme Is shorT!

Ebenezer Operation Exodus

2 A Christian ministry helping the Jewish people return to Israel A Christian ministry helping the Jewish people return to Israel

An urgent cry

On Monday morning, 19 March, we were setting off for Toulouse when we received a phone call about the murder of three Jewish children and their teacher. As the shock of the atrocity began to sink in we realised that this was a wake-up call to the Jews in France to leave for Israel as soon as possible.

On arrival in Toulouse we went to the synagogue to meet members of the Jewish community and then visited the school where the killings took place. We were deeply moved when we saw the bodies of the victims being removed (to be taken to Israel for burial). We stood there to show our love to the Jewish people in France.

God spoke to us clearly that in a sense the four bodies were also olim

By François FoisilNational Coordinator & Urs KäsermannRegional Overseer

because they were going back to Israel. But what a tragedy that they were going back in coffins! We returned to the synagogue.

Among those we met was the leader of Jewish institutions in France, who knew of Ebenezer’s work. Our presence seemed to

affect them as we offered sympathy and prayers. One member of the synagogue said that he and many others were now considering aliyah.

We travelled from the border with Spain through to Cannes and other places in southern France. Our meetings involved visits to churches, home groups and individual pastors, as well as Jewish congregations, to share about the ministry of aliyah.

‘ God’s timing for this trip was confirmed in a most dramatic way’

Pastors told us that more people than they had anticipated attended the meetings we held after the Toulouse shootings — and they listened to us very intently. It was so obvious that God had led us to these places at such a crucial time.

WeweretravellingthroughsouthernFrancewithregionalrepresentativesLucieandMartinetoshareabouttheministryofaliyahwhenGod’stimingforthistripwas

confirmedinamostdramaticway.

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A Christian ministry helping the Jewish people return to Israel 3

FOLLOWIng tHeIr reLAtIVeS HOMe

They were followed two years later by two sisters and their families. This past February, Rinat and Veronika gave up their well-paid jobs to be reunited with them all. They are sure that they will do well and look forward to having their own children in the Promised Land.

We supported them, especially in making three journeys to visit the Israeli consul. When they set off to join their aliyah flight they were met at the railway station by Yura from Ezra Fund, who helped them with their luggage and drove them in his car to our office. We then provided accommodation for two nights before they flew to Israel. We are so thankful that the commitment of many worldwide supporters to the ministry of aliyah enables us to help people like Rinat and Veronika.

Rinat and Veronika decided to follow relatives to Israel. their grandparents were the first to make aliyah, in 2008.

FreeD From The PoLLuTIoN

We see God using all means to prompt His people to go home. In this case the family lived in a small town where radioactive contamination from the three large zinc, titanium-magnesium and metallurgical plants was causing much sickness. So even though they earned high salaries, Mikhail and his wife, Elena, wanted to leave for a better life in Israel for themselves and their two daughters.

The family are very grateful for our friendship and help in making aliyah. For them and others we are able to assist, the Word of God says: ‘“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD,” plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”’ (Jeremiah 29:11).

By Zhansolu

Our teams face many challenges in meeting and helping Jewish people in the Former Soviet Union. one such challenge came when we helped Mikhail and his family to make aliyah.

By Zhansolu Ebenezer leader, Kazakhstan

Off to a better life!

En route to Israel: Rinat and Veronika (right) with their mothers and Yura of Ezra Fund.

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BrutAL AttAcK HAStenS ALIyAH

The house had been sold and, most likely as a result of a tip-off, men broke in one night to steal the money they believed Alexander and his wife had received from the sale. In fact, the buyers had not yet paid them. Alexander was in the backyard where the burglars found him and knocked him senseless. Inside the house they attacked his wife, tied her up and tortured her as they demanded to know where the money was hidden. She was badly beaten before they left with the little money and few valuables they could find.

This terrible experience caused the couple and their son, daughter-

By Efim Ebenezer leader, Kyrgyzstan

A lexander and his family were thinking of postponing making aliyah. But a brutal attack by intruders in their home, which left alexander and his wife badly injured,

made them all realise that they had to leave without delay.

in-law and their three children to leave without delay. They managed to change their flight to an earlier one. We came to their home to help them load their belongings into their car and take them to the airport. Some of their son’s friends came to help as well, and provide additional protection. It was night and there was no lighting in the area, but we managed to load everything. We worked as quietly as possible to avoid unwanted attention.

We moved off in heavy snow and the roads were icy, but the long journey went well and we arrived at the airport in the early hours of

the morning with time to spare. The check-in went smoothly and a few hours later the family arrived in the land of their forefathers to begin a new life.

Your support is needed even more in these days as the task of helping Jewish people return to Israel from the Former Soviet Union becomes increasingly urgent.

TeArs oF JoY!

We showed her a film about Israel and shared about how we could help her make aliyah. The next day we took her to a local shop and bought her a pair of new boots. She burst into tears, saying that for five years she had been wearing second-hand footwear — all she could afford. We hope she will not need the pair we bought her for a long time as we are praying that she will go to Israel!

We thank all our supporters who give financially to our humanitarian aid work, enabling us to help individual Jewish people like Larisa and run a number of special projects throughout the year. We very much value your ongoing prayer as well as financial donations.

L arisa was in a homeless shelter, struggling to find a job. We invited her to dinner and when she arrived she took off badly torn boots to reveal wet feet.

By aslan & Nikolai North Ossetia regional representatives

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neW VeHIcLe In ActIOn!

We had first met Eduard and his family during a ‘fishing’ trip. He wasn’t really interested in making aliyah then, but this past March we were happily surprised to see the family at an Israeli consular reception! Eduard told us that he had a change of heart when he

Thanks to the generosity of many of our supporters, we have been able to purchase a much-needed vehicle for our work. the new hyundai minibus caused much excitement and thanksgiving

to god when we took delivery in late March. Five days later we used it to take a Jewish family to the airport in rostov for their flight to Israel.

received photographs of relatives’ children from Israel: ‘Their faces were shining’ and he realised it was to do with feeling safe and at peace in Israel. He wanted the same for his family, which is why he and his wife, Irina, and their children, Dana and Daniel, started their aliyah journey.

Thank you for your support so far. We still need funds to purchase new vehicles for other bases and we value your ongoing support.

By Volodya & luba Base leaders, Rostov-on-Don

By Volodya & luba

Our humanitarian aid work brings us into contact with many very needy Jewish families. In Sochi, our co-worker, Lena, discovered the plight of Oleg, his wife Tatiana and their three young children, Gherman, Timur and Sofia. Their home is more like a shed than a house — one room with no amenities. It is right on the main highway and the incessant noise of heavy vehicles makes life almost unbearable.

AID reNeWs DesIre For ALIYAhOleg, the father, struggles with very heavy physical work to provide for his family. They are very concerned for Timur, their son, who underwent major surgery. Even before Ebenezer met them they wanted to make aliyah. When Lena brought them humanitarian aid, especially clothing for the children, Tatiana’s eyes lit up as Lena shared about aliyah. It renewed a determination to go to the Promised Land.

Volodya with the new minibus.Eduard, Irina, Dana and Daniel about to leave for Israel.

Tatiana with the clothes we brought for her children.


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HAPPy reunIOn!

‘In 1994 both our children made up their minds to go to Israel. We now have seven grandchildren, four born in the Promised Land. We are elderly and miss their love and attention. That is why we are following them to Israel.

As we were making preparations for aliyah I had to go to see the Israeli consul in Moscow. Since my husband is unable to walk, this complicated our situation. We are so grateful for Ebenezer’s support and assistance. On arrival in Moscow I was met at the railway station by some very friendly Ebenezer people

A t the end of March we had the joy of seeing tarso and livi fly off to be reunited with their children in Israel. this is an edited version of the letter tarso wrote to us before they left:

who took me to the Israeli Embassy and kept encouraging me.

But for your support it would have been very hard for us to overcome our financial challenges and physical difficulties — even impossible.’

By anya Base leader, Pyatigorsk

FLIGhT To sAFeTY

We have helped a number of Mountain Jews who live in Dagestan, in the Caucasus region of russia, to make aliyah. recently we helped lena and her family in

very tragic circumstances.

Their happy life was shattered one night when Lena’s husband was murdered. She was left with her four children and without work to support them. The family lived in constant fear because of threats from the killers, who for several months threatened them and demanded that they leave their home. The local Jewish community supported them, especially with food and clothes, and we also helped them. But we realised that

the only place they could live in safety with the hope of a better future was Israel.

Lena agreed, so we helped the family to go to the Israeli Embassy in Moscow, where our team met them, provided hotel

accommodation, took them to the embassy to see the consul and on the day of their aliyah drove them to the airport to fly to Tel Aviv.

By anya

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Lena and her family are safe now.

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InternAtIOnAL uPdAte

latVIa NEW WorK IN thE BaltIC rEgIoN


Latvia is a small country that has seen much pain. Thousands of Jews have been killed throughout the centuries, but there are still 15,000 living there today. Eleven thousand of them live in Riga, making it the most important Jewish centre in the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Before World War I, Jews played a major role in the development of the country’s industries, commerce and banking. Discrimination by the government, however, brought many Jews to ruin, forcing the majority to survive by running small businesses in Riga and the provincial towns.

Local Latvians began to persecute the Jews immediately after the German invasion in 1940. By the time World War II was over, more than 90 per cent of Latvia’s Jewish population had been exterminated in the Holocaust. The Jewish population today consists of descendants who came to Latvia after the war from other parts of the then Soviet Union.

There are about 400 survivors of the Holocaust alive today and we

By Sasha rodionov Ebenezer Baltic States representative

Ebenezer has felt led to develop the work in the Baltic region. a new team is being established and a centre in riga, latvia, is the initial focus of this work.

want to show our love to them. We recently helped 105 of these dear people by giving them a card to help them buy groceries. It is amazing what such a simple act can do to hurting hearts.

Visiting them in their small apartments and listening to their stories is very humbling. So too is the warmth with which they respond to us. I shall never forget one elderly

lady taking my hand, holding it for a long time as she looked straight into my eyes. Then she said, ‘You have such pure eyes and a pure heart. Why do you do what you do?’ I looked at her and said very softly, ‘Because the Most High has not forgotten you.’ She broke into tears — and so did I!

We sense the Baltic region will be of strategic significance in the days ahead as a gateway for the Jewish people to return to Israel. Please pray as we build the foundations of the work with the help of the Church.

Holocaust survivors holding their grocery cards.

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gErMaNylEt My PEoPlE go!

It was such a privilege to be on the Aliyah Group Flight from London to Tel Aviv on 26 March! Those who went warmly expressed their appreciation for our team’s support.

The youngest of the olim on the flight was a three-week-old baby. We helped his parents with the pram and hand luggage.

Going to the Kotel (Western Wall) in Jerusalem with the olim was

a moving occasion. They were so touched that an Ebenezer representative stood with them as they received Israeli citizenship. The olim were reminded that by making aliyah they were part of the fulfilment of prophecy. They received their ID cards with such joy on their faces!

By Johannes BarthelNational Coordinator

By John FleetcroftSouthern England area representative

Louis, Amit and baby Ethan, the glad recipients of a knitted

blanket and jacket. Ethan is the youngest yet to

make aliyah.

Eighteen months ago we planned a series of weekend conferences and the fourth and most recent was held in the Jesus House Community Church in Düsseldorf. We were blessed by the warmth of the welcome, love and support shown to us by this congregation. It was called ‘Let My people go!’ The focus was to share with the Church in this region of Germany the development of Ebenezer’s aliyah ministry in the nations and the call to the body of Christ to become involved in prayer and practical support. Participants had the opportunity to pray in small groups and then stand together to proclaim God’s Word concerning the outworking of His plans for aliyah from Germany.

Members of the international leadership of Ebenezer Operation Exodus brought teaching from the Word of God concerning the re-gathering of Israel and people responded very positively to the challenging and encouraging messages.

Our desire is to see the Church in Germany return to a scriptural understanding of the promises of God concerning His people. Please pray for open doors.


UK toUChINg lIVES

Johannes & Roger Wolcott (International Board member).

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eVerytHIng By PrAyer

The one who breaks open will come up before them; they will break out, Pass through the gate, and go out by it; their

king will pass before them, with the lorD at their head.’ Micah 2:13

By alison Eastwood Assistant to the International Prayer Coordinator

‘

ThankyouforyourpartnershipinprayerfortheLord’snametobehallowedthroughaliyahfromtheDiaspora.ThefollowingprayerpointsreflectthevarietyofwaysEbenezerrepresentativesarebuildinganddevelopingtheworkintheirnationsandrespondingtotheurgencyofthehour.

a tIME to MoUrNFollowingtherecentEbenezerspeakingtourinFrance—Ephesians5:13–15

Pleaseprayfor:• Thetragiceventstoactasawake-upcalltotheJews

in France and throughout Europe to quickly prepare to go home to Israel.

• AmultiplicationofprayerpartnersinFranceand Europe to prepare the aliyah highways, removing the stones.

• TheChurchinFranceandacrossEuropetobeawak-ened to the revelation of God’s heart for Israel and the Jewish people, and for believers to arise to His call to be co-labourers in the work of aliyah.

a tIME to BUIlDLuke6:47–48

LATvIA:ItisencouragingthatEbenezer’sministryhasbeenwelcomed.

Pleaseprayfor:• TheestablishingofthenewteamunderSasha’s

oversight and for the increase and strengthening of the work with the help of the Church.

a tIME to SoW Isaiah55:9–11It’svitalthattheChurchispreparedtoplayherpartandbereadyfortheexodustocome.Let’scontinuetoprayforourbrothersandsisters.

Pleaseprayfor:• Wisdomanddiscernmentinapproachingpastors

in various denominations and the right words to communicate the message of Israel and aliyah.

• TheLordtoprepareandhealtheheartsofpastorsand church leaders to be willing to open their doors to the ministry of aliyah.

• Moreandmorechurchleaders,pastorsandBibleteachers to see the full revelation that the gospel was given to the Jews first and then to the Gentiles (Romans 1:16).

• Thatastheybegintoseeandunderstandtheywillfollowthrough in action by supporting the Jewish people.

INDIA:IntercessorsandsupportersmeetmonthlyinKerala,oneofthe27states.ThisyearAbeandDeepaaretakingthemessageofaliyahtoall14ofKerala’sdistricts.GodisalsoopeningdoorsinthestatesofMumbai,GoaandTamilNadu.

Pleaseprayfor:• TheLordtodrawsupporterstogetherinMumbai,Goa

and Tamil Nadu, strengthen them and raise up watchmen.• SuccessandfavourinoutreachforAbeandDeepa

throughout Kerala.• Theprayernetworktospreadlikeahugefishingnet

all across India.

Deepa speaks in a church in India about the ministry of aliyah.



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Denmark welcomed us with open arms! We taught 50 students and their teachers at the International Bible College in Kolding. We enjoyed fellowship with a group of young Danish Christians and shared our testimonies during a meal. Some of them accompanied us to another two gatherings where they led worship. We met with two Ebenezer prayer groups, sharing how we are reaching the young generation with the Engage:Israel and Engage:Ukraine tours. Together with these prayer supporters we blew the shofar and proclaimed God’s Word over Denmark, Israel and the next generation.

During a short trip to Kiev, Ukraine, I taught a group of 100 young adults the biblical basics of Israel and God’s plan for the nations. After the meeting a young

teAcHIng tHe neXt generAtIOn In tHe nAtIOnS

man told me his parents were Jewish. Vadim Rabochiy, Ebenezer’s Eastern European Regional Director, and I shared with him about the possibility of aliyah. Whilst in Kiev I met with the leaders and students of a Bible college where we encouraged them to become more involved in the work of aliyah.

We went to Finland as a whole family where we experienced superb hospitality. Wherever we went the doors were very open: teaching, sharing, and meeting with old friends and new people. We taught in three churches and met with many precious intercessors. We learned a lot about how Finnish Christians have been preparing for the aliyah of the Russian Jews. Our hearts are burning for a new generation to be taught and we sense there is a lot of work ahead of us!

My wife, Jill, and I had the privilege of visiting several nations to teach about god’s plan for Israel, calling a new generation to engage with aliyah.

By andy ErnstInternational Young Adult Programme Coordinator

During our travels we handed out more than 120 DVDs promoting our Engage programmes, lots of Ebenezer Bulletins and a great number of teaching materials and books. Over 400 (mostly) young people were taught about Israel and heard the biblical call to engage with aliyah. We saw a great potential in many young lives. We pray that the Lord will work in the lives touched by His Word and we hope to see participants from each of these countries join our summer trip to Israel or Engage:Ukraine.

engage™

From left: Vadim, two young Ukrainians, Andy and Gennadiy (translator).

The Jurgen & Ernst family in Helsinki.

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www.engage-israel.org

action-packeddays in Israel14

Join us for…16th – 30th JULY 2012engage:Israel

engage:ukraine™

5th – 12th August 2012 Join us for this special time of training and equipping in Ukraine.To register your interest, please email Andy Ernst: [email protected]

Have you already been to Israel? Engage:Ukraine is the next step to learn about, and experience, aliyah!

John Fleetcroft, one of our UK team members accompanying the new immigrants, brought some lovely knitted clothing to bless those in need.

People like Irina from the FSU and Otal from the USA, who have been struggling to bring up their children over the past months. I phoned them and they came to our office in Jerusalem to choose blankets, caps and other items. They were amazed to hear that people who love Israel and the Jewish people had spent time to knit them. Their hearts were really touched. We were so blessed to see the joy in their eyes!

Visiting us and receiving assistance brings hope as they experience the touch of love and concern we

tHe POWer OF gOd’S LOVe

continue to show them — and gives them the encouragement they need to keep going on.

God’s love for His people never loses its power. We are kept busy at

the office because each day brings requests for help and the Lord shows His love through us as we respond in various practical ways. With your ongoing support we can continue to meet these needs.

By Shirley lawrenson Olim Liaison

ShaloM FroM JErUSalEM!

It is wonderful when new olim arrive in Israel from the Former Soviet Union and elsewhere. one such happy occasion was the March red Carpet flight from london.

Irina was another young mother grateful to choose from the

knitted gifts for her baby, Adam.

Otal (left) chose a blanket from the knitted gifts for baby Agam.

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