Bulletin Issue 1 2012 Bulletin Issue 1 2012
Transcription
Bulletin Issue 1 2012 Bulletin Issue 1 2012
Issue 1/2012 Operation Exodus A ministry of Ebenezer Emergency Fund International Entering a new season ‘ for Aliyah For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. ’ Isaiah 60:2 Issue 2 – 2011 In this Issue: • Advancing the work in Russia FSU • Reaching out in Eastern Europe & Central Asia • Gifts for children open doors • USA • ISRAEL: Seventy years after Wannsee International Updates from: • New structure • Prayer networks Prayer • Wannsee 70th anniversary • The Church • Engage:Israel 2012 • Engage:Ukraine 2012 • Tour Israel with Ebenezer Operation Exodus — A Christian ministry helping the Jewish people return to Israel Israel • Encouraging visit from Indonesian group ENgage • An incredible journey Ebenezer Operation Exodus Americas Europe ENTERING A Ebenezer Emergency Fund International Ebenezer House, 5a Poole Road Bournemouth BH2 5QJ. UK Telephone: +44 (0) 1202 294455 Fax: +44 (0) 1202 295550 enquiries@ebenezer-ef.org www.operation-exodus.org Ebenezer Emergency Fund USA PO Box 568 Lancaster, NY 14086 Phone: 716 681 6300 Fax: 716 681 6304 info@ebenezerusa.org www.ebenezerusa.org Operation Exodus SE Asia Oceania Level 2, 39 Leighton Place Hornsby NSW 2077 Australia Phone + 61 2 9482 4692 office@operation-exodus-seao.org 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 February 2012. Operation Exodus is the operational part of Ebenezer Emergency Fund International. Please contact your nearest office if you would like to be added to our mailing list. This publication is FREE but donations are warmly welcomed. 2 NEW SEASON ‘Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.’ Isaiah 60:1–3 G od’s heart for Israel and the Jewish people is foundational to the call of Ebenezer Operation Exodus. At a meeting of our International Board last October it was brought to our notice that the 70th anniversary of the Wannsee Conference would fall on 20 January 2012. This conference was convened at the Villa Wannsee in Berlin to coordinate and implement Hilter’s socalled master plan for the ‘Final Solution of the Jewish Issue in Europe.’ As our board and leadership prayed, they felt the timing of this anniversary was a significant milestone. There was a sense of it marking the beginning of a transitional season heralding a concentrated move in the Holy Spirit for the sake of aliyah, for which we must be prepared. It is crucial to know the times in which we are living. In the days of King David men from the tribe of Issachar made it their specific task to watch and pray, to observe what was going on around them and discern the spiritual significance. They learned what Jeremiah A Christian ministry helping the Jewish people return to Israel Ebenezer Operation Exodus Prayer and intercession Africa EEFI Russia NEW Regions Established Central Asia & Eastern Europe South East Asia & Oceania Prayer and intercession ‘Establishing strong contacts within the Church remains a prime focus, alongside our responsibility to pass on the mantle to the next generation’ called standing in the council of the Lord (Jeremiah 23:18). Alongside His teaching about the Kingdom, Jesus constantly told His disciples through parables and direct commands to ‘watch and pray’. It was through watching and praying that they would be able to understand the way God was working out His purposes. As we in Ebenezer have watched and prayed the Lord has led the ministry through a significant period of transition. This will continue in 2012 as we prepare for the future. As a priority, we have been moving forward with our plans to strengthen and hand over greater responsibility to our national teams in the Former Soviet Union. Following meetings in Moscow and Kiev with our leadership teams, changes came into effect on 1 January 2012. Troels Truelsen, FSU Operational Director, who has served the ministry for the past 15 years, retired at the end of 2011. Boris Vasyukov, who has worked alongside Troels for many years, has been appointed National Director for Russia and also has responsibility for church development and education programmes in the FSU. Boris will be supported by Kirill Kondratyev, who joined our Moscow team in December 2011. Kirill is a senior pastor and prayer leader in his church. As a further step of preparation, a new Eastern European Region has been formed which will initially include the countries of Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Belarus, Poland and Czech Republic. Vadim Rabochiy has been appointed the Regional Director and will bring support to our teams. Vadim will also have a responsibility for Central Asia, where our leaders work in an increasingly difficult and challenging environment. Advisory boards have been established in Russia and for our Eastern European region to provide pastoral oversight and support on behalf of Ebenezer International. The aliyah highways that we prayerfully prepare in the power of the Holy Spirit are not subject to present-day geographical or national boundaries. The development of prayer networks will be an important priority throughout these regions, linking with our worldwide intercessory prayer ministry. God has given Ebenezer the vision to link prayer networks across the nations, building these networks at all levels — local, national and regional. Many links in this network will be birthed by the Lord — in the FSU and worldwide — and we will need not only a framework but also an understanding of God’s prophetic Word in order to move forward in accordance with His will. An important part of our calling as a ministry is to help educate the Church to understand her responsibilities concerning the place of Israel and aliyah in God’s end-time purposes. Establishing strong contacts within the Church remains a prime focus, alongside our responsibility to pass on the mantle to the next generation. We sense a new dimension of spiritual warfare coming in the heavenlies concerning aliyah and it is imperative that we pray for the workers to enter this harvest field in the nations — those with the Lord’s calling and preparation on their lives to intercede and work for the aliyah. A Christian ministry helping the Jewish people return to Israel By Alan Field CEO & International Coordinator 3 Ebenezer Operation Exodus ADVANCING THE WORK IN RUSSIA W Russia ith my wife, Elya, I have been involved with Ebenezer for over 15 years. We led the base in the Russian Far East for almost four years before being called by the Lord to move to Moscow, where we have given oversight to Ebenezer’s ministry across Central Russia since 2000. The Lord has enriched us and enabled us to gain invaluable experience, especially through the difficulties and trials of these past years. The most important thing we have learned is our Lord’s faithfulness and power. Nothing is impossible for Him! If He has spoken, He will do it. We see God’s faithfulness to our ministry every day, which greatly encourages and inspires us. Making Russia an independent region is undoubtedly a timely step. We want to enable and support base leaders to effectively coordinate our operations, both in helping the Jewish people from Russia return home to Israel and also in working with local churches. It is by joining our efforts that we can reach these goals. For this purpose we have initiated regular 4 biannual Russian base leaders’ meetings to provide a forum for discussing and praying through the challenges faced across our vast region. One of the most important aspects of our work is church development, which is aimed at preparing the By Boris Vasyukov National Director Russia congregations and individuals. Our vision is for one large prayer network linking thousands of Ebenezer’s partners across Russia. We hold inter-church prayer gatherings, run educational programmes, seminars, conferences and tours to Israel, ‘Our vision is for one large prayer network linking thousands of Ebenezer’s partners across Russia’ Russian Protestant churches for greater involvement in raising prayer and financial support for the ministry of aliyah. We have already witnessed encouraging results, including the growth of prayer networks across the regions and an increase in donations from Christian and are developing JudeoChristian dialogue in Russia. We are thankful to our Western partners for your prayers and financial support for the work of aliyah in Russia. We are partners together! A Christian ministry helping the Jewish people return to Israel Ebenezer Operation Exodus Reaching out in Eastern Europe & Central Asia T he ministry has taken a timely step in establishing an Ebenezer Eastern European Region, which will include Central Asia. We face challenging days ahead and it will be important to draw our teams close together in fellowship and prayer as we reach out in obedience to our calling to help the Jewish people. Our desire is to form prayer groups for Israel and Ebenezer in local churches and for these congregations to become involved in practical ministry to Jewish families in their towns and surrounding regions. Our dear sister, Zhanna, shared some wonderful testimonies from one of the projects being supported by local Christians. One of the families touched by this project was a Jewish lady married to an Uzbek man. They have five children and after Ebenezer had helped them with humanitarian aid they made the decision to make aliyah. When Zhanna and Valentina, our representative in Tajikistan, suggested that we extended our Hanukkah food parcels project to their countries I was concerned about how the funds would be raised. But these two ladies offered to collect donations from local churches — and they did! In Central Asia, especially Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, the average salary is less than US$250 per month and the price of food and other basic essentials is very high. Many Jewish people are struggling to provide the daily needs for their families, which make your support more vital than ever before. We help them with food and clothing and basic essentials — and encourage them, with our support, to make aliyah. Central asia Visiting our bases in Central Asia last November, I found the position there is becoming increasingly difficult for the Christian church and Jewish communities. So your prayers and financial support are very important. By Vadim Rabochiy Director, Eastern European Region In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 2 Corinthians 8:2 Touched by the humanitarian aid they received from us, this large family decided to make aliyah. A Christian ministry helping the Jewish people return to Israel 5 Ebenezer Operation Exodus Gifts for children open doors T Kazakhstan he expansion of our humanitarian aid programmes is helping an increasing number of Jewish families in the Former Soviet Union. For the first time in the city of Almaty our team provided needy children with Hanukkah food parcels. I invited local Christians to take part, either by bringing boxes filled with gifts or donating money so we could buy suitable items. As well as food, we included sweets and toys for the younger children and pens, drawing books and other stationery items for the older ones. It really blessed them and their parents, who thanked us profusely for our care and support. It is through projects like this that we can reach Jewish families who would not normally contact us. The four children of Vitaly and Natalia were among those who received Hanukkah gifts. This family (pictured below) desperately needed help and support. They live in a house with a coal-burning stove but could not By Zhansolu Ebenezer leader, Kazakhstan afford to buy the coal to keep them warm in the harsh winter months. So the children went along the local railway tracks picking up lumps of coal dropped by passing trucks. A local church pastor made a commitment to support this family, as well as joining us in helping them to make aliyah. Praise God for the churches willing to become involved in rendering practical assistance to needy Jewish families! Our year-round humanitarian aid ministry in the Former Soviet Union also needs the ongoing prayer and financial support from our supporters worldwide. The generous soul shall be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself. Proverbs 11:25 Next generation goes to Israel We support young people going to Israel under the Jewish Agency study programmes. It was wonderful for our Kazakhstan team to see these young people, part of a group of 15, fly out there. So many who go on these programmes decide to stay in Israel and as a result we have helped many of their families make aliyah too. 6 A Christian ministry helping the Jewish people return to Israel Ebenezer Operation Exodus Touching hearts in remote regions G od is fulfilling His prophetic Word in re-gathering the Jewish people to Israel, even from the remotest parts of our region! We are delighted when, after visiting families and sharing about making aliyah, we find they have taken our words to heart and made up their minds to go. children there. As we were leaving, Svetlana said: ‘We had tied our future to this village but you have given us hope for a different life.’ Svetlana (middle) with husband Igor behind her. Next to him is Volodya and flanking them are Valery and Alevtina, our Astrakhan representatives. Russia We met one such family last year after a long journey on a dirt road across desolate steppe in searing heat to a small village called Vyshka. There were no road signs and we got lost several times before finally arriving. It was all worthwhile because Svetlana and her family were so welcoming and absorbed all that we told them about going to Israel and the life they could expect to live. They were keen to know about study opportunities for their By Volodya & Luba Base leaders, Rostov-on-Don Teachers make aliyah W e had the joy of helping two families related to one another fly to Israel. Anvar was excited about the prospects of settling down in the land of his forefathers with his wife, Aziza and their two young children. To make it a really special journey from their home town in Kazakhstan, Anvar’s cousin, Kakiraman, his wife and daughter went with them! All four parents are schoolteachers and were looking forward to continuing in their profession in Israel. Members of Anvar’s large family went to Israel in 2010 and they eagerly expect other members to follow them. By Zhansolu Ebenezer leader, Kazakhstan Anvar, Kakiraman and their families are very thankful to Ebenezer for befriending them and helping them to make aliyah, including meeting them at the railway station, paying their fares for their visits to the Israeli consul and taking them to the airport for their flight to Tel Aviv. It is due to your financial support that we can help many families like them to go home to Israel. The two families on their way to Israel. A Christian ministry helping the Jewish people return to Israel 7 Ebenezer Operation Exodus International update USA: By David & Gail Antrosio Aliyah Directors, Ebenezer Operation Exodus USA GOING HOME International ‘Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.’ Genesis 12:1 Over 4,000 Jewish people made aliyah from North America in 2011 and Ebenezer USA was privileged to help nearly 200 of them. But why are they leaving the USA, families and friends, to start a new life in Israel? Because they are people who believe that Israel is the Jewish homeland and want to live in the Land given to their ancestors despite knowing it will require sacrifice. Steven & Susan & family Every Jewish person has a story and a struggle to make aliyah, but the Lord is putting it in their hearts to return. Jewish people of all ages are responding to His call and we are there to help and support them. Here is what several we helped have said: Leonard and Carol: ‘Since 1967 we have dreamed of making aliyah and started making preparations in 1976, but circumstances kept us from going. Despite all our financial and personal hardships and advancing age we are determined to finally come home to Israel where we belong.’ 8 Steven and Susan: ‘Israel is the land that was given to us by G-d. The Talmud says one “can only acquire the Land of Israel through difficulties”. My educational credentials are not recognised in Israel. I have to pay back my school loans and find other work. We would like to ship our things to Israel, but cannot afford it. But we decided that these difficulties should not stand in the way of doing the right thing.’ Rebecca: ‘I grew up in a Jewish home. I feel it’s incredibly important to live in Israel and support the Jewish people, especially when our neighbouring countries do not acknowledge the State of Israel and speak of its destruction. I plan to study government and serve in the army when I graduate, and I would love to raise a family in Israel one day.’ A Christian ministry helping the Jewish people return to Israel Ebenezer Operation Exodus ISRAEL: Seventy years after Wannsee But three years later Hitler’s ‘Thousand Year Reich’ lay in ruins. Within another three years Israel had been reborn as a nation — ‘born in a day’ in fulfilment of the prophecy of Isaiah 66:8. God was demonstrating to the world that His eternal covenant with the descendants of Jacob stood. Instead of a ‘Final Solution’, the nations witnessed the beginning of a final redemption according to God’s infallible promise: the re-gathering of His covenant people to the land He had promised them (Genesis 15:18–21) in preparation for the glorious kingdom of the return of Messiah (Matthew 23:39). Bringing the Jews Home before it’s too late.’ A period of 70 years in Scripture is important, for it speaks of completion, as in Jeremiah 29:10, ‘For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place’ [the Land of Israel]. When Daniel read this prophecy and began to pray the Lord released them to return and rebuild Jerusalem in preparation for the first coming of Messiah. aliyah, with presentations from groups and organisations involved in helping Jewish people to come home, including Ebenezer Operation Exodus. Seventy years after Wannsee are we entering a new season in the return of the Jewish people to the Land? George and Mano Annadorai with (centre) Iris Goldman from our Jerusalem office. International January 20 1942: On a frosty morning outside Berlin 15 senior Nazis gathered for a secret meeting in an imposing villa by a lake called Wannsee. The purpose: to plan the ‘Final Solution to the Jewish Question’. By Pete Stucken Chairman South East Asia & Oceania Board Among the 150 conference participants were pastors, prayer leaders and intercessors from Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vanuatu. My wife, Fiona, and I were part of the leadership team. It was an intensive time of focusing on Marking the 70 th anniversary of the Wannsee conference, another conference took place — in Jerusalem. Led by pastors George and Mano Annadorai from Singapore, it was a gathering of Christians from South-East Asia and the Pacific. The main theme was ‘The Final Exodus: A Christian ministry helping the Jewish people return to Israel 9 Ebenezer Operation Exodus EVERYTHING by Prayer T By Alison Eastwood Assistant to the International Prayer Coordinator hank you for your prayers, which are hugely valued. The Holy Spirit has impressed upon us a sense of the importance of this present time of preparation for future aliyah and we invite you to join with us in prayer for the needs outlined here. NEW STRUCTURE IN RUSSIA AND EASTERN EUROPE Please pray for: • Our leaders and teams as they take on their new responsibilities. Prayer Prayer WANNSEE 70TH ANNIVERSARY On 20 January 1942, 15 senior Nazis met to plan the ‘Final Solution to the Jewish Question’ which wiped out entire Jewish communities across Europe. Two months prior to Wannsee Hitler and the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem formed an alliance with two goals: • The infilling of the Holy Spirit to bring wisdom, discernment, unity, servant hearts and clear and supportive communication. • Those the Lord is specifically preparing and calling to serve alongside our teams as the work increases. • The great need of protection over this new structure and everyone called to be part of it. • Jewish people in these regions to make aliyah while the window of opportunity is there. d 1. The annihilation of the Jews in Europe and the whole Arab region. Israel and for the Jewish remnant in Muslim countries of the Middle East to be able to return to Israel. 2. To prevent the establishment of a national homeland for the Jews in Palestine. Please pray for: • The Lord to stir their hearts, draw them out, make a way and protect them. Psalm 105: 37– 43 We sense this new season heralds an urgency for the Jews of Europe to make preparations to go to d NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL PRAYER NETWORKS Please pray for: • The Lord to raise up new intercessors who are committed to pray specifically for the aliyah. We thank the Lord for every intercessor who joins with us in prayer as we prepare the aliyah highways in the power of the Holy Spirit. • Isaiah 62:6–7 Protection and growth of the network of prayer groups throughout the nations. Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the LORD has helped us.’ 1 Samuel 7:12 10 THE CHURCH There are encouraging signs as doors are opening and new people have strengthened the aliyah ministry with prayer, financial and practical help. Please continue to pray for: • The Lord to give the body of Christ worldwide a spirit of revelation and understanding concerning the need for the Jewish people to return to Israel in fulfilment of biblical prophecies. Ephesians 1:16–18 A Christian ministry helping the Jewish people return to Israel Ebenezer Operation Exodus engage ™ An incredible journey S ince the 2011 tour to Israel we have been greatly encouraged to see many young adults from all over the world come to a deeper understanding of the Lord’s heart for Israel and for His people. by Andy Ernst International Young Adult Programme Coordinator I would open the Scriptures and say, ‘Lord, why are Israel and Jerusalem mentioned on nearly every page of the Bible?’ Being fresh in faith, I would look at images of Israel on my computer and the tears would roll down my face. ‘Lord,’ I shouted, ‘why am I crying this way?’ ‘James, my child, it’s me your Heavenly Father crying through you. Do not be afraid, these are my chosen people and I’m changing your heart towards them!’ I found a leaflet for the Engage Israel tour at my church and decided ‘I’m going!’ After watching the video presentation about the tour to Israel I couldn’t wait to book my place. Miraculously, God supplied the money just days before the trip! In Israel I came to understand that the Church has a biblical and prophetic engage:ukraine ™ 5th – 12th August 2012 ENGAGE Each summer the Engage Israel tour plays a fundamental part in equipping the next generation. It’s a journey of discovery as their eyes are opened to God’s prophetic word being fulfilled in our times. James, one of last year’s participants, shares his experience and how this led him to become involved with the ministry on a regular basis: Participants on Engage:Israel working with a children’s project in Arad. calling to stand with Israel and support the Jewish people. Walking in the footsteps of Jesus, the Bible comes alive and you literally feel an instant connection to the Land. I heard the Lord’s voice very clearly and the peace I found there was past all human understanding. He was fulfilling biblical prophecy before our eyes. I said, ‘Lord, that man you’re looking for to stand in the gap is me! I will pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and I will not give you any rest until Jerusalem becomes the praise of the earth!’ Since coming home I have been completely stirred about Israel. I have spoken at churches and conferences — anywhere that will have me! James was only able to go because others were willing to provide financial help and prayer covering. If you’re aged between 18 and 35 you can find more information on our website. If you’re older, or unable to go yourself, perhaps you would prayerfully consider making a donation so that someone else can? We encourage you to share about the 2012 Engage Israel summer trip with a young adult today! ™ 16th – 30th JULY 2012 Join us for… 14 action-packed days in Israel www.engage-israel.org Have you already been to Israel? Engage:Ukraine is the next step to learn about, and experience, aliyah! Join us for this special time of training and equipping in Ukraine. To register your interest, please email Andy Ernst: andy@engage-israel.org Ebenezer Operation Exodus Encouraging VISIT FROM Indonesians Shalom from Jerusalem! A Israel Christian group from Indonesia were visiting Israel in January and invited Iris Goldman, my assistant, and I to share about aliyah and absorption. The party of 35 was led by the Rev. Samuel Lazuardi with whom Pete and Fiona Stucken of Ebenezer South East Asia/Oceania have been in contact. I shared about the work of the Jerusalem office in assisting those who had made aliyah to settle in the Land. There are many challenges in this work, I explained, but we have also seen many miracles in answer to prayer. I shared some of them with the group to encourage them to pray and intercede with Christians around the world for the work of aliyah. It was wonderful to meet this group and see how they were encouraged By Shirley Lawrenson Olim Liaison Shirley receives the gift from the Indonesian group led by Samuel Lazuardi (left). to become more involved in blessing Israel and the Jewish people. We gave them literature about our ministry and several of them asked for regular updates. The meeting ended with the group making a generous financial contribution to our work. Praise God for every opportunity we have to encourage Christians to join in the work of aliyah! Tour Israel with Ebenezer 25th October to 4th November 2012 We invite our supporters, prayer partners, church leaders and friends who are interested in our work to join us for a 10-day tour of Israel. The theme will be Aliyah from the Nations. On this tour you will • Meet Jewish immigrants from Ethiopia and Russia • Visit churches and talk with leaders • Pray together at sites in Jerusalem • Meet soldiers on the northern border • Look around the Diaspora museum • Visit a Jewish settlement and a kibbutz • And see many other interesting sites The tour is not a holiday but there will also be time to: • Swim in the Dead Sea • Take a boat trip on Galilee • Visit archeological sites and do other relaxing things As we travel the Land we will receive a lot of background information from our very experienced guide, Hanna Ben Haim. Spiritual insights will be shared by Roger Wolcott, Pastor, Bible teacher and Ebenezer Emergency Fund International Board member, who has led many tours to Israel. Price of tour: US $1,565 Price includes: Half-board accommodation at four-star hotels, air conditioned bus, entrance fees, tax, tips, transport from and to the airport, tour guide. Price does not include: Flights, lunches, and travel insurance. For more information visit our website or contact your nearest Ebenezer Operation Exodus office. Tour coordinator: Johannes Barthel info@ebenezer-international.de
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