A Christian ministry assisting Jewish people moving to Israel FROM HOPE TO HOME ISSUE 1/2017 operationexodususa.org Enlarge the place of your tent; Stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, spare not; Lengthen your cords And strengthen your pegs. Isaiah 54:2 NASB newsletter The Aliyah Miracle Keeps Growing page 3 PRAYER The Heartbeat of
Coast to Coast with Debra Minotti President המידק forward Kadima Nations are conspiring, peoples plot in vain and the rulers band together against the LORD s anointed and His Land. According to scripture the LORD laughs. He is not constrained by man s futile attempt to defy His plans and purposes for Israel and the return of the Jewish exiles to Israel (Psalm 2). The LORD is watching over his Word to perform it. Israel will stand, and the Jewish people will continue to return to Israel in fulfillment of scripture and for the Glory of His Name. The purpose of Operation Exodus in the USA and Ebenezer Operation Exodus International has always been to this end to see God s great Name glorified through their return. Please pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Please take a few moments to read this newsletter our first publication of 2017. We are excited to inform you of the progress of two of our For His Name s Sake initiatives: Expansion and Awareness. Focusing on these initiatives enabled OEUSA to assist 602 Jewish people to Israel in 2016. Thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. Isaiah 49:22, KJV What s next? There is an expectancy in 2017. Global events are unfolding quickly, and with them the urgency to build awareness. This is a message we must bring to the Church. Simultaneously, we know we will be called upon to assist more people back to Israel. I hope and pray that, after you read through this newsletter and see the amazing work that has been accomplished because of supporters like you, you will lend your generous support in 2017. All gifts are greatly appreciated, and a monthly commitment through the year will help us plan more effectively. Thank you. 2 operationexodususa.org
Enlarge Our Border Jabez addressed God with a rather self-centered prayer in 1 Chronicles 4:10: Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain! And God granted what he asked (ESV). Instead of getting angry with Jabez, God granted his request. In fact, Jabez is called more righteous than his brothers. Perhaps God wants increase in our lives when they are aligned with Him. Just as Jabez asked to have his border enlarged, God desires the same for Israel. He gave them this promise: Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities. Isaiah 54:2-3 (ESV). God speaks to the Israelites as if she is a woman who was barren but now has so many children that she has to expand her curtains to fit them all in. He wants to see her tent enlarged and her influence increased. Phil Markwardt Board Chairman These verses are being fulfilled as Jews from all over the world are expanding their tent in Israel. We are also seeing the anger of the enemy doing all he can to prevent those tent pegs from being strengthened. God has commissioned the Gentiles to help Jews return to the Land (Isaiah 49:22) so the tent of the Jews can continue to expand. Because we take seriously God s plan to assist Jewish people returning to Israel, we need to be praying, like Jabez, that God would bless Operation Exodus and expand its border in influence, prayer, personnel, wisdom and finances so Israel s tent can continue to be enlarged. operationexodususa.org 3
It s a Wonderful Life In 2016 was able to assist 602 to make Aliyah (immigrate to Israel). This was a 7.5% increase from 2015! We expect even more in 2017. Strange, isn t it? Each person s life touches so many other lives. Here is one life that you touched that has now touched hundreds of others! Meet Meirah, who just recently immigrated to Israel: Kathy Ardino Aliyah Director Please visit www.aliyahusa.com to read the full version of Meirah s amazing testimony! I returned to Israel in February 2016, first to Tzfat, and eventually to Haifa. I came to Haifa knowing only one person, Rabbi Naama, a lovely woman who plays a leadership role at Ohel Avraham (Abraham s Tent), the synagogue where I belong. One month after arriving in Haifa I found Gan Hayeled. This incredible center services the special needs community in the region known as Mercaz Hacarmel. Gan HaYeled supports at least 125 children and adults who have severe mental challenges, as well as some physical challenges that oftentimes occur along with these diseases. In July of 2016, the first time I watched the children get off the bus some shouting Shai s name and running to give him a high 5, some unable to walk without assistance, and some who will never speak it was love at first sight. I had no idea then what a role Gan HaYeled would play in my life, nor mine in the lives of the children. Each night that I leave Gan HaYeled, I take with me another story of courage from another child, another adult. The same thing happens when I sit with an assembly of children or adults before they go to different classrooms to experience music, dance, ceramics, storytelling and now art. When they assemble as one group of people, each person is accepted as a member of a single family. Disability is a great equalizer, and if more heads of state would visit this microcosm of society, perhaps there would indeed be peace. Of those who are assisted at Gan HaYeled, at least one third are of Arab descent, one third are Jewish, and a third are Christian. Nationality and religion don t enter into a place where there is only love. You helped us assist Meirah to Israel and now her one single life is touching hundreds! Your small act of obedience to give and/ or pray can profoundly affect the lives of many just like Meirah. 4 operationexodususa.org
Come Stand With Us In Prayer Thank You, Father! In this New Year we declare Your great faithfulness. It is You who causes Operation Exodus to be fruitful and bring increasing numbers of Olim (Jewish immigrants) Home to Israel 600+ from the US in 2016. Debra is sensing 2017 will be a year of greater intimacy in the context of increasing battle. It is imperative that we hear the voice of the Lord! Let us intercede diligently for one another for us all in OEUSA to more than ever stay near to His heart, where we will indeed hear! Expectancy is also a fresh word. May the Lord place in all our hearts this expectancy for the miracles He will work on behalf of the Jewish people and those who are assisting them with their return home. Wendy Beckett Regional Prayer Coordinator Devoted prayer groups are active in Connecticut and in New Jersey. In prayer we are calling forth more intercessors in the whole New York area. Please join us in this call! May the Lord raise up strong intercessory warriors! Let s declare together that Jesus is Lord of OEUSA. We exist and function for one great purpose to bring glory to His great Name. Aliyah flows naturally from this purpose! for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lam. 3:22-23 NIV Your OEUSA Awareness Toolkit to Share FREE MATERIALS It s easy! Write, call or email us for any of these materials to share: Encourage others to join our family of intercessors A free OE book to share Spanish materials FHNS campaign materials A bundle of newsletters to share Scripture brochure Visit our website to become a prayer partner! operationexodususa.org/pray (716) 681-6300 Info@OperationExodusUSA.org OR GO ONLINE for a complete set of easy-to-use, shareable content for friends and family. operationexodususa.org/awareness You can also request free materials on our Facebook page: facebook.com/operationexodususa operationexodususa.org 5
New Year, Fresh Faces Quay Messner Regional Prayer Coordinator The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation. Psalm 33:11 NAS We watch with joy and great expectancy as the Lord brings forth young adults the next generation. They are embracing the plans of His heart for Aliyah, and entering into greater depths of prayer and service through intimacy with the Holy Spirit. We are pleased to introduce and welcome two young adults to the OEUSA staff. Steven Harper is based at the Buffalo, New York, office as Communications Specialist. Priscilla Porras is our Prayer Support Services Coordinator serving from her home in El Paso, TX. Steven The children of Your servants will continue, and their descendants will be established before You. Psalm 102:28 NAS A small but mighty, dedicated group of young adults have been praying together by phone for several years. They call their prayer time Pillar of Fire (Exodus 13:21-22). Recently they heeded the leading of the Spirit by establishing a monthly Priscilla Pillar of Fire Night Watch. In the middle of the night they devote themselves to three hours of praise and prayer, expanding their capacity and increasing their sensitivity to deep intercession for His purposes. Join us in celebrating, embracing, covering, blessing and serving with the Lord s chosen successors! Hallelujah! is affiliated with Ebenezer Operation Exodus International, a ministry with representatives in over 50 countries around the world. Together, we have assisted over 150,000 Jewish people with their return to Israel from many different nations. Yanya Ukraine Team UKRAINE 6 operationexodususa.org Flight to Safety We met Sergei and Natalya and their children teenager Sonia and little David when visiting Makeevka in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. They were very concerned about the political situation in their town, which had exploded into violence. The Donetsk region has experienced some of the heaviest fighting of the civil war, which brought about the life-changing decision to take their children to Israel, where they would be safer. They already had some relatives in the Land, which made the decision Sergei, Natalya, David and Sonia waiting to depart a little easier, and they were confident their family would have a better future there. We assisted them as needed with their application to the Israeli Consul and took them to Dnepropetrovsk Airport for their Aliyah flight. They were very grateful and urged us to continue with what they described as the noble work God had called us to!
Seeing the Vision Come to Pass With thankful hearts we look back on 2016 and witness the hand of the Lord going before us. We can truly say, Thus far the Lord has helped us. From the moment we unlocked the doors of our new Brooklyn office, we knew it would be a season of preparation. Intercession was the first layer of foundation as we began to build by assisting Jewish people to make Aliyah from the New York area. The Lord has answered with great favor and blessings. God s faithfulness towards the Olim as they prepare to journey home will always stay with me. I visited with several Olim whom we had the privilege to assist. I heard how the Lord prepared their hearts to change direction and plan their journey home. It has blessed and sharpened the vision. We need understanding for the days ahead. As we learn of the challenges they face, we can better serve them. I have walked many steps through the neighborhoods of New York City (NYC), entered the subways, travelled on many different trains, being alert and praying for the signs the Lord is showing as we plan for the next season. We can t be found wanting when it comes to knowing what the Lord has called us to be in this hour. 2017 is a year to expand and expect great things! Thank you for being part of His plan to place us as watchmen in the many areas of NYC. Shirley Lawrenson Representative And the LORD answered me: Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. Habakkuk 2:2 ESV operationexodususa.org 7
Your Treasures Are Secure with Us OEUSA has been an accredited member of ECFA (Accredited Council of Financial Accountability) since December 2009. Peggy Perry Financial Director The ECFA provides accreditation to Christian nonprofit organizations that faithfully demonstrate compliance with established standards for financial accountability, transparency, fundraising and board governance. By applying ECFA s Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship, drawn from Scripture, to Christ-centered, nonprofit organizations, an enhanced trust is established. To learn more about ECFA, visit www.ecfa.org OEUSA s financial documents and transaction details are audited each year by an independent CPA in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the USA. It is the auditor s opinion the financial statements fairly present the financial position, changes in net assets, and cash flow of OEUSA in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the USA. To view OEUSA s comparative financial data, visit www.ecfa.org. For more information about, our Purpose, Vision, Values, and History, visit our website. PO Box 568, Lancaster, NY 14086 (716) 681-6300 Info@OperationExodusUSA.org OperationExodusUSA.org THANK YOU! Name (print) Address City State Zip Phone ( ) Email Credit Card # \ \ \ Credit Card Verification # Exp. Date Name (as it appears on credit card) Signature Here is my donation in the amount of $25 $50 $100 Other Over and above my regular giving, enclosed is my special gift (in the amount of $100 $250 $500 $1000 Other) to support OEUSA s For His Name s Sake initiatives. GET INVOLVED! I am excited about what the Lord is doing at OEUSA! Send me the OE Awareness Kit to share with others: OE Book Bundle of newsletters Scripture Brochures Spanish Materials Go Online operationexodususa.org/awareness for a complete set of easy-to-use social media shareable content Call us if you would like to join our family of intercessors or start a prayer group in your area Call us if you would like an OE Representative to come and share at your church or local gathering Estate Planning/Legacy Gifts Please contact us if you are prayerfully considering a legacy gift to help us assist Jewish people making Aliyah. We will connect you with someone who can explain your options. Leave a Legacy Gift (e.g., donation of any amount, designated through your will or living trust). For more information, please call 716.681.6300. Payment Options Credit/ Debit Card: Monthly Auto-deduction One-time Gift Visa MasterCard Discover American Express ACH from Checking/Savings: please call 716.681.6300 for authorization form You can call with your Credit/Debit Card donation by phone: 716.681.6300 Give online: OperationExodusUSA.org or for our campaign OperationExodusUSA.org/ForHisNamesSake Checks payable to: PO Box 568, Lancaster, NY 14086-0568