"I will whistle for them and gather them, for I will redeem them; and they shall increase as they once increased."  Zechariah 10:8 NKJV

Aliyah, the return of the Jewish people to Israel, is a miracle―an ongoing miracle. It is definitely God's plan for the days in which we live. How wonderful it is to see His chosen people coming home from all parts of the world: the former Soviet Union, North America, Latin America, France, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Ethiopia...

Never were the psalmist's words so true: When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy (Psalm 126:1–3 NIV).

Indeed, we too are "filled with joy" to witness these prophetic events unfolding right before our eyes, as more and more flights carrying olim (immigrants) arrive in Israel.  For many generations, observant Jews have been praying three times a day for the return to Zion. This supplication is part of the Amidah, the central prayer of the Jewish liturgy. One rendition of this is: Sound the great shofar for our freedom. Raise the banner to gather our exiles, and speedily gather us together from the four corners of the earth to our land. Blessed are you, HaShem, who gathers in the dispersed of His people Israel.

The worldwide economic shaking has helped to increase aliyah in 2009. Through it we can clearly see the hand of the LORD God of Israel. Since the Jewish Agency began asking us to encourage and assist with the return, we have taken part in welcoming ceremonies at Ben-Gurion International Airport and the Kotel (Western Wall). We have been able to speak to the new citizens of Israel, offering them encouragement and hope. It has been wonderful to see so many young couples with small children among the newcomers and to hear the excitement―among both young and old alike―about arriving in the Promised Land.

Someone came up to me, exclaiming, "Thank God for an organization such as Operation Exodus!" Then he asked, "What kind of Christians are you? Why are you doing this?" I told him that we are those who firmly believe that the Tanach (Old Testament) is God’s prophetic Word, so we are privileged to be involved in aliyah.

Over 2,000 years ago, the prophets of Israel foretold that the days would come when the Jewish people living in exile would return to this Land of their forefathers and be settled here forever. Isaiah prophesied that the Gentiles would be called upon to prepare the way and bring them back to their Land. This challenging task is Ebenezer’s mandate.

From the moment that our registration as an Israeli amutah (nonprofit organization) was accepted, our office in Jerusalem began receiving many requests for assistance. Although the State of Israel’s care for olim is tremendous, often a personal touch is needed when difficulties arise. This personal touch is exactly what we seek to provide in helping them to settle in the Land.

What a privilege it is to serve the Lord in these days, to see the miracle of aliyah, which is a mighty sign, pointing to the return of the Messiah!