A Word From Pat
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I have had the wonderful privilege of serving the Lord and the Jewish people in the aliyah from the former Soviet Union now for over 18 years. I have seen Old Testament prophecies unfold before my eyes as we have helped the blind, the lame, the women with child ... and many others on their way home to the Promised Land. It has been a very real privilege to have been involved in the lives of so many Jewish families as they make this life changing step. There have been many changes and challenges over the years -for those working as well as for those leaving.
One of my highlights many years ago was sharing a meal with Jewish survivors of the Holocaust in Kharkov, East Ukraine and local Christians who had rescued them. We had been told they may not want to talk of their experiences -but in fact they shared very openly and it was very special to listen to their moving accounts.
A nother highlight was in September of this year. On the 13th of September, just before the Jewish New Year, the Jewish Agency of Israel organized 10 special flights in one day with Olim (immigrants) from different airports throughout the former Soviet Union, carrying 250 Olim and 300 Jewish teenagers going to Israel on study programmes. I happened to be in Kiev at that time and was invited along to a special ceremony the Jewish Agency held for the Olim prior to their departure. About 45 Olim were brought from various parts of West and Central Ukraine to the Jewish Agency offices that morning - the majority of them helped on their journey by Ezra staff and volunteers. In fact, 14 families had been helped by Ezra also with their papers and documents. Jewish Agency staff gave the Olim their preflight briefing and answered many practical questions. I was at the 'top table' along with Jewish Agency representatives, a local Rabbi and representatives of two other Christian organizations and I was invited to share a few words. In my 18 years of working in the aliyah this was the first time that the help of the Christian organizations was so publicly acknowledged in front of the Olim! The Jewish Agency handed each of the Christian organizations a letter thanking them for their support!
I n these days of economic challenge the Jewish Agency had to cut back on many of its offices and activities. This gives Ezra even more opportunities and challenges in the former Soviet Union. There are still hundreds of thousands of Jewish people in the lands of the North who need to make their aliyah - as well as in other nations. I praise God for His faithfulness over these 18 years and look to Him for His wisdom and His provision in what's still to come...