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There is an ancient Jewish community in Ethiopia called Beit Israel whose mysterious origins may date back to the time of Solomon or even earlier to the time of the exodus from Egypt. Although many converted to Orthodox Christianity under threat of persecution, many to this day have maintained their Jewish identity and traditions. The Israeli government conducted air lifts in 1985 and 1991 taking thousands of these Ethiopian Jews home to Israel. Still, some estimate at least 30,000 remain who unceasingly hope and pray to one day immigrate.

Assisting the Ethiopian Jews in their generations-long hope of immigrating to Israel (Aliyah) is what compelled us to go to Ethiopia in 1991 and it is the reason we have returned again and again with ministry teams over the past 10 years. I recently went to Ethiopia and was encouraged by the acceleration in Aliyah from the capital city of Addis Ababa.

The number of Ethiopian Jews making Aliyah from the Beit Israel community in Addis Ababa has increased dramatically. In recent months around 50 households a week have been going home to Israel. An average household is a family of six to twelve people. There is a new sense of hope and expectation in the hearts of those that have been waiting for so long in difficult conditions to find their peace as they return to their physical inheritance in the land of Israel.

The primary ministry to which Gateways has been linked for many years has also seen around 50 of the families we support make Aliyah in recent months. Families still waiting to go receive not only financial aid for rent and food but also instruction in the Scriptures. Many have professed Yeshua as their Messiah and have been immersed in water. These are being introduced to their physical and spiritual inheritance as Ethiopian Jews.

If the current pattern continues, there is the high possibility that the majority of the Ethiopian Jewish community in Addis Ababa will have gone to Israel by the end of the year. However, there is much work to do be done amongst pockets of Ethiopian Jews in other parts of the country and this trip brought a renewed sense of commitment to be a blessing to Ethiopia.

Please continue to pray for Ethiopia. Pray for a dear pastor just released from prison as his life is still in danger. Pray for continued favor for Ethiopian Jews to immigrate to Israel. Finally, pray about joining us on a future outreach to Ethiopia. Your life will be changed!
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