UKRAINE MISSION UPDATE (Day 7 & 8)

Dear Prayer Warriors,

Slava Bog!  Praise God from whom all blessings flow!  The Lord has blessed your Ukraine missionaries in more ways than we can adequately describe.  We have seen His hand at work in every aspect of our mission journey.  We want to thank you for standing in the gap for us through your faithful prayers.  We continue to ask you to pray for us as we make our way back to America over the next few days!   

On Saturday our team had a relaxing day which was so needed and so enjoyable.  Our days throughout the week have been quite long with most days starting at 9:00 a.m. and ending at around 9:00 p.m.  So our break on Saturday came at a wonderful time.  Our team was able to do some shopping in Zhytomyr buying mostly yummy things to eat, chocolate, etc.  In the afternoon, we had a BBQ or "shish kabob" as the Ukrainians call it.  All of our interpreters and host families gathered by a river to enjoy douzhe douzhe smahchna (very, very delicious) food and the best creme puffs you have ever tasted!!  Yum!!  It was a special afternoon of amazing Ukrainian food, fellowship, laughter and lots of pictures.  We can't wait to share them with you!

Today, of course, is Sunday and it was a full and glorious day of ministry beyond what we could ever expect.  When we woke up this morning, Pastor Vasily shared that at 1:00 a.m. our precious sister in the Lord, Valia, had gone home to be with Jesus.  Valia is the sweet saint of God whom we visited, prayed over and sang to on Thursday.  Valia blessed our team on Thursday as she shared her love and even prayed for us though she was extremely ill.  Our hearts were saddened and tears flowed when we heard that she had died.  At the same time, we were rejoicing that the Father had healed her just as we had prayed.  Valia is now whole and in the everlasting arms of Jesus Christ!  Pastor Vasily asked if we would participate in the funeral and sing several of our songs in his church at Studenytsia.  We were so humbled to be a part of Valia's celebration at 3:00 p.m. today.  Pastor Vasily's small church was packed with many people from the village who knew and loved Valia.  Many of those in attendance were unbelievers and so it was a humbling experience to share a message of salvation from God's Word along with Pastor Vasily at Valia's funeral.  Please pray that God will quicken their hearts and that they will repent before it is too late.  What a blessing to know that Valia had repented and that she was now in His very presence!

Well, earlier this morning our team led worship and shared the gospel of Jesus Christ at a new church plant that came out of Central Baptist Church in Zhytomyr.  Today was Pentecost Sunday which is celebrated in Ukrainian churches 50 days after Easter.  It was so humbling to be able to share a message on the Holy Spirit, the birth of the church and the fact that Jesus promised that He would send His spirit and that He would convict of sin, righteousness and judgement.  Shari Griffin shared her personal testimony and of her salvation encounter with the Lord.   And as God's invitation was extended and as our team sang "Lord Have Mercy", a precious 11 year old girl came and knelt with the Pastor and repented of her sins and asked Jesus to be her Lord and Savior.  Of course tears were flowing from not only our team but also from many of the people in the service.  This church plant is meeting in a high school each week and today was only their fourth service. What is so glorious to know is that this precious young girl, Snizhanna, was the first person to repent and come to Christ in this new church plant.  There was a great celebration in heaven over Snizhanna's salvation!!  We ask you to pray for this church plant which will begin a "VBS" Camp this week.  May many children and adults be spiritually impacted throughout their Bible camp.

After the funeral service for Valia, our team led worship tonight and shared the message of Jesus Christ at Central Baptist Church in Zhytomyr.  Pastor Hrapak of Central Baptist is a great friend of Pastor Vasily.  His daughter, Marina, has been one of our interpreters in the past.  Pastor Hrapak and his wife, Luda, are also hosting four of our missionary girls this week.  

So tonight was a wonderful and blessed time with our Ukrainian brothers and sisters in Christ at Central Baptist.  Hannah Stagg shared her entire testimony in Russian.  It was easy to see that God was communicating His heart through this young woman of God.  In addition, Mike Kynett shared a powerful message on the Holy Spirit on this special day in the life of the church.  Though no one openly repented, we sensed that God was speaking to an older woman who came and knelt and wept during the invitation.  To God be the glory for His sweet spirit today and all week long.

Again, thank you for your faithful and earnest prayers.  You have been part of this journey from before the time that we left America.   We cannot imagine not having you daily lift us up to Jesus.   What's more  awesome, is that there are 224 people of all ages who indicated that they had repented in part because of your sincere prayers.  We most definitely have been impacted by God and His work in and through us this week.  We are truly not the same! To God be all glory and praise!

So thank you for keeping up with us in prayer.  Please also pray for us as we make the journey home Monday and Tuesday.  We love you and bless Jesus Christ for you each.  May we all live God's mission in order to reach one more precious soul for Jesus Christ.  

Slava Bog!

Your Ukraine Mission Team