Help to Renew Ukraine

Abe was so excited

PRAISE Abe was so excited when he came home and said that they had an excellent workshop. He might have said that before. 😊 What does it mean? Well, this time he felt everyone was really engaged and that there was a real family atmosphere. This lines up with the goals he has as they go along. Vera seconded him on the “excellent”. Thank you for praying! A 14-year old son of one of the leaders got saved during the workshop! Praise God! And there were reports of many being saved since the last meeting. It is why we do what we do—expanding the Kingdom of Heaven here in Ukraine! I think!!! that my books may have arrived here in our city. At least, a neighbor said that we have a package but the postal lady thought we weren’t at home. So…I’m waiting in great anticipation for follow up on that! We have a new worker, Lilia, who went to the workshop this time to help, but she was also very keen to attend because she has 3 groups of refugees that she is working with here and she really wants to help them to make that step into the Kingdom. Lilia worked for us many years ago in editing and is doing so again along with some other things. We are blessed to have her along with our excellent team! Fruit for Christ PRAYER Maria is one of those on our team. She has worked with us for…24 years? A LONG time. And she is very good at what she does. Right now they have a medical crisis in their family. Her husband Nikolai has gone to Germany yesterday for testing at the recommendation of doctors here. He is diagnosed with bladder cancer, curable possibly if it has not spread. Nikolai is 67, a retired pastor, a faithful man. He has been sharing the care of his 93-year old father these past weeks. Pray that the doctors would come up with a clear picture of what stage it is in, that there would be treatment, and healing. Probably best case scenario, especially at this time in Ukraine, is that he stay there for treatment. It is a stressful time for the family as you can imagine, even though all of them are firm believers. Pray for their comfort and peace, and especially for Maria in a stressful time. Continue to pray, always I could say, that the Lord will call more people to lead Centers of Hope. Abe thinks there is a potential right now of another five leaders for new Centers. Pray for Abe’s interpreter, Andrei. He lives in an area very close to the Russian border. When he is not at the workshops (beside pastoral duties) he is reaching out to families of soldiers. Right now he has contact with 7 women whose husbands have died, plus other wives whose husbands are fighting. He brings physical/material aid but he also wants to bring them spiritual hope. He also goes to soldiers on the front with aid and to encourage them. Yes, it can be dangerous. The day after he was with one group they were hit by all kinds of grenades, drones, missiles—and yet, no one was killed. He will be getting a bullet-proof vest. One of many good people doing everything they can for Ukraine—and for their Lord. Pray for his protection, for people to respond to the Lord through him, and pray for the many like him who are volunteering and doing all they can—for Ukraine, for the people they love. This is a truth that I have based my prayer life on in the past couple of decades. I always aim to start my prayers, or prayer time, with praise. What a difference it makes in my attitude! It is the best way to turn my thoughts to God and His power and might and glory. And then the difficulties shrink in the face of our Almighty God. No, they don’t go away, but then--my focus is on the Solution, not on the problem. Always a good place! Praise the Lord, O my soul!! (Ps. 103:1)

10 Apr

I hope you had a blessed Easter

I hope you had a blessed Easter. We certainly did. I thought you might enjoy this picture of our Easter eggs. You know, when you are a missionary, often you have to “make” things happen. And when you are older and without children or grandchildren to celebrate with…well, sometimes you just need to do things anyway! Easter eggs are an art here! But these are just little plastic sleeves that you can “fasten” around the eggs. This is the first time I’ve seen them with Ukrainian colors of blue and yellow. But a little spot of joy and familiarity in our celebration. No, we didn’t hide them! LOL And here is a photo of the generator that we sent to this needy village. We had originally bought it for our office here, but, when things settled down, we discovered that we had electricity all of the time on our street and after a couple of months decided it would be better used in the east where daily life is a struggle. The village leader had asked for generators. Those who delivered it also took a lot of food etc, and included a Gospel message. This is what is happening all over as churches and organizations and individuals reach out to these needy areas in any way they can. Each one doing what they can. Prayer items Abe left today for another workshop and they have arrived there and are setting up. It will be Tuesday and Wednesday. Just pray for those who attend that they will grasp principles and be willing to put them into practice. Also pray for those who have become discouraged, that they will not give up. It isn’t easy to change your way of doing things. And most of them are not used to the idea of planning—nor of accountability. It can seem overwhelming. Abe just wants them to feel that they are surrounded by love and care, even though they are being challenged to stretch themselves for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. And two relatively minor issues, but, God tells us to go ahead and ask. We have not received our tax documents from the US govt. They are always mailed here to Ukraine and usually arrive more or less on time. This year there is no sign of them. Pray that they would arrive so that we can take care of this paperwork properly. And if they don’t, that we can get them re-sent! Not always an easy task when you are in another country. The other request, along the same line, two books were sent here the middle of February and were to arrive in 10 days or so. All of us had our doubts. 😊 However it is almost two months and these are resource books I would really like to have available as we pursue areas of trauma counseling etc. Tracking shows they arrived in Poland and then….nothing for 6 weeks from that arrival! I think the Lord knows where they are. It would be a joy if they arrived! “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all” (1 Chronicles 29:11). This type of praying lines up with the teaching of Jesus that we are to ask God to extend his kingdom rule into the earthly arena: “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). Lord, teach me to align my prayers with your desires and purposes. May I always be consumed with passion for you and the extension of your kingdom on earth. From Harvest Prayer Ministries

23 Mar

A “successful” Centers of Hope workshop

PRAISE A “successful” Centers of Hope workshop this past week with a good attendance. A number of new people who are interested—on different levels. Not a time for them to necessarily make a decision about whether they want to participate, but Abe thinks there are at least 4 couples who are definites. It went well running double sessions. I do think Abe is a bit tireder than normal! PRAYER Abe will be leading a prayer meeting with Baptist Union leadership next Tuesday the 28th, and then they will discuss issues of moving the church forward. Pray for Abe as he prepares for this. Always for wisdom from on High. Anything we do in our own strength or wisdom is of such insignificant value! Sadly early on the 22nd 4 Russian drones hit a dormitory of a technical school in Rzhyschev where our daughter Priscilla and her husband Dan minister. At least 8 people have died and about 20 are injured and in the hospital. It is less than a mile from their home. Dan and Priscilla of course are in Australia visiting family and churches, but I know it hurts their hearts. It seems so purposeless. Just pray that the church there has many “more” opportunities to share Jesus with people. That they will not give into fear themselves but know that they are in the hands of their loving Heavenly Father. I’m sure many in this town of about 8,000 are badly shaken when a whole year has gone by and they were never hit. It is easy to get used to the sirens and all the other happenings. Perhaps even a feeling of invincibility. We are not invincible, are we? We only move forward fearlessly in the Kingdom of Light, invading the kingdom of darkness. We have something worth living for—something worth dying for. And people are looking for meaning in the midst of senselessness. May we all be faithful to shine brightly! “Your lives light up the world. Let others see your light from a distance, for how can you hide a city that stands on a hilltop? And who would light a lamp and then hide it in an obscure place? Instead, it’s placed where everyone in the house can benefit from its light. So don’t hide your light! Let it shine brightly before others, so that the commendable things you do will shine as light upon them, and then they will give their praise to your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 (TPT)

17 Mar

Thank you for praying about the trauma counseling

PRAISE Thank you for praying about the trauma counseling that I am researching and making decisions on. I have so much more peace about it now. Just that reassurance that God is working and leading. Sometimes—we just need a boost in our faith! I wrote about the blessing of all the materials we were able to get printed, most of which will last us for this year and some of it the next couple of years (especially books and booklets). With that blessing comes the fact that it is maxing out our storage facilities. So Abe is busying himself with putting in more shelving, moving things around and making space. You will see in the photo the stacks of packages in the one section, the other side is much larger and is packed out, and we have a bunch of stuff up in our attic! It is one of the blessings of having this house in that we can accommodate all of this. And to be honest, Abe enjoys the physical activity. Praise God for people of faith! We heard from one supporting church this week who has decided to raise the support for ALL of their missionaries by 20%! All I have been hearing on the news is about inflation and fears of recession, and tightening belts, and in the midst of that—a 20% increase. Sometimes we are just overwhelmed at the good and godly people we know all around the world. I did not post them last time but here are a few pictures from prayer in practice at the Celebration of Prayer workshop. Thank God for His praying people! PRAYER Please lift up the next workshop to the Lord for His blessing and direction. It will be held Tuesday and Wednesday the 21st and 22nd. Abe will be handling two groups: the ones who have already established Centers of Hope or are on their way to do so; and new people who are interested but have not attended any of the training sessions yet. Pray for strength and clarity for Abe, and the coordination involved in doing this on two levels. And especially pray that new people will come who have a passion for Jesus Christ and a heart to reach the lost. As the war continues more men are being called up now to serve. This has already impacted who can serve with Centers of Hope and I’m wondering about pastors and church leaders across the country. We pray often for the believers we know, and the ones we don’t, who are already serving--that God would protect them, but also that His light would shine brightly through them to the other soldiers who face eternity every day. We just had an air raid warning that went on for 13 hours. That hasn’t happened before so I don’t know what they are anticipating. And at the same time we have many reports of people going to minister to areas who are near the front lines, bringing humanitarian aid but most importantly the Gospel. And some of them are risking their lives to do so because they are so close to the front. R elated to that in a Bible study today I was doing today, the teacher said that the Greek word for witnesses used in Acts 1:8—you will be my witnesses—is the word we get “martyr” from. This is the Gospel going out often in extreme circumstances. People who are even willing to put their lives on the line to be His witnesses. Praise God for these people. And pray that people will have their spiritual eyes opened to understand the Gospel and what it means for them right now, here on earth. So many riches we have in God. And the more we share these riches with others, the more we receive. "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. Matthew 13:31-43

07 Mar

A large group attended the Celebration of Prayer

PRAISE A large group attended the Celebration of Prayer and found it refreshing and uplifting. Many of them took home the resources so that they could use fresh prayer ideas in various groups and meetings, and possibly share them with other leaders. Always a joy to have people pass on what they have learned and experienced. We have just finished doing a huge print order which includes prayer walking booklets, some discipleship materials and many other resources so that we are prepared for the whole year. And Ivanka, our faithful coworker, through her diligence managed to save us $2,000 in costs by finding other printers who would maintain a high quality but do it for less!!! A blessing on two counts!! Daniel, Priscilla and Ellie arrived safe and sound in Australia and are enjoying the warmth of being in the southern hemisphere. A well-deserved break ahead for them! After the hiccups before the journey with Priscilla’s passport, the Lord blessed their travels with peace. PRAYER We may be coming to a time of discernment with the Centers of Hope. Our main focus will always be on bringing people into the family of God and building His Kingdom with Christ followers. But people quickly move to “secondary” ministries with children’s programs or sports programs. All good. But if no one is coming to Christ… This is not a criticism. It’s a matter of where God has called us to invest. Pray for understanding among the leaders that they need to be committed to talking to people personally and presenting the Gospel to them and bringing them to a decision. And that must be the first priority of their ministry—and then they can add the other things. But, first you need to have a foundation of people being born again, discipling them, and, actually, then letting them minister in the other areas. Otherwise it is a busy ministry with one couple doing it all, and losing the tangible focus on souls. Does that make sense? There is a harvest to be reaped. Pray that every leader will be impressed by the Holy Spirit with the need to seek out people who are spiritually ready, and bring them to Christ—our Hope. And yes, much of the prayer time last week was focused on the harvest. Pray for me (Diane) as I study and review a multitude of materials on counseling. We want to be able to put tools into the hands of the leaders to help people to deal with the trauma of war. We want to have a counseling approach that is based on prayer and helping people to find in Christ their ultimate Counselor/Comfort/Refuge/Immanuel. And it needs to use basic principles that a layman can use. It is an area of high interest for me having always been interested in psychology, but a lot of discernment is needed. Pray that the Lord will guide me, give me His wisdom, and help me not to get bogged down in dead ends. And yes, the trauma of war continues. This billboard near our home is a prayer: “Lord, heal the physical and spiritual wounds of Ukrainians!” The above is a memorial to about 100 men that was put up on our city square on the 1-year anniversary of the war. And those are men just from our area. And something else came poignantly to my attention a few days ago. I was talking to a friend whose brother is listed as “missing in action”. And what does that mean? Is he a prisoner? Does he live? Will his body be found? He’s a godly man with a family of several children, a couple who are already in university. But Kostya said the hardest thing for the family is not knowing. Not knowing. And then the soldier I saw yesterday—without a leg. The hospital here that is being renovated to provide rehabilitation for men like him. And yet, life continues. A couple got married in our church. A widower. A soldier, who will again go back to battle on Thursday. Yes, people must go on with life. Even in uncertainty. And so all of us continue to pray that the war will end—and sooner rather than later. That people can pick up the pieces of their lives and again look to the future. And we pray mostly that thousands and thousands will come to understand the truth of Psalm 62:6 “{God} alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.”(NLT) In Him we have a secure future, whatever this world may throw at us, however we may be disappointed or betrayed or suffer. I have often clung to this rock, have sheltered in this fortress. A couple verses later it says “Trust Him at all times”. Even when the world goes crazy. We are safe in His hands. Even if the boat sinks. He knows. He is there. His love surrounds us even in the midst of evil. Live in that assurance, that comfort, that peace, that joy.

25 Feb

Priscilla received her passport

PRAISE GOD! Priscilla received her passport yesterday—after spending 6 hours at the border and caught a bus back that evening and is back home again! Two days that were meant for other things, but…she has her passport and can now travel with Dan and Ellie and not have to go through other issues with travel arrangements. They travel early Tuesday morning to Moldova and fly out in the evening, traveling for – well, a very long time. I think the first month in Australia she will just have to rest!!! But God protected and provided. Interestingly enough Thursday and Friday passed with NO air raid sirens at all! God’s mercy when people were prepared for the worst. Some people even fled the country in anticipation of major bombings. We have had two air raid warnings today (for all Ukraine), but very short ones and as far as I know, no missiles actually were fired. The eastern front of course is a different story. We joined our brothers and sisters here yesterday with fasting and praying. Only our Father in Heaven has the answer for this earthly mess of destruction. May He deliver! Abe is calling the “workshop” next week a “Celebration of Prayer”. That was a call of faith with all the fear going on here. But I think those who come will really be able to enter in with a spirit of celebration, even in the midst of war. I’m attaching a note of thanks from the Baptist Union.

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