27 May
Oh, may we always praise the Lord

Praise Oh, may we always praise the Lord for His goodness, whatever the circumstances. I feel I am making good progress on the counseling materials that I have been gathering and preparing. Almost everything has been sent to the translator. A number of people have helped me find things and advised me. Indeed I am grateful! Last week Abe and I actually had the opportunity to be in a conference session with 300 Ukrainians, many of whom are chaplains, and all of whom are concerned and involved in helping people with the trauma of the war, whether physically or spiritually. And we met with some dedicated men working with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Assoc and had a bit of fellowship. So encouraging to see so many people who care about Ukraine—whether they are from abroad or men and women who are living and working here. May the Lord be praised! One of our young couples came for a visit, as they had missed the last workshop and so Abe brought them up to date. I enjoyed meeting them and they enjoyed seeing us and where we live. Eugene and Kathy would be English translation of their names. Dedicated. Diligent. And yes, reports continue to come in of people being saved and baptized. A lot of ministry going on as some of the Center of Hope leaders really begin to come into their own. It is a joy to see. And all of you are part of these people entering the Kingdom of God as you pray! Thank you! Prayer Abe left this afternoon for Kyiv and the next workshop. His focus will be on vision and planning. Very few people have been trained in how to plan for ministry, beyond and one-time event. But to see, “what do I want to happen in five years, and how do we get there”. This is all new material. Pray for Abe as he tries to communicate these principles (actually he has done this many times both here and in Russia with all kinds of leaders!) and that people will actually see how they can plan weekly and monthly to reach what they envision happening in 5 years—or next year for that matter! The war has become much more personal. One of our faithful coworkers, Ivan, may be drafted. Recruiters are going door to door in towns and villages looking for men over the age of 27. Ivan has worked with us for over 20 years. Actually came to us right out of university having graduated in computer science. He has a lot of expertise and goes to every workshop to run the technical equipment, as well as all the computer, video, etc work he does when at home. He also does a lot of volunteer work in those areas for our church here. He is about mid-40’s. We of course would prefer that he did NOT have to go and serve. And he would like to continue in his ministry. But there are few exemptions from service. Please pray about this situation with us. And pray especially for peace for him and his dear wife Ivanka, whatever direction the Lord takes him in. There have been many missile and drone attacks across Ukraine this past week. How our hearts ache over the destruction. We know you pray. We value your prayers. This short devotional from Harvest Prayer Ministries encouraged my heart today, and it has a “double” meaning for us in talking about warfare. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Perhaps the greatest need of our day is for praying Christians. When we look at the warfare, both in the world and in the church, the clear-minded, self-controlled Christian will drop to his or her knees in fervent, Spirit-led prayer. The church triumphant is a church connected with her Head through prayer and moving boldly through the current warfare with her eyes fixed firmly on Jesus take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33) “Lord Jesus, I give You thanks for Your victory over the enemy. I choose today to walk in Your victory. Through You Lord, I push back my enemy, through Your name, I trample my foe. Help me to always keep my eyes fixed on You. I take heart this day that You have overcome the world!” And yes, this past week both Abe and I felt there was spiritual warfare going on in our own lives with our various responsibilities. And we pray on

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09 May
Thank you always for your prayers

PRAISE Thank you always for your prayers for the workshop. All went well. Some people absent because of circumstances but still a good attendance. A good spirit. Most of them are beginning to understand about having a budget and accountability! All part of the training. Praise God for these people who love the Lord and are trying to serve Him.

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14 Apr
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)

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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    

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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)

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