Ukraine Day 6

Today was a bit of a slower day. The team went in different directions and made contact with people around the city. Pastor Tom and I met with an outreach team from a local church and fellowship with them and prayed for and blessed them. Then we had lunch with a local pastor. Dan, Gary, and Bob enjoyed some time with a man that runs an orphanage in the city.

When I sit back and try and picture what I think Jesus may look like today, I can't help but picture Ivan and Tanya Benedyk. These two people are incredible at working to build God's Kingdom. Pray for them as they are in a time of transition.

Tomorrow will be our last day in Ukraine and it will be very full. Please pray for us!

Ukraine Day 5

Today was a very full day. The team split up this morning and preached in different locations. Tonight we went to the gypsy church and held one last service with them. The room was absolutely packed with people. Pastor Tom spoke and we prayed and ministered to just about everyone in the church. We were able to do a wonderful Skype conversation with the church back home!

A quick story about this picture.

The church that I had the opportunity to preach in this morning is getting ready to plant another church in a nearby city. Earlier this week we were able to negotiate the use of this room with another room for children's ministry in an old bread factory. When it was all said and done, the first six months rent was paid at a total cost of $100 US dollars per month. God is so good and His gospel is going forth throughout the earth.

Get on the train or get out of the way!

Ukraine day 4

Wow - what a day today. We attended the ordination service of this pastor, Pastor Victor. He pastors a gypsy church in Uzghorod that one year ago was on life support. Today it is a thriving congregation approaching 100 people. Pastor Victor was the worship leader in the church before when the former pastor decided to walk away from the faith and his ministry. Victor has accepted the call of God upon his life to pastor this church. It was a powerful service as about 300 gyspies from various camps, villages, and churches came together for this celebration. God is using the gypsies in Ukraine to shake this nation. Once again I am reminded that He takes the 'least of these & makes the most of that!" Their faith is very simple - they love Jesus & they are very passionate about that relationship with Him! Oh, so much to learn!