Team Kharkov Requests January 1st-7th

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him - but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit.  The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God."  (1 Cor. 2:9-10)

For many, the start of a new year brings thoughts of what has been, and hope for what may be in the coming year.  As Team Kharkov, and representatives of IMB, we begin the new year prayerfully asking the Father to reveal to us individually and corporately the plans He has for us, that we might live each day of this new year in a manner that will bring glory to Him.

At the same time, while most of the western world is busy putting away their Christmas decorations and preparing to return to work following the holidays, Ukrainians are just beginning their holiday celebrations.  The New Year's tree stands in the center of Freedom Square, surrounded by carnival rides and all manner of activities for children and adults alike.  This year, a large 3-headed dragon fills a significant space in the square, to commemorate the Chinese year of the dragon.  

Pray for Amanda as she spends New Year's eve (Saturday) with the youth from Christian Life church.  Ask the Lord to strengthen their fellowship with Him and with one another through their time together.  Pray for safety in travel to and from their time together.

Kharkov Freedom Square Ready for the New Year

Christmas will be celebrated by most believers on January 7th, according to the Orthodox calendar.  It is a time of worship and fellowship....a time for remembering the gift of Christ.  Thank you for joining with us in praying for the people of the Kharkov region in Ukraine.  May 2012 be the year when "those who love Him" will experience what "no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived" as He reveals Himself by His Spirit, and we choose to obey!

Sunday, January 1st  We give thanksgiving and praise for the opportunity to serve our Lord in the Kharkov region of Ukraine.  One of our responsibilities is to prayerfully prepare individual, measurable ministry goals for the coming year.  Pray for Amanda and I as we seek His face, asking Him to lead us individually and corporately according to His plans for us in 2012.  

Monday, January 2nd  Pray for me (Linda) as I begin preparing for a conference on prayerwalking in the Donetsk region later in January.  Intercede that I would know and understand His will and way to cast a vision for covering communities in the Donetsk region with prayer.

Tuesday, January 3rd  Pray for Amanda and I as we meet this week to fellowship together, as well as discuss plans for our volunteer teams and team ministry.  Ask the Lord to continue to bind our hearts and minds together that we might be used by Him for His glory.

Wednesday, January 4th  One of our young believers, Yana, is spending the holidays with her family who live in another city in Ukraine.  Pray for Yana and her brother, who is also a believer, as they witness by their lives to their parents.  Ask the Lord to cause their hearts to be drawn to desire a personal, intimate relationship with Christ.

Thursday, January 5th  Our annual "Book Club" Christmas party will be held tonight during our regular meeting time (5:30 to 8:00 p.m. Kharkov time - 9:30 to 12:00 Central time).  Petition the Father to fill our mouths with His Word as we complete the final week of Advent, sing Christmas carols, and share the Greatest Gift of All - Christ!  Pray each person who attends will be convinced in their heart that truly Jesus is the Son of God.

Friday, January 6th  Pray for me (Linda) as I prepare to give an overview of the Celebrate Recovery ministry to a group of students in Zhenya Molodchy's "School Without Walls."  This will be a 3-session teaching, seeking to cast a vision for this ministry to those attending these classes.  

Saturday, January 7th  While New Hope International Church celebrated Christmas on December 25th, we will celebrate Christmas today with New Hope International girls.  Most of these young women have just completed their exams for this term.  Pray we can be an encouragement to each of them as we gather together for food, fellowship, and fun.  Intercede for these young women to choose to follow Christ when confronted with temptations and tests of their faith.  

Thank you for taking the time to pray for us, and for the people of the Kharkov region of Ukraine!  We do not take your faithfulness in prayer for granted, but are continually blessed and encouraged by your willingness to undergird our lives through your prayers.  May our Father fill your new year with His presence, His power, and His joy!

Team Kharkov Requests December 18th-24th

The Gift of Love

   "In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God.  ² He was in the beginning with God.  ³ He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn't make. ¹⁴ So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father."

John 1:1-3, 14

     The third week of Advent brings to us "The Gift of Love," come to earth in the Person of Christ Jesus.  How easy it seems to be in our materialistic world to forget our celebration is for His birth, through which we have each been given the Perfect Gift.  In the busyness of the days that lead up to the celebration of His birth, may we take time to allow Him to renew the wonder of that Gift within our hearts, and cause our lives to be a reflection of His love to each one we see!  Please join us in praying for the following requests over this coming week.  

• Pray for Amanda as she goes with youth from Christian Life church to an engagement celebration Sunday afternoon.  Ask the Lord to continue to deepen her relationship with the youth, and to draw more young people from the community into this fellowship.  
• Pray for Linda as she flies on Monday from Kharkov to Kiev, then on to Yerevan, Armenia for a week of fellowship with the Wofford family.  Ask the Father to grant good weather for travel, and no delays in any of the flights.  Intercede that this would be a week of refreshment, encouragement, and renewal for her as well as for the Woffords.
• Petition the Lord to grant Amanda opportunity this week to meet up with a friend from the states who is beginning a Peace Corps term of service in another city in Ukraine.  Pray they would be able to spend the days of this week together as they celebrate the coming of our Lord and Savior.

• Praise Him for enabling the men of the Zmeeov church to get a roof on the church building before winter weather sets in (seen in photo).  Pray the Father would grant Pastor Yuri and the church members wisdom in continuing construction through the winter months.  Praise Him for financial provision through brothers and sisters in Christ in Mississippi with a heart for the people of the Kharkov region of Ukraine. 
• We praise Him for drawing Yana, Marina, and Natasha to know Him through study of the bible and discipleship with Amanda.  Intercede for Marina as she confronts her fear of entering into a personal relationship with Christ.  Pray the opportunities He has given Amanda to work with each of these young women would encourage and renew her heart and spirit, even as He uses her to disciple them.

Internet service in Armenia may be a little sporadic, prohibiting me from getting our requests next week out before Christmas.  Should that be the case, Amanda and I would like to wish each of you and your families a 

Team Kharkov Requests December 11th-17th

The Gift of Joy

             At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.  ² (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  ³ All returned to their own towns to register for this census.  ⁴ And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.  ⁵ He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was obviously pregnant by this time.  ⁶ And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.  ⁷ She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn."  (Luke 2:1-7)

     The second week of Advent brings the gift of joy - the joy of the appearance of our Eternal Hope in a stable in Bethlehem!  As I look around the room where I am writing this, I am asking myself if I have made room for my Lord here, in this place, or have I filled it with so much of the world that there is little room for Him?  Where do I find my true joy - in the things I have, or the Savior living within my heart?  

     Pray each one of us would allow the joy of the Lord to fill us to overflowing, washing away anything and everything else that might take our eyes off of Him.  May the days and weeks to come be days filled with moments of opportunities to share the Reason for our joy - our Living, Reigning Lord Jesus!

Freedom Square Christmas in Kharkov 2010

Sunday, December 11th  Praise the Lord for Amanda's return to Kharkov following a check up in Budapest that gave her some answers.  Pray for her as she visits with the youth at Christian Life Church today and seeks to know how He would desire to use her to encourage the youth there.  

Monday, December 12th  Several weeks ago we asked you to pray for the Ukrainian congregation at New Hope in the Saltavka region of Kharkov.  Give praise to the Father for working in the lives of the members and leadership of this church to continue to meet together each Sunday.  Pray for Pastor Vitaly Sorokun as he seeks to encourage, teach, and lead this body of believers to reach the Saltavka region of the city of Kharkov.  Ask the Lord to draw many from the surrounding area to enter into fellowship with this church, and into relationship with Christ.

Tuesday, December 13th  The Father has drawn 3 women, Yana, Marina, and Natasha, into fellowship with Amanda to meet at different times throughout the day on Tuesdays.  Praise Him for the desire He has given to Yana, a young university student who became a believer while working in the states as a nanny.  Pray she would continue to seek Him, and His plan for her life.  Pray Marina would choose to trust Christ as Lord and Savior as He opens His Word to her through the time she and Amanda fellowship.

Wednesday, December 14th  These weeks of Christmas, New Year's, and Orthodox Christmas celebrations are filled with many opportunities to spend time with our Ukrainian friends, Christian family, and new acquaintances.  Ask the Lord to grant both Amanda and I wisdom in using our time in the best way.  Pray we would choose the opportunities He has for us to encourage those who are believers, and to witness to those who have yet to receive the gift of eternal life through a personal relationship with Christ Jesus.

Thursday, December 15th  We continue to see the fruit of your prayers for The Book Club that meets each Thursday night not only for conversational English, but also to discuss the book of Romans.  Pray the seeds that have been planted and watered by the washing of the water of the Word would cause a harvest of not only new believers, but even a new church start through this group.

Friday, December 16th  Pray for us as we seek to put into place all that is needed for volunteer teams coming in May and June of 2012.  Most of what we are doing is new for both of us, but we are thankful for the patience of the volunteers coming, and for the direction others have provided.  Ask the Lord to begin even now working in the hearts of the Ukrainians who will receive ministry through these teams.  Pray He would cause everything to fall into place according to His perfect will and plan.

Saturday, December 17th  We praise Him for the excitement the International girls have expressed concerning the study of Breaking Free.  Intercede for these young women, and for us as we meet with them today to discuss unit 1 of the study.  Pray the power of His Word would work in each of our hearts to tear down any strongholds in our lives that may hinder our walk with Him.  Pray the power of His love would transform all step-by-step into the image of His Son, Jesus!

IMPACTing the Kharkov Region with the love of Christ!

Team Kharkov Requests December 4th-10th

"The people who walk in darkness will see a great light--a light that will shine on all who live in the land where death casts its shadow.....For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.  And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  His ever expanding, peaceful government will never end.  He will rule forever with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David.  The passionate commitment of the LORD Almighty will guarantee this!  (Isaiah 9:2, 6-7)  

Advent, meaning "coming" or "arrival," is the celebration of the first advent or coming of Christ, and also a reminder that we are anxiously awaiting His return! It is this hope of His coming that compels us to tell those who "walk in darkness" that a child has been born - Christ Jesus, the Lord!

This is also the IMB Week of Prayer for International Missions, reminding us we are "His Heart, His Hands, and His Voice" in a world that even today has almost 3,800 unengaged, unreached people groups.  We thank you for joining us in prayer to move the mountains of lostness, and tear down the strongholds  that have held multitudes in bondage.  Your prayers and your gifts to Lottie Moon Christmas Offering are instruments in the hands of the LORD Almighty to reach the ends of the earth!  (Information for the Week of Prayer is available on www.imb.org)

December 4th  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMANDA!  Give thanks to the Lord for granting Amanda a heart to follow and obey Him.  Pray for her as she celebrates her birthday today in Budapest with colleagues, asking Him to fill her heart, mind, and spirit with evidence of His love for her.

Pray for me (Linda) today as Zhenya Molodchy and I visit Spring of Life Church in Rogon.  Ask the Lord to use this time as an encouragement to our brothers and sisters in Christ in this church.

December 5th  Please continue to pray for an opportunity for Linda and Natasha Molodchy to meet with Alexander Dubka about leading a weekly bible study in the women's rehab center for women coming out of prison.  Alexander was in the hospital this past week with some health issues.  Pray the Lord would grant him restoration of health physically, and refreshment emotionally and spiritually.

December 6th  Amanda is scheduled to return to Kharkov either today or tomorrow, but will not know for certain until after a doctor's appointment this morning.  Pray the Lord will release her to return according to His perfect will and plan for her days.  Ask the Lord to make her journey uneventful and without delays (her departure from Kharkov was delayed 5 hours last week).  

December 7th  We praise Him for His provision of funds to enable the small church in Zmeeov to put a new roof on their building.  Pray for us as we schedule a time to meet with Pastor Yuri Poshtak to take pictures of the construction and make plans for a team coming in May to help with some of the interior work as well as provide health clinic for 2 days.  Ask the Lord to make His plans clear to all of us for what He desires to accomplish through the volunteer team in May.  (This building was purchased by the church after being almost totally gutted by fire, leaving only the shell.)

December 8th The Book Club continues to meet on Thursday evenings in Linda's home for an hour of conversational English and an hour of reading through and discussing Romans in English.  This past week we had 6 new folks - 4 of them non-believers who were a little "surprised" by the discussion of the Bible.  Step by step we are seeing the Father remove barriers to His Truth in the hearts of our group.  Please continue to pray as we share the reason for our hope - the first coming of Jesus - through the reading of Advent passages during the month of December.  

December 9th  We praise Him for how He is working in the lives of some of the young women in The Book Club, granting them a desire to be discipled more deeply.  Pray for Amanda as she deepens her relationship with M (who is not yet a believer) and Y (who wants to be discipled).  Petition the Holy Spirit to take the truths M is learning and open her heart to understand and receive salvation through Christ.  

December 10th  Pray for me (Linda) as I share with the New Hope International Praise group concerning true worship today.  Ask the Lord to lead me in the way He desires as I make preparation for this time throughout the week.  Pray our hearts will be led to recognize that true worship is all about the One we worship - not about us!

Most of our winter days are gray, with little sunshine during the week.  Night falls around 4:00 p.m. each day, deepening the "darkness" of the days.  Pray the Light which is Christ in us will shine brightly, drawing many to Him throughout each day.  Thank you for joining us through prayer and through your giving to Lottie Moon Christmas Offering!

IMPACTing the Kharkov Region of Ukraine with the love of Christ!

Team Kharkov Requests November 27th-December 3rd

"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him." (Psalm 34:8 NIV)

We give thanks to Him for the opportunity over the past few days to rest, relax, reflect and renew with friends in the city of Dnipropetrovsk.  Thank you for joining together with us in thanksgiving and prayer for our meeting with New Hope International girls last Saturday, and our journey to this city to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Please join us in praying this week for the following needs:

- Amanda and I will travel back to Kharkov on Sunday afternoon.  Ask the Lord to grant us a safe journey home and times of sweet fellowship with one another, and with our Father.

- I (Linda) will meet with Natasha Molodchy early this week to prayerfully plan future ministry with women just recently released from prison who are now living in a Christian half-way house.  Ask the Father to unite our hearts and minds to know His will concerning Bible studies and discipleship of the women He puts in our path.  Pray for us to understand His plans and His purpose as we schedule time to meet with the believer who directs prison ministry in the city of Kharkov later this week.

- Amanda will fly to Budapest on Tuesday for medical treatment.  Pray for smooth, uneventful flights from Kharkov to Kiev, then on to Budapest.  Intercede for the doctors she will see to have wisdom and knowledge to help treat some problems she has been experiencing.  Ask the Lord to cause this to be a time of refreshing and renewal for her even as she sees medical personnel.

- The Book Club will meet on Thursday this week and we will continue our discussion of Romans 10.  Pray the Lord would cause His Word to penetrate the hearts and minds of each one who attends.  Ask for hearts to be drawn into fellowship and relationship with Christ.

Our International Student Fellowship

 - The International girls will meet on Saturday, December 3rd to be introduced to the "Breaking Free" study by Beth Moore and for time of fellowship.  Pray the Father would draw those young women into the study according to His purposes and plan.  Intercede for me (Linda) as I prepare for this study throughout this week.

This is an exciting time of the year for outreach to many within our sphere of influence.  Your prayers are instrumental and vital in preparing our hearts and minds for the opportunities He brings our way.  Pray we will be faithful in obeying His voice as He leads us throughout this month of sharing with others the love of Christ poured into our lives.

IMPACTing the Kharkov region of Ukraine with the love of Christ!

Team Kharkov Requests November 20th-26th

"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good.  His love endures forever.  Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.  Give thanks to the Lord of lords:  His love endures forever." (Psalm 136:1-3)

This past Thursday, Amanda and I had the opportunity to spend almost 2 hours after our English group (The Book Club) talking with a young woman for whom you have been praying.  She has many questions, and many fears about believing in Jesus.  Perhaps the most unfathomable aspect of our Father apart from His absolute holiness, is the extent of His love!  In a world where "love" is thrown around and abused in ways unspeakable, the concept of pure, holy, eternal love from "the God of gods," and "Lord of lords" is difficult to comprehend.

Most of you who receive these requests each week have tasted that love!  Most of you have chosen to trust the One Who is Love as Savior and Lord!  May we allow the Holy Spirit to refresh and renew the depths of His love for us as we enter into this week traditionally set aside for giving thanks.  Pray that as our hearts, minds, and spirits are refreshed and renewed, that love will arise like springs of living water, flowing to the world around us!

Sunday, November 20th  We praise Him for how He is working in the lives of the members of New Hope Church.  They continue meeting under the leadership of Baptist Union brothers each Sunday, seeking His will for them individually and corporately.  Pray He would unite their hearts together to know His will.

Monday, November 21st  Give thanks to the LORD for what appears to be an opportunity for me (Linda) to work with Natasha Molodchy to minister to women in a Christian rehab center established for those coming out of prison.  Praise Him for the passion He has given to believers in "Red Church" in Kharkov to establish rehab centers for men and women in their region of the city.  Pray we will gain permission to meet with the women, and will know His will and His plan for ministry.  Ask the King of love to pour out His love into the hearts of these women, even now as our brothers and sisters in Christ establish this ministry.

Amanda leading "The Book Club"

Tuesday, November 22nd  Lift up praise to the Most High God for the opportunities He is giving Amanda to disciple Ukrainian women.  Several weeks ago I met Yana at a theatre.  She had been an "au pair" (her term) or child care provider for children in the Washington D.C. area for 2 years before returning to Kharkov for college.  While in the states, she became a believer, but returned to a culture and family that does not encourage or nurture Baptist believers.  When I met her, I immediately thought of Amanda, and her heart and passion for discipling young women.  Yana expressed her desire for spiritual growth to Amanda after our English club this week.  Pray the Lord would keep this desire within Yana burning, and allow Amanda opportunity to walk with her along a path of discipleship.

Wednesday, November 23rd  ".....On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers.  Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many."  (2 Cor. 1:10-11)  We give thanks to Him for your continuing ministry to Amanda and I through your prayers!  We will be driving to another city today to spend the Thanksgiving holidays with colleagues.  Join us in thanking Him for the provision of our vehicle for travel.  Pray for a time of sweet fellowship with one another and with Him as we make the journey.  Intercede for Joe Ragan as well who will be traveling from his city to join us.

Thursday, November 24th  As I had the opportunity to share about our Thanksgiving traditions with Ukrainians, I was reminded once again how abundantly blessed we have been as a nation.  Our nation was founded by those seeking a place to freely worship the One True God.  May each of us take time today in the midst of all our abundance to give praise to Him alone!  "Know that the LORD is God.  It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.  Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.  For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations." (Psalm 100:3-5 NIV)

Friday, November 25th  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Ph. 4:6)  Praise be to our Father who delights to hear our petitions mingled with voices raised in giving thanks for answers He has already promised!  Lord, grant that we as Your people will seek Your face first, rest in Your peace, and lay our requests at your feet!  May we be known as people of prayer!

Saturday, November 26th "...pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  Do not quench the Spirit." (1 Th. 5:17-19)  The circumstances of the past year have brought many changes to Team Kharkov, yet each change has led us to pray more fervently, give thanks more frequently, and trust in His will for us individually and corporately with greater depth of faith.  Praise be to the One who is Faithful, and whose plans are always right!  Please pray continually for Amanda and I as we endeavor to follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to guide our hearts, minds, and lives in a way that will bring glory, honor and praise to our Father God.

One day, all who have received Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior will join in this chorus with the "twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God....."  May we, even this day, proclaim:
"We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign......" (Revelation 11:16-17, NIV).

Team Kharkov Requests November 13th-19th

"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished.  And they recognized that they had been with Jesus."  (Acts 4:13)

Almost every day I am confronted with my inability to speak fluently in the Russian language.  It is especially frustrating when I encounter an opportunity to take a conversation to a more spiritual level.  Yet I know each time an opportunity presents itself, the Father is at work.  I only have to go forward with a boldness enabled by the the Holy Spirit, trusting Him to take my "uneducated, common" Russian to speak whatever He desires into the life of that person.  They don't need to see me, nor hear my words, as much as they need to recognize that I have a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus.  May each of us pray the Holy Spirit would grant eyes open to see those He is causing to intersect our path each day, hearts filled with a boldness to proclaim the love of Christ through our words and actions, and the "aroma of Christ" to permeate even the most hardened heart with Truth.

Sunday, November 13th  Today New Hope Russian congregation will meet for the last time in the building in the Saltavka region of Kharkov.  Pray for this body of believers as they seek the Lord's will and His plan for them corporately and individually.  Ask the Lord to enable each one to keep their eyes and their hearts focused on Him, trusting Him to fulfill His promise to "cause all things to work together for good to those who love God...." (Romans 8:28 NASB).

Monday, November 14th Pray for me (Linda) as I share the meaning of American Thanksgiving with students in two English classes led by Nadia Morokovetz this evening.  Ask the Lord to use this as an opportunity to open doors and hearts for spiritual conversations.

Tuesday, November 15th  We praise the Lord for how He is working in the lives of Natasha and Amanda as they study "Experiencing God" together.  Pray He will continue to reveal Himself and His will for each of them as they come near the end of this study.

Wednesday, November 16th  Two years ago, believers in the town of Zmeeov bought a building that had been burned out from an electrical fire with a vision for reconstructing the building for their church.  We praise Him for the provision of finances to buy the materials to put a roof on the building.  Pray for pastor Yuri Poshtak and the men in the church as they labor together to put the roof on the building before winter weather sets in.  Ask the Lord to allow them to complete the work safely.  Pray those who live around the building will be impacted by the labor of love these men invest in their church, and drawn into fellowship with this body of believers, and with the Lord Jesus.

Thursday, November 17th  The Father continues to work through the power of His Word in Romans as we discuss it in The Book Club each Thursday in the lives of each one of us.  This week, please petition the Father to speak His Truth into the hearts and minds of Ludmila, Marina, Tatiana, Sergei, Sasha, Vika, Zhenya, Vlad, Yuri, Natasha, Julia, Ira, and all who He brings into our fellowship.

Friday, November 18th  The day this is being written (November 12th), Amanda shared as she was walking her dog Bella this morning, her heart was prepared to meet and/or talk with people the Lord might bring across her path.  Tanya, a young office manager who lives in the same area and has a dog as well, and Amanda struck up a conversation.  She speaks perfect English, and had seen Amanda before in the area.  Pray for opportunities in the future continue talking, leading to sharing the Good News of Christ.

Saturday, November 19th  Pray for Amanda and I as we host a "Girls Night Out" this afternoon/evening for New Hope International students.  Ask the Lord to draw many of these young women to this time of fellowship, developing new friendships, and discussing future plans.  Pray He will work in all of our hearts to fan into flame a passion to go deeper in our relationship with Him through our fellowship with one another and the study of His Word.

We look forward to sharing with you the giving of thanks next week for how He answers our prayers and petitions!

IMPACTing the Kharkov region of Ukraine with the love of Christ!

Team Kharkov Special Request

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"


We learned yesterday that one of the churches with whom our personnel have worked for more than 11 years will no longer hold worship services for their Ukrainian members. The pastor and his wife will be attending services at another church and working alongside the pastor there, as well as continuing to lead English-speaking services.

Please be in prayer for the church members who have a desire to continue to worship together, but do not want to go to a different church.  Ask the Lord to guide and direct them individually and corporately according to His will.  Pray for this pastor and his family as they continue to seek the Lord's will for them in this time of transition.  Petition the Father to grant His people in this body of believers wisdom, trusting in His promise to give them "hope and a future."

Thank you for joining us in praying for these brothers and sisters in Christ.

IMPACTing the Kharkov region of Ukraine with the love of Christ!

Team Kharkov Requests November 6th-12th

"The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples.  The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations."  (Psalm 33:10-11)

This morning, Amanda and I gathered together with over 100 Ukrainian women to unite our hearts together for the world-wide day of prayer.  Nadia Morokovetz, the women's ministry leader for Baptist Union churches in the Kharkov oblast, led our time of prayer for the nations by asking 6 or 7 women to pray for the needs of different regions of the world.  As I read the Scripture from Psalm 33, I was reminded of the futility of the nations to seek their own solutions to all the problems facing them, and the power that is ours as we lift our hearts in prayer to the One who has His perfect plans.  Pray we will continually seek His plans, the "plans of his heart" for our own individual lives, and for the future generations of the Kharkov region of Ukraine.

Sunday, November 6th  Pray for Amanda as she meets after church today with the youth of Christian Life Church.  Intercede for the Lord to lay His plans across the hearts and minds of the youth and this church as they seek to reach out to the youth in their community with the love of Christ.  

Monday, November 7th  Pray for Amanda and I as we seek to coordinate visits in churches outside the city where volunteer teams will be working in 2012, and look for new opportunities to encourage and work alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Petition the Lord to open our eyes to those opportunities, and to make clear His plans.  

Tuesday, November 8th  Amanda and her friend Natasha continue to study Experiencing God together each Tuesday.  We give Him praise for the opportunities Natasha has had on Thursday evenings to talk with Marina, a young woman for whom you have prayed who is recovering from lymphoma.  Both come to The Book Club on Thursday evenings, and Marina has been asking questions, and expressing a desire to believe.  Pray the Lord would grant her the faith to trust Him as Lord and Savior.  Ask Him to continue to draw her deeper into a personal, eternal relationship with Jesus.

Wednesday, November 9th  Pray the Lord would draw 5 - 10 International women students from New Hope Church into the study of "Breaking Free" that will be meeting 2 times a month on Wednesday evenings.  Ask the Father to break our hearts over the things in our lives that break His heart, and allow Him to bring the healing and restoration He desires.  

Thursday, November 10th  We continue with the study of Romans 9 tonight, and the Father continues to bring new students into The Book Club.  Ask Him to fill this place with His Spirit in such a way that those who enter will be overwhelmed with His love, and His holiness.  Pray we would be faithful to share the truth of the gospel with His words, and not our own.

Friday, November 11th  Thank you for your prayers for Amanda and I, along with some of our colleagues, as we met last week in Kiev.  The Father blessed our time of getting out onto the streets and sidewalks of Kiev to initiate conversations with Ukrainians.  Pray for each of us to continue to be intentional each time we walk out the door of our homes, looking for those we will encounter during the day that He is drawing to Himself.  Ask Him to enable us to speak clearly in Russian the words He would use to begin new relationships in the marketplace of our lives.

Saturday, November 12th  Membership in Baptist churches, as well as the number of Baptist churches in Ukraine is declining.  Intercede for church leaders and believers throughout the nation as they seek His face, and His plan to give each Ukrainian the opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel.  Pray for hearts willing to be radically obedient to His plans, and His will.

Prayer is the foundation for all the Father desires to do in and through our lives.  May we, like the psalmists, cry out to the Father from hearts that are filled with a passion to see His Name proclaimed throughout the nations.

Together, with you, we are  IMPACTing the Kharkov Region of Ukraine with the love of Christ!

Team Kharkov Requests October 30th-November 5th

"But if I say I'll never mention the Lord or speak in His name, His word burns in my heart like a fire. It's like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can't do it!" (Jeremiah 20:9)

We have some dear friends, Zhenya and Natasha Molodchy, who exemplify this passage of Scripture so well!  I have never been with them when they were not telling me about opportunities they have had to share with others the Living Truth.  And their question, when we talk with them about what we are doing, is always:  "and how are you able to share the gospel with them?"  I always come away from our times of fellowship and prayer with His Word burning a little hotter in my heart, looking for those people He will put across my path that need that same Fire in their lives.

Part of the Lab we Amanda and I will be involved in the next 5 days with colleagues will involve taking Christ in us to the streets.  We don't know yet how our leaders will guide us to use those times, but my heart's desire is for His word to be burning so fervently within me that I cannot hold it in!  May He fan into flame a passion for Him that consumes all within us that is not of Him!  Pray we will all find ourselves overwhelmed with the desire to share with each and every person we see in this coming week some part of Who Christ is in our lives!

Sunday, October 30th  New Hope will have International Student Day today in their 2:00 p.m. service.  This church is strategically located in the Saltavka region of Kharkov, and next to 2 universities, and thousands of apartments.  In the past, students from 20 or more countries have attended services on this day.  Pray the Lord would draw the nations to New Hope today, and lead many of the students to join them in services throughout this school year.  Ask the Lord to raise up many Ukrainian believers in the Saltavka region to grow spiritually and go out into the region through New Hope.

Monday, October 31st  Pray for Amanda and I as we continue meeting with colleagues until Wednesday evening this week in a Lab designed to help each of us get back to focusing on keeping the Main Thing (Christ) the Main Thing!  Ask the Lord to use this time to encourage, restore, and renew all of us as we gather.  Pray for Mike and Linda Ray, our team supervisor and Eastern Ukraine leaders as they facilitate and lead our group in Kiev before traveling on Friday to lead a Lab in Romania for personnel there.

Tuesday, November 1st  The Father is granting many opportunities for Zhenya and Natasha to take the Word into prisons, rehab centers, as well as other places we are not free to mention right now. (They are shown in the picture with their 2 children Jon and Masha - Zhenya in the white shirt, and a friend in the striped shirt.)  Zhenya is also missions pastor at Christian Life church in Kharkov.  Pray for the Lord to grant them wisdom and knowledge of His will for the many doors that seem to be opening in their lives for ministry.  Intercede for their financial needs to be met by the Father in ways that magnify His glory.

Wednesday, November 2nd  Amanda has been invited to be a part of the leadership team for the youth group at Christian Life Church. Pray for this small group of youth as they haven't met at all in a long time and are trying to get started again. Ask the Father to give them direction and to empower Ruslan, who is the youth leader, to move boldly into the role of leadership the church has given him.

Thursday, November 3rd  Amanda and I are scheduled to arrive back in Kharkov around 12:30 today, then host the Book Club this evening for English conversation and Bible study.  We praise Him for all He is doing in all of our lives through our discussion of the book of Romans.  Pray for Amanda as she leads the Bible study tonight, beginning Chapter 9 of this book.  Ask the Lord to give her the energy she needs after a long trip, and the words He desires to be spoken into the lives of each person coming.

Friday, November 4th  Nadia Morokovetz, women's ministry leader for the Kharkov region, has asked our team to conduct leadership training for women in ministry in this region in December.  Intercede for us as we seek His wisdom and discernment to know how the Lord would have us conduct this training in a way that inspires and encourages the women leading groups throughout the region.

Saturday, November 5th  Baptist women in the Kharkov region, including Amanda and I, will gather today at Central Church in Kharkov for a day of prayer for the country of Ukraine.  Pray this will be a time for each of us to encounter the Father as we lay the needs of this land before His throne.  Ask Him to take the prayers of His precious daughters and move the mountains of unbelief in the hearts of multitudes in this land.




Zhenya and Natasha - opportunities they have to go into usually "closed" places in the Kharkov region to share Truth; "School without walls" 9-16 students, amy just coming out of rehab; meeting with women at rehab center through Red Church;

Team Kharkov Requests October 23rd-29th

“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.  You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.” (Hebrews 10:35-36)

To persevere:  “to persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly.”  (http://dictionary.reference.com)  We can be certain that any time we set our hearts and minds to obey the will of God, the enemy of our souls will seek to cause us to be sidetracked by difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.   Hebrews 11 gives us multiple accounts of those who persevered, who chose to pursue the will of God regardless of the cost, that God alone would receive glory, honor, and praise. 

Your partnership in prayer for Team Kharkov and the people of the Kharkov region of Ukraine helps us to move forward with confident expectation!  Pray we will continue to persevere, to “maintain” the purpose He has given us to work alongside our Ukrainian brothers and sisters in Christ so that every single person in the Kharkov region has the opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel.

Sunday, October 23^rd Today, Living Hope Baptist Church (pastor Sergei Dotsko) will celebrate Zhatva – a time of giving thanks for the harvest. Praise Him for how He is using this body of believers to reach out to family, friends, and neighbors in the Zalytina region of the city of Kharkov. Ask the Father to draw many nonbelievers to this time of thanksgiving, and into a relationship with Christ. 

Monday, October 24^th Pastor Vitaly Maslanka of “XTZ” church has asked everyone to pray for his 16 year old daughter, Deanna.  She has lost all desire to read her Bible or be involved with the church.  She is their only daughter, and Vitaly and his wife ask you to pray for wisdom that they might know how best to encourage, love, and discipline Deanna.  Intercede for Deanna, petitioning the Lord to draw her back into fellowship with Him by the power of His Spirit.

Tuesday, October 25^th  We give thanks to the Lord for the opportunity to fellowship with the women’s ministry leadership group for the Kharkov region last Friday (shown in prayer in the photo above).  Pray for Amanda and I as we meet today with Nadia Morokovets, women’s ministry leader, for a time of prayer and encouragement.  Ask the Lord to lay across our hearts and minds His plans, and His purpose for reaching women in the Kharkov region with the power of the love of Christ. 

Wednesday, October 26^th Pray for Team Kharkov as we begin to make plans to visit churches throughout the Kharkov oblast, many for the first time.  Petition the Father to make His will clear to both of us as to where and when He would have us go out into the region.

Thursday, October 27^th We praise Him for how He is answering our prayers for those in The Book Club.  Last week over 20 individuals gathered in my apartment to sing worship songs, study a little bit of English, and discussion of more of Romans 8.  Tonight we will finish that chapter with a time for everyone to share questions and thoughts they have after reading over the chapter again this past week.  Intercede for those who have heard the Truth, but have yet to respond through repentance and trust.  Pray for Amanda and I as we seek to share His Word and His love.

Friday, October 28^th  Please continue to pray for believers in Kharkov as they make preparations even now for outreach during the EURO 2012 football (soccer) matches that will be held in Kharkov in June, 2012.  Ask the Lord to fill His people with purpose and vision to use this opportunity for outreach in their communities and city. 

Saturday, October 29^th  Pray for Amanda and I as we travel to Kiev today for a lab with colleagues for the Black Sea Orthodox cluster.  Ask the Lord to cause the days ahead to be a time of encouragement and renewal for each of us as we gather together not only to learn, but also to go out into the city to seek opportunities for sharing what we have learned.

IMPACTing the Kharkov Region of Ukraine with the love of Christ!

Team Kharkov Requests October 16th-22nd

"The key to the missionary's difficult task is in the hand of God, and that key is prayer.....The key is in following the Master's orders - the key is prayer. 'Pray the Lord of the harvest....' (Matthew 9:38)" (My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers - October 16th)

Do I live my life as though this statement were true?  As we (Amanda and I) consider the lostness of most of the 3 million Ukrainians in the Kharkov region, we are overwhelmed with the task of sharing the gospel - the "Good News" of Christ - with each and every one.  Yet He reminded me again this morning that this "task" is in His hands, not ours!  Pray with us.....pray for us.....pray for yourself....."Pray the Lord of the harvest" will grant each of us an unquenchable thirst for Him, and a passion for sharing Him with those around us who have eyes blinded and hearts hardened by the enemy of our souls.

"The Book Club" singing together this week

Sunday, October 16th  "You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek You; I thirst for You, my whole being longs for You, in a dry and parched land where there is no water."  (Psalm 63:1 NIV) Today is the Day of prayer for European People Affinity of IMB.  Please join us in pray the Lord of the Harvest would cause the hearts of His people to thirst for Him, to seek Him first, more than seeking the things He can provide.  Ask the Father to fill each and every place where believers gather this day with the power of His presence, and passion to make Him known.  (A downloadable pdf prayer guide for European people can be found at http://imbeurope.org/)

Monday, October 17th  Over the past few months my (Linda) mom, Ginny Wharton, has had several episodes physically that have "sidelined" her from the busy life she loves.  This past week, she has ended up in the emergency room twice for severe pain in her legs and back, along with weakness.  So far the doctors have been unable to diagnose the cause.  Join us in praying the Lord would make evident whatever is causing the problem, as well as the measures necessary to correct it.  Pray for my sister who lives near my mom as she and her daughter have sought to meet my mom's needs, and help in every way possible. 

Tuesday, October 18th  Pray for Amanda and Natasha as they continue to meet to "Experience God" together.  Intercede for them to both understand more fully His plan for them individually, and in the body of Christ.  Pray the Lord would give other young women the desire to meet with Amanda to study the Word and go deeper in their relationship with Him.

Wednesday, October 19th  Several of the New Hope International students have expressed a desire to meet to study "Breaking Free."  Pray for us as we meet with those who are interested to introduce the material to them, and discuss plans for future meetings.  Petition the Lord to bring into this group those young women whose hearts are prepared to seek His healing and freedom in Christ.  

Thursday, October 20th  We praise Him for the 18 folks who gathered at Linda's apartment last Thursday for "The Book Club" english group.  Our discussion (following an hour of conversational English study) continues in the book of Romans, this week again in Chapter 8.  Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to pierce the hearts of each one with the Truth of the Gospel as revealed in His Word.  Pray many within this group would "thirst" and "long" for Him, with a desire to submit their lives to Christ as Lord and Savior.

Friday, October 21st  We will meet tonight with Nadia Morokovitz, regional women's ministry leader for Baptist Union Churches, and her leadership committee to discuss plans for this year.  Pray for Amanda and I as we seek to know His will in coming alongside our sisters in Christ to encourage and assist according to His plans.  Petition the Lord to raise up many young women with a desire to be discipled and used by Him to disciple others.

Saturday, October 22nd  Ask the Lord to grant both of us good health throughout the winter months.  Pray the back discomfort we have both experienced will be healed by the Lord, so that we might enjoy the journey He has for us. 

Your prayers are vital to us as we seek to live each day in the center of His revealed will.  Thank you for remaining faithful in your ministry to us and the people of the Kharkov region through those prayers!

Team Kharkov Requests October 2nd-8th

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.....It is the Lord Christ you are serving."  (Col. 3:23-24)  What a wonderful reminder this verse is for me!  Regardless of where I am, or what I am doing - whether in Kharkov at "work" or in another country "sidelined" for a while for a time of physical healing - all I am doing should be done for the Lord Christ with all my heart!  

I thought about this as I rode the tram back to the Eden House where we stay when receiving medical care in Budapest.  I had just completed a round of physical therapy, provided by a very skilled young therapist who is from Israel.  Our conversation during our time together had actually led to an opportunity to share the Name of Jesus, what the Bible says about His Name, and some of the things the Bible says about the last days.

I believe with all my heart the Lord provided such an opportunity, and will take even the words spoken in general conversation about Jesus and the Word and work in the heart of this young woman from Israel.  I have no doubt others have planted seeds of faith before me, and there will be those who continue to water those seeds in the future!  Join us in praying the Lord will continue to grant such opportunities for each of us, wherever we may be, whatever we are doing,  serving Him with all our heart each moment of every day!

Sunday, October 2nd  New Hope Church in Kharkov will begin their International Church services this afternoon following their Russian service.  It is not unusual to have university students from over 20 nations represented each week during the school year.  Pray for Team Kharkov as we seek to minister to International women students through small group ministry.  Intercede for Pastor Vitaly Sorokun (shown in photo above) as he seeks to equip New Hope believers to reach the Saltavka region of Kharkov with the love of Christ.

Monday, October 3rd  Pray for me as I have physical therapy each day this week to correct a herniated disk in my lower back.  I praise the Lord for the relief I am already experiencing, and what I am learning to help in the future.  Ask the Lord to provide more opportunities this week to serve Him in word and deed, even while away from Ukraine.

Tuesday, October 4th  Amanda continues to study Experiencing God each week with Natasha.  Pray the Lord would cause His Word to encourage, strengthen, and guide both of them as they study together.  Intercede that the Lord would work through the changes He is bringing in Natasha's life to impact her family for the glory of God.

Wednesday, October 5th  We praise our Father for granting Amanda opportunity to strengthen her relationship with Marina, and the desire Marina has to know more about Him.  Please continue to pray for her healing physically (from lymphoma), and for a heart open to and transformed by the Truth.

Thursday, October 6th  Plans are to move The Book Club to Thursday nights this year and meet at one of our apartments rather than a church.  Petition the Father to draw each one who attends into a personal, intimate, eternal relationship with Jesus in the weeks and months to come.  Pray He would grant us wisdom as we seek to walk according to His plan and His will with those who are drawn into this group.

Friday, October 7th  As this is being written (on Saturday), I'm anticipating a return to Kiev on Saturday, October 8th following a week of physical therapy.  I will have to buy my return ticket when the return is confirmed by the doctor.  Pray I will be able to secure a return ticket for the first day after receiving medical clearance.  Ask the Lord to cause all the return plans to fall into place according to His will.

Saturday, October 8th  Pray for Amanda and I as we prayerfully consider His plans for us as Team Kharkov in the coming months.  Ask Him to unite our hearts to accomplish His purposes for us individually and together, for His glory, honor and praise.

IMPACTing the Kharkov Region of Ukraine with the love of Christ!

Team Kharkov Requests September 25th-October 1st

"I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.  I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High." (Psalm 9:1-2)

          The choice of Scripture this week is personal.  I am in Budapest right now (where we are blessed with excellent medical care because of your giving) and have completed a week of post-cancer check-ups.  I never enter this annual event without a reminder of His faithfulness to me, and His love for me, regardless of the results of all of the tests.  Today I am giving thanks to the Lord and rejoicing in Him for granting me 10 years of cancer free living following cancer treatment in 2000-2001, yet I desire my heart to be so certain of His love that I would rejoice and "sing the praises" of His Name even if those results were different.
          As Amanda and I have had the opportunity to share our lives with women in the Donetsk and Lviv regions of Ukraine this past month, both of us shared how we discovered greater depths of His love for us in the midst of the storms in our lives.  The world outside our doors needs to know He is ALWAYS with us, even when the tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes of our lives change everything in a moment.  Pray we would continually have hearts ready to give an answer to those who come across our lives needing to know He is here - walking ahead to show us the way through the storm, walking alongside to hold our hand in the storm, or lifting us up in His arms to comfort and carry us while the storm rages around us.

Sunday, September 25th  Christian Life Church and New Hope Baptist Church will both celebrate "Zhatva" (thanksgiving) today.  Church members will bring in produce, sweets, and food of every kind to share with others as they give thanks to Him for His provision in the harvest.  Pray this would be a time in both churches when many non-believers would come and experience His love and provision through the hands and hearts of believers.

Monday, September 26th  Marina is a young (21 years old) woman the Lord has brought into Amanda's life.  She is going through chemotherapy for lymphoma right now.  She is not a believer, but is open to hearing about Christ.  Pray for Amanda as she has opportunity to walk alongside Marina during this time.  Ask the Father to cause His Word to penetrate to the very marrow of her bones, bringing new life to Marina not only spiritually, but physically as well.

Tuesday, September 27th  Pray for me (Linda) as I meet with a rheumatologist in Budapest today and discuss some "issues" with my back that have continued over the past few months.   This is the time of year when the weather is perfect for meeting friends in the park to fellowship and talk.  Petition the Lord to grant me healing through physical therapy and exercise so that I might walk and work more freely physically.

Wednesday, September 28th Please continue to pray for Amanda and I as week seek the Lord's face individually and corporately concerning His plans for us as Team Kharkov.  Our desire is to see Him do more than we can ask or imagine in and through our lives to impact the lostness in eastern Ukraine.  Intercede for us to have hearts sensitive to His Spirit leading and guiding us each step of the way.

Thursday, September 29th  Pastor Vitaly Sorokun has a vision for focusing more on small group Bible studies and ministry for folks in New Hope church.  Team Kharkov's ministry to International women students is a part of this ministry.  Ask the Lord to even now prepare hearts of many International students and Ukrainian believers to desire a deeper, more intimate relationship with the Father through group study.  Pray He would grant Amanda and I wisdom as we prayerfully consider how He would have us minister to these young women throughout the coming school year.

Friday, September 30th  My hope is to be released from the doctor to travel home to Kharkov today or tomorrow.  Pray the Lord would go before me as I secure return tickets, that I would return to Ukraine in His time.  Ask the Lord to grant me time of sweet fellowship with Him each day while in Budapest and as I travel back to Kiev whenever He chooses.  Pray this would be a time of refreshing spiritually, emotionally, and physically as I wait upon Him.

Saturday, October 1st  Pray for Amanda as she leads The Book Club English group this afternoon at New Hope Church.  Ask the Lord to cause His word as revealed in the book of Romans to penetrate the hearts and minds of those who come.  Pray this would be the time when we would experience a bountiful harvest of new brothers and sisters in Christ as a result of the planting of His Word in the hearts of many in this group over the past years.

IMPACTing the Kharkov Region of Ukraine with the love of Christ!