How often I have sought out joy and pleasure in the things of the world, or in relationships with others. Yet we are reminded in Psalm 16 that it's only in His presence, only when we are in a vital, intimate, Father/child relationship with Him that true joy and pleasure are found.
As I write this, Amanda and I are in the "capital" of western Ukraine, L'viv, with some of our IMB colleagues preparing for a short women's retreat that will be held tonight and tomorrow. Many of those coming have not yet understood His desire for them to take hold of His "right hand" and find the joy of life He has for them. May the coming days bring fulness of joy into our hearts as we watch Him transform not only the lives of those who have yet to believe, but even our own lives as He makes known the path of life He has planned for Amanda and I individually and corporately.
Over the next week, please join us in praying the following:
- Each of us will relive the moments of 9/11 this Sunday, remembering where we were and being reminded of how our lives as Americans were forever changed by the actions of a few persons on that day. Ask the Lord to cause those memories to draw many back to Him, the only One who can grant us peace in the midst of the uncertainty of this world. Pray our own hearts will be filled with conviction and passion concerning what He would have us do in our daily lives to accomplish His purposes today, and each day to follow.
- Pray for Amanda and I as we spend a few extra days in L'viv with colleagues seeing some of the historical sites, and processing many of the things that have transpired in the past few months. Pray the Lord would truly make known His plans for us as we prepare for ministry that will begin in the coming weeks.
- We will fly back to Kiev on Wednesday, September 14th, then Amanda will take the train to Kharkov. Pray our journey back toward the east will be a time of sweet fellowship with one another and with our Lord. Intercede for Amanda as she makes preparations for the first Book Club meeting on the 24th, and seeks the Father's will concerning ministry with youth at Christian Life Church.
- Pray for me (Linda) as I attend a conference for church planting through recovery ministry outside of Kiev September 15th-17th. Ask the Lord to open my eyes and my heart to His desire concerning recovery ministry in the Kharkov oblast. Pray for the Ukrainian men and women who will attend, asking that they would be encouraged as they seek to minister to the multitudes of those addicted to drugs and alcohol.
Your petitions to the Father on behalf of the people of the Kharkov region of Ukraine, and Amanda and I as "Team Kharkov," mean more than you will ever know to us. He is moving mountains in accordance with your prayers, and we are blessed to experience fellowship with you through your ministry of prayer for us.
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