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!