Team Kharkov Requests April 29th-May5th

"Is not this the fast that I choose:  to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?  Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?  Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.  Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, 'Here I am.'" (Isaiah 58:6-9a)  
  
Pastor Yuri Poshtak and his family minister in the city of Zmeeov ("The City of Snakes") about 30 minutes south of Kharkov, and Zhenya Molodchy, with his wife Natasha and their children, works as missions pastor at Christian Life Church in Kharkov (Pastor Yuri and Zhenya are shown in the photo below).   Both of these families have made the choice to "fast" to the Lord through living each day sacrificially for His glory.

While visiting with Pastor Yuri this past week, he shared with us that generally, the people in their city are not receptive to the gospel.  Then, he told us he had gone to the center of the city the Saturday before Easter to do some street evangelizing.  As he walked along some streets, he handed out a few Bibles to people he met along the way.  He had the opportunity to begin a conversation about the gospel with some people, and others began to gather around and listen.  

After a few minutes, some of the men in the group who were opposed to the gospel message went to their homes and returned quickly - one with a shovel and one with a long metal pipe. When they began to threaten Yuri's physical safety, he decided it was time to leave.  Yet we understand according to the scripture in Isaiah that "the glory of the Lord shall be" Yuri's, and our rear guard whenever we chose to walk forth into the world in the righteousness of Christ!  

Sunday, April 29th  Today has been designated by Baptists in Ukraine as the day of prayer for Ukraine.  Call out with our Ukrainian brothers and sisters in Christ for the Lord to answer the cries of His people for the multitudes who do not yet know Him as Savior and Lord!  Pray for an outpouring of His Spirit in this land that will impact every level of society, from government officials to the homeless on the street.

Monday, April 30th  Zhenya and Natasha Molodchy are expecting their 3rd child in late August/early September.  Natasha was hospitalized last week for bed rest, with concerns for a potential miscarriage.  Zhenya is our Ukrainian coordinator for our volunteer team, and will be with the team all of next week.  Petition the Lord for healing of Natasha, and that she would be released from the hospital to rest at home.  Pray for Zhenya as he continues with full time ministry at Christian Life as well as working alongside Team Kharkov and our volunteer team next week.

Tuesday, May 1st  Intercede for Amanda and I as we finalize all the plans for the Mississippi team that will work in Zmeeov, Balaklaya, and Kharkov (at Christian Life Church) May 6th-11th.  Pray the Father would give us wisdom and knowledge of His will as we prepare every detail for the work ahead.  

Wednesday, May 2nd  Pray for our Ukrainian friends who are working through the Breaking Free study one day at a time, allowing the Lord to teach them by the power of His Word.   Ask the Lord to enable each one to release those things in their lives that have held them captive, and walk in the freedom of Christ.

Thursday, May 3rd  A team of 20 men and women from several different churches in Mississippi will leave the states today, traveling over 5,000 miles to arrive in Kiev, Ukraine on Friday, then on to Kharkov, arriving Saturday morning, Kharkov time.  Pray the Lord would grant them "uneventful" travel each step of the way.  Ask Him to expedite all the 40 pieces of luggage from plane to plane along the journey. Ask Him to enable them to rest each leg of the journey.

Friday, May 4th  Intercede for the team as they arrive in Kiev, that each of their pieces of luggage will arrive with them and be cleared with no problems.  Pray for the team as they travel by train overnight, arriving in Kharkov at 6:30 a.m. Saturday morning.  

Saturday, May 5th  We praise Him for the passion He has given members of this team from Mississippi for the people of the Kharkov region of Ukraine.  Ask the Lord to grant them rest tonight in preparation for beginning ministry through medical outreach and construction on the Zmeeov church building tomorrow.  Pray for the hearts of many in Zmeeov, Balaklaya, and the area around Christian Life Church in Kharkov to be made ready to receive Christ through this week of reaching out with His love.

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