Thursday morning I woke up before dawn....not that unusual for me, but I usually go back to sleep for just a little while. This time, however, that was not to be. Over the next hour, as I prayed and sought to return to sleep (and peace) I found myself going to a place of anxiety. That feeling continued as I began my usual morning routine - walking Shadow, getting my first cup of coffee, and sitting down with the Word.
As I began reading, I got on the internet to check a Scripture reference. As the web page opened, I was greeted by the "verse of the day" which just "happened" to be Psalm 94:18-19. Immediately, I knew my Papa was reminding me that he is ALWAYS near, ALWAYS supporting me by his unfailing love. The enemy began to lose his grip on my emotions, and as the day progressed, I returned to that Word from my Father frequently. But he had even more for me, prompting a dear friend to send an unexpected word of encouragement, and her obedience to that prompting blessed me yet further.
As Amanda and I anticipate great changes in our lives over the next months - Amanda's upcoming wedding, and my return from the states to be the only one of our personnel on Team Kharkov - your prayers are used by our Father to strengthen and encourage us in ways only the Lord knows. We give him praise, honor, and glory for the constant and unfailing love that leads us to great joy as we lean on him in greater and greater measure.
Sunday, August 26th Pray for Sergei and Marina Datsko's daughter Alyssa as she is married today in Living Hope Church in Kharkov. Ask the Lord to fill Alyssa and her husband Dima's home with his presence. Pray their lives will be a testimony of his grace, mercy, and love as they are united in marriage.
Monday, August 27th We praise the Lord for the continuing assistance of Pastor Vitaly Sorokun as we wade through the new process for registration after getting new visas. Intercede for Amanda and I, along with Pastor V, as we go to the Ovir (Office of Visa & Registration) on Tuesday afternoon to submit our paperwork. We have a short timeframe to work with, and will be gone next week for a women's conference. Ask the Lord to grant us favor in processing our paperwork in "record time!" (It can take 10 -14 days)
Tuesday, August 28th Thank you for your prayers for our journey to visit the Roma church in Merifa last Sunday. We are thankful for the time of fellowship and sharing we had with Pastor Rustan (front row right with his wife Marina and daughter) and other believers at this church. Pray for our colleague Joe Ragan and I as we seek God's plan for coming alongside our Roma (Gypsy) brothers and sisters in Christ in each of our regions respectively. Ask the Lord to call out volunteers to work with us in encouraging the Roma followers of Jesus in this region of the country.
Wednesday, August 29th Petition the Lord to grant Pastor Vitaly Sorokun and his wife Anna wisdom as they develop plans for New Hope International Church for the coming year. Pastor V specifically asks us to bathe the students and the church leaders in prayer as they seek to lay a foundation of faith and unity in this church. Pray the Lord will draw many international students into this fellowship as they return to Kharkov after summer break.
Thursday, August 30th Pray for the women's retreat leadership team as we meet today for the last time today before leaving on Sunday for the retreat. Ask the Lord to give us unity of heart and mind that he might accomplish his purposes in his way in the lives of each of the 62 women who will be at the camp.
Friday, August 31st The end of the summer brings the promise of gathering many together in the months to come to share the love of Christ. Pray for churches throughout the Kharkov region to be empowered by the Spirit of God, reaching out to their communities and their cities with the love of Christ. Ask the Lord to meet the needs of the pastors in this region as many work at other jobs to support their families while seeking to pastor the body of Christ.
Saturday, September 1st The first day of September - "The Day of Knowledge"- always brings the "first bell," when children gather at each school with parents and grandparents to ring in the new school year. Many Baptist churches will start their Sunday School for children in September as well after a summer break. Petition the Lord to raise up teachers committed to Christ that they might impact the lives of their students with his love. Pray for children and their parents in communities throughout the city of Kharkov to be drawn to worship the One True God through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
IMPACTing the Kharkov Region of Ukraine with the love of Christ!
As I began reading, I got on the internet to check a Scripture reference. As the web page opened, I was greeted by the "verse of the day" which just "happened" to be Psalm 94:18-19. Immediately, I knew my Papa was reminding me that he is ALWAYS near, ALWAYS supporting me by his unfailing love. The enemy began to lose his grip on my emotions, and as the day progressed, I returned to that Word from my Father frequently. But he had even more for me, prompting a dear friend to send an unexpected word of encouragement, and her obedience to that prompting blessed me yet further.
As Amanda and I anticipate great changes in our lives over the next months - Amanda's upcoming wedding, and my return from the states to be the only one of our personnel on Team Kharkov - your prayers are used by our Father to strengthen and encourage us in ways only the Lord knows. We give him praise, honor, and glory for the constant and unfailing love that leads us to great joy as we lean on him in greater and greater measure.
Sunday, August 26th Pray for Sergei and Marina Datsko's daughter Alyssa as she is married today in Living Hope Church in Kharkov. Ask the Lord to fill Alyssa and her husband Dima's home with his presence. Pray their lives will be a testimony of his grace, mercy, and love as they are united in marriage.
Monday, August 27th We praise the Lord for the continuing assistance of Pastor Vitaly Sorokun as we wade through the new process for registration after getting new visas. Intercede for Amanda and I, along with Pastor V, as we go to the Ovir (Office of Visa & Registration) on Tuesday afternoon to submit our paperwork. We have a short timeframe to work with, and will be gone next week for a women's conference. Ask the Lord to grant us favor in processing our paperwork in "record time!" (It can take 10 -14 days)
Tuesday, August 28th Thank you for your prayers for our journey to visit the Roma church in Merifa last Sunday. We are thankful for the time of fellowship and sharing we had with Pastor Rustan (front row right with his wife Marina and daughter) and other believers at this church. Pray for our colleague Joe Ragan and I as we seek God's plan for coming alongside our Roma (Gypsy) brothers and sisters in Christ in each of our regions respectively. Ask the Lord to call out volunteers to work with us in encouraging the Roma followers of Jesus in this region of the country.
Wednesday, August 29th Petition the Lord to grant Pastor Vitaly Sorokun and his wife Anna wisdom as they develop plans for New Hope International Church for the coming year. Pastor V specifically asks us to bathe the students and the church leaders in prayer as they seek to lay a foundation of faith and unity in this church. Pray the Lord will draw many international students into this fellowship as they return to Kharkov after summer break.
Thursday, August 30th Pray for the women's retreat leadership team as we meet today for the last time today before leaving on Sunday for the retreat. Ask the Lord to give us unity of heart and mind that he might accomplish his purposes in his way in the lives of each of the 62 women who will be at the camp.
Friday, August 31st The end of the summer brings the promise of gathering many together in the months to come to share the love of Christ. Pray for churches throughout the Kharkov region to be empowered by the Spirit of God, reaching out to their communities and their cities with the love of Christ. Ask the Lord to meet the needs of the pastors in this region as many work at other jobs to support their families while seeking to pastor the body of Christ.
IMPACTing the Kharkov Region of Ukraine with the love of Christ!
