Team Kharkov Requests October 23rd - 27th

"Joshua told the people, 'Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.'" (Joshua 3:5)

I realize I am really late with our requests this week, but travel and meetings over this past weekend really didn't allow the time for writing.  Thank you for your prayers for my travel to meet with folks from Longview Heights Baptist Church in Olive Branch, Mississippi.  An added joy to the weekend was sitting down for fellowship with most of the team that came to Kharkov in May, and beginning plans for another team to come in May, 2013!  

Soaking in the Father's creation!

I arrived in the states 2 weeks ago yesterday, and as always seems to happen, I am experiencing a spiritual refreshment and peace that is not always available in the lands of the former Soviet Union.  My desire is to be "consecrated" - set apart by the power of the Holy Spirit through repentance and renewal as an instrument the Father can use today, and each day to follow for his glory!  As that desire grows, so too does the sense of anticipation and expectation that indeed, my Lord is going to do great and amazing things in me, through me, and "among" me!  

Amanda and I covet your continuing prayers for us individually and for the body of Christ in Kharkov, Ukraine.  Even as the battle for the hearts of the people of the Kharkov region continues, our hope, our faith is in Christ alone to accomplish more than we can ask or imagine!

Here are additional opportunities for prayer for the coming days:

- I haven't received an update concerning the New Hope/Grace Church documentation problems.   Please continue to pray for Pastor Andre from Grace Church as he meets with authorities during this process, and for favor with those in authority.  I'll pass along any updates when I get them.

- Amanda continues to meet with her friend Natalia on Wednesday for weekly bible study, and with The Book Club on Thursday evenings.  Ask the Lord to cause his Word to penetrate the hearts and minds of each one who comes.  Pray for Amanda as she leads the Book Club through the study of the book of Hebrews.

- I have the privilege of speaking at a fall Women's Celebration on Thursday evening at Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock, and at a retreat for girls/women at Camp Paron this Friday and Saturday.  Please intercede for the Lord to speak through these opportunities to each of us as we gather together.  Pray many will be led to come alongside Team Kharkov as partners through prayer, and as volunteers in the future.

- Pastor Vitaly Maslyanka (in picture on left) from the church start in the "XTZ" region of the city of Kharkov has asked us to join them in praying for a place to rent for their church meetings.  Team Kharkov worked with them for several years in the past, and hope to work with them in the future.  Ask the Lord to provide them with the "perfect" place to gather to worship and serve him in the years to come.

- I give praise to the Lord for the opportunity Amanda and I have had to work together the past 5 1/2 years.   Pray for both of us as we transition over the next two months in preparation for her return to Alaska in January.  Petition the Lord to make clear his plans for Team Kharkov and for Amanda and Oleg as they begin their lives together early in 2013.  

As always, your prayers and encouragement mean so much not only to Amanda and me, but to multitudes in the Kharkov region of Ukraine!  Thank you for being an integral part of Team Kharkov!


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

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Team Kharkov Requests October 14th-20th

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2)  

For the past month or more we have asked you to join us in praying for knowledge of his will and his plans for Amanda and I as we both begin new phases of this journey called "life in Christ."  Yet as I read this passage this morning, I was convicted that if I truly desire to know and walk in his will, I must choose to let go of the the "road map" of the world so imprinted on my heart and mind to allow the Holy Spirit to continue the transformation of my heart and mind - renewed, restored, and refreshed by the power of his Word.  

I'm reminded of just how difficult choosing to let go of the ways of the world might be as I become reacquainted with life in the states.  I find my senses overwhelmed by the abundance of choices regardless of where I might find myself - not only those choices for which I might pay a price financially, but also the choices I am given for expending my time, my energy, and my heart.  Pray for Amanda and I as we continue to walk the steps ordained by the Lord so that we might both "be able to test and approve" God's good, pleasing and perfect will.

Thank you for praying for my journey back to the states last Monday.  I give praise to the Lord for his answer throughout a long, but uneventful trip.    

Following are other ways you can join us in prayer through this coming week:

- We give thanks to the Lord for moving the visa process along for Oleg and Amanda.  Pray for Amanda as she contacts the embassy in Kiev for interviews and continues packing up her apartment prior to a move to another apartment in mid-November, with a planned move to Alaska in January.  

- Intercede for me (Linda) as I continue to prepare to share with churches in the states about opportunities to partner with Team Kharkov in the future.  Ask the Lord to grant me his heart, his mind, and his plans for reaching across culture to lead Ukrainians to the cross of Christ.

Grace/New Hope Church Building

- Praise to the Lord for how he has provided the necessary funds for Grace and New Hope Churches to begin securing the required documents for their church building.  Pastor Andre of Grace was to meet with authorities this past Thursday.  Please continue to pray for the pastors and their churches as they continue the process.  Petition the Lord to go before them as they represent their churches before authorities in the Kharkov region, seeking to walking in obedience to the law even as they obey the Lord.

- Pray for Amanda as she continues to lead the The Book Club through the book of Hebrews.  Ask the Lord to move in the hearts and minds of those who attend to bring them to a knowledge of their need for a personal relationship with Christ and a desire to submit to him as Lord.

-  I will travel on Friday from Little Rock to Olive Branch, Mississippi (near Memphis) to meet with past and future Mississippi volunteer team members, as well as church staff.  I will also have the opportunity to share during Sunday services at Longview Heights Baptist Church.  Pray the Father would speak to each of our hearts and minds as we meet, pray, and worship together.  

- Ask the Lord to grant me wisdom as I continue to seek his will in sharing with churches over the next 3 months.  Pray I will not miss those opportunities he is providing, but also, that I will take the time to allow him to refresh and renew me physically and spiritually.  

Thank you for coming alongside Amanda and I through your prayers.  Your partnership is vital in preparing not only the hearts of those to whom we will minister, but in preparing and protecting our hearts as well.  Know that we do not take lightly your commitment to undergird our daily lives as you intercede for us.

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

Team Kharkov Requests October 7th-13th

"Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock." (Isaiah 26:4)

Pastors Vitaly Sorokun (New Hope) and Andre Rezynenko (Grace Church) want to express their thanks for your prayers and support of their respective churches this past week.  They continue to seek the Father's plan, and his will, in resolving the legal issues concerning the church building.  If they do nothing, they face considerable fines and charges from the government, so regardless of how the Father leads them, they cling to the promises of our Rock - the LORD GOD - alone.  

Sunday, October 7th  I will depart from Kharkov this morning on the express train to begin my journey to the states.  My flight (23 hour journey including 3 legs and layovers) from Kiev to Little Rock takes off Monday morning at 6:40 a.m. Kiev time.  As I write this, I still have some packing to do, and final preparations in my apartment. I would ask you to intercede for me on the journey - for rest along the way, but also for opportunities to share the hope of Christ with those I may encounter.  Pray for me as well, as I spend time this week preparing for the opportunities the Lord has granted for sharing with churches in the states in the weeks ahead.

Monday, October 8th  Petition the Father to grant our brothers in Christ favor as they meet with government officials today concerning the church building in Saltavka.  Pray the Lord would grant them wisdom and knowledge of His perfect will in a situation that by man's perception would appear without hope.

Tuesday, October 9th  Pray for Amanda as she meets with a Ukrainian believer today (Olga) for a time of fellowship, and as she continues going through the process of packing up her apartment.  Ask the Lord to grant her wisdom in knowing what to hold on to, what to release, and favor in selling those items they do not need to keep.  

Breaking Free Group

Wednesday, October 10th  The New Hope Breaking Free group will continue their study tonight with different members of the group facilitating each week.  Pray the Lord would continue to work in their hearts and minds by the power of his Word, and through the Holy Spirit to bring them to a place of freedom in Christ.

Thursday, October 11th  The video is one of many taken during my last time with  "The Book Club" english group before leaving for the states.  It is hard to say goodbye even for a few months to folks who have become great friends.  Pray for Amanda as she continues to guide their journey through the book of Hebrews.  Ask the Lord to bring each and every person in this group into a personal and intimate relationship with him through Jesus Christ!  

Friday, October 12th  Please continue to pray for the cell group outreach of New Hope International Church.  Some of the groups have been gathering at a nearby mall food court on Friday evenings to meet international students and invite them to New Hope services.  Ask the Lord to continue to add many to the body of Christ through this church.

Saturday, October 13th  Pray for Pastor Igor Zhukov and members of New Hope Ukrainian church as they gather to worship each Sunday.  Ask the Lord to direct their path to find a new meeting place to rent.  

Amanda and I both covet your prayers - for Amanda as she completes this part of the journey the Lord has for her in Kharkov, and for me as I transition to serving as the only person from our company in the Kharkov region.  

IMPACTing the Kharkov region with the love of Christ!

Urgent Request for Grace & New Hope Churches

"The Lord is my Shepherd.....He makes me lie down in green pastures.  He leads me beside still waters...." (Psalm 23:1-2)  Pastor Vitaly Sorokun at New Hope Church preached from this psalm yesterday, particularly teaching and encouraging the International students who attend to not allow fear of living in this culture and facing the unknown to overwhelm them.  Our Good Shepherd is in control!  Pastor Vitaly and Pastor Andre (Grace Church) had the opportunity to put the truth of his message into practice this morning.

Several months ago, we shared with you that authorities in Kharkov had filed a lawsuit against New Hope and Grace Church (they share a building) stating that the documents for their building were not legal, and that the building codes were not adhered to when it was built.  This occurred less than a year after the churches spent thousands of dollars to complete all the "necessary" and "legal" documentation for the building where the churches meet.  In the past few months, the church and Pastor Vitaly Sorokun, who is a lawyer as well as pastor of New Hope Church, have appealed to higher courts.

Pastor V called this morning to say that this past week, the Supreme Court upheld the lower court's judgment against Grace & New Hope Church.   The city government could take ownership of the building, and the churches would then have to rent at a very high cost, or they could even tear the building down.  However, Pastor V said after meeting with building inspectors today, there is a possibility to get documentation done for the building utilizing a ruling that is in effect only until the end of the year, but the cost is beyond what the churches have available.

Pastor Vitaly knows we are blessed with prayer partners who lift up the needs of our Ukrainian brothers and sisters, and called to request prayer for them as they seek the Lord's will.  They are prepared to use all the money they have on hand in both churches if that is the Father's will, but it is not enough to accomplish the task.  Intercede for the Lord to grant both Vitaly and Pastor Andre wisdom as they walk through this process.  Pray for the Lord to show Himself mighty on their behalf, for His glory, honor, and praise.  

Thank you for your prayers for His people in Kharkov, Ukraine!

(For those who are not familiar with the history of this church/building, our personnel and many volunteer teams have worked alongside both churches for the past 15 years.)