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!

Team Kharkov Requests December 4th-10th

"The people who walk in darkness will see a great light--a light that will shine on all who live in the land where death casts its shadow.....For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.  And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  His ever expanding, peaceful government will never end.  He will rule forever with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David.  The passionate commitment of the LORD Almighty will guarantee this!  (Isaiah 9:2, 6-7)  

Advent, meaning "coming" or "arrival," is the celebration of the first advent or coming of Christ, and also a reminder that we are anxiously awaiting His return! It is this hope of His coming that compels us to tell those who "walk in darkness" that a child has been born - Christ Jesus, the Lord!

This is also the IMB Week of Prayer for International Missions, reminding us we are "His Heart, His Hands, and His Voice" in a world that even today has almost 3,800 unengaged, unreached people groups.  We thank you for joining us in prayer to move the mountains of lostness, and tear down the strongholds  that have held multitudes in bondage.  Your prayers and your gifts to Lottie Moon Christmas Offering are instruments in the hands of the LORD Almighty to reach the ends of the earth!  (Information for the Week of Prayer is available on www.imb.org)

December 4th  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMANDA!  Give thanks to the Lord for granting Amanda a heart to follow and obey Him.  Pray for her as she celebrates her birthday today in Budapest with colleagues, asking Him to fill her heart, mind, and spirit with evidence of His love for her.

Pray for me (Linda) today as Zhenya Molodchy and I visit Spring of Life Church in Rogon.  Ask the Lord to use this time as an encouragement to our brothers and sisters in Christ in this church.

December 5th  Please continue to pray for an opportunity for Linda and Natasha Molodchy to meet with Alexander Dubka about leading a weekly bible study in the women's rehab center for women coming out of prison.  Alexander was in the hospital this past week with some health issues.  Pray the Lord would grant him restoration of health physically, and refreshment emotionally and spiritually.

December 6th  Amanda is scheduled to return to Kharkov either today or tomorrow, but will not know for certain until after a doctor's appointment this morning.  Pray the Lord will release her to return according to His perfect will and plan for her days.  Ask the Lord to make her journey uneventful and without delays (her departure from Kharkov was delayed 5 hours last week).  

December 7th  We praise Him for His provision of funds to enable the small church in Zmeeov to put a new roof on their building.  Pray for us as we schedule a time to meet with Pastor Yuri Poshtak to take pictures of the construction and make plans for a team coming in May to help with some of the interior work as well as provide health clinic for 2 days.  Ask the Lord to make His plans clear to all of us for what He desires to accomplish through the volunteer team in May.  (This building was purchased by the church after being almost totally gutted by fire, leaving only the shell.)

December 8th The Book Club continues to meet on Thursday evenings in Linda's home for an hour of conversational English and an hour of reading through and discussing Romans in English.  This past week we had 6 new folks - 4 of them non-believers who were a little "surprised" by the discussion of the Bible.  Step by step we are seeing the Father remove barriers to His Truth in the hearts of our group.  Please continue to pray as we share the reason for our hope - the first coming of Jesus - through the reading of Advent passages during the month of December.  

December 9th  We praise Him for how He is working in the lives of some of the young women in The Book Club, granting them a desire to be discipled more deeply.  Pray for Amanda as she deepens her relationship with M (who is not yet a believer) and Y (who wants to be discipled).  Petition the Holy Spirit to take the truths M is learning and open her heart to understand and receive salvation through Christ.  

December 10th  Pray for me (Linda) as I share with the New Hope International Praise group concerning true worship today.  Ask the Lord to lead me in the way He desires as I make preparation for this time throughout the week.  Pray our hearts will be led to recognize that true worship is all about the One we worship - not about us!

Most of our winter days are gray, with little sunshine during the week.  Night falls around 4:00 p.m. each day, deepening the "darkness" of the days.  Pray the Light which is Christ in us will shine brightly, drawing many to Him throughout each day.  Thank you for joining us through prayer and through your giving to Lottie Moon Christmas Offering!

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

Team Kharkov Requests November 27th-December 3rd

"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him." (Psalm 34:8 NIV)

We give thanks to Him for the opportunity over the past few days to rest, relax, reflect and renew with friends in the city of Dnipropetrovsk.  Thank you for joining together with us in thanksgiving and prayer for our meeting with New Hope International girls last Saturday, and our journey to this city to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Please join us in praying this week for the following needs:

- Amanda and I will travel back to Kharkov on Sunday afternoon.  Ask the Lord to grant us a safe journey home and times of sweet fellowship with one another, and with our Father.

- I (Linda) will meet with Natasha Molodchy early this week to prayerfully plan future ministry with women just recently released from prison who are now living in a Christian half-way house.  Ask the Father to unite our hearts and minds to know His will concerning Bible studies and discipleship of the women He puts in our path.  Pray for us to understand His plans and His purpose as we schedule time to meet with the believer who directs prison ministry in the city of Kharkov later this week.

- Amanda will fly to Budapest on Tuesday for medical treatment.  Pray for smooth, uneventful flights from Kharkov to Kiev, then on to Budapest.  Intercede for the doctors she will see to have wisdom and knowledge to help treat some problems she has been experiencing.  Ask the Lord to cause this to be a time of refreshing and renewal for her even as she sees medical personnel.

- The Book Club will meet on Thursday this week and we will continue our discussion of Romans 10.  Pray the Lord would cause His Word to penetrate the hearts and minds of each one who attends.  Ask for hearts to be drawn into fellowship and relationship with Christ.

Our International Student Fellowship

 - The International girls will meet on Saturday, December 3rd to be introduced to the "Breaking Free" study by Beth Moore and for time of fellowship.  Pray the Father would draw those young women into the study according to His purposes and plan.  Intercede for me (Linda) as I prepare for this study throughout this week.

This is an exciting time of the year for outreach to many within our sphere of influence.  Your prayers are instrumental and vital in preparing our hearts and minds for the opportunities He brings our way.  Pray we will be faithful in obeying His voice as He leads us throughout this month of sharing with others the love of Christ poured into our lives.

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

Team Kharkov Requests November 20th-26th

"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good.  His love endures forever.  Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.  Give thanks to the Lord of lords:  His love endures forever." (Psalm 136:1-3)

This past Thursday, Amanda and I had the opportunity to spend almost 2 hours after our English group (The Book Club) talking with a young woman for whom you have been praying.  She has many questions, and many fears about believing in Jesus.  Perhaps the most unfathomable aspect of our Father apart from His absolute holiness, is the extent of His love!  In a world where "love" is thrown around and abused in ways unspeakable, the concept of pure, holy, eternal love from "the God of gods," and "Lord of lords" is difficult to comprehend.

Most of you who receive these requests each week have tasted that love!  Most of you have chosen to trust the One Who is Love as Savior and Lord!  May we allow the Holy Spirit to refresh and renew the depths of His love for us as we enter into this week traditionally set aside for giving thanks.  Pray that as our hearts, minds, and spirits are refreshed and renewed, that love will arise like springs of living water, flowing to the world around us!

Sunday, November 20th  We praise Him for how He is working in the lives of the members of New Hope Church.  They continue meeting under the leadership of Baptist Union brothers each Sunday, seeking His will for them individually and corporately.  Pray He would unite their hearts together to know His will.

Monday, November 21st  Give thanks to the LORD for what appears to be an opportunity for me (Linda) to work with Natasha Molodchy to minister to women in a Christian rehab center established for those coming out of prison.  Praise Him for the passion He has given to believers in "Red Church" in Kharkov to establish rehab centers for men and women in their region of the city.  Pray we will gain permission to meet with the women, and will know His will and His plan for ministry.  Ask the King of love to pour out His love into the hearts of these women, even now as our brothers and sisters in Christ establish this ministry.

Amanda leading "The Book Club"

Tuesday, November 22nd  Lift up praise to the Most High God for the opportunities He is giving Amanda to disciple Ukrainian women.  Several weeks ago I met Yana at a theatre.  She had been an "au pair" (her term) or child care provider for children in the Washington D.C. area for 2 years before returning to Kharkov for college.  While in the states, she became a believer, but returned to a culture and family that does not encourage or nurture Baptist believers.  When I met her, I immediately thought of Amanda, and her heart and passion for discipling young women.  Yana expressed her desire for spiritual growth to Amanda after our English club this week.  Pray the Lord would keep this desire within Yana burning, and allow Amanda opportunity to walk with her along a path of discipleship.

Wednesday, November 23rd  ".....On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers.  Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many."  (2 Cor. 1:10-11)  We give thanks to Him for your continuing ministry to Amanda and I through your prayers!  We will be driving to another city today to spend the Thanksgiving holidays with colleagues.  Join us in thanking Him for the provision of our vehicle for travel.  Pray for a time of sweet fellowship with one another and with Him as we make the journey.  Intercede for Joe Ragan as well who will be traveling from his city to join us.

Thursday, November 24th  As I had the opportunity to share about our Thanksgiving traditions with Ukrainians, I was reminded once again how abundantly blessed we have been as a nation.  Our nation was founded by those seeking a place to freely worship the One True God.  May each of us take time today in the midst of all our abundance to give praise to Him alone!  "Know that the LORD is God.  It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.  Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.  For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations." (Psalm 100:3-5 NIV)

Friday, November 25th  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Ph. 4:6)  Praise be to our Father who delights to hear our petitions mingled with voices raised in giving thanks for answers He has already promised!  Lord, grant that we as Your people will seek Your face first, rest in Your peace, and lay our requests at your feet!  May we be known as people of prayer!

Saturday, November 26th "...pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  Do not quench the Spirit." (1 Th. 5:17-19)  The circumstances of the past year have brought many changes to Team Kharkov, yet each change has led us to pray more fervently, give thanks more frequently, and trust in His will for us individually and corporately with greater depth of faith.  Praise be to the One who is Faithful, and whose plans are always right!  Please pray continually for Amanda and I as we endeavor to follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to guide our hearts, minds, and lives in a way that will bring glory, honor and praise to our Father God.

One day, all who have received Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior will join in this chorus with the "twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God....."  May we, even this day, proclaim:
"We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign......" (Revelation 11:16-17, NIV).