2nd Update from Ukraine...

For the last few years Jury and Paulina Kushnir, our hosts and ministry partners, have opened the Discipleship House to an eclectic group of refugees from Eastern Ukraine who have left everything they owned to flee from the fighting with Russian separatists there. I was with them a couple years ago and God's faithfulness in each of their lives as well as the community of refugees here has been miraculous!  They all have such gentle, humble, grateful spirits that you feel like you are being continually bathed with the Spirit of Jesus!   We had a great time talking about growing up into Jesus and serving one another out of His love.  After we had been together I asked when this meeting should end so that they could get all of their beautiful children home?  They said we should go for another hour or two! And, when we finally ended some still said we don't want to leave!  How sweet the fellowship is when Christ is the consuming issue! Monday we had a chance to work out early and then headed into the City to have lunch with out dear friends Jury and Anna who have asked me to officiate at their wedding this coming Sunday, May 19th.  It was a tremendous time and the conversation was all about the Lord- He is the One they want to focus on and honor the most during the whole event!   Anna is one of my dearest friends since she was a young girl, so it makes it especially joyful to see her and dear Jury put their lives and marriage into the hands of the Master from the very beginning of their life together!  They really don't have anything at this point but each other and Him...and with Joy, they believe that's all they need! Monday evening I was asked to lead a Bible Study of young people.  Some came from the Central Baptist Church, some from other area churches and some who had heard the Saturday evening message on-line.  It was a blessed evening!  We are very conscious that everything God has called us to do is already bathed in prayer by loved ones who are partnering with us with fasting and intercession! What an amazing Grace!   I had a chance to speak for over an hour and at the end  they still wanted to continue with questions!  This always surprises me but God has prepared their hearts with an almost desperate passion for His Truth!  I think we could do a sleep over and it still wouldn't be enough time- besides someone might fall out the window (Acts 20)... Their eagerness to learn and grow in the Lord was an absolute delight! One young man would not join the group, but stayed way in the back.  He is a special needs brother who has taken unbelievable abuse.  That evening we spoke about the two greatest commandments and the practical side of what it means to serve one another.  By the end of the night Alexi was right in the middle of the group, with his arms around us, as we all went to prayer.