A very full day in Chernivtsy!
June 1st- It is almost 10:30 pm and I just returned to the discipleship house in time for some pelmeni and a glass of water. Now I am trying to decide if I should catch up on the two days I am behind on the blog or tell you about our long but amazing day today and see if I can double up the entries in the next two days. I am starting to run out of gas but I have found that our dear Lord is an inexhaustible source of strength!
We met this morning for breakfast with a dear couple that I married here two years ago. They love the Lord with all their hearts and are serving Him day and night- but two years ago I could hardly imagine that two so different people could flourish as they are! It was a wonderful time of getting caught up and listening to their dreams and goal for serving Christ and passionately living for His purpose for them. Then we talked about some teaching points for growth and closed our time with prayer for the days ahead, loved ones and the work of God in this City. They have an amazing focus and energy that has put them light years ahead of many young couples their own age!
After this we went to the restaurant of two dear friends. Mykola was the mayor here in Chernivtsy for 25 years- an amazing accomplishment for a Country with such deep political divides! Now he is a member of the Ukrainian Parliament, called the Rada. His wife, Vera, owns the restaurant and always puts on a tremendous meal for us. Our friendship as couples really took off in 2011 when they joined us at the National Prayer Breakfast in Wash. D.C. We talked about both of our Countries, God's purpose for our days (he has had heart surgeries the last two years) and ways we can serve the poor! We always end with a sweet time of prayer which was a novel experience for them just a few years ago!
We had a citywide pastors' meeting tonight with all of the different denominations, which is an incredible evolution...but they are learning to love each other, serve the city together and pray for one another's ministries! (John17:20-23) This is what the Holy Spirit has long been waiting for, and the beginning of His power to reach the whole Country! We talked about Prayer - God's Way, Fear and money...it was exciting for some to consider new ways to look at all of these things Biblically and scary for others who are concerned about what this might mean for their own lives as well as their church- what would the challenge of being "All-In" mean for us? Acts 2:42-47/Acts 4:32-37 A funny question came up tonight- I was asked why I had seen some of these political leaders, including our friend Mykola today? Were you talking politics or making plans? ( I still don't know how they even found out I was with him...) But my answer was "he is my friend, I love him!" This seemed to really stump them- how can you love a politician? "I told them that was what my Boss told me to do". John 13:34,35
I hope your Boss has reminded you how much you are loved today! How could He help it, you're His favorite!
3 Comments
My Boss told me to go for a bike ride and then he tried to bake me to death with 85+ degree weather and it was only 10am. I think He was "steaming" the sin right out of me, lol. Sounds like you had a productive day. I am always amazed when you talk about the competitiveness between the church segments not only there but here, too. I wonder why do Pentecostal dislike Baptists and the Baptists dislike the Pentecostals? Or Methodists dislike 7 Day Adventists and etc. I don't get it because we all have the same Savior, the same God and the same Holy Spirit. I never have understood all the angst. I have come to the conclusion that people are weird no matter where they grow up, lol. But I think you and your "Boss" are showing them a different path, a different mindset, a better way to love everyone including politicians. Although I will say that politicians can be kind of tricky.
Jerry and Sue and your dear friends look so happy and blessed after such long days. So good to hear how God is bringing these blessings. Wonder if we ate at Vera's restaurant..Love you. MARILYN.
Praying for continued strength, stamina and rest for you and Sue as you follow the prompting of the Spirit in each of these meetings and conversations!! You both are SO dearly loved.