First day in Kharkov...
Jerry Theckston
October 25, 2019
Gennadii picked us up at the train station at 6 am after our all night train ride from Kiev to Kharkiv. Lena fixed us a great breakfast and we grabbed a couple hours sleep after two days and two nights of straight travel- pretty grueling but so humbled and grateful to have the privilege of being on this journey!
We had an amazing conversation about ministry principles and relationship among leaders. God has been so good to prepare the ground so that even as we spoke there were tears of fresh understanding and encouragement!
Then we went to lunch at our dear friends Dema and Irina's home with their six kids and new grandson! Dema is the Regional pastor in charge of nearly 100 churches. We shared God's Word together, talked about Biblical strategy for church leaders and how to help them stay grounded with their families in the midst of an impossible job! The precious Holy Spirit filled the time with His Presence and we had a sweet time with the kids sharing, singing and prayer!
God has given Dema and I a very tender gift of love and friendship that always amazes me- undeserved, but full of the Spirit's life!
Later we headed back to Gennadii and Lena's home for a family dinner with this amazing family who have been faithful all through the Communist years and now kids and grandkids are immersed in Kingdom ministry in all kinds of areas. The only one missing was Irina's husband, Dema, who monthly brings humanitarian aide behind the lines in the war zone! It is a bit scary but there is such Joy when everything is about and for the King and His Kingdom!