From Kharkiv to Izyum, God’s Love never fails!

I am sharing 'JCSL Blog May 4' with you- a blog contribution from Rolfe Carawan:

"This past week or so, God has spoken repeatedly about His love and grace to these wonderful souls. Last Sunday, April 30, we were invited to attend pastor Dema Goncharov’s church. Pastor Dema invited both Jerry and me to speak. In his introduction Dema, with smiles and a bit of laughter, loves to share how last year, during our visit, two rockets fell just as I stood to speak. Jokingly he shares that he hopes that no rockets will fall this time; and would prefer that the Holy Spirit will fall instead, which is our prayer as well!

But what Dema did not share was that during this war, the absolute necessity of listening to the Holy Spirit and obeying His voice. Before the rockets fell, Dema felt the Holy Spirit leading him to hold the service not in the chapel as usual but in the basement. The second rocket struck so close (50 yards) that shrapnel broke through the chapel windows and lodged in the pews. Had we held the meeting in the chapel, someone would have been injured and possibly killed. Our need to follow the Holy Spirit is not just essential during wartime; it is essential for every minute of every day. We too easily forget that we are at war daily as we contend with the principalities and powers that resist God and inflict much suffering. This reality is why we are so grateful for your many prayers. Your prayers are heard and are being answered! We sense God’s grace and love for all we meet, as well as His power to set people free and born into His Kingdom. This past week we have witnessed at least three people repent and place their faith in Christ. All made possible by your prayers and support. To God be the glory!   

Jerry shared on Monday, May 1, with over 240 people that attended the service before receiving their care package for the week. He used an illustration of the power of God’s word and its effect on an angry teenager that attended a youth retreat. This young lady accepted Christ and remembered just one line from one scripture, Ephesians 4:26, “do not let the sun go down on your anger.” She was mad about this verse because she came from a terrible home situation. She was bitterly angry with her alcoholic, philandering father. However, she determined to obey this command, and upon returning home, she waited up past midnight until her father came home. She shared with her father how angry she was at him, but she had to obey what God had shown her. The impact of her faithfulness was miraculous in that over time, through observing her faith and growth in Christ, her family came to faith as well. The people sat completely engrossed in the ability of God to use just one sentence in one verse to save an entire family. For my part, I was convicted anew of my need to take God’s Word seriously and simply obey what it says. Person after person went out of their way to express their gratitude for the hope that this simple message provided. When the Holy Spirit is welcomed and obeyed, God is free to move in miraculous ways!

Tuesday, we enjoyed a day of fellowship and making new friends. We had a wonderful 2-hour lunch with Pastor Dema and some of his family. There was much joy and laughter as we learned what Dema and his wife, Irena, had been experiencing during this relatively peaceful time in Kharkiv. The daily shelling of Kharkiv has practically stopped, allowing for a sense of normalcy once again, even as the periodic sirens remind everyone that danger still lurks on the horizon. Shops, gas stations, and grocery stores are once again abuzz, having shelves full of food and needed supplies.

We also met three new friends for coffee and a bite to eat. (These people love to show their hospitality with food…and LOTS of it! If you visit Ukraine and the saints here, you will not leave hungry!) Through my long-time friend, Bob Harman, we were introduced via WhatsApp to one of his interpreters Valeriia  Chornobai. Veleriia, who lives in Dnipro, was visiting her sister here in Kharkiv. She has worked with the former Bishop of the Pentecostal Church, Sergei Tsigankof, whom Bob has worked with many times before. Sergei and his friend Michael joined us for several hours of fellowship. It’s probably no surprise to any of you that know Jerry, God gave him tremendous favor as the two pastors related their love for their flocks and Ukraine. Before our time was completed, Sergei invited us to attend one of the support programs his church provides for the congregation and their surrounding community. And Michael gave Jerry his hat with a Ukrainian Flag emblem on the front. It appears that God may be opening another door for fellowship and ministry beyond our relationships with the Baptist to include our Pentecostal brothers and sisters. In the past, “never the two shall meet,” because of their doctrinal differences. However, God’s love, kindness, and grace break down barrier after barrier. “Love never fails.”

Yesterday, Wednesday the 3rd, we made the two-hour trip to Izyum. A city that, until late last September, had been occupied by Russian forces. What we witnessed there entailed both great sorrow and love. The sorrow came as the reality of what the occupiers did while there. We are told that when the Russians rolled in, they came to provide them peace. However, the offer seemed rather shallow when they shared this in the shadow of a massive column of tanks. As some local militia resisted, the highly overmatched men lost their lives. It wasn’t just those actively resisting. The Russians used a missile to cut an apartment complex into two halves. This one act killed 50 citizens. Homes were taken over and ransacked by soldiers who marked their new accommodations with the now infamous Z. Looting was widespread. One lady shared that a neighbor had left, and she had the key to let the soldiers in. She begged them to take what they liked but not harm the home. She was ignored. They blew the doors down, and after looting the home of anything that was of value, they blew up the home. It was acts such as these that would, understandably, cause grief and anger. And it did, but not in all.

Throughout Ukraine, where the war is not active as in the eastern regions, many are quick to express their hatred for all Russians, and not just those fighting. They protest that these and other horrible acts are unforgivable and that they will never forgive. Yet in the small village church we met with in Izyum, there was a different take. They had not only heard the horror stories of injustices committed, but they also lived it. They knew that Jesus had told them to love their enemies and to do good to them. Otherwise, their souls would become as black as the souls of their persecutors. One evening during the occupation a young Russian soldier showed up. He was hesitant to come in as he did not think he would be received. Yet these wonderful followers of Jesus assured him that he was welcome and that no harm would come to him. Consequently, he left his automatic weapon outside and came inside to worship, sharing that his mother was a believer, and she had taken him to services when at home. This small village church was attended almost exclusively by elderly women from the ages of 96-60. Though of advanced age, and maybe because of it, much like the oldest of those ready to stone the woman caught in the act of adultery, were the first to drop their stones when confronted by Jesus, “You who are without sin, cast the first stone,” these women invited in their enemy and comforted him. In reality, they forgave. And not just their young Russian seeker but also those that had killed family members, friends, and neighbors. To hear their stories and their desire to obey Jesus is incredibly challenging and convicting, considering I want the driver that cuts me off in traffic to have their engine blow up. (Oh, did I say that out loud?) Anyway, I think that you get the idea. 

In Izyum, we witnessed the resourcefulness of the believers here. When the Russians withdrew, they left the residences they occupied in total disarray. Some believers and others from the local service providers quickly reclaimed the residence to benefit orphans and teens. We were invited to meet with the staff in the teen home and encourage them in the Lord and remind them of how valuable their work was with these kids. The staff repaired and repainted one of the larger homes and turned it into a beautiful residential home where the teens could receive education services, health services, and protection from exploitation. Please pray for them and for the opportunity to lead these teens to Christ.

We travel again tomorrow, Friday, May 5th, to some of the villages further east. I am excited to see what Christ has done and what He has planned for us. I am grateful beyond words for the honor and privilege of being here with Jerry and these incredible people. Our interpreter, Lev Prystupiuk , is an incredibly gifted young man and an even more impressive friend. God is using Lev throughout Europe as he directs much need medical supplies and services in areas of need. None greater than here in eastern Ukraine. Please pray for his strength and voice as he attends to his position as well as interpreting nearly all of our conversations and preaching.

Lastly, join us as we praise Jesus daily for His goodness and faithfulness. We are each very thankful for your partnership in this endeavor as we seek to please Christ Jesus and help meet some of the needs of believers and unbelievers alike. God has provided for the two churches we visited in Izyum to have a well-stocked meal that their members can enjoy, as well as invite their neighbors. An incredible opportunity to build bridges for the sake of Christ’s love."