God's Incredible Hand

Our dear friend Rolfe, who was part of the Team with Jerry in Ukraine, has returned home to the U.S. and sent this wonderful recap of his time there:

 God’s Invisible Hand 

Sitting here trying to determine what is important to share, having just 4 days of reflection, when every detail seems important. How do I adequately convey the “moment(s)” when we experienced God’s invisible hand making a way for us in unfavorable circumstances? For example, the Russians blew up a large fuel depot causing a major shortage of gasoline and diesel fuel. Driving from Lviv to Chernivtsi, we experienced the most remarkable provisions. Though God provided enough diesel for us to complete the trip before we left Lviv, it is always wise not to let the fuel gauge drop below half.  We passed station after station that was completely out of fuel. When we came upon a station that had fuel, the lines would have thirty or more cars waiting for hours to buy just 20 liters (about 5 gallons) of fuel. We were thanking God that we didn’t have to stop. As our tank reached about half full, we started praying that God would provide some fuel for us. It was here that God’s invisible hand revealed itself. As we continued driving, we needed to make a pit stop for some food and pulled into a station that was clearly open because of the small line of cars. We went inside, purchased our food and as Lev (our wonderful driver and interpreter) paid the attendant, they suddenly closed the register and rushed everyone out of the door. How grateful we were that God had allowed us to buy not just what we needed but also what we wanted. I say wanted because Jerry had wanted a hamburger, but there was none to be found as we drove through village after village. Yet, before this gas station closed and rushed us out the door, guess what sitting under the food warmer? Yes! Not one, but two nicely warmed hamburgers. God, in His kindness, gave Jerry his desired burger...and I got in on the action and took the other one!  

It was clear to all that your prayers had stirred the Father’s heart to go above and beyond what we could ask or think. “But what about fuel for the car,” you ask? Ok, as we traveled further, we came upon a station with some fuel, so we pulled in. We pulled up to the last fuel pump with no cars, and sure enough, they had plenty of diesel to refill our tank. Here again, God was at work on our behalf. When we finished pumping our fuel, there was now a significant number of cars waiting in line for fuel. We paid the attendant, and within seconds, the station shut down, and the “No Fuel” went up. We again rejoiced, having experienced God’s grace and unmistakable timing for providing what we needed, when we needed it. These are but two of countless examples of God’s abundant provision and favor during suddenly, our travels.    

Speaking of favor, how do I account for the favor of God resting upon us? For example, the Father, out of His immeasurable riches, had perfect strangers taking notice of Jerry walking with others in the town square of Lviv! As God’s timing would have it, we finished our meal with some dear friends and refugees from Kharkiv. Upon exiting the restaurant, we encountered an elderly woman selling small bundles of flowers. Jerry engaged her and, as he is apt to do, bought all her remaining flowers at a significantly higher price than she was asking. She was so excited that she couldn't bless us enough. Of course, with the family of six and Lev and I standing there watching, we comprised a small crowd. It was then that a man and his two adult children approached us and wanted to know what was going on. But the man was less interested in what was happening than in who Jerry was. The gentleman said that he had been watching Jerry from a distance and saw those that were with him and decided that Jerry either had something to do with Jesus or he was an important man that he wanted to meet. Jerry graciously explained that he was a pastor who had been coming to Ukraine for over 30 years and we were just friends of his. I share this not to puff up Jerry but to provide yet another example of God’s favor. We must have stood there for fifteen or more minutes speaking to the man and his children about life in general and life in Christ. Your prayers were answered.  

I have shared these incidents to provide you with just a few concrete examples of your prayers becoming a reality. Where others might chalk up these encounters to “luck” or “good fortune,” we can confidently declare that these positive events that we experienced all along our journey were answers to your many and around-the-clock prayers! Whether it was a needed provision for fuel; God’s protection through swatting away rockets and causing them to explode on both sides of the church we were ministering in, sending shrapnel through the windows and into the pews in the sanctuary; or favor in the eyes of strangers, God moved on our behalf for His many good and loving purposes. Thank you for “being right there with us,” as you truly were through your innumerable thoughts and prayers. To God be the Glory!