News from Novomoscosk...

We had our last church Service on Sunday in Novomoscosk before leaving to begin our long journey home...During the service, we were presented with  a Ukrainian flag which was signed by the Commanding Officer of all Ukrainian troops in the East where 90% of the fighting is!

After church, we met with many dear folks who have cared for us during our stay in Novomoscosk! Lena, in the middle, is one of hundreds of refugees from the East that has been taken in by the church!  She met Jesus there and has been leading all the support teams and services for the constant influx of these refugees! Tamara, on the right, is a sweet lady who is full of joy and a stalwart in the church! She was so excited to give me a fish pin with the Ukrainian colors!  

There has been great grief in this War and many criminal acts that we have personally seen and have been documented and condemned by the International Court of Nations! I've included a picture of a residential apt. complex that was hit by a cruise missile. 100+ people were killed and many injured in this horrible act.

But the saints here who have stayed true to Christ and whose hearts have been open to trusting God with His judgement not their own and have even been praying "for" their enemies, with love- Luke 6:27,28- still have real life and joy in their hearts!  It is an incredible blessing and sight to witness!   

I have been speaking alot to pastors in particular about love and forgiveness because they have great influence in their congregations!  It is a critical issue if people are going to continue in their walk with Jesus or be excluded from His Kingdom altogether...Matthew 6:14,15/ Matthew 18:21-35/ James 2:13 and so far I have not had one critical response to this message!  

This Sunday Service that I mentioned above was my last day to speak and another day of blessing from God- two people walked right up front during the Service and gave their lives to Christ and a third lady at the end of our time came up with tears of repentance and joy and gave her life to Jesus as well! Afterward we ran to the Bokoch home for lunch and to change and then started our long journey home ( still 6 more days!)! Tonight we are back to Kiev.

I believe every Service, every group, every conference we spoke at on this trip, and they occurred almost daily, were absolutely profound!  I have never been able to say that before, but God opened the flood gates of heaven and poured out His Spirit during this critical time, everywhere we went!   I have to say though, when I walked away from that Service to the Bokoch's home, my tank felt completely empty!  In wrestling, we would call it leaving everything out on the mat or in football - on the field. Everything I've got was left on that field- win, lose or draw! That's how I felt- my heart was full to overflowing and at complete peace, but my tank was just drained of every ounce of fuel! I think that would be the perfect way to leave this life... 

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