Regional Conference of Churches...

After we left the Sokiyani prison our hearts were full and my strength felt spent!  Then after we had driven for about an hour and a half, we turned off the main highway and traveled through the wide open spaces of some of Ukraine's most beautiful farm country!  We finally arrived at a small community where this regional conference of churches was to take place.  I have to admit as we were driving in I just thought, "O Lord, we have had such a great day at the prison, it would have been so great just to head home for an early evening instead of arriving so late and just call it a day!"  But as soon as we arrived the regional pastor came over to the van, he had been at one of our conferences last year, and was full of blessings and encouragement and joy that we had come so far to be with them!   We met with the leaders first for a sweet time of prayer and then the Service started right away.  I shared on forgiveness from Matthew 18:21-35 for about 30-35 minutes.  It seemed to go well and people were really attentive, so I sat down and said, "that's all I got!"   They just looked at each other and me and said, "that's not enough- you have to share more!"  So, I took a bit of a risk and went down to the main floor and started sharing the words of Jesus about what a disciple is.  Some of it seemed like a great surprise to many but then the questions started coming one right after another- sincere and earnest questions about Jesus' teaching.  This is my favorite kind of sharing, just staying with the Scriptures and examining them with the Holy Spirit's counsel together.   The process and the answers seemed really satisfying to the whole audience which included pastors from several churches.  Towards the end I was standing near a saintly looking older gentleman whose eyes were starting to water up and he said in English, "Thank you, I love you!" and repeated it again...   Afterward we were fed again but not until we continued to meet with people and answer questions as the Holy Spirit gave us grace for almost another hour!   I had to repent on the way home for being so slow to step up to the next opportunity that the Lord had provided for sharing His Word and encouraging these dear saints!   I think when we got back to the discipleship house Sue had to carry me upstairs to bed but I couldn't have been more grateful for all that God had accomplished and the gentle ways that He keeps reminding us that our faith is still too small...