The last few days... and our upcoming schedule!
Rolfe and I both had a chance to speak at our dear brother Dema's church last Sunday, April 30th. Dema is the regional pastor and a tremendous brother!
The preaching opportunities have gone really well with great responses! I know that our faithful prayer warriors and fasters have stormed the heavenlies and the hard ground has been broken up before we even get there- amazing Grace!
After my sermon people wanted to gather around and talk but they were trying to start a 'church members meeting' at the same time, so it got a little chaotic! Some folks just wanted to talk for a few minutes but often they were talking over the top of one another! While this was going on I was watching a young man in the back of the crowd trying to move in closer. When he finally got a turn he said are you really jerry? I said, "yes" why does that surprise you?" (I had just finished speaking!) He said, "We have never met but our church (which is behind Russian lines) has been praying for you! We understood you had both knees replaced, so I couldn't believe you could be here and that you can actually walk!" "Is it really you?" And he sent back to his church to confirm with a picture! He was so excited and said several times, "this is a miracle!" I told him by God's grace, I agreed- only God...
I was so humbled that people in such a tragic situation, and that I had never met, would worry about me and my knees! What an amazing family God has around the World and how humbling it is to see the ways He cares for us!!
About 240 people showed up Monday morning for a 10 am service. I felt like God just wanted me to present Jesus, so my sermon title was "Finding Jesus". You are not supposed to speak in the Service and certainly not to applaud, but they did anyway- and two people walked up front and gave their lives to Jesus!
By God's grace this is our schedule for the next few days and your prayers are especially important for this part of the trip!
We are leaving early in the morning for a trip to Izum in Eastern Ukraine. We visited there last October after it had recently been liberated. There were still active mines all over and unexploded rockets (even in the pastor's front yard!)! We were able to get in with a special pass from the governor and the commanding officer. It was a tremendous time with the people there but a grievous situation- terrible stories of every kind of atrocity and when the Russian troops left they took food, clothes, everything of value, and even their shoes! We brought as much aid as possible but we found just being there meant more to the people than anything! We are grateful to have the chance to return! Things are still difficult there so we are bringing in more food packages and supplies! The pastors have asked me to speak at a couple events there and my heart is heavy even as I think of what the Spirit of Jesus might want to say to these dear people...
Thursday we have a couple meetings, but I am hoping to get some time to prepare for a Baptism that I have been asked to speak at this coming Sunday- 5 people are ready to confess their loving surrender to Jesus Christ for the rest of their lives! What a privilege to have the opportunity to share at such a Holy Sacrament!
On Friday we intend to go to a couple villages about 10 miles from the Russian border, in an area of intense conflict. How far we actually get in will depend on the bombing activity that day. We are not trying to be heroic, but we know the people caught in the midst of this crisis are exhausted and in desperate need of encouragement! Having people come to be with them and especially foreigners that don't have to be there means more than anything we bring!
Saturday we have been invited to a first responders support event for their families- there is such great need here! It should be a fun day which even includes a Bar-B-Que and it will also be a nice break in the midst of an intense week!
Sunday, the 7th, is our last day in Kharkiv, we have that wonderful baptismal event, more family and friends time and packing for our departure on Monday for Novomoscosk where we will stay with regional pastor Stepan Bokoch's family...
Thanks for your love and prayers and caring for people that you will probably never meet until our reunion in heaven, but what a celebration that will be!! In His love, jerry
4 Comments
I can’t imagine living behind the Russian war front. What must the conditions be like? Where’s the hope? But God is there. And it warms my heart that Pastor Jerry and Mr. Carawan are planning to visit the under-served in some of those areas. I pray for their safety, and for the people who are trying to just survive.
Matthew 28:20b “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
[we pray that you may be] strengthened invigorated with all power, according to His glorious might, to attain every kind of endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints (God’s people) Col.1.11 ❤️
What special time of teaching and kindness shown.to you Jerry. So proud of God that he called Rolfe to come with and preach too
BLESSINGS. MARILYN
This is such an exciting blog post. Corenia and I were praying together at her house for not only you, Rolfe, Lev and your families, but for the people of Ukraine, the chaplains, military, and those in Russia who are not in agreement with this war. Also that Putin's heart would be changed. I have to admit as asked God to 'take him out', but I know Christ died for all, and it is not His Will that any should perish, but all come to Salvation. So I had to repent and ask for a softening instead.
I had to call Corenia tonight to tell her about the young man from the Russian church. It was such an encouragement to us.
This verse has been running through my head today:
“The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him” (II Chron. 16:9).