SEPTEMBER UPDATE FROM UKRAINE 2024

Proverbs 3:24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
The attacks on Kyiv continue as the Ukrainian army shoots down missiles and drone strikes at all hours of the day. As the people of Ukraine attempt to live life as normally as possible, the constant sounds of air raid sirens interrupt everyone’s peace of mind. We have taken to wearing ear plugs to sleep, so that we can function the next day. We pray before we go to sleep and put ourselves in God’s hand of protection. Recently we took another taxi drive over the Dnipro river on our way to an important appointment at the Resurrection Baptist Church when the explosions and plumes of black smoke began to rise in the distance with drones being shot down over our heads. We made it safely to our destination, and paid our taxi driver double for “hazard pay”. The city shut down the subway system, so many people were stranded, but one brave taxi driver drove us across the bridge later that afternoon, going at break-neck speed, hoping to avoid a drone or two. We never know what excitement the day will bring.

OUR NEW TRAINING FACILITY
We have found favor with the Lord, in locating an economically feasible place to do ministry. We have rented a flat in the outskirts of Kyiv, that has an large area for a classroom, and living quarters. The landlord has provided tables and 25 chairs for our students. We will be taking a motivational leader’s training class in the next few weeks, and will be joined by 2 other Americans who want to help transform Ukraine’s business community, by training leaders and their employees to relate to each other and their clients in an ethical and moral manner. This training is Biblically based and was started by Taylor Ford. He has given a group of us the go-ahead to train in his program and to start teaching others. While we are waiting on this new endeavor we will be teaching Bible classes, English classes, Leadership classes, and self defense classes, all free of charge. We are less than 2 minutes from the Metro for convenient transportation to and from the church, and into the heart of Kyiv. Due to the black-outs, everyone experiences the challenges that come with only a few hours a day of electricity. However, this apartment complex is installing a new generator that will provide 24 hour power to the building. We know that God had something to do with this, PRAISE THE LORD.
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=A5EYB8C75YHDY

DISCIPLESHIP CLASSES TO BEGIN ON SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 9 AT RESURRECTION BAPTIST CHURCH
We have been given the opportunity to start teaching Jerry’s curriculum at the church, every other Saturday from 10-3. We have about 12 students registered. We are excited to get started, as this waiting period has been very difficult for us. We had to jump through many hoops to be able to stay in Ukraine after our 90 day VISA expires in September. We took a trip to Poland on a long bus ride through hours of delays at the border to visit the Ukrainian Embassy to have our D10 volunteer VISA approved. Then we traveled back to Kyiv and we required to obtain a permanent residence to register with the Immigration Office. We are happy to report that our application has been submitted and in 2 weeks or so, we will pick up our resident cards so that we can stay for a year or longer. We knew that this would be a difficult process, but we finally see light at the end of the tunnel. We are being refined by patience endurance, praise the Lord.
Romans 8:24-25 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not,


SEVERAL PEOPLE WERE DETAINED
CHURCH PLANTING
We have been given the opportunity to help with a new church plant. Sergi and Lila are newly-weds who have a heart for Jesus. Sergi is a student at a local Baptist seminary and is excited about this new project. Pastor Igor of the Resurrection Baptist Church has asked us to guide and assist them. They are starting with outreaches and hoping to start a small Bible study to begin with. When is time, a facility will be rented in this area that does not have a church. We are enjoying the process of making new friends and fellowshipping with believers. The challenge is always the language difference, but we thank God for Google translate.


https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=A5EYB8C75YHDY

It’s wonderful to see how God moves through you and His other faithful servants He’s brought you to. We pray for this work daily! Amen!