Our First Banquets
It was beautiful sunny day today as we drove to our first church/banquet meeting in Tarasovka. The service was held outside under the grapevine. The service started with words from the pastor and songs. It was an interesting experience for all of us to worship God in a new cultural setting. We all realized that God is the same God in the Ukraine as in Canada; God is the same to each nation and we are all his children. Katie, Adel, and Lorene shared their testimony during the service. It was very powerful to hear their experiences with God.
After the service we shared a meal with the congregation and enjoyed fellowship with the Ukrainians. We handed out about 50 of each - food and hygiene hampers. Each person was so thankful and appreciative of these. They all tried to say thank you in English. Many of the team members helped the widows and women carry their hampers home. The children were given special gifts including a notebook, pen, crayons, coloring pages, stickers, toothpaste & brush as well as a little toy. There were about 35 children there.
Then we headed to the second church. The church was very full, with many people standing at the back. We had the privilege of witnessing a young couple receive a blessing from the church for their marriage. Our team shared testimonies again, Adel, Sharon and Agnes. Then Pastor John shared from God’s word. At the end of the service the pastor gave an opportunity for anyone to give their life to Christ and 1 young lady did. This lady was the cousin of the bride and that was the only reason she was at church. It is great to see how God uses a wedding to bring someone to Him. Please pray for this young lady as she begins her walk with God.
After the service we shared another meal with the church family. Then we handed out about 65 of each food and hygiene hampers as well as 4 big boxes of clothing and blankets. There were 7 children at this church. We put blankets on the grass and had a picnic lunch. The children were very happy when we gave them their gift bags. Adel showed them what play dough was and how to juggle the balls. She can’t juggle but the children had fun trying. As the boxes of clothing were emptied the children started to play with them. Lorene pushed a few of the children around on the grass and then Adel joined in with another box and had races with the children. It was pure joy on their faces, Dale commented that this is the reason for this trip.
The team arrived home and the house was filled with a buzz of excited voices and stories from the day. There was an energy present that would tell you we were blessed in doing God’s will. Today was probably the day we all felt the most blessing from God. Although we arrived home exhausted, we have a new energy that encourages us to go and minister tomorrow to more Ukrainians. The men will be heading to the Chkalovo church to do some construction while the women gather blankets and clothing for the widow home visits.
Thank you so much for all your prayers and your encouragement/comments .
We love you all and can’t wait to share with you more stories about out trip once we get home
God bless you
ps: Pastor Rob or Joan, please give Hilda and John the following message.
Dear John & Hilda. Bill, Marg and Agnes and the whole Ukraine team is praying that Hilda's surgery will go well. God grant the surgical team wisdom and alertness and may God's perfect peace be upon you and your family.
Dear John & Hilda. Bill, Marg and Agnes and the whole Ukraine team is praying that Hilda's surgery will go well. God grant the surgical team wisdom and alertness and may God's perfect peace be upon you and your family.
5 Comments:
Peter, Katie, Sharon, Mary and the rest of the team. It is so exciting to see your pictures and read your stories. I get tears in my eyes as I see God using you to show His love. Thank you for your willingness to serve. I wish I was with you (although my daughter just hugged me and said, "I'm glad you're not in Ukraine.") I saw a picture of Mary singing. Does that mean she has some voice? We pray for you daily, that you will be enthusiastic about your days, that you remain healthy and safe and that the people you speak to will see The Light. Karen Hoeppner
Like Karen I had tears in my eyes reading what God is doing through all of you over there. So amazing! Praying for you all and will pray specifically for your voice Mary! (I don't think you talk to much, I love listening to you! :) ) Look fwd to seeing what else God has planned for you over there.
Debbie Frose
Hello Bill, Marg and Agnes (and the rest of the Ukraine team). Glad to hear that you are an answer to so many prayers!
So you know - Hilda's surgery yesterday went very well. The docs put a stint in and today she is breathing well enough that she can be taken off the respirator. John is going in later this morning to see her.
God Bless,
Rob
You enjoyed in ukraine trip. Thanks for sharing your experience in your trip. Last one images of kids is best of all. I think it's very natural with their parents.
Making tour in life is so important.By doing regular work our life get bored and so to make change we have to go for tour to make freshness and change.Ukraine is good country for holiday and i decided to go at this summer for making holidays.
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