Good evening Blogski,
It has been a wonderful day in Odessa. The weather is damp, cold and miserable, but the fellowship was so warm and encouraging it has been worth the trip just to spend a day in fellowship with these folk. The day started with breakfast and Paul recording a video for the Youth ministry in Sergei's church. Then at grace church, Pastor Igor Kucher led and preached and then Paul preached (here seen with our good friend and wonderful translator Viktor) The church was finishing their studies on "the sermon on the mount". It was serious stuff about the reality of hell and need for Jesus (our gate to life). Throughout the day there has been a tangible sense of seriousness and joy as we have been reminded of Jesus Christ in all his uniqueness.
Over lunch we had the privilege of catching up with Pastor Igor Bandura. It was through Igor that we first heard about the project when he was the pastor of Grace church. Now Igor's responsibilities have grown greatly and so it is not as easy to meet up, but there is still a great sense of God's goodness when we do. We talked (reminiscent of two old men on a park bench) about how God has provided so remarkably for this project over the last 6 years. There was a real twinkle in our eyes as we look now at the exciting way God will be able to use transition house for his purposes. Architect plans have been drawn up for the basement, and tomorrow we work on making them a reality, but as always the greater work is what Christ is doing in people's lives. Like the little people who have just joined the growing church family even in the last few days and sat with us in church this morning. Sperated as siblings they lived in different state homes but would have no possibility of foster care because the rule is you can only be fostered as a complete family group, but who would want to take several children with a huge age-range???? the church that's who !!! This is not an isolated story. The church is showing the love of Christ, that there is a God who cares, even when the world says you are left on a heap and you don't fit in with its uncaring criteria.
This evening, pastor Igor Bandura finished off the series in Matthew, and a guest youth choir sang. As always the music was top notch, but what impressed us was their attitude and discipline. How many teenagers do you know who would sit in church for 2 sermons, sing a solo (boys) with a smile, then recite poems and memorise prose to encourage God's people? I suggested Mark finished the evening with one of his songs (as there was a spare microphone) but sadly no one thought this was a good idea (especially those who'd worked on site with him last time.) Viktor translated all day for us ( 2 longs services and 4 sermons what a hero!)
With a perfect meal to finish the day, it couldn't have got better, but then it did because out came the pumpkin pie. You don't know how good it is until you have had it from the church chef. I won't tell you how many large slices we ate, suffice to say we are all sitting down, and not moving for some time. I am hoping we can still make it through the basement door in the morning.
Thank you for praying for us today, if you did ... your prayers were answered in ways beyond your comprehension. God is good, and each new day here brings fresh joy and understanding of how privileged we are to be part of this work.
Hope your day was as encourageing as ours, chat tomorrowski ...
P on behalf of the crew.
