February 24, 2022

Two Years Ago

Exactly two years ago today, the Russian army invaded Ukraine starting a war that has been longer and uglier than anyone anticipated. I remember that first day very well. It started Thursday morning in Ukraine, but it was Wednesday evening in Wisconsin. Just the day before I had purchased an airplane ticket to go to Odesa, Ukraine, for 18 months. Of course, I followed the news updates closely, and I touched base with the Ukrainian friends that I had made while I was in Odesa. Most left to other parts of Europe.

The two-year mark of this war does remind of the destruction and pain that these two years have brought for many people in and around Ukraine. But it also reminds me of God's supreme wisdom. As I write, there are Ukrainian Christians in places like Timișoara, Romania, who continue to serve God in a new place. There are Ukrainians in cities like Odesa who are accepting the gospel because when their whole world has turned upside-down they are realizing that their religion does not have answers to the questions they're asking. And on top of that, God's supreme wisdom has allowed me to see that work in Romania and Ukraine and to be a part of it. And now, beyond what I could have imagined on February 24, 2022, God is leading me back to Odesa.

Meanwhile...

For the present, I have been traveling to churches, raising support to return to Odesa. Last week, I had the privilege of being at Mark Priem's sending church (Twin Ports Baptist Church under Pastor Wagenschutz). Since I'll be working with Bro. Priem, it was an encouragement to spend time with his pastor and sending church. And the people were friendly and encouraging.

As I speak, I'm in the Ozark mountains of Missouri. Tomorrow, I'll be at Immanuel Baptist Church in Nixa. Please pray for me as I present and preach there. I have most Sundays from now to the end of April scheduled at churches, and I am continuing to schedule into the summer.

I'm at the beginning of the process, yet God has already showed me my weakness and His goodness. I am praying that I would continue to see my inability and His ability.

Prayer Requests

For those who have been faithfully praying for me, I thank you. Here are some specific requests that I have for the months ahead:

• Pray that God would provide for me to go back to Ukraine by the end of the year.

• Pray that the Holy Spirit would control my words (both when I preach and present and when I talk with churches).

• Pray that I would continue to improve in my language learning. I practice regularly, but I sense that my speaking is getting rusty from having fewer opportunities to speak.

• Pray for the church in Odesa. Bro. Priem will be gone the next two days to Romania to pick up some people, and the city has received at least one missile strike this week. Pray that the church be spiritually equipped to grow in Christ and to reach out to the lost.

As we pray, we can remember that the all-wise God (which allowed the war to start two years ago and that has been at work in all of the events since then) knows our requests and will answer in the best time and way.