Odessa Mission
Poost Bowg Blogaslaveet Ukraeena!!!
(May God Bless Ukraine!!!)
It's been a lumpy little month here in Odessa, but ups, as you well know, usually tend to accompany the lumps especially when God is involved A few days ago I arrived home only to find Ira having an awful makeup-day since her emotions were getting the best of her. She had just returned from visiting our little friends at the school for handicapped children, which lifts her spirits most of the time. This time was different though. For several days straight, prior to that evening, Ira had been on a spiritual and emotional high due to the scheduled start of their weekly Bible studies with the kids, which were to begin that day. Lots of prayer went into the project, coupled with piles of love and planning. On top of that, this was all on the heels of a fabulous program we had just put on for the entire school, increasing the force of our momentum. I was almost as pumped up about these studies as Ira was because this was really her project more than anyone else's. I couldn't have been more proud of, and happy for, her. Well, the day had finally arrived. This was the culmination of all the time and effort Ira had invested, not only in the lives of the kids themselves but also in her two helpers. All of you know Olya, who's been with us for some time now, but you probably don't know our new friend, Sveta who happens to be one of the teachers at the school. She has recently joined our crew specifically for the purpose of establishing and solidifying our ongoing ministry at the school, and it's clear that this project is helping both of them grow spiritually. Olya even shared with us the fact that the preparation for these Bible studies has really motivated her to read the Bible more than ever before, so while sporting her winning smile, she said: "Oh, by the way guys (John and Ira), all of this is your fault! I just had to say that!" Unfortunately, once they began their Bible lesson with the children that day, one of the administrators called the program to a screeching halt. Even though we had cleared everything with the principal of the school and obtained his approval for our studies, this one lady told us that she couldn't allow us to conduct Bible studies with the kids because the school already had a religious group helping them. She explained that it wouldn't be right to interfere with the work that the others are doing. Though our crew politely agreed with her, to the dismay of the thirty kids present, it was still rather discouraging for our girls. The kids were so upset that they followed them all the way to the bus stop. In the kitchen that night, Ira put her head on my shoulder and said: "I really thought this was God's will. I was so convinced. Why John? Why?" In ministry, there will be lumps and we've had a few this month especially in light of little Daniel's funeral, a three-year old boy previously at the cancer ward. Fortunately, for mature Christians, the lumps often allow God's presence to be felt in ways previously unrivaled, opening our eyes to a lot of things. One, for which I'm grateful this month, is the new level of confidence I've gained in Ira's leadership qualities. Since we've already obtained permission to minister in another special school, located within our own neighborhood, I'm sure that Ira will get many chances to broaden that potential.
Here are six items that show God working in our ministry in Odessa:
(1) We've found a better facility than the diner in which to worship and it is
only two blocks from the conservatory. It's temporary until we can officially
register our church, which requires ten signatures from those who regularly
attend.
(2) Our first service is scheduled for mid-May.
(3) I finally got my official invitation and I'm leaving for Warsaw on
April 14 in order to get my religious visa. The invitation requests a one-year
visa, which far exceeds our expectations since most missionaries can only
obtain a six-month visa or less.
(4) We've found a great publisher for my book that is offering their
services for about fifty cents a copy. We anticipate the translation
of the book to be completed by early June.
(5) I had the chance to teach a two-day seminar on outreach to Muslims at
the Word of Life Church in Odessa (who issued my invitation letter) and my
Russian seemed to more than hold its own, which was comforting. It was also
good to realize how much my Russian will improve by simply preparing lectures,
lessons, and sermons.
(6) Finally, a university in Odessa has allowed me to be a
guest lecturer to their foreign languages' department as often as I please
without restricting my choice of topics. At this point, the only demand that
they've made is that I speak to the students in English. Well, believe you me,
that's one restriction I can definitely live with.
Thanks to each and every one of you for your prayers and financial support. It is hard to put into words exactly how much you mean to us.Things are certainly beginning to warm up in Odessa, so stay tuned!
Grateful in Him, John and Ira