Day 10 - Friday: In Chernivtsi

I must be adjusting to the time change! I wake up early! That is good and bad. Good, because I have one more week before getting on the plane to return home. Bad because I'll have to go through the adjustment of returning to my “original body clock time.” But that is part of the traveling in different parts of the world.

My time during the day has been trying to catchup on communication with the Ukrainian pastors with whom we have relationship; keeping my overseas records up-to-date; preparing messages for the services here; attempting to get ready for the Peru trip which follows in just five days after returning home as well as spending time with the pastors and leaders.

Today, I had the honor or laying hands on Pastor Pavlenko and his wife and “officially” setting their Church in order and presenting the shepherd to the flock. It was a joyous occasion, yet sad. Sad because of the pain the people have been through because of the decisions made by their former pastor. Yet it was joyous because they have now reached a place where the pain is no longer fresh and they have been able to put it behind them.

Joining in the celebration of the evening was Pastor Dmitry Nemchenko and his wife Natasha. We will be doing the same for him in the fall, even though he has already announced the beginning of the church he pastors, The Light of God’s Love.

Life Church now has four Churches overseas, two in Ukraine and two in Peru. So with the starting of our new Spanish Church in Cape Coral, we now number SIX and we know more will be coming.

Sunday I will be speaking in Restoration Church – a Methodist related congregation. Pastor Alexander Pinchuk has insisted that I speak for him every time I am here. He is hungry and open to the full Gospel message. His congregation has been very hospitable to those people who were without a Church for almost two years. They have worshiped together and he has allowed them to use his building for their services. So it is a privilege to minister there this Sunday – which is Easter here. They celebrate it according to the Jewish Passover timing which varies from our calendar dating method.

God bless and thanks for your prayers.

Dr. D.