EVERY GOOD TRIP COMES TO AN END – AND SO DOES THIS ONE

I had a very inspirational time with Inna Uruymagov. I NEVER heard one word of discouragement or saw any despondent attitude but only a voice that spoke words of faith and vision for tomorrow and the work to which God has called.

I heard testimony of visions and prophetic words that confirmed the visions – and no one knew about the visions! I heard how God was working on her character and bringing healing to it. I heard how people of the Church have reacted – some close friends backing away while others who had appeared to be “side-liners” becoming very close and opening their hearts with gifts, cards, prayer and arms of love; how the Church is beginning to grow after the departure of some.

She tells of a pastor’s wife in Moscow who had all her female organs removed as a youth but who now has given birth to two (2) – THAT’S TWO – children and with a uterus to the amazement of the physicians and how this woman gave her an expensive gold bracelet. This was given because the she believes God is healing Inna for a greater work – and to remind Inna that she and her church are praying and fasting with her for her deliverance.

She expresses what is happening to her as a work of God in preparation for a greater ministry to which she believes she with Vadiim with enter in the days ahead.

She told me that the word “cancer” has not even penetrated her conscious because in a dream God told her that she was going to go through a dark period but not to accept the cause – and the dream was just before she noticed the first lump.

I listened as Vadiim shared how God had brought a new closeness to them and their family. I heard him tell of the work the Spirit of God was doing within him and healing him of some issues in his childhood. He too was as positive as Inna.

Not one of them denied what was going on in her body, but they emphasized the work of the Holy Spirit in them and those around them. They are aware if the outcome without God but they believe in the “Unseen Evidence” of a God who heals and does all things for His purpose and to fulfill that destiny they press forward for the prize.

One thing resounded over and over – that of priorities! They shared how so many things they thought were important no longer matter and how much at peace they are with God and His work in them.

I – I left being ministered to more than what I gave. I was blessed! I’ve never felt the presence of God in a restaurant like I did on Tuesday afternoon and the sweetness of Jesus as I did this afternoon in their home.
Continue to pray as we wage with them this spiritual attack that is manifesting itself in Inna’s body. The spirit of death wants to stop the life God has put within her so she will not “mother”others from her spiritual breast.

I leave for the airport (KBP) at 2:00 tomorrow so I will see you all on Friday – well maybe not, but I will be home Friday evening regardless of whether I see you or not.

In Christ,

Dr D

A QUIET DAY BUT HARD TO HANDLE

Today was a quiet day, all alone in the apartment except for two hours of sharing with Inna and Vadiim. Because of their schedule that was all the time we could be together. But tomorrow we will spend the greatest portion of the day together in prayer. But though I was in the apartment, it gave me opportunity to do a lot of follow-up work and preparation for the coming trips.

Inna has had painful lumps appear on her jaw, and several other places. But after intense prayer the pain ceased and the lumps disappeared. She is told that there is nothing that can be done and that the cancer is spreading in her chest. But she is going forward in faith and declaring the Word of the Lord through the preaching of the Word in their Church. She is living her life in faith as though there is no disease in her body.

When you listen to her, you hear and sense the power of the Holy Spirit working. And while praying with them today I heard myself praying, “You spirit of cancer, you cannot take the life from the breast of God’s servant. You have attacked the symbolic source of sustaining life of one of God’s daughters who’s breast beats with compassion for God’s people. You cannot stop life! You cannot stop this life......”

And that is what I believe. This is a foul spirit of infirmity attacking the compassionate spiritual breast of a woman with a passion for the Word of God. He wants to stop the life sustaining Word from flowing from her to others.

Please remember to join the many people who are praying for Inna during the middle days of this week. I have requested it in every Church I have ministered here in Ukraine. I found out today that their Church has started a forty-day fast period where volunteers are fasting and praying everyday.

Thanks,

God Bless,

Dr D

TRAVEL: KHMELNITSKY TO KIEV

I am here! Where? Kiev! I am sitting at the table in the apartment of Svetlana Pokhodina about 30 minutes from the Kiev airport – KBP. I had a good but yet tiring train ride from Khmelnitsky after a three hour excursion from Chernvitsi.

And I learned something (Do not say anything – you can teach an old dog new tricks!) I wanted to purchase the three seats in a three seat coupe. Instead the girl did not listen and sold me three seats in a six seat coupe. That means that there could be at least three others in the compartment with me.

Now on an “express” train that means six seats with three facing three. I have to purchase more than one seat because of the amount of luggage. Today I could have made it easily with just two, but the third was the middle seat on the opposite side and it allowed me to take my shoes off and stretch across the isle thus relieving the cramped feeling when the person across from you fights with you for the floor space you share. (My feet do not stink!)

Anyway, all of this after an early start to complete some last minute video and audio work as well as leave Oksana material to translate.

We arrived a few minutes late for some reason. I was made aware of it because we stopped for about 10 minutes just outside Kiev. We probably has to wait for clearance to approach the terminal. We did and Eugene Taits, the Dean of International Institute of Theology - Zoe (Covenant Life University in Ukraine) met me and transported me across Kiev to where I now sit. That is after a stop at McDonald’s for a Big And Tasty with large fries and a Diet Coke. I had not had supper and it was now around 22:15 (10:15 PM for you twelve hour clock people.)

The next two days my priority will be ministry to Inna Uruymagov and her husband, Vadiim. She is the pastor’s wife who was diagnosed one year ago with breast cancer. Surgery was not a reality and besides that Inna wanted to stand on her faith. So pray and believe God with us for her deliverance.

Oh yes! For you who may be up to-date on all the blogs, I was able to confirm by flight on Thursday at 17:30 with an all night hang-out in the Amsterdam airport and then an 8:10 departure, arriving in Detroit at 10:30 and a 1:39 lift-off and a 4:27 pm landing RSW - Ft. Myers.

Thanks, and continue to pray with me.

Dr D

A GREAT BIG DAY

There always seems to be a lack of words to express what happens on a full day of ministry among God’s people. Today was no different!

Hylboka - Light of God’s Love, pastored by Dema and Natasha Nemchenko was my first assignment today. It required a 9:15 departure and I found my way back at 3:00. Between those times I shared the Word in a village about 30 minutes outside Chernivtsi. It is a simple village but there are found there people who love God.

Because the only building available for Church services is not heated during the winter the Church does not hold Sunday services from sometime between November and Easter, only prayer meetings in the living room of one family. So today was the first service for the coming months. The pastor had put out advertisements regarding the appearance of a pastor from the United States who would be praying for the sick. (I was fortunate – he told me on Wednesday.)

As you can expect when you cannot have Sunday services for several months, it is very hard to maintain any pattern of growth. So counting all of us, there were 19 present. So I preached the Word and laid hands on the sick.

Then came dinner. It was in the home of the same family who holds the prayer meeting. There were nine of us setting around a small wooden table approximately 2x3 feet. And the table was covered with dishes and eating ware. Oh yes – and delicious food. The room was 8x10 feet or at the most 9x12 feet and will all the furniture there wasn’t much room left for the table and chairs around one side while the other side was in front of the couch.

We had hardly completed eating when I was notified that we were to go to the home of a lady who had said that she wanted a pastor from America to come and lay hands on her for her healing. Since I was the first and probably only American preacher who would be in town – at least at this time – I followed my hosts to the car and across town, upstairs and into the room where this lady lay. I am not going to tell you that she got up and walked, but I do know that if she will activate her faith, the presence of God was there to heal her.

I did get 45 minutes to stretch out and allow my legs to rest along with my back. Then it was up and out to the car and across Chernivtsi to Word of Life with Pastor Vitaliy and Ira Pavlenko along with Light of God’s Love with Pastor Dema and Natasha Nemchenko (these pastors are working together in Chernivtsi). The crowd was larger, probably 100 - 110 counting children who were in another room.

The Lord had laid on my heart a challenging message - It Is Time To Break Out!. I knew he wanted me to challenge them to stop allowing the past to control their future for it was time for a new beginning personally and collectively. I completed my assignment with the Word and began to speak to them the prophetic word God was giving to me for specific people who were “boxed in” and needed to “break-out.” From there it became a healing service and ten people testified to a healing during that time.

As Pastor Pavlenko was closing the service, he was interrupted by his mother (just like a mother) but it was because she wanted to testify about the healing of her sister. On Friday evening at the prayer meeting we had anointed a cloth and sent it by her to be placed on the sister and the prayer of faith to be prayed. The sister was bed-fast on Friday and on Saturday they visited her and prayed for her. Today, they checked on her and she was sitting outside in the sun.

Sitting next to the pastor’s mother was even a more elderly lady for whom we had prayed on Friday. She could not raise her arm above her shoulder. I looked again in that direction when I heard the pastor’s mother then say, “Look at (the name I did not get).” There was the lady smiling and raising both hands above her head as easily as a ten-year old boy who had just received a new game-boy.

Tanya, the former assistant pastor of the “former church” and her husband along with Tolik and Oksana and I were sitting at a restaurant and Tanya testified that she had been healed and now could walk without any pain in her back. She along with Vika came forward in response to a specific area of the back in which the Holy Spirit led me to designate with my hand on my back. I had them to take turns and lay hands on each other at the specific spot on their backs. Vika told me before she left that she had been healed and now Tanya. Jesus is still the best Doctor! (Last names will not help you and some I can’t get straight.)

I came home rejoicing because many of those for whom I had great concern since my last visit had now taken giant steps forward and had moved beyond their personal pain from a devastating situation into which they were thrown. God is still restoring broken hearts and lives.

Now it is time to wrap up all the loose ends here by completing the CD’s of the messages; editing the college course for DVD reproduction; placing into the hands of my Ukrainian secretary, Oksana, the material that needs to be translated into Russian; and to prepare the final assignment for the students in Armyansk on the course: Kings and Priests.

Of course I must pack and be ready for the trip to Khmelnitsky and the train to Kiev tomorrow (Monday). So this is enough for now.

God bless,

Dr D

FOOD, FELLOWSHIP, LISTENING AND COUNSELING

That describes this day. Seven and one-half hours of fellowship with food and those beloved in Christ. It all began at 1:00 and ended at 9:30. But it was enjoyable and profitable.

My first meeting was with Vika Kosovan and her children. It is always a pleasure to spend time with them. Everyone is moving forward and you can see and hear the healing that has taken place in Vika. She is content with what God is doing currently in her life. She recognizes that there is coming another day when that which has been birthed in her by the Holy Spirit will be manifest. But for now she wait on the Lord and marvels at the way He brings to pass what she had been praying about.

Then I grabbed a quick stretch on the bed – without the benefit of sleep – but an enjoyable time before I jumped up and hurried down the stairs to meet the waiting car outside. After discovering that the choice restaurant of the evening was not accepting the hungry because of a private party was occupying the entire facility we returned to our choice of one year ago and enjoyed the entire room to ourselves. That was nice because we could just be ourselves and talk about the things of God without any interruptions and the sound of voices interfering with out conversation.

So the time of imparting into the life of Pastor Vitaliy and Ira Pavlenko was special. We dealt with such subjects as how to help in the counseling process of a couple who are having marital problems and are impacting others; how to share the Word with a meek and quiet spirit when you see people heading in the wrong direction without putting them on the defensive; how to walk in unity with other pastors of the city when there are doctrinal differences and other topics vital to a pastor in the first years of his ministry.

Now to complete the editing and burning of video discs of the college class in Armyansk and also the audio of the same class. I also try to leave a copy of the teachings and sermons with the pastor so he can take advantage of the Word for himself and the people he serves. So there is always work to be done and I am not sure I will complete everything by Monday noon. But who needs sleep? ME! But I’ve got a couple of hours before midnight, so I might as well utilize them and get some work accomplished.

God bless and thanks for your prayers,

Dr D

A DAY OF WORK AND MINISTRY WITH LAUGHTER

I am happy with me! I got a lot of sermon – rather “Word” preparation accomplished. I got ready for this evening, for Sunday morning and evening. The messages came easy and then all I had to do was to prepare my scriptures and the interpreter’s scriptures. Yeah! I know! You think they were already prepared!

But I am not taking about writing scripture, but putting scripture in a location to be an aid to delivery when you do not have a pulpit or at least one large enough to hold your Bible and because this way my hands are free to fling around in any way I desire. I place all of my scriptures on the back of the preceding page so that I have them directly across from the location in my message that refers to them. It saves a lot of confusion and allows me time to think clearly so that I can use words and phrases that translate easily.

And then I prepare in the language of my interpreter all the scriptures that I will be using for the message so that he or she does not have to take time to look them up and delay the presentation of the Word. It makes the whole process flow much easier and if it is the first time an interpreter has worked with me, they are shocked and when the message is over, they are thankful for this methodology. I did not say I was a “Methodist!” I said “methodology!” Look it up in your dictionary if you do not understand its meaning.

It also allows the interpreter an opportunity to look at my notes and see how the scriptures in their language fit into the message. They are often able to help me in communicating more clearly what I desire to say because of this process.

It sure is a relief to know that you are prepared and can now allow the Holy Spirit to make any changes between now and the moment the Word precedes from your mouth. Anyway, I have everything printed out! Thank God for this electronic age! I have all of my library, my sermons, teachings on a computer and a printer to print the sermons or teachings as I need them.

Well maybe I ought to say something about this evening. OKAY!

Tonight I was at another cell group in the home of Pastor Vitaliy and Ira Pavlenko. Fourteen people crowded in the 6x12 foot living room. We had close fellowship to say the least, but it was a divine evening. By “divine” I do not mean “excellent” but an evening from God.

I shared a teaching called, “Dig Deep” which deals with four reason why many who start out to serve God drop out along the way. It’s basis in found in Luke 6:43-49 where Jesus said that the man who built the house which withstood the storm and “dug deep”. The message answered the question, “Why don’t we (people) not do as Jesus stated in this passage to “dig deep” and place our foundation on the “rock”.

This led to a time of prayer and prophetic ministry midst a heavy anointing of God’s presence filling the room and speaking to people I have no way of knowing what was going on in their lives, but God did and He spoke to them

Them came the physical food! A piano bench sized table was brought into the middle of the room and completely filled with cheese, sausage, bread, butter, sugar, tea cups filled with hot tea, two boxes of pastries, some saucers, spoons etc. Like all people, food starts the conversations and they “flowed liberally” tonight. After while some began to leave, excusing themselves saying that because they were the oldest people they had to go home. A few more minutes and some others found their way out the door until there were only eight of us left.

Then the “dam burst” as conversation, laughter – hilariously flowed from one to another. Story upon story cascaded from their lips – well, mine also. We heard about all the strange foods different people eat. I was asked if I ate such things as boiled liver – responding with their word, “nit” (no). And a discussion of some of the most ridiculous types of food reached a crescendo of conversation until everyone in the room was holding their sides; wiping tears or pointing with their fingers and making fun of the latest delicacy (if that is what you call some of the things shared.)

Two and one-half hours later no one could take any more and we decided to call it an evening. All I can say is that I am certainly glad I had a ride home and did not have to walk. I am not sure I could have made it. In fact, my sides hurt even now.

One side note: Even Jody Andrews made the conversation, even though I did not share his name. Oops! I just did! O well, if you know him, then sometime ask him about the funniest incident he encountered in Ukraine. And be prepared to hurt!

Tomorrow, I spend some time with Vika and the children and then enjoy a leisurely evening meal with the pastor and his wife.

God bless,

Dr D

FINALLY A “QUIET DAY” - I THOUGHT!

My evening assignment had been cancelled and I looked forward to the first day that I did not have to go someplace, travel somewhere, or speak. But the guests from California at last night’s cell group meeting brought that to a close. But when the invitation was first made I thought okay, it will be a nice quiet evening at a nice restaurant. Wrong! But right!

It was a quiet day. I could sleep late. Get around in a lazy manner and still accomplish what I needed to do. A quick walk for a few blocks to get some needed food items, some AAA batteries and a quick lunch. That was okay. Then time to stretch out on the bed and relax while watching Dr. Quinn - Medicine Woman. A few winks of shut eye. OK!

Then a taxi ride to Reflection - a nice Ukrainian restaurant with English menus a meal with the Barkers (Richard and Jane) from California. Quiet! The restaurant was. But it was easy to tell that the family was homesick to talk with fellow North Americans. And talk they did. Three hours later we loaded ourselves into two separate taxis and headed back home.

Now do not get me wrong. It was a VERY interesting evening. The Barkers are dedicated believers as opposed to those we sometimes call Christians by name only. They are committed and would make any pastor ecstatically happy to have in the Church. Their life history unfolded as the evening progressed. From the early days with a Catholic background, a first generation US citizen from Brazil for Richard and a Mormon background for Jane to their faith in Jesus and learning how to live for Him. Not just live for Him, but live and serve as Kings dedicated to serving others.

I heard about their business – just seven years old but able to support them and employ 32 people. And then there is Richard’s snow-tubing accident that paralyzed him for a period of time and left him with no feeling in his legs and a right arm that is dysfunctional. But who finds his greatest joy in being able to be involved in ministry to hurting families and missions at home and abroad. In fact, because of the success of his business he is able to go and do what he wants, when he wants and still see his business function without him because not only did he hire and train capable workers, but led them to Christ and discipled them. Now with five children of their own, they are here in Chernivtsi, Ukraine adopting three teen age boys.

Quiet a story. Yes, there wasn’t the full restful day that I desired, but it was a great day and an opportunity to see real Christians at their best even though I had to travel to Ukraine to meet them.

Isn’t it interesting that God has his special people doing special things in special places – maybe not in the palaces of kings, but brought by Him for “such a time as this.” Even YOU!

God bless and thanks for praying. (and reading this blog.)

O yes! The cancellation of tonight’s teaching was rescheduled today for tomorrow night! Praise God! It gave me the privilege of spending the evening with the Barkers.

Dr D

A GREAT DAY: SLEEP IN AND OLIVE OIL RUBBED IN!

Finally a day begins and I could look at the alarm and say, “Forget it Bud!” And it sure felt good to lay there until 9:30 AM. I know – you think I am lazy and that I should be up at 4:00 AM and work until 12:00 PM when I am on the mission field for the Lord! Sorry, but even Jesus took time to rest.

Today’s schedule only included a walk to the grocery and then a four hour conversation with Pastor Dema Nemchencko of the Light of God’s Love. Pastor Dema speaks English good enough that we can converse (and that word is not mean the brand name of a gym shoe - some of you will understand). He and Pastor Vitaliy Pavlenko of Word of Life are both from the same former church staff. Both of these men had gathered people who were without a Church and started separate Churches. However, they came together for one meeting when I was here last fall and have been working together since. It is my personal conviction that they should continue and just make it official that they are one Body.

I was privileged to have one and one-half hours to prepare for the Cell Group that meets here at the flat where I stay and there was enough time to stretch out for a few minutes to relax the tight muscles in my back and neck. While in that position I heard the door bell and English being spoken to my hostess. So I arose and prepared myself for my presentation to the guests.

They are here from California to adopt three Ukrainian boys. They have five of their own and because of a Christian ministry who took several Ukrainian orphans to their area and placed them in homes to visit – really to be put on display for adoption they were challenged by two brothers and a third lad whom they discovered to be the most mischievous boy in the orphanage and made the decision to adopt all three.

The tragedy of this is the process they have been through. They have been here for two months and have been getting the run-around-delay-because-what-you-don’t-know-will-not-hurt-you-treatment by the authorities. Not only that but they were told they had to use a specific interpreter. Well she set them up with transportation via taxi service for quadruple the regular price and well it goes on and on. However because several people for the two Churches – now working together – also minister in the orphanage to the children they have been assisted by these families and pastors, including Oksana, my interpreter/secretary.

They have been given places to live in apartments owned by members of the church – even to the degree that one family moved out of their brand new beautiful apartment and allowed them to live there for several weeks with their entire family. Well, you are getting the picture. They came tonight just to be with the other North American from the United States. They are documenting their experiences, even to making a map with GPS markings so that several other families who are also adopting children will not be taken advantage of by taxi drivers, interpreters and the like. Next Wednesday they have a court date that they are praying will be their final step in this process.

OH! I am sorry! I was talking about the Cell Group Meeting, wasn’t I? It was a packed house, a great teacher with a great message. (What else do you expect me to say? I am not going to say that I was terrible! I like me too much to say that! Why do I like me? Because Jesus does and I will not talk bad about anything or anyone He likes – including you!)

One thing I know for sure! All plans can change! My leadership meeting for tomorrow evening has been cancelled. But, the evening has been filled. The family from California have invited us - Tolik and Oksana and me out for supper wherever we want to go to eat. So, another day and another overseas experience ends and another begins.

God bless,

Dr D

OOOOO! I forgot! The title mention Olive Oil and something about “rubbed”. Two of the ladies who attend this cell are professional — I can’t even begin to spell the word but you will understand – back massagers. So Oksana told them I have been having some back muscle problems . Since there was no body oils here, they took Olive Oil and gave me a back massage. I guess that is one way to be anointed for carrying burdens. It sure felt good.

ARRIVED IN CHERNIVTSI

Twenty hours after boarding the train we (Oksana and I) got off, alive, tired and ready for the last segment – a three hour auto ride to Chernivtsi.

I would like to tell you some great stories about the ride, but I would have to make them up, so here is the truth. It was uneventful except for the fact that I discovered that the constant moving of the car from side to side and up and down and the shaking effect produced was therapeutic. I had a twenty hour massage! The downside was that it was so noisy. And then someone next door had the audacity to knock of the wall several times during the night. I do not understand why! I was just snoring! Anyway, we made it and our drivers were waiting for us at the foot of the stairs to receive our luggage.

So that may also explain why you were not privileged to read a blog yesterday that was up-to-date. Did you ever try to type when the table was constantly moving. I “think” it may be a lot like being sea sick, when everything is constantly moving. We got on the train in Simferopol at 1:00 PM Monday, and crawled off at 9:46 AM Tuesday.

Accompanying us were two meals consisting of fish, fried pounded chicken, tomatoes, cucumbers, bananas, apples, cookies and yogurt and water. We ordered tea and hot water for me to drink the Mocha coffee Peggy left with me when we parted in Donetsk.

Our only visitor was a “EuroLife Insurance” salesman. I quickly dispensed of him and we went on with our evening of food, conversation, iPod movies - Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, some sleep and then just sitting around waiting on the Khmelnitsky train depot to arrive.

So that about fills you in on the day. Except that since it is Monday, after Easter, it is a holiday here so there are no taxis, so when Tolik and Oksana wanted to take me to “Ефесес” (Ephesus) – their favorite pizza place we had to walk and then take the bus to and the trolley from. It is always an experience to ride these systems. The vehicles are ancient, airy, rough riding and full of odors – vehicle and human.

I have four speaking engagements here along with spending time with Vika Kosovan and her children – which is always a treat.

God bless,

Dr D

Dr. David L. Deaton

CRIMEA MINISTRY ENDS OR IS THAT BEGINS?

Today is Easter in Ukraine. They celebrate it according to the Orthodox Calendar. And I was privileged to be the one to deliver the Easter message at New Life in Armyansk, Crimea - Ukraine. The Church was packed – and I mean packed. Even when I arrived at 9:45 AM the auditorium was more than half-full. There was an excitement in the air as everyone greeted me with their traditional Easter greeting. No don’t expect me to tell you what it was, because I’ve forgotten. Why did I forget? Because I can’t understand their language! And because it has been a long time since morning. Anyway, if you will read this tomorrow, I’ll try to remember to tell you what the say.

And today completed this year’s ministry in Crimea. But it is also the beginning of many new open doors for ministry. Right now I am setting in a very nice hotel room on the beach of the Black Sea. I am the guest of a couple from Chernivtsi, Roma and Tanya. They are part of the owner team and special people. When they heard that I was going to be just two hours up the road on Easter they offered to drive over to attend the service and then take me back to their seaside hotel for the afternoon and evening – which of course included some of the best food you could ask for. And....I got to eat it in a gazebo along the seaside. Boy was that salmon steak delicious! (Hungry?) They will then drive us – Okana and I to Simferopol to catch our train to Khmelnitsky and meet the vehicle that will drive us to Chernivtsi.

We were then treated to a quick tour of the coast and some beautiful cliffs overlooking the Black Sea. I got to walk down the rocky cliff to watch a diving instructor giving a lesson to some students in the sea. Then back to the hotel and a walk along the beach. While walking I saw a mare and her foal – probably six months old and I decided – which was not a smart decision – that I wanted to make friends with a Ukrainian mare. As I walked up to them, the foal moved away and the mare started turning her hinder parts toward me. I knew then that I’d better get out of there before she ignited the power in her hinder parts and caused me to be elevated like a rocket out of a cannon. You guessed it! She was ready to let me feel the power of her rear hoofs! I have decided that I am not a “diplomat interested in horse-politics”.

Just before I came to my room, as part of the conversation around a late snack, I began to share an idea I wanted to propose to my hosts. You see, I would like to have an “Idea Exchange” in Ukraine for pastors. This would not be a preaching seminar of such, but a time for pastors to get acquainted, share their burdens, communicate what has been working for them, and what God has been saying to them. I asked my hosts what the first couple of weeks looked like for them business wise every year. Tanya began to smile and before I could finish she told me what I wanted to do. Then added that she had a vision of me leading a group of pastors in their facility and wanted to tell me about it two or three times during the time we have been together, but was not sure how I would respond. Roma looked at me and told me that I have one year to plan this Idea Exchange, so I’d better get busy. WOW!

This place is beautiful. It is quiet! It is peaceful! I’d like to stay several days and just rest. But it is onward and upward to Chernivtsi.

God bless,

Dr D

WALK-WALK-WALK-TEACH-WALK-TEACH-APPOINTMENT-PREACH

These words describe another busy day in my life here in Ukraine. Late to bed (or was it early to bed this morning) because of final preparation and completing all records for the day. Then not making it all through the night even with the help of Tylenol PM. So we walk to the Church - five long blocks carrying everything needed for today. But only to get there and discover that I left my extension cord with all its electrical adapters attached to it back in the flat where we stay. So, I walk back to the flat, get the cord, then walk back to the Church to finish the set up – the video camera, the power supply and the projector along with the computer.

The leads to three hours of teaching, a break for lunch and a walk back to the flat. After a quick meal the pastor took us out to see the Ukrainian Wall. That’s right! There is the Great Wall of China and Ukraine has its own wall. It extends twenty-six kilometers from sea to sea across just outside of present day Armyansk. It was built by the Crimeans to protect Crimea from invaders of the north. It was also a barrier to the invasions of WWI and WWII from the German Armies. Many great historical battles were fought here. Then it was back to the classroom and two more hours of teaching on the subject: Kings And Priests.

I met with Vasily Gapanov, the dean of Zoe (our Ukrainian college) to answer some questions from 3-4:00. When the meeting started the Pastor approached and asked us (Oksana and I) if we wanted to retire to our flat for the evening or attend the Easter Communion Service at 4:00. He said that he would not ask me to speak unless I wanted to speak. I am smart enough – at least at times – to know those words are a request. I responded that I would do what they felt God wanted. It didn’t take long for them to know what God said, for the Assistant Pastor was quoted as saying that he believed I should speak. So, I did! Another hour and one-half of ministry after the meeting with the dean concluded.

Thank God we were then given a ride to the flat, a good meal and the rest of the night off!!!!

So here I am completing the necessary things before I crash onto the bed to see if my body would enjoy just stretching out and relaxing. I am afraid to ask it the question lest it crash now!

Tomorrow is their Easter and instead of having two services – one for the believers and one for the unbelievers they have decided to have just one and put it all together. That will be interesting to see what they mean and do in such occasions. And it means that my message will be confined to 30-35 minutes – from English to Russian. I can do it! No problem! Then we will go to a seaside hotel on the Black Sea run by some believers from Chernivtsi who will then take us to the train on Monday for the journey to Chernivtsi.

God bless and have a great Sunday,

Dr D

TWO HOURS TRAVEL+FIVE HOURS TEACHING+ONE HOUR PREACHING = ONE DAY

That sums up my day – almost! Couple that with only two-three hours sleep and you have another day in the apostolic ministry. Up at 6:00, in the car by 7:15 and then a sleepy ride for two hours to Armyansk.

The preaching was not part of the original schedule. But when asked at 4:30 if you would speak at their Easter Fasting Week Service – what to do you say? “Yes!” So I had the opportunity to lay down for 45 minutes then head back to the Church for their service. It was a good service. The people are responsive. The pastor said he was pleased, not only by words but facial expression backed up by his response during the message.

Now I’ve got to get back to lesson preparation. I must complete the PowerPoint part of my teaching by adding the scriptures for the next two lectures (at least) and also to change the color of the fonts. I got by today with white fonts and a blue back ground but as the light changed from the morning sun to the afternoon sun it all began to fade on the wall. Now that would be easy if it were not for the fact that we just updated our Microsoft Word program and I am having a difficult time finding the controls for change the fonts. But before I go to bed – whatever time that will be – I WILL have accomplished that feat.

Oksana and I are staying in the three room flat of one of the elderly ladies of the Church approximately five long blocks from the Church. And tonight because the pastor had a meeting with his staff after the service we were privileged to be able to walk that distance carrying my heavy attache case with my microphone system, cameras, Bible and several other important “gadgets.” I made it! It was good for my legs – I think! I can feel every muscle in my legs from the last several days of sight-seeing here in Crimea.

Well, that is about all for today....

God bless,

Dr D

THE DAY GOES TOO FAST AND THE TIME COMES TO CHANGE LOCATIONS

The time has come to move on to the next place of ministry. Yet, as I contemplate the need, I would like to stay longer. The lack of a proper foundation has created greatly to the difficulties the pastors face here. They and their predecessors had a burden, but somewhere, someone missed the most important facet of building – a foundation. Many, many are built on the “sands of man” and they do not stand the test. Tonight I see that so clearly!

I concluded the final service here at Evangelistic Faith, pastored by Volodia Barilo and his wife Lena. They are great people. I have yet to see a couple with so much desire and love for God and a servant’s heart – a heart that is open to instruction. It is easy to enjoy spending time with them and speaking into their lives. And as I finished teaching this evening on the Passover Table, I listened to the comments shared with me by the people as they departed. Not so much on tonight’s topic, but about what they have gleaned during the last few days that I have been with them. You could see things beginning to click and fall into place.

It is my prayer that the continual under-current that has existed here will be squelched and the stalemate that has hoovered over the Body of Believers for the past four or five years will come to an end. If only God’s people could see what happens when the ripples of leadership failure reach unbelievable distances and people! The fallout is staggering! The rumors, the falsehoods, the speculations that reverberate through the churches cause damage and spiritual stagnation.

But – I must pack and be prepared to leave at 7:00 for a two hour plus or minus drive to Armyansk and teach their college students for two days.

God bless and thanks for your prayers,

Dr D

APOSTOLIC MINISTRY

Today was full of apostolic ministry. We first traveled to Yalta to visit the man who brought Pastor Barilo to Christ. He was the pastor of the largest leading Church in Yalta at one time. Now there are over fifty churches in Yalta that derive their leadership from that work. The sad part of this is in the tragic saga of betrayal by supposed helpful leadership from those he trusted in the ministry with him, improper protection, gossip and accusations. The original church is now only about twenty. Not one of the other churches are much larger and the original pastor lives a very lonely life completely ostracized by all other pastors, separated from his youngest children, divorced and wondering what life holds for him.

I spent two hours just talking to him, giving encouragement, words of restoration and hope. I am not sure what the future holds for him, but God still loves him and that is the message I imparted to him. We left him with a smile but the loneliness and sadness still hangs over his head.

A quick trip back “home”. A nice meal. A short rest! Another trip into Simferopol and then a three hour meeting with the leaders of Evangelistic Faith. The goal? To help them begin to go forward after a period of in-activity because of a loss of vision and outside leadership into the life of the pastor and the congregation.

It was as though you were giving the first set of directions to those leaders present as to how the Church is to be led by the Pastor and the position of the leaders in relationship to the vision and direction. You could see the lights turning on and hear the wheels begin to grind again with the infusion of potential again into their lives.

It all ended with a commitment to be a voice into their lives – the life of the Pastor, the leadership and the body of believers.

Who knows what the future holds for them? Only God knows. Their faith to be obedient to the vision He has placed in their heart will tell the final story.

Back home, another late meal and now this blog.

God bless,

Dr D

A DAY OF REST? AGAIN?

I hoped against hope when I went to bed last night that today, Tuesday, would be a day of rest. But guess what? At 7:50 a.m. a knock on my door and the voice told me that I needed to be ready by 8:30 to leave for Sevastopol.

So—off we go into the wild blue yonder – hold everything! That’s not the song for this! We went off into the hills and valleys toward the port city of Sevastopol. The city was originally founded around 7 BC. (that’s before Christ). We viewed the ruins of the original city then ventured down to the “Dukes’ Docks” – that’s where the rich people docked their boats in the early days.

Sevastopol is and has been a very important city because of its harbor and the boat construction and refurbishing that has been in is history from the very beginning. During WW II it was under constant attack for over nine months before the Nazi army was driven back. (I hope I’ve got everything straight because I heard about the battle during WWI here also and much of it was similar in length of battle.) Anyway you can get the picture of the struggle that took place here. If I remember correctly, very few homes or buildings remained in tact after the battle. Only a few thousand people survived.

We had a quick “tour lunch out of the rear of the van” and completed our day by visiting the aquarium in the harbor.

Back home we went and arrived around 5:00 p.m. A quick meal and then to work but only to discover that something has happened to my AOL email system. So “IF” you get this, be glad because I have had to copy my emails while remaining online because they have not been downloading automatically. The address of who sent it is there but the content is missing. Then I discovered that the full disc that I used to have on my hard drive is missing. Wh? Because I had to replace the hard drive and I must have forgotten that I needed to maintain an original disc copy on my computer in case I needed to reinstall. I do! I don’t! So........

Tomorrow I am to go with Pastor Barilo to visit his former pastor who lost his ministry and family. The goal is to at least bring him back to Christ. Your prayers will be appreciated.

Keep on praying for Inna!

God bless,

Dr D

OLD FRIENDS - NEW MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY

The first one-half of the day was being entertained by our hosts and the Palaeontologists and the Geologist (I thought but it turned out she is a specialist in Geography - bad first translation). They took me to the home of an ancient Hun King and his palace. Then up the hill to a Greek Othodox Monastery and the first capital of Crimea. It was interesting because the Monastery was built into the limestone hillsides. The only part that resembled a house as the front. This was the way the early settles lived in this region because if afforded excellent shelter and protection from the various peoples and armies that cris-crossed this area from the Mongolians in the east to the Gauls in the west.

They ended the day by taking us up on a mountain ridge where we could see valleys in all directions and the mountains beyond them still with snow on them. There we had a “picnic” – Ukrainian style. Tea, bread, cheese and sausage. I had coffee. YUP! You read it here! They have a very tasty instant coffee. It even smells good. I’ll bring some home.

This allowed me thirty minutes to catch a “catnap” before heading out for the evening service. I would tell you the name of the Church, but Oksana is already deep into a conversation on the telephone with her husband in her room and I do not want to bother her so just accept the fact that I was at a Church tonight.

It was the result of an invitation for a couple who had been on staff at Revival Fire in Dnipropetrovsk - Nicholay and Marina Alexeyenko. The Church they pastor is in a working relationship with another Church and pastor for the purpose of seeing if God is leading them to combine the Churches. The pastor with whom they are laboring is a graduate of Christ For The Nations, a Ukrainian with US Citizenship – Dmitry and Helen have three children and I found them to be right on target. They understand the struggle of how many Ukrainian pastors are destroying the very foundation of the Church by “driving” the people to work for God and yet lose their own families as they do the “work.” It was an exciting evening of ministry.

Nicholay and Marina asked be to go by their house after the service and pray for their three boys. We did and as I was praying for them I began to prophesy over the boys. We departed and headed to the office to eat and have fellowship with Pastor Dmitry and Marina began to tell me that I prophesied over each boy exactly what at had been prophesied over them by others. The oldest will be a man of the word, the middle will be involved in music and the youngest will be a business man. Nicholay then told me that the first word the youngest boy said was a word that is used in Ukraine for the equivalent of the Euro and/or dollar.

For me it was confirmation that even with the barrier of the language, God still speaks confirmation into the lives of people.

We now have another open door for ministry. In fact, Nicholay said that he was in the process of building a five bedroom house and the next time I would only have one place to stay when I came and that was with them. That makes for two really nice places to stay here in Crimea. I think I hear God saying, “Crimea!” Well, maybe it is only my body enjoying the very pleasant hospitality and homes that are open to us here.

O yes! Another new experience! The van broke down on the way to Church– a Mercedes Van! So we had to catch one of the van-buses and ride it all the way across Simferopol to our destination. The last time I was here the car of the same pastor had to be towed 45-50 miles back home after he took me to my next assignment. Please pray for Pastor Barilo – this is just another trial for him.

I made the mistake of asking Oksana if “they” had anything scheduled for us for Tuesday. She said “yes!” However the van situation may change all of that. It would be good to have Tuesday completely free. I have a leaders’ meeting Wednesday and a Communion Service Thursday and then two 9 hour days of teaching concluding with Easter Sunday (There Easter is one week behind ours this year. It varies and is in more line with the Jewish Passover date because they use a different calendar for the religious days.)

Time to hit the sack,

Dr D

A SUNDAY OF MINISTERING THE WORD AND MINISTERING!

An early start and a late finish! That sums up the day!

I had to leave the house at 8:00 for a 10:00 service (waiting one and one-half hours for them to get set up, etc.). Then preaching the Word, prophesying, praying and receiving one into the kingdom (but after talking to the pastor this may have been a “set-up” instigated by a man the church to cover-up the fact that his daughter is moving to Malaysia and marrying an unbeliever, so he was instructed to come to the altar and pray this morning.)

This was all joy and exciting. The real work began at 3:00 PM, after dinner. The pastor and his wife began to pour out their hearts to me. Let me put it this way, it was so impacting that my interpreter was seen wiping her eyes! I even had a hard time to keep from becoming emotional.

It all began with them telling me about the two pastors with whom they had a close relationship and trusted in the past but who have divorced their wives so they can no longer respect as spiritual leaders. They then talked about other well-known pastor profess to want to help pastors and churches if they will join their association. However, in time there is no help evident and they are expected to send money monthly to be part of the association and to attend their yearly conventions which cost these local pastors about one month’s salary to attend – there has been no concern except for expecting them to send money and attend.

Then I heard about the night they were awakened to see fire higher than a four story house and be told that someone had set their car on fire. Shortly thereafter, people in their church began to complain because he was so busy trying to reach and help children and youth that he had no time for them. But when he had time they had nothing to say.

Then his wife fell down the stairs and broke her leg so severely, that it was only hanging on by flesh. Murmuring and complaining continued among the people. One day the pastor discovered that his hearing was almost completely gone in one ear. Now he cannot talk on the phone because he cannot understand anything, so how can he talk with his people. He cannot attend any conferences because he cannot understand what is being said. His only comfort is talking to his animals – pigs, chickens, ducks, geese, and a goat.

Some “spiritual friends” or at least they think they are, told him that God punishing him for some sin. It sounds like he has had a visit from Job’s friends. That is why his car was burned, his wife broke her leg and he lost his hearing. The even told him that they knew he and his wife would soon divorce because he had been so close to the other pastors. Now mind you – these are people to whom he is given his life when no one else cared for their souls.

He is so tired of hearing about how successful some pastors are – well how much they brag about what they are doing that he does not want to be around any except for a few who come to visit him. He told me that he has no one to whom he can talk or share his personal struggles but his wife. He just wants to be able to sit down and talk pastor to pastor and be able to be honest and open his heart and allow his friends to really be friends so they can help each other.

He finally says, “I do not know if I should remain as pastor, turn the church over to another pastor or just walk away. I am so tired and discouraged I do not know what to do.”

As they talk you know that soon the question will be, “What should I do?” You know you cannot tell him what to do because he must hear that from God. But you also know that you are here at this time by divine providence because you tried and tried to schedule these four open days, but all options fell through. You recognize that your task is to assist him in such a way that the revelation about what to do comes through him so that in the future he can rely on the knowledge that he is doing what God spoke to him. So you begin to ask questions to guide him in that self-discovery. You know in your mind that this is going to take all the days that you have, but somehow you must open up and share some of the trauma from your past so they will know you understand and feel their pain. You begin and after a while you stand, place your arms around them and begin to heave, groan and weep with their pain as you hear them weeping in your arms. Their sixteen year old daughter walks in and seeing tears in her eyes, you reach out and take her in your arms and hold her as you pray for her also.

You go to your room and search your heart and call out to God for help in the next four days that will give them direction for the future.

Sitting here reflecting on the events of the day, I recognize God’s hand in delaying my visit to Crimea the past two years. I am here at His time, for His people – all by Divine Providence. In fact, it is only the providence of God that I have this opportunity for ministry in Ukraine – a Joseph experience. All of this because what I thought was a traumatic experience and the devil meant for evil, God intended it for God.

Here in Ukraine! Two pastors going through traumatic experiences! I am here to stand beside them. O God help me to be Your arms, Your voice, Your flesh on this earth at this time to Your people to whom I have been sent!

Thank you Life Church for sending me!

Dr D

TOURIST DAY

Today I was a tourist. I did the tourist thing. I toured! Well, let me say I was “toured.”

My hosts and some friends, a paleontologist and a geologist - husband and wife, from the Church, Evangelistic Faith too me to, as they translated it, “The well on the slope of the mountain.” On the top of the mountain called “Tent” they showed me a large hole in the ground. The wife explained that she along with her husband in 1975 descended into the hold with some others. There they discovered a the beginnings of what became a large cave. The cave was opened to visitors in 1997.

The hole had been the beginnings of an underground river. In the bottom of the hold they discovered ancient skeletons of animals, about seven different types of animals. Some of the skeletons are laid out in the first area just about 50 feet from where the hole enters the cavern about 100 feet below the surface at this point.

I wondered why neither one went on the guided tour with us, but they explained after the tour that they wanted to remember it as they first explored it. It was a fascinating experience only because I had meet some of the first people who went into the depths of the mountain to explore.

Then we ventured from the Simferopol area southeast to Yalta and the palace where President Roosevelt, Prime Minister Churchill and Stalin signed the Yalta Pact. It was also very interesting although I remembered as we approached the palace that I had been there about seven years ago. However this tour was more intensive and with much more information and explanation. Now, I would tell you all about it but I may mix of the facts and so I will wait until I get all the dates and names straight, or you can go on the web and search it out for yourself.

In other-words, this was a day off and I was able to take advantage of it because of my hosts and some of the people from their Church and the help of Olga by my side as an interpreter. She is also from the Church and is an English teacher in her first year. Olga is substituting for Oksana Zelevinska, my secretary and interpreter who will arrive via train from Kiev by train at 11:58 – about the time I finish my sermon – which is a fifteen hour ride while rumbling and grinding.

It was an eight hour tourist extravaganza.

I DID! I have been in contact, four times, with the Ladies of Life Missions’ Team today. Everything was a great success with great appreciation from Pastor Andre and Ira Ivanov of Abundant Life in Kiev. They will have to tell you all about it themselves.

So until I return with the next blog ........ remember to keep praying for Inna Uruymagov.

God bless,

Dr D

CHOO-CHOO-TRAIN

Children may love a train ride, but this adult thinks they are better than a car for some journeys here, but they are certainly not “fun”. Now do not get me wrong. Being alone in a coupe’ is better than having three strangers in it with you, but it can still be a long lonesome and sleepless journey. Even if it is only nine hours in length it seems like an eternity. However, I made it safe and secure all by myself. Simferopol was there and waiting for me and so were my hosts.

Volodia and Lena Barilo and one happy couple. I have not seen them in five years. So he helps me get my last bag off the train and then turns to me and as if we have not been apart, cracks the same joke we had thrown back and forth five years ago, saying, “You gornish.” (Being interpreted means - something like “you are wacky in the head – I guess it is better to own up and say that I’ve forgotten the true meaning, but you get the idea. But if you don’t then, “Your gornish.”)

After a journey of 35-40 minutes we arrive at their home. I had heard they built a new home, but I was not sure what kind of home as I looked at some of the houses we were passing as we slowed down and turned onto a dirt road (did I say “road” - I should have said a “dirt path for vehicles. You needed a GPS to find your way around the mud holes.) Anyway we pulled up to a steel gate and I almost my jaw almost became dislocated when I looked over the fence at the four story house. As we moved into the drive I saw a very neat flower garden, fruit tree, garden area that surrounded the house with a brown picket style fence separating the drive from the “garden area.”

Then I noticed that the paths were all gravel and separating the garden areas from the gravel was a cement curb, that had been painted a faint pink, winding its way throughout. The area I was looking at was about 3/4 of an acre. The cherry trees were beginning to bloom. Flowers of all kinds were displaying their new growth in preparation for the coming blooming season. Newly planted seedlings had been whitewashed to protect them from insects as had the cherry and peach trees. There wasn’t a week a weed in sight.

Surrounding tree sides of the enclosed property I discovered were a garage; a work shop; pig pens holding pot-bellied pigs or all shapes and gender; chickens in pens of all sizes; an old street-car type building containing two rooms, another open area work and storage; a steel bin holding coal; and every building had gutter and pipes that moved all the water from the roofs into steel storage tanks. Every building, fence had been freshly painted. There wasn’t anything that appeared to be out of order. And in this area I found a summer kitchen with everything needed to cook as well as a couch. Next to it a laundry room with a toilet, sink and new washing machine, which means running water. Then there was an area of about 20-25 feet where you could hang clothes under a roof and one closed side or sit there during the summer or as I did today, to enjoy the sun and be protected from the cold breeze. Lest I forget, I discovered that there was a goat and some geese outside across the lane.

But that is only the beginning of the tour. I was taken into a house that Volodia called, “Noah’s Ark.” The front of the house was oval with straight sides and back. There is a basement. Then you enter you find yourself in a room filled with flowers on your right, accompanied by the shoes of the family. On your left is a quarter circular stair leading to the three floors above. The floor is all tiled. You walk down a short hall with a toilet on the right, a door to the basement on the left, and a door to the furnace. Next on your right you see a room for the food storage, including a refrigerator and freezer. Directly across you see a typical small Ukrainian kitchen with a small table and four stools. The hall ends in the living room which is finely decorated with a tiger motif, literally - small stuffed tigers line the back of the couch that curves around one corner and accompanied with a larger table, six chairs and a wall with book cases containing pictures, mementoes, a TV and in the corner behind the door a Styrofoam incubator containing eggs. Each had either a red or black “X” (do not ask me which or why).

The second and third floors each contain a landing with beautiful plants and one pot of sunflowers – the biggest and most beautiful I have ever seen (and I’ve seen acres and acres of them in Ukraine). You enter a carpeted room with a toilet on your right. Next to it a shower room, about 4'x4' with the sink all in the same area and floor level. This room contains two matching wardrobes and off it are two bedrooms with pull out beds extending from a couch. The fourth floor is one big room with a table tennis sitting folded up on one side and a table the entire length which would seat 25-30 people.

I asked their daughter, Kata, (better Katie) how long it took her dad to build the house. She said, “Nine months.” I would have said, “impossible,” if I had not seen this man work. He moves at the speed of light in everything he does, which includes driving, talking or smiling – and there is always one on his face. I do not think I have ever seen a more happy individual in all my life. Now I remember why I wanted to get back to Simferopol and be with this couple. Though she speaks very little English, and he does not speak any, they have a unique way of communicating with you and you feel at ease though you speak a different language.

I have today, tomorrow and Sunday without Oksana Zelenivska to interpret for me, but their daughter, Katie (16) speaks very good English and so I’ll get along great and enjoy the hospitality of these jewels of God’s Kingdom of workers.

Marilyn just called me and told me that their evening was great and so were the speakers – the Ladies of Life Missions’ Team. Marilyn has started the first stages of a cold, so prayer for her.

Marilyn also told me that Inna Uruymagov’s cancer is breaking through the skin. Three of the ladies will go there tomorrow morning to pray for her. They live maybe 2-3 blocks from where the ladies are staying. And I have been able to change my ticket and will remain here four more days, which I will be spending with Vadim and Inna. Instead of leaving on Monday the 27th, I will depart on Thursday the 30th and arrive back in Ft. Myers on Friday evening at 4:30 PM. I will have to spend Thursday evening in the Amsterdam airport but I must be with them at this time of crisis. God is still the healer and I’ll be praying for the display of His power in her life and body.

Join with me in prayer, on the 28th till the 30th, specifically and also be in prayer for her from beginning now.

Soliciting your prayers,

Dr D

PACKED AND READY TO GO

It is now 12:30 PM here and everyone is packed - well almost - one is still finishing and one interpreter has to pack, but the rest of us are finished. I will NOT tell you who is or isn’t. So........guess!!!!

We just had a visit from Pastor Edward Malyshev from the Rock of Salvation Church in Enakievo. He was so excited about what happened in his Church this past Saturday and Sunday. The smile was from “ear-to-ear” and sometimes I think it went all the way around his head! He said the doors of Rock of Salvation were open all the time for us and any team we wanted to bring. He also expressed that doors of a couple of the churches of his friends would also be open. I promised him that his name was at the top of my list for the next time we are in this area.

The economic situation is so bad here and the need is so great. The government is giving land to Churches so they can raise some finances for the coming elections. This happened before the previous elections also. Then they stopped it, so now is the time for them to take advantage of the open door. Though the land is free, there are some expenses for obtaining the documents necessary. It is a great opportunity but it can also be expensive. But the faith of the people is high and they are willing to stretch their faith to obtain the land. So keep them in your prayers.

We leave here at 3:30 and travel to the city for the ladies to finish their “looking” and to be at the train station in time for Alys West to exchange her train ticket back to Odessa and get a ticket from Kiev to Odessa. Many of you will remember her from Life Church. She attended while preparing to go to Ukraine. Her return to Odessa was not scheduled to leave until Friday evening, so she is taking my space on the train to Kiev so she can be with the ladies. She will actually get back home about the same time as if she took the train from here, (Donetsk) to Odessa. That shows you how much fellowship is important to those from the US who labor in other countries.

You will probably not have any updates until Saturday, unless the ladies update you from Kiev. I will return to the air – I mean the blog on Sunday because all I will be doing is traveling and getting settled in my next location through Saturday.

God bless and thanks for your prayers,

Dr D - And of course: The Ladies Of Life Mission’s Team - Marilyn, Peggy, Tammy, Colleen

LAST SERVICE IN DONETSK

Tonight was our final service while in this region, the church was beautiful one of the nicest we have visited so far. It is still so humbling to look out into a crowd of women and see on their faces years of hardship and oppression. It is a constant reminder of how blessed we are in America and how our nation has lived free from such things because of our God.

The meeting went very well, I have learned so much about the ladies on our team and have been blessed to see how God is using them and drawing from with in them years of the Word that has been sown. When you come on a trip like this I don’t think any of us feel qualified, thank God it is HE who qualifies us. What He needs from us is our willingness to be used for His Glory and you would be so proud of the ladies here representing Life Church..

Tonight we had the privilege of praying for a lady to be Baptized in the Holy Spirit, as well as having one on one counseling time. The women really appreciate us taking time to sit and pray with them, they are so thrilled that they KISS you constantly - They love Peggy and she has been kissed more then anyone I have ever known.. Several have asked her if she had a son they could marry.. She is doing great.

Tammy spoke and shared from her heart and it literally penetrated to the heart of each person. She spoke the Word with boldness and confidence and I know it made a difference in the ladies lives.

Marilyn has given us so much opportunity to share, she greets the ladies at each meeting and shares a Word or something from her heart then at the end she ties it all together and encourages all of us as well as the women. If it was not for her none of us would have this opportunity.

I spoke on Forgiveness and several stood for prayer. I know that when we sow the Word it will and does accomplish what it was sent to do..

See you soon, Colleen

SURVIVOR DONETSK!

Odds: 6-1, today 7-1! And I SURVIVED! You read it here first! I survived six ladies for six days and then seven on the seventh day! That sounds like a Jericho March! Not bad for a man who is used to being in charge!

Anyway, everything has been great. The Ladies of Life ministered with excellence in all areas and the Spiritual was the highest! Just wait till you hear them tell about their experiences with the culture, the food, the people, the churches, the traffic and everything that goes with such an experience.

Tomorrow evening we go separate ways. I help them onto their train to Kiev and then one hour later board my train for Simerfopol. Their ride is twelve hours and mine is 9 hours. They will spend the morning shopping for some typical Ukrainian goods, and then settle in for ministry at Abundant Life, Pastor Andre and Ira Ivanov for Friday evening and Saturday. Then it is finish all they want to do Saturday evening and be ready to head to the airport at about 3:00 A.M. Sunday morning. They will arrive home at 5:57 PM Sunday evening - Southwest Regional.

I am not sure about being able to switch my ticket. I hope to find out in the next couple of days, at least by Monday.

Thanks for your prayers,

Dr D and Ladies of Life: Marilyn, Colleen, Peggy and Tammy

THIS WAS NOT A MAN’S DAY! BUT IT WAS ANOTHER DAY FOR MINISTRY

It all started with the ladies lively and talkative. Why? They were going to go shopping. Now that isn’t unusual for ladies and particularly in a foreign country. I had figured that I’d be able to stay in the room and get some work done. But all insisted that I go along, so I tagged along from place to place until we all ran out of steam and headed back to the restaurant where we knew we could get some good food. I am a SURVIVOR!

I did have the privilege of remaining in my room tonight and did accomplish completing my teaching for Armyansk in two weeks. So let’s here about their evening of ministry at a daughter church of Christ The Savior Evangelical Church.

Pastor Marilyn opened the meeting tonight with a word of encouragement and a short message about renewing the mind with the washing of the Word. Colleen followed with a message on Believing for your Family, having faith and trust enough to be able to release them to God.

Tammy gave her testimony, sharing her life with alcoholic parents and how she had to make a decision to forgive. She closed with an encouraging word to the women to make a choice to forgive not only the person who hurt them but also forgive themselves.

Peggy shared a message on obedience and a submissive heart. Pastor Marilyn closed with more encouraging words and then ask the women who had been touched by the messages to stand so that she could pray with them. The entire room of women stood and Pastor Marilyn prayed a prayer over them.

Before we closed the meeting we offered prayer counseling and many of the women in the room came forth for prayer. It was a wonderful meeting and the women were very receptive and open. They had some very delicious tea and pastries waiting for us when we finished the prayer counseling.

Peggy

Peggy shared the nuts and bolts of our evening - but following the service they had prepared tea for us and we enjoyed pastries and fellowship with some of the women. We laughed and had a good time.

Again tonight, we found women like we are - desiring the same things for the families and their lives as women in America do. We also saw hurting women. Alcohol abuse is rampant. Most of these people have not seen any kind of model of Godly homes or relationships so there are family problems of every kind. We see a lot of hopelessness and despair. I am thankful that we have had an opportunity to pray with women and encourage them with the Word as it is the greatest hope giver.

All of us agree it seems like we have been gone forever. We were discussing tonight how everything takes longer to get accomplished. Living out of a suitcase, in an unfamiliar environment isn’t all fun and games. Just fixing something to eat without all of our conveniences can be a chore. Not complaining mind you – just explaining that our days end up seeming very full and busy while time seems to drag.

We only have one more service in this Region before we head to Kiev for our last meeting – we are praying the service tomorrow night will be a wonderful finish to our time here.

Marilyn

Sleep is becoming a priority. The ladies are in bed relaxing and all are trying to get to sleep. And since I have nothing else to report, I am signing off also.

Dr D with the Ladies in Ukraine

BUSY–BUSY–BUSY–BUT GOOD

We ministered at a ladies meeting in a very nice church in the town of Gorlovka. The car ride is always eventful. Colleen says the pot holes are big enough to have gift shops in them!! Anyway, we were greeted by a group of what I would classify as “old time” Pentecostal women. They are not allowed to wear pants to church and they keep their heads covered with scarves. We showed up dressed in nice “pant” suits and of course not a scarf to be had!! I have to admit that I was immediately intimidated by these very serious-faced ladies, most of whom were over the age of 50. Marilyn greeted the crowd and I was given the “blessing” of being the first to speak. Well, I looked out into the crowd and was immediately stricken with terror. Not a smile in the place!! Well, actually there may have been a couple smilers in the group but I was too nervous to notice. I spoke on not limiting what God can do in your life. I had prepared about 6 pages of notes. By the bottom of page 3 I looked up at these very serious faces and experienced what some might call an anxiety attack. So I immediately closed with “Don’t Limit What God Can Do in Your Life” and I couldn’t get off that stage fast enough!! So much for building my confidence!! I’m a coward and I admit it!! And I guess I should have listened to my own message because I definitely limited God!!

Colleen shared a brief message and Peggy closed the service with a message on obedience and submission. She did such a good job. She was even able to get a few laughs as she shared. At the end, we once again broke into two groups and the ladies of the church lined up for prayer and counseling. I was surprised that a couple of the ladies mentioned that they didn’t want to limit God in their lives. So, to my surprise they were listening after all. It is amazing that these ladies share the same hurts, desires, and dreams that we all have in the US. They are worried about their children getting saved, their husband who has lost his job and is drinking, they have sins in their past that haunt them, single ladies want a Godly husband, and married women want their unsaved husbands to come to the Lord, etc. The prayer time is my favorite time. I feel like we are able to minister to these ladies and hopefully make a difference in their lives.

After services, they church is always gracious and serves us “chai” which means tea in Ukraine. In addition, they serve fruit, chocolate, cakes, and this “Ukrainian” sausage on bread (enough said about that!). Today, however we were blessed with homemade apple butter - it was AWWWWWESOME!!!

Page 2: Dr D

It all began at 4:30 and ended at 10:00. I was picked up by the pastor and driven to one of his daughter churches to see the progress of their new building. Then to his house for tea, some mashed potatoes fried in dough and sour cream, along with some ice-cream. This came along with a chat with the current family members – this is a family of thirteen children and at least six still at home. Then off to service – a leaders meeting.

We arrived and the worship was already underway. I discovered something that I knew but had forgotten. The Church is a very musically minded Church with three different choirs and several groups that lead worship at various times. But each group has their own style of music. You can participate in opera style religious music, traditional, and contemporary music. You get one style before the message and a different one after the message. If you do not prefer one, just wait, yours will be coming up. AND each musician is very talented with trained voices.

I found out that the pastor was very pleased with both Sunday evening message and tonight’s teaching. That was a relief, because I was concerned. I could not tell while delivering. The church is fulfilling its calling in Donetsk. It may be different from what I am accustomed to, but there is something solid there that you must appreciate.

Oh! Yes! I was on the internet live both services. So who knows who or how many people were watching.
Then it was back to the pastor’s house for some fellowship and food. Really it was to drop of the family who filled the van and to fellowship and then we took the 30 minute journey over the potholes on the road to my abode and a sharing time with the ladies.

Guess what? I have been told that I have to go shopping with the Ladies tomorrow morning at nine – that’s 9:00 AM – so pray for me.

Thanks for you prayers,

Dr D

SUNDAY: BUSY BUT GREAT

The clock said it was time to get up and your body said, “No!” But it was time to get up and get moving. I had to finalize the messages for today and print them. And since the ladies may want in shower, I had better get there first and get out quickly, even though it was not yet 7:00 A.M.

My assignment was to minister at Rhema Church, the Church where we are staying, at 11:00. Then I was to be driven to Christ Is The Savior Church in Donetsk – about 45 minutes distance for their 5:00 P.M. service.

Marilyn and Tammy were to go back to Rock of Salvation in Enakievo for their service which was scheduled for 1:00 P.M., though they departed at 11:30. Peggy and Colleen were the speakers for the Ladies session here at Rhema Church in Makeevka at 2:00.

Listen to them express their events:

Colleen opened the meeting with a talk on the triune being (Spirit, Soul, Body) and it’s function. Afterwards Peggy shared speaking to women about the importance of submission and obedience and through her testimony they were able to identify with what she was saying which created a connection between her and the women. There was a time of ministry for those who wanted prayer. In total there were about 15 women ministered to.

Peggy and Colleen

Short! Can you Imagine! These two have never been short on words, but again when one of your husbands is hooked on John Wayne and sends the worst of the crop for you to watch when you can’t sleep so you watch until 4:00 A.M. what else do you expect? Seriously, it is true, but the time change got hold of them.

Here is the spokesperson for the other ladies:

One thing Tammy and I both forgot to tell you yesterday was about our hour drive to the Church. It is impossible to describe the roads at any rate, but when they have cut what appears to be big square pot holes all over the highway (in anticipation of repair) and the driver keeps trying to dodge them it makes for a harrowing drive. Both Peggy and Tammy were sick and DID NOT want to make the trip back today where I was to speak. I had already asked Colleen to be here for the ladies meeting with the anticipation that one of the gals would stay with her and the other one go with me.

Tammy willingly came with me and was such a blessing as she shared her testimony which is one so many people here can identify with.

When we came on this trip, although my husband is here and having ministry, we had purposed this trip was about the team and their ministry. It is a very hard concept for the Ukranians to understand and as always they would like everything to revolve around him. Our driver has taken it upon herself to orchestrate things for us and before service she was speaking with the pastor and somehow I got wind that she was letting him know what time we had to leave so we could pick up Dr. D. and we could get to her Church. I know you might find this somewhat a surprise, but I quickly let everyone know we were there, in that Church and with the Pastor until everything was completed. She might not have been to happy but the Pastor was very happy as he wanted us to come to his home and have “relationship” which he said was very important. To him and to me.

Tammy was a little chagrined that this same gal, who wanted us to finish at a certain time had taken it upon herself to arrange to sing two songs and give her testimony.

I was able to share the Word and encourage the people. They are facing some of the same things we are in the States - bad economy, people losing jobs and homes. They have faced a financial situation in the Church as well. They are remodeling their building and have found out they have to have permits, permissions and inspections and money they thought would provide them gas lines and heat has to be used for these legal things. They were taking a special offering and were thrilled it was the biggest offering they had ever received. About $60 and later when Tammy and I were talking we realized she and I had put in 5/6 of it. They were certainly blessed by an offering that broke the record of what they previously received.

We also had some one come to Christ and when I had finished praying for her asked for those who could identify with some part of the message and desired prayer to stand - everyone stood and there was a sincere and earnest prayer. As soon as I finished the Pastor stepped up and said they were having communion and for me to do it. This gives a whole new feeling for being “instant in season.” The only problem I had was when I took the cup – it wasn’t juice and the surprise was written all over my face as the interpreter was watching me.

We went to the Pastor’s apartment for a wonderful dinner his wife had prepared for us. It was a precious time and the Pastor assured us that here is always an open door for us and to please, please come again. This was the first time they had ever had something for their women and they were encouraged that something was going to grow from it.

Thanks so much for your continued prayers. Marilyn

.........Now I continue....as Marilyn calls about 3:45 and informs me that they will not be able to return in time for our driver to take me to my evening engagement which I thought was at 5:30, the same time as last October. She quickly returns to the air with another announcement, I must take a taxi and get there ASAP because the service is at 5:00. I made a call to our driver and put her on the phone with the Luda Gorbachev, the pastor’s wife here at Rhema so she could get the information to tell the taxi driver where to take me because I will be without anyone to translate for me.

Shortly they inform me that they are going to drive me there. What a relief! They do and I arrive late – 5-10 minutes to be greeted by the Pastor and his wife waiting at the gate. I walk in and the sound of a trained choir greets me. I sit down to wait for what I figure will be 45 minutes but only to hear, “You are next after the choir.” Thank God they sang three more songs, and where they lovely. I only wish I understood all the words.

If you want to know how the service was, call and ask Pastor Alexandar Zaystev. But I will tell you one thing - I had a struggle because of the interpreter. He is young and really inexperienced and therefore created a dynamic I wish had been avoided for the sake of better communication. His mother-in-law-to-be is our driver and she thinks he is wonderful – for her daughter yes, for me, NO! But that goes with the territory. I will say he is good interpreting Russian to English for me, but not an English to Russian sermon.

Marilyn, Tammy and Natasha, our driver, meet me about 7:15 at the Church. Wen they finished their service, supper and fellowship it allowed them time to do some grocery shopping and then be at the Church in time to pick me up. It saved a long trip for both.

We arrived back at Rhema Church and our quarters to find Peggy and Colleen chowing down on salsa and chips, after having chicken, mashed potatoes, soup, salad, and who knows what else – and who cares because they were having a great time.

I finally checked out on the “catch-me-up-on-what-happened-to-you-today-gab-fest” and retired to work on this only to have to give up the computer for the ladies to put in their thoughts.

O well, tomorrow is another day and I need to hit the sack and get some sleep because my assignment tomorrow is to speak on the subject: The Church and the Jewish People. If you have any material send it quick!

God bless,
Dr D and The Ladies

A FULL AND BLESSED DAY OF MINISTRY

We ministered at a small gathering of women this morning in Enakievo at Rock of Salvation Church. This was the first women’s meeting the church has ever had and the Pastor’s wife, Liana Malyshev, was very excited to have us come and minister. They opened with praise and worship and fortunate for us they sang songs we were familiar with and so we were able to enter in using English!! Marilyn spoke on removing our grave clothes and letting go of the things that are in our past that we hold on to. I shared about fulfilling the call God has placed in your life, Peggy shared about submission, and Colleen closed by sharing about the importance of forgiveness. I think the women were truly blessed with the words brought. We took a short lunch break - Russian food - uhhh not much else to say about that!! Then after lunch we broke into 2 groups and had one on one prayer time with the ladies that were there. It was a really blessed time with these ladies who shared their hurts and concerns. We were able to pray for them and encourage them.

There was a woman there that asked for prayer. He husband recently lost his job and started drinking heavily and then she was fired a couple of weeks later. The bank says they have 3 days to come up with their house payment. The economic problems we are facing in the US are happening all over the world. We cried with her and prayed for. It is very hard - I would love to fix all her hurts but I know that only God can do that. The prayer time was a very special time. I have to admit that this trip is stretching me in many ways and God is doing a work in me through ministering to others and I am so thankful that Dr D and Marilyn invited me to come - this is a life changing trip for me!!

Tammy

This is Marilyn and I am just so thankful for the team God put together and their willingness to be stretched and used. Both last night and today they did an awesome job and spoke to the heart of issues and ministered to the people. They shared with boldness and confidence but most importantly with the anointing of the Holy Spirit – with out His workings in our lives and through us all of our words would be for naught.

We have a gal who is driving for us and she has been ministered to. She told us at supper that she expected to have to listen to the same things over and over again – and she has been surprised and touched to hear a fresh word that has touched her life. If for no other reason - this trip would be a success. PTL!

And I am Dr D! I stayed in our “Home Away From Home” and worked. So pat me on the back! (It hurts and I think that the “pats” would make it feel better.)

God bless until you hear from us in our next blog!

Dr D and the Ladies

P.S. Please forgive me for the delay in getting the first blog posted. We had communication problems. It is fixed and so we are “blogged”!

Ukraine, Here We Are!

It was some trip! One man! His Wife! AND THREE additional women! Yet I was fortunate (I’d say “blessed” except that I do not want to sound super-spiritual) because my seat was never closer than three rows. (That was because I was booked on a separate booking and not by choice so you ladies can stop picking on me.)

We did not have any problem on the flight or getting through customs, etc. Everything was a breeze. It was windy at times from the vicinity of the position of the ladies, but they were having a good time – in between their attempts at sleeping – which did not go good with any of them.

We zipped out of the Borispol airport and on our way to a restaurant, a quick walk to a department store for a quick look, then a cup of speciality coffee for all but me (not Starbucks) and then off to the train station. There we hired a porter to take our bags to the train. To my surprise we had to walk with him and it was the long way around. We made it with the help of a male Italian single who could speak English and was lonely in the presence of the Russian speaking roommates he had. He helped me place the bags on the top bunk and at 50 pounds lifting them up was a problem in the narrow room.

A time for a snack before bed and then off to “Z-Time” in a rocking and rolling noisy hot bedroom on a very narrow bunk and knowing that you better not snore or you will keep Oksana Smertina, our interpreter awake. She was on the bottom bunk across from Marilyn. Colleen, Tammy and Peggy were two doors down with Oksana Raskind the other interpreter who lives in Kiev. The night went fast at times and then very slow at times as we rolled down the rails, “click-ity-clack, click-ity-clack,” “bing-bang,” and then “screech-screech” as we stopped at various stations along the way.

Then the process of getting up and beating the crowd to the bathroom so we could be the first to “dirty” it. Then make our beds and get things ready to depart the train. After which we then ate a snack, bananas, cookies, yogurt and the ladies had their morning “tea”. But the best thing was arriving at the Donetsk station. Well, almost! Because then I had to get the bags down and drag them down the narrow hall to the stairs and then hand them down to Marilyn and Natasha, who had come to pick us up. I am not sure who was happier – me or the “lady sergeant in control of our car” to see me leave.

Did you every go grocery shopping with six (6) ladies – all of whom have their own taste and their own ideas of what would be good to eat the next seven days? The bill – was it high or low? It is your guess! Well, it is probably better for me to tell you – 602+ G’s (that is 602.02 hryvna.) Divide that by 8.22 and you will have the cost of the food. Not bad for everything we had.

Then we really began our journey to Rhema Church. It took about 45 more minutes to go from Donetsk to Makeevka and then to the outer area where the Church is located. Thank God for the men in their second stage of rehabilitation from addiction. They carried the luggage up the long hall, the stairs and to our rooms. I would NEVER EVER had made it by myself.

The pastor’s wife, Luda Gorbachev, had a snack ready so we ate, chatted for a while and then I headed off to get some sleep. Therefore I cannot fill you in on what the ladies did, except then they had all taken a shower, washed their hair by the time I got up some four hours later. But I can tell you that 5:00 came too soon and we headed out to the van for a trip to “Your Victory Rehabilitation Center”.

Tammy and Peggy shared their testimonies and Colleen brought the message. I am happy to say, I sat there with great pride as I listened and wept (inside) with their presentations. Two men came forward to receive Christ. It was a great start to a great trip.

Please pray that Northwest Airlines will grant me a flight change for my return flight. I need to stay and spend time ministering to Inna Uruymagov. Vadim and Inna visited us in December of 07. She has been diagnosed with breast cancer and they are struggling. She calls her “Daddy”. She never had a relationship with her father who left early in her childhood. The “physical signs” are not good, but they are not all the “signs” nor is her condition determined by the diagnosis of the doctors, but by THE DOCTOR - Jesus Christ! So please pray for an answer to prayer, first for her and then for me to be able to change my return flight.

It is quiet down the hall. Marilyn has hit the sack. I need to, so I’ll stop and send this to be posted. I have to send it to Nicole to post because it is next to impossible to get on-line through the connection I must use.

Remember us in your prayers and God bless you,

Dr D & Marilyn with Colleen, Peggy and Tammy