A busy but beautiful Sunday in Chernivtsy!

 Sunday, May 30th- I am trying to catch up on our travel agenda because we fell two days behind earlier this week! We start early as many of you know who have traveled with us and finish late- not usually getting back to the discipleship house until 10 or 11 pm and then writing until midnight or later- I am not complaining, just always amazed at how challenging it is stay on top of things...   On Sunday I was asked to preach at 1st Baptist church- the largest in the City and the ministry home of some of our dearest friends here!  It was a great time together and great to be back with so many in the congregation that have journeyed with us for over 20 years!  One sad thing was that they decided to not wear masks or social distance and at least 10 members of this dear congregation died of the Covid virus in the last year. 

After the 9 am morning Service they gave us a cup of coffee and a sandwich before we started the second Service which was focused around our dear brother Pasha Tseona's wedding with a beautiful young lady named Susan! I was asked to give a message and I believed the Lord called me to speak from Deut. 24:5.  This is just the opposite of what is normally practiced here so I thought I might get pulled off stage with enthusiasm!  But the dear leaders and saints were well prepared by the Lord and more open than I could have ever imagined!  I know that your prayers and fasting have had a huge impact on everything God has called us to do here- our precious Savior will never forget your love and sacrifices!   After the wedding at the morning Service we headed to the reception which always lasts many hours but is full of laughter and beautiful, live music performed by amazing young musicians, many testimonies and prayer thoughout- and of course an abundance of some of the most wonderful food in the World!   But the most inspiring and humbling part of the whole day was the incredible number of young people we have walked with over the last 25 years who are now married with children and serving as pastors, choir leaders, missionaries, Sunday school teachers, small group leaders and workers in every area of the larger Body of Christ!  That is the greatest miracle and evidence of God's faithfulness that I could have ever imagined! He will not let anything done for His glory by His power fail to bear much fruit, even 30,60,100 times what was sown...Amazing Grace, how can it be!