The other night, after our first hour of class, I began to speak with a delightful Ukrainian couple who came here a couple of months ago due to the war. Somehow, in our conversation I asked if there went to church. They smiled and said they did. Then I asked if they were a Christian, and they said they were.
A thank God for Google Translate, for almost everything we had been saying was through this student’s translator on the phone.
But this student is more than a Christian, he is a pastor of a Protestant church in Ukraine – a war veteran – who now fights for the freedom of lost souls to the lies of atheism. The hopelessness from communism’s past makes his work all the more difficult, and yet he and his wife have joy and peace – for they have Jesus in their hearts! With around 25 or so members, they had to leave and come here for a time as Russian troops invaded their city.
While their future remains uncertain, their joy remains firm in God.
We kept talking into his phone and with a smile, I looked at them and said, “You are my brother and sister.” They smiled, nodding and said, “Yes, family.”
With joy in our hearts we bowed in prayer, their lips fervently moving in Ukrainian and mine in English and our heavenly Father eagerly listening, understanding, working and loving. How amazing!
Please pray that God would watch over the sheep they have been ministering to and grant a great harvest when He leads them back. Second, please pray for them as they adjust here and for their son back home in Ukraine.
Turners at WFI 