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News of the week: Sergei chose to be baptized.

  

See past the ice… a young man is choosing to live a new life where Jesus rules! Wow!

 

Football fanatic? (click to expand)

JesseI am always fascinated by crowds.  Crowds at team events are even more fascinating.  The passion shown by the fans is incredible.  For many their sport fills the “God-shaped hole” in their lives, and truly they are worshippers to admire and pity!    Admire – because of their dedication; pity – because they settle for a counterfeit god.

Jesse and I went to the Manchester City – Dynamo Kiev game last Thursday (got home too far into Friday) with a group of guys from the church and Igor, a friend who I pray is not far from the kingdom of God.  Personally, I found the actual event… fine.  In spite of having played the game in my teens for four seasons, and refereeing the game, and living in Eastern Europe  – I don’t feel that much of an appreciation for the game.  Pity really.  The crowds though…!!!  What entertainment!

This past week has seen us witnessing the demise of a long winter.  Last week, –10.  This week, +10.  The river has been un-iced, and the ground is… an earthy colour!  We all went outside Saturday afternoon and did a bit of a clean-up of all that the white snow conveniently hid so well. 

GOD AT WORK? - click to expand

SergeiWhat a welcome back!  Sergei is one of the students we hired at the work site, (on the left).  He was one of the guys who heard a lot of God-talk, but whenever approached, never wanted to talk about his standing with God.  Last Sunday, Kolya came up to me after the teaching time and said that Sergei wanted to talk.  We went into my office and he said that he had decided to believe in Jesus.  I cheered!  We took 30 minutes to go through the precious truths and then he prayed.  I actually think he entered the kingdom during the week, but it was still good to hear him pray.  Kolya is so enthusiastic about God!  Igor, (looking at the camera), was also instrumental in Sergei’s salvation.<

A Return to the White World.

We have returned! Our plane touched down on a dry Kiev tarmac at 05:20 Thursday morning. As we walked off the plane, many disapproving passengers and crew informed us that our children were not sufficiently dressed. "It is MINUS 10, not plus 10. You understand?" "Your children cold!" "Bus not warm." "Kholodno na ulitsa! Kholodno!" Yep. We were back! And it actually felt great walking out of the stuffy plane into crisp Ukrainian air. We were last through immigration and then customs... breezing through both. And then we finally left the hall to greet Cheryl and Bronwyn, Gaven and Bruce who had risen early to collect us. It felt good to be back.

The drive home was punctuated solely by a McDonalds stop - no cop stops this time - and we arrived home to a house undeniably Cherylized. She is a friend who loves to love through selflessly helping/serving and had done a beautiful job on the little touches which make a place feel welcoming.