"May everyone know the joy that Jesus Christ is risen"

"May everyone know the joy that Jesus Christ is risen". This was the theme of a recitation of one boy in our Easter services today. In fact it was a voice familiar to many who have been coming out on construction teams over the years. Young David is the son of Alexei and Marina who was not even born when we first started coming out to Odessa.. On the next trip we prayed for him (the bump), and because of Alexei's love and servant heart towards many of us have been encouraged to pray for them ever since. His voice was often heard around the scenes of construction when his Dad popped in to take photos, deliver grub or run errands for those who needed to pick up little extras (like the local football kit of Odessa fc). To see David now standing up and doing such a brilliant job of leading God's people in praise was both brilliant and an answer to prayer. 
As usual Daniel had coached the musicains superbly, and the upcoming generation are maintiaing the exceptional standard of music ministry at "grace church". Not only this, but the two gifted young preachers got up and gave some of the best Easter messages I've heard. The future at grace church looks in safe hands and shows the massive investment faithful youth workers and children's ministries have depositied. The evening was finished by the team having a family meal with church/ seminary leaders and wives, where we had many joys, in conversation over the reality of Easter and our God's sovereign goodness to keep us and our nations in his hands. Normally this would not only be a highlight of the day but of the whole trip, however tonight it was eclipsed by a young person "coming home" to confess publically her desire to follow the risen Christ as her saviour. There are many reasons to travel the world, but by far the one which gives the greatest sense of privilege is going to a different country and telling them of the love of Christ, friend of messed up people, giver of eternal life, the only true certainty in our world. He is the one who deals with our many failures in the past, the one who gives us forgiveness and peace in the present, and the one who is our unchangeing hope for the future. There is nothing that can touch the glory of Jesus Christ. There is nothing or no-one worth living for compared to him.
Wherever you are reading this in the world (and from the stats page  I am amazed at where this is reaching) , I hope that you know personally the joy of Christ as you put your head on the pillow tonight. I hope you know the true joy of Easter, the reality of a living personal saviour and not just some surface knowledge of a holiday period far removed from anything so life transforming as who it really is all about.

Happy Easter from Ukraine. Christ is risen, and with Him our future begins, the past is gone and dealt with, the future safe in his hands.