Dear friends and praying team. So sorry to not be able to keep you up to date but we have been working at Black Sea camp all week and until this afternoon (Saturday) without internet access. We have been concious of your prayers in a special way. and will do our best to update you on the story so far. (step by step over the next 24 hours)
MONDAY
Monday was a national (Easter) holiday in Ukraine. The city center was swamingly busy with people, the roadside pervaded by the smell of celebratory family BBQ's. Many years ago some brothers and sisters prayed whilst Ukraine was in the grip of government that was hostile to the church. Their prayer was also a dream.... "Oh Lord, could it not be that one day the church will not meet in secret - but in the open to share the great message of Easter. Maybe even one day that could happen in Odessa opera house."
This was the day that in God's goodness, this prayer became a reality and we were so priveleged to be part of it.
Our Good and faithful friend Igor Bandura preached the transformational good news of Easter, that Christ is alive and with us... present with us when we read what he says in the bible, when we share his good news with others.
The setting was beautiful, thechoir and orchestra breathtaking, the music was stunningly arranged, but what outshone everything was the beauty and wonder of the risen Christ who reigns for all his people accross the world. It was a taste of heaven, where there will be an audience no=one can count, all there because Jesus gave his life for each who acknowledge who he is and our need of Him. Our world is so messed up this Easter,"stong and stable " governments look fragile, economies that are worshipped do not deliver the eutopia and satisfaction we desire, yet Christ delivers on all his promises. There is no greater certainty today than putting your life and future in the hands of the living rescuer. Jesus Christ is brighter than all the fears and doubts you and I struggle with, his grace is bigger than all the sin and failure we carry, his love goes light years further our comprehension. Because he lives I can face tomorrow, because he lives all fear is gone, because I know who holds the future, life is worth the living just because he lives.
And on that note I need to get a sermon ready for tomorrow. Easter will be the continuing theme as I have the privelege of sharing the message of "fear turning to faith" from psalm 56. Thank you for your prayers, which are invaluable to us. We will hoepfully update further when we are back from church tomorrow afternoon. Much love to you wherever you are, we pray you will know this joy, wonder and certainty yourself.
Blogski,
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