Dear friends,
So sorry that communication has been difficult, we do hope to make up for it over the next few days. Any lack of photos so far will now be corrected as we fill in the visual gaps. We are safely in Odessa and so we have much to thank God for as we transition in mission. Transition House is a suitable place to lay everything before the feet of our God again. This is the place where it started for many of us, an impossible task with a group who felt their incapability. Yet... like ABRAHAM, nothing is possible with GOD. When we sign up to his GLOBAL PLAN OF GRACE, there are no boundaries too big for our GOD.
Therefore we offer 5 things which encourage us as we transition to a new mission season in God's overflowing plans and provision.
1) GOD CALLS US, 1 DAY AT A TIME to live in his macro provision, but when we look back we see his hand is at work for all eternity.
Today we left TERNOPIL region at 6 am, driven by the experience of Pastor Viktor, we arrived safely, well fed, and joyful in the springlike conditions of Odessa. The sun shone, especially as we reviewed our time in the North.
When people sign up to a mission team, they often do so not knowing who they will serve with but in faith God orchestrates a team. He ordains good works for us before the dawn of time.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
EPH 2:10
More accurately we are under the hands of the master craftsman. God has orchestrated this team at just the right time in just the right place. Our world says that we are here by accident, that each day is a random series of events without ultimate purpose. Everything in our lives today points to the opposite. We are thrilled at what small instruments of grace can achieve when drawn together by the master architect and builder.
The team set about trying to demolish a hard standing in the middle of the floor, before situating waste and water pipes, and starting the resurfacing process. This will then have underfloor heating and final scree to function as kitchen and food area.
Everyone had a go ... and commented that it is always easier to tear down than build up, to demolish rather than carefully establish (maybe there is a lesson for us to remember in our say to day relationships).
Maybe to some this does not look a significant achievement, but from our perspective - a giant leap has been taken into making this former derelict home of 1 person into a functional community home for many.
2) THE FOUNDATIONS ON WHICH WE BUILD WILL NEVER LET US DOWN.
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
As I look at parts of the scree, I wonder if we could've been more perfect, but the key important thing is solidity. People need to know when they place level 2, 3, and 4 that level 1 is secure. In our MISSIONAL GOD we build on perfect solidity. Nothing will be wasted, nothing will be careless in his plans.
This was particularly true yesterday when we met with PASTORS ? PRESBYTER in TERNOPIL. It was a delight for me to be in PHILADELPHIA CHURCH with pastors EDUARD and NIKOLAI. From the first day we met we have had a special bond as we fit into GOD's plans for church planting together. There are few people on the planet I can instantly hit it of with, but even despite our imperfect communication (my Ukrainian is beyond painful) we have a bluetooth wifi connection by the presence of our GOD. I am so excited about what God is doing in this region to bless the country and the world.
When all other buildings fall, the church of Jesus Christ will stand for eternity.
3 ) Those we invest in for a short time can yield multiplied fruit, beyond our understanding. It was great to spend time (even today as we arrived) with friends who have been cared for by church and now are emerging as great young people and young adults. We are thrilled Alina in the way God has led you. Costa we pray for you and your journey to Italy, may God keep you close to himself, bless you and make you a bless you wherever his providence takes you in the world. You are both a great testimony to the fruitfulness of God's work here and in you.
4) FLEXIBILITY IN MISSION CAN MEAN THAT OUR BOUNDARIES ARE ALWAYS INCREASING IN HIS PURPOSES. Over the next few days we have many opportunities with both young and experienced, those listening in to the love of God and those motivated to plant churches and go where he wills. In all these things we have come to expect the unexpected. Can multiple churches be planted in a city or region, can multiple countries now unreached be reached for the gospel - GOD IS ABLE AND HE IS DOING IT. Please pray for us in these strategic discussions.
5) BECAUSE GOD IS SHAPING US ALL, those we are drawn to work with help us become more like Jesus Christ. What thrills me most about the last few days and the next, my British friends and Ukrainian, my colleagues in mission and new found Christian family, is that JESUS is shaping us all, and that means the best is yet to come both in this life and the next.
What was once a dream ( a transition house ministry) , is now an established and remaining rock of remembrance, that God provides and fulfils his purposes,
Our GOD KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING, in all transitions. The question is whether we are submitting to them, and trusting him for tomorrow. God bless your home with his presence this evening...
Love from the corner of the 3rd floor (most of you know the one) where the wifi is brilliant.
Love BOGSKI.
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