February 14, 2021
Dear Praying Friends,
Landing in Kyiv in January we were faced with many challenges. One such task was getting ready for the following week’s session at SBI. Praise God we hosted 52 students, of which 18 were new. The fellowship, teaching, focus of the SBI staff, and students’ hunger for the Word of God made it a very special week - perhaps because...
February 14, 2021
Dear Praying Friends,
Landing in Kyiv in January we were faced with many challenges. One such task was getting ready for the following week’s session at SBI. Praise God we hosted 52 students, of which 18 were new. The fellowship, teaching, focus of the SBI staff, and students’ hunger for the Word of God made it a very special week - perhaps because we’ve missed 2 of our last 3 sessions due to COVID-19 restrictions. In our concluding service the choir and special music that evening were wonderful. To top off the week, one of our students who is due to graduate in May, shared of her upcoming move to Uganda to serve as a missionary. Please pray for Vlada and for other SBI students who are prayerfully considering the call of missions and ministry.
Our next challenge came in re-starting the services at Living Hope Baptist Church of Kyiv. With multiple re-starts due to COVID-19 we have been thankful for those who still faithfully come. Yesterday was our third Sunday since restarting again. It was cold and had snowed 18 to 20 inches over the past week. We were encouraged by the number who came, including a first-time guest. Before our second COVID-19 shutdown in October 2020, we had a lady visit named Luba. She was in her early 70’s and had been invited by her neighbors. The first Sunday she attended she seemed incredibly open to the gospel and prayed after the service to receive Christ. We recently learned that Luba has passed away and rejoice in her prayer of repentance and confession of faith in Christ. Though we knew her only briefly here, we will have eternity together to sing the praises of our Lord and King there. Thank you for your prayers for Living Hope Baptist Church. Please continue in asking the Lord to lead us to others like Luba who have yet to hear the message of God’s love and grace.
We’ve had other challenges, including two trips to Western Ukraine by train to renew our temporary residence permits. Praise God we have them now and are good for another year. Another challenge concerns lingering effects from my bout with Covid-19, which have caused some adjustments of ministry pace. Thank the Lord that no matter the challenge, the Lord gives wisdom and grace for each and turns them into opportunities of His glory. “He is faithful!” We thank you for your faithfulness and partnership with us. Please continue to pray fervently and urgently for the Lord’s hand upon us here and for His glory to be known in Ukraine through the ministries of Living Hope Baptist Church and Slavic Baptist Institute.
For the glory of Christ in Ukraine and the regions beyond,
Derek and Julie
