Shalom, Shalom!
We're back from the Ukraine, and it was truly an amazing experience!
Our main task there was to do some teaching for men and women who
came from a dozen or so Messianic synagogues from all over the former
Soviet Union. In addition several leaders from an Israeli Messianic
synagogue for Russian immigrants attended as well. They totaled
about 50 and they were hungry to learn more about their God, their
Scripture, and their Jewish tradition. They sacrificed a lot just
to be involved in this ministry, and like many people in the former
Soviet republics, they barely have enough food and clothing for
daily living. In fact, each participant was sent home with as much
food and clothing as he could carry. But their commitment to Yeshua
was strong, and their desire to learn more about their faith was
great.
Patrice taught a seminar on Minor Prophets, John taught Jewish Foundations
of the Gospels, and our colleague Michael taught on Messianic Judaism
and the Jewish tradition. Even at the end of our time together (6
classes each day!), the students still wanted more. As they left,
we realized how many other lives they could affect as they eagerly
returned to share their knowledge with their own congregations and
towns.
One of our students, a Jewish woman, was the President of a local
Ukrainian humanitarian agency which assists many needy jewish families.
Although not a believer, she had been invited to attend the classes.
One night, after John's lecture on the Jewishness of Yeshua, several
ladies spoke with her about her faith. AFter the conversation she
accepted Yeshua as her Messiah. She said she just had needed to
be assured that yeshua was Jewish and that she could remain Jewish.
Several days after we arrived, a young, very Orthodox couple joined
us. After the Saturday morning Sabbath service, the three of us
spoke with them for over an hour. We explained how the Messianic
faith related to the Jewish traditions they were deeply committed
to. And, we showed them how a relationship with yeshua could bring
them closer to God. Then, Michael told them that they just needed
to pray and ask Yeshua to be their Messiah. He had even given them
a sample prayer they could use when they were ready to accept Yeshua.
When he was finished, they said "Amen!" It turns out that they had
prayed along with him and received Yeshua!
There was another exciting offshoot of our time in the Ukraine.
The leaders of the various Messianic synagogues who attended the
classes met together to talk about common problems and goals. As
a result, they formed the Union of Ukrainian Messianic Congregations!
This, we feel, will be important to their mutual encouragement and
spiritual growth in the Messiah.
Your prayers and giving make it possible for us to be a part of
such momentous events, and you are a part of all of it as well.
Thank you!
At present we still need $2300.00 to cover the cost of the trip
to the Ukraine. (Due to their financial conditions, we had to pay
for all our expenses.) Please pray about how God may want you to
help us with this. Thank you again.
Warmly in our Messiah,
John & Patrice
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