Your Servant for Christ,
Lori Martin

As we entered the city of Kharkov, Ukraine, I could look around the entire skyline and see multiple, tall, white buildings. I would soon learn these were apartment buildings, also know as flats. I felt somewhat overwhelmed and, at the same time, I was filled with excitement. I found myself wondering how we were going to visit all the people that needed to hear the wonderful Gospel News. I realized God was in control, and He had our divine appointments already scheduled.

On Saturday morning, we went to Central Baptist Church for the Opening Rally. What a wonderful and glorious sight as we entered the church. There were beautiful murals painted on the walls and ceiling. Hanging on one wall was a banner with the International Crusades logo, and it said, "Jesus Is the Only Hope". What a true statement, and it was the reason we were in the Ukraine.

I was teamed with four other Americans, and we were assigned to work with Central Baptist Church. I was honored to stay at Pastor Leonid Bagin's home, and they are such a loving, warm and hospitable family. Because of a common goal and love for our Lord Jesus, there was an instant bond and love with this family. Pastor Leonid and his son, Alec, spoke English, which proved to be an extra blessing and encouragement for me.

Three of us made a visit to a juvenile boys detention center and where able to share the Gospel and spend time with these boys. During their free time, we were able to communicate with these boys even without an interpreter. No, we didn't speak their language, but we were able to give these boys some much needed attention and love. They were fascinated to look at a picture book of Texas and were thrilled when I let them use my camera and take some pictures.

One of our drivers had not wanted to share his testimony or the Gospel during any of the visits. We talked about how God wanted us to share our faith with other people, and he just smiled and kept on driving. The next day we went to a park to witness and pass out tracts. I glanced around and there was our driver not only handing out tracts, but also explaining them to the people. He had caught the vision, and I know he will continue sharing his faith whenever possible.

Several of us made a visit to a local hospital and spent the morning with some patients and staff. Two men preached, there was a small musicians group and we even sang! We were visiting with three women when a doctor came into the room. He wanted to share with us all of his credentials, where he had worked and then told us he had been raised during the Communist Era. We tried to explain the Gospel to him, but he told us he could not answer any of our questions. This doctor was not interested in hearing the hope we were offering him in Christ. Even with this distraction, the Gospel was shared with three women.

One of the church deacons invited to his home to speak with his two daughters and granddaughter. As we shared our testimonies and the Plan of Salvation, one daughter said she had already had a relationship with Jesus. The other daughter, in her mid thirties, said she couldn't make that decision because her husband did not believe in God and often laughed at her when she wanted to pray. As we continued to share our hearts with her, she broke down and said she wanted the peace and hope we were talking about. She said she wanted her papa to pray a prayer of repentance with her. With tears in his eyes, her papa led his daughter into a relationship with Jesus. This daughter took a stand for Jesus! The granddaughter was not ready to pray. Her mother, who just had prayed, said she was going to pray for her daughter everyday. What a blessing it was to see the parent's joy and this daughters peaceful face.

During the closing rally, there was over 4,500 in attendance. People traveled in from several villages. What a glorious sight to see all these people worshiping and giving praise to God! There were over 2,500 decisions made for our Lord Jesus Christ. These new believers will need much love, encouragement and discipleship. Please pray for the churches and their members as they follow-up on all of these decisions.

Please pray for Kharkov, Ukraine. My heart has been burdened for this city. People often ask me why I would want to travel across the world and leave the comforts of my home for two weeks. The answer is within this letter. It is such a blessing to see people accept Jesus and their lives transformed, to see the local churches catch the vision and are on fire to continue this witnessing process, to feel and experience the power of God's love no matter where you are. You can travel half way across the world and yet have an instant bond with other believers because we share the same God and Spirit.