On Wednesday June 13th, twenty-four participants from USA boarded planes and were on their way to Kiev, Ukraine. I was blessed to be one of those participants. When we arrived in Kiev late afternoon on Thursday June 14th, we were joined with sixty other participants from Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Romania and Azerbaijan.

On Friday we had a free day and the Americans boarded a tour bus. Because I was going to skip the tour and spend the day with some missionary friends, our first stop was the Baptist Union. The entire group was able to meet IMB Missionaries, Keith and Jane Byrd, along  with some other officials, and hear some words of encouragement and appreciation. Keith and Jane took me to lunch at an Ukrainian Tex-Mex Restaurant and it was excellent. Except for a very slight difference, I would have thought I was eating in my favorite restaurant in the USA. We visited for the rest of the afternoon and then I was treated to a pizza! 

Saturday was the Opening Rally and it was filled with praise and worship. A group from Romania sang, while one of the participants played the accordion. Then the dreaded words were spoken. They asked the Americans to come forward and sing! We made it through the song and there were even a few smiles from those that listened! We were then teamed up with translators and churches and sent out. I officially met Henrietta, my translator, and Valari, a deacon from the church. It turned out that Pastor Yaroslav was in America and would not be back until Thursday. Valari took me to the Pastor’s home, where I  would stay for the week, and I met the rest of the family. The oldest son spoke perfect English and I was very thankful because my translator would not be staying with me.

I was told that Ascension Baptist Church is not a "normal" Ukraine church. There are not 2 or 3 long messages and the music is an upbeat style. When I walked into the church (they rent a theater to hold their services) I was a little nervous and had an eerie feeling. The building reminded me of the old communist meeting halls. I prayed that that God would be worshipped and glorified and the spoken words and music would bring Him Honor.

The service was a tremendous blessing! They sang Praise and Worship songs, many of which I knew. I could feel the love of God flow out of these church members. Valari spoke and then I gave my testimony and explained why the Americans were in Ukraine. He was worshipped and glorified!

Our visitations officially began on Monday when Valari, Henrietta and I went to a village about an hour away. Valari explained to me that the church was trying to start a church in this village. He explained that we would be going to this village everyday to build relationships, to "love them", and if we were given the opportunity we would share our personal testimonies and plan of salvation. He said that the people would want to get to know me, and hear about what I am doing. They needed to understand and believe that I am sincere.

He also explained that some of these people do not like the word Baptist", so he suggested that if at all possible I should try and not use that word. I quickly realized that this was not going to be like any other work that I had done and I prayed for God’s wisdom. I was reminded that sometimes you see the reaping of the harvest and other times you are there to plant and water the seeds. It is all God’s perfect timing.

As we turned down the road, which led into the village, I noticed how  green and fertile the fields were. In the past I have worked in villages and seen many poor situations, but it didn’t take too long to realize that these people led an extremely hard life.

During the week we visited with some precious ladies and with tears streaming down their faces, they shared what God had done in their lives.

They were a great blessing and encouragement. One lady told me that she could see the love of God shine on my face and could see the love I had for the Ukrainian people in my eyes. What a humbling experience.

For two consecutive days we visited with a lady. Her mother and father, and little girl were there part of the time. On the first day, the father got up and left and said that he was not interested in what we had to say. On the second day the mother got up and left, so the lady went and got her neighbor. I shared my testimony and then Valari went through the plan of salvation. They lady repented from her sins and prayed to receive Jesus, but the neighbor just could not take that final step. She kept saying that she knew she needed  Jesus, but just could not pray. I gave the little girl some new barrettes and her mother said that she had never had any of those before.

As we walked down the street, we stopped and talked with a 28-year-old girl. She was sitting on a bench holding her tiny white cat. She said that she was a Christian and after visiting with her she asked me to pray for her desire to be married. When we finished praying she said she felt a peace and knew God had a perfect mate chosen for her! She was a beautiful young lady with heart for God.

As the week went along, our following of young children grew and grew. We passed out cookies, candy, barrettes, toy trucks and stickers, but then we sat them down to tell them bible stories. There were some days that we arrived and there would be a large group waiting at the entrance!

We visited with many people during the week. Time and time again they asked Valari to start a church in their village. There was only one obstacle and that was where to hold the services. There was one culture hall, but Valari had to gain permission from the lady who was in charge. For two days we visited with her, but she couldn’t bring herself to grant permission or to repent of her sins. She kept telling me that she knew she needed to both, but she just wasn’t ready to make those decisions. My heart was and still is troubled for her.

On Wednesday afternoon Valari said that he wanted to take Henrietta and I to a Christian concert in downtown Kiev. At that point in time all I knew was that I was tired and hungry and wanted to go back to the flat (apartment). I agreed to go and I was so very thankful. When we walked into the concert hall I could tell that the choir was singing in English! As I listened to their music I felt refreshed and renewed. The choir was from Nashville, TN, and I was able to talk with a few of the members afterwards. Once again, God’s perfect blessing and timing!

On Saturday we did not go the village but we visited some of Valari’s neighbors and then we met two people. One of the first visits was a family of three. The wife and son were Christians, but the husband wasn’t. Valari spoke with the husband while I visited with the wife and son. What made this visit so special? The son was in his mid-twenties and had cerebral palsy. I asked him if he loved Jesus and with slow but determined words he said, "Love Jesus." He then reached out for my hand and kissed it. I looked at his mom and with tears in her eyes she said, "I am so proud of him." What a testimony!

When we went downtown, one of the people that wanted to visit with us said that she would like to walk around. As we stood on top of a hill, I snapped this picture. It was getting dark and cloudy, but as I looked across the river and at the flats, I wondered how many people still needed to know the Lord.  My heart broke at the thought of how many people in Kiev, Ukraine still live in darkness; the darkness of being separated from God.

Sunday came all too soon. I could not believe that the week was over and that I would be leaving. Pastor Yaroslav asked me to prepare a "short sermon" and it couldn’t be my testimony since I had already shared that. God impressed me to talk on Philemon verses 4-7. The church sang a Praise and Worship song for me (they sang in Ukrainian while Yaroslav sang in English). After lunch Valari and his wife took me to Central Baptist Church for the closing rally.

I once again left a large part of my heart in  Ukraine. It was a different type of trip for me. When people asked me why I said, "Well instead of being a little evangelizing crusader, I became a little church planter." I loved it! God allowed me to see the need for Him in a different manner.

Please pray for the discipleship, which needs to take place for the over 1,600 new believers in Kiev. Please pray for Ascension Baptist church as they continue to seek God’s leadership and provision for starting a church in the village. Please pray for 12 churches, which they started last year.

Thank you for your prayers while I was in Ukraine. There were many occasions when I needed them and I could feel God’s people lifting me up. You were and continue to be a vital part of my life. You are loved and greatly appreciated!