I returned this past weekend from Ukraine.  Thank you for praying during this important and busy trip.  God gave many opportunities to encourage brothers and sisters who continue to struggle during war.  It was also a huge blessing to work side by side with so many from our broader Mission Eurasia team in Moldova, Ukraine and Poland as well as travel with a delegation of partners from North America.

The there were about 250 people at the Pastor’s Retreat in western Ukraine.  This was an opportunity for pastors and their wives from front-line eastern Ukrainian cities and towns to get some respite.  So many shared stories of drones over their churches, air raid sirens, explosions being heard sometimes day and night and much worse.  I also heard them share about their commitment to continue their ministries in spite of the war.  Most shared that even though many church members have fled west, that their churches are now filled again with those who don’t know Jesus, but are desperate for hope.

I had the privileged of leading daily prayer times at the retreat.  Over the days while we were there I began to see some of their burdens lighten just a little.  Please pray for these brothers and sisters, for their daily protection and boldness.

You also prayed as I recorded a podcast and introduced and taught the first lesson for the Unreached People Groups Initiative materials in Moldova.  School Without Walls coordinators and teachers from all over Eurasia gathered for a 20-year anniversary celebration and to introduce new training materials.  Feedback was very positive.  I believe that God used this training to open doors so that more young people will obey the Great Commission and will have some tools to begin to communicate the gospel across cultures.  Thank you for praying!

Tomorrow (Friday, November 8th) begins our sending church’s Global Mission Fest (GMF), November 8-13.  Please pray as Esther and I have many opportunities to serve.  Esther will speak at a Women’s brunch this Saturday, we will be involved in children’s ministry (using Esther’s newly published curriculum), and I will be speaking on Sunday morning.  Please pray that the Spirit would speak through us.  Please pray that there would be many that would commit to boldly follow Christ and fulfill His Great Commission.  Pray for us physically too.  I came home from Europe especially worn down.  We need God’s enabling.

As soon as the GMF ends we will head to Tennessee for Mission Eurasia (ME) special events for partners and staff and field staff meetings, November 14-19.  I am looking forward to connecting with partners and teammates.  Pray for God’s direction, wisdom and provision through these meetings and events.

Please also pray for me as I prepare for and go to PA on the 23rd.  I will be speaking in the morning on the 24th in Bowemansville, PA and then in the evening in Campbelltown, PA.

After a few days of ministry in PA, we look forward to having our whole family from Michigan join us in PA for a special Thanksgiving weekend with my family.  My mom just went through some serious health events while I was in Europe, so this will be an extra special time.  (Thank you for praying for her during those days!). Praise the Lord that we can all be together over Thanksgiving.

We are grateful for all of God’s blessings over this challenging year.  We have seen many answers and breakthroughs.  Thank you for continuing to pray and for standing with us.