24 Jun
God is gracious

In about 48 hours from the time I began having symptoms of a detached retina, we are back home in Rivne. Yes, I did have surgery yesterday afternoon. I had not gotten there in time so that they could repair it by laser, but praise God, this was one of the days the eye clinic schedules surgeries. And they managed to schedule me in just a couple hours or so after we arrived and they had confirmed that indeed my retina was in the process of detaching. It has been almost 3 years since I had my last surgery there. A number of new staff, younger people, and several speak English now. Also lightens the stress load. So many thoughts run through your mind in a time like this. I won’t bore you with that! But it truly felt like a miracle that this could be done so quickly considering we have to travel minimally 4 hours to get to Kyiv. I had to go back today for the 24-hour checkup after surgery and the doctor said it all looked good. Drops of a couple kinds of meds every two hours for the next week. My next checkup will be a week from Monday, actually when we have to return to Kyiv for the next workshop. We did hire someone to drive us back home today. I’m a little weak and it was a very hot day. Buses do not have air conditioning and take longer than a car, so from my perspective it was a good investment on the road to healing. Thank you so much for praying. God answers, you know? Yes, we sometimes question why He lets these things happen when we know He can prevent them. But…I think that question arises less often as you grow older. He purifies us, doesn’t He? And He wants to lift us up in the midst of the trials and troubles of life. He wants us to turn our faces towards Him in trust. So many things. If you would continue to pray that the Lord will bring healing so that I may have good sight in that eye, well, I would be blessed. I can read with my right eye but it is stressful and tiring which means I will not be on my computer much in the coming week. Meanwhile, I’m grateful that I do have sight. So many things are precious. But I told the Lord again today, if I should lose my sight or more of it, it’s okay because I have my spiritual eyes and all of satan’s best efforts will not take those. He may mess with us in the physical things, but I think that will only sharpen our spiritual vision. There is a whole spiritual world out there that we do not comprehend. And we know the things we cannot see are the important things.

Read More
21 Jun
The workshop last week went well

PRAISE The workshop last week went well. It was a partial retreat so a bit of extended time, and people appreciated that. Attendance was lower, but we are hitting the distractions of summer activities with people holding camps etc. One of our couples had a baby during this time! No, they were not at the workshop!!! But praise God for another little new life. The mother also had severe bleeding afterwards and was in intensive care, but…with transfusions she is now doing well. The Lord indeed gave me (Diane) stamina during this time and it went well. The materials were well received. On the last day (Thursday) I would say I did not even feel especially weary when I was speaking. Certainly that is only the Lord’s undertaking. Thank you for praying for that! The day after the workshop (Friday) I did come down with an infection that knocked me down a bit. However with antibiotics I was still able to enjoy Ellie’s celebration Saturday and definitely felt back up to par by Monday. Because we were at Dan and Priscilla’s over Sunday we were able to attend church there. We have watched many of these people grow up in Christ. So it is always a joy to be there. And now it is a joy to see so many new faces! They regularly have new people coming. The light of Jesus shines brightly after Dan and Priscilla’s many faithful years serving in this town. And now we are back home and happy to be here! Abe is trying to fix up some things so that we can enjoy our deck and flower garden etc. during these weeks of summer. We will not be taking any particular vacation. Maybe going away for two or three days a couple times. Otherwise as much as possible we hope to relax at home. PRAYER The next workshop will be July 4-6. We will be reviewing all the materials on Immanuel Prayer for Healing the Heart that I shared with them this time: fielding questions, correcting translation, restating the materials. It’s a lot to learn in one time although people can already put little things into practice. As we especially addressed the issue of trauma my heart was touched as I could see the struggle on some faces. Personal struggles. I pray the Lord will help them work through some of these things themselves as well as giving them an opportunity to help other people. So please pray for these people as they review the material over the next two weeks. Also those who were absent have been sent all the materials and assigned to watch the videos so that they can participate next time. And pray for me as I work through what needs to emphasized, or gaps that need to be filled. I don’t know, but I will be spending much time in prayer about it. A number of the leaders of the Centers of Hope feel that they have several people close to the Kingdom of Heaven. Pray for them as they work with these lost souls, that they would find ways to touch their hearts and lead them into a personal relationship with Christ. And pray for Abe as he works intensively on various training materials he needs to present over the coming months. He is trying to do as much as possible now, before this next workshop, so that he will have “some” free time yet this summer to relax. The “theme” verse during the workshop was Isaiah 41:10. It starts with “Fear not, for I am with you.” Jesus is with you. He is not a God far away. He is right here, right now. And (one of the Biblical principles from Immanuel Prayer) He always wants to connect with you. Always. Isn’t that incredible?? Well, yes, so incredible that a lot of Christians seem to not believe it. We have incredible truths in the Bible that have become so familiar in words that we don’t even hear what it says anymore. Thank you, thank you, thank you for praying! Praise God for His answers this past week! May you sense His presence in an extra special way in your life today.    

Read More
27 May
Oh, may we always praise the Lord

Praise Oh, may we always praise the Lord for His goodness, whatever the circumstances. I feel I am making good progress on the counseling materials that I have been gathering and preparing. Almost everything has been sent to the translator. A number of people have helped me find things and advised me. Indeed I am grateful! Last week Abe and I actually had the opportunity to be in a conference session with 300 Ukrainians, many of whom are chaplains, and all of whom are concerned and involved in helping people with the trauma of the war, whether physically or spiritually. And we met with some dedicated men working with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Assoc and had a bit of fellowship. So encouraging to see so many people who care about Ukraine—whether they are from abroad or men and women who are living and working here. May the Lord be praised! One of our young couples came for a visit, as they had missed the last workshop and so Abe brought them up to date. I enjoyed meeting them and they enjoyed seeing us and where we live. Eugene and Kathy would be English translation of their names. Dedicated. Diligent. And yes, reports continue to come in of people being saved and baptized. A lot of ministry going on as some of the Center of Hope leaders really begin to come into their own. It is a joy to see. And all of you are part of these people entering the Kingdom of God as you pray! Thank you! Prayer Abe left this afternoon for Kyiv and the next workshop. His focus will be on vision and planning. Very few people have been trained in how to plan for ministry, beyond and one-time event. But to see, “what do I want to happen in five years, and how do we get there”. This is all new material. Pray for Abe as he tries to communicate these principles (actually he has done this many times both here and in Russia with all kinds of leaders!) and that people will actually see how they can plan weekly and monthly to reach what they envision happening in 5 years—or next year for that matter! The war has become much more personal. One of our faithful coworkers, Ivan, may be drafted. Recruiters are going door to door in towns and villages looking for men over the age of 27. Ivan has worked with us for over 20 years. Actually came to us right out of university having graduated in computer science. He has a lot of expertise and goes to every workshop to run the technical equipment, as well as all the computer, video, etc work he does when at home. He also does a lot of volunteer work in those areas for our church here. He is about mid-40’s. We of course would prefer that he did NOT have to go and serve. And he would like to continue in his ministry. But there are few exemptions from service. Please pray about this situation with us. And pray especially for peace for him and his dear wife Ivanka, whatever direction the Lord takes him in. There have been many missile and drone attacks across Ukraine this past week. How our hearts ache over the destruction. We know you pray. We value your prayers. This short devotional from Harvest Prayer Ministries encouraged my heart today, and it has a “double” meaning for us in talking about warfare. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Perhaps the greatest need of our day is for praying Christians. When we look at the warfare, both in the world and in the church, the clear-minded, self-controlled Christian will drop to his or her knees in fervent, Spirit-led prayer. The church triumphant is a church connected with her Head through prayer and moving boldly through the current warfare with her eyes fixed firmly on Jesus take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33) “Lord Jesus, I give You thanks for Your victory over the enemy. I choose today to walk in Your victory. Through You Lord, I push back my enemy, through Your name, I trample my foe. Help me to always keep my eyes fixed on You. I take heart this day that You have overcome the world!” And yes, this past week both Abe and I felt there was spiritual warfare going on in our own lives with our various responsibilities. And we pray on

Read More
09 May
Thank you always for your prayers

PRAISE Thank you always for your prayers for the workshop. All went well. Some people absent because of circumstances but still a good attendance. A good spirit. Most of them are beginning to understand about having a budget and accountability! All part of the training. Praise God for these people who love the Lord and are trying to serve Him.

Read More
14 Apr
Abe was so excited

PRAISE  Abe was so excited when he came home and said that they had an excellent workshop. He might have said that before. 😊 What does it mean? Well, this time he felt everyone was really engaged and that there was a real family atmosphere. This lines up with the goals he has as they go along. Vera seconded him on the “excellent”. Thank you for praying! A 14-year old son of one of the leaders got saved during the workshop! Praise God! And there were reports of many being saved since the last meeting. It is why we do what we do—expanding the Kingdom of Heaven here in Ukraine! I think!!! that my books may have arrived here in our city. At least, a neighbor said that we have a package but the postal lady thought we weren’t at home. So…I’m waiting in great anticipation for follow up on that! We have a new worker, Lilia, who went to the workshop this time to help, but she was also very keen to attend because she has 3 groups of refugees that she is working with here and she really wants to help them to make that step into the Kingdom. Lilia worked for us many years ago in editing and is doing so again along with some other things. We are blessed to have her along with our excellent team! Fruit for Christ PRAYER Maria is one of those on our team. She has worked with us for…24 years? A LONG time. And she is very good at what she does. Right now they have a medical crisis in their family. Her husband Nikolai has gone to Germany yesterday for testing at the recommendation of doctors here. He is diagnosed with bladder cancer, curable possibly if it has not spread. Nikolai is 67, a retired pastor, a faithful man. He has been sharing the care of his 93-year old father these past weeks. Pray that the doctors would come up with a clear picture of what stage it is in, that there would be treatment, and healing. Probably best case scenario, especially at this time in Ukraine, is that he stay there for treatment. It is a stressful time for the family as you can imagine, even though all of them are firm believers. Pray for their comfort and peace, and especially for Maria in a stressful time. Continue to pray, always I could say, that the Lord will call more people to lead Centers of Hope. Abe thinks there is a potential right now of another five leaders for new Centers. Pray for Abe’s interpreter, Andrei. He lives in an area very close to the Russian border. When he is not at the workshops (beside pastoral duties) he is reaching out to families of soldiers. Right now he has contact with 7 women whose husbands have died, plus other wives whose husbands are fighting. He brings physical/material aid but he also wants to bring them spiritual hope. He also goes to soldiers on the front with aid and to encourage them. Yes, it can be dangerous. The day after he was with one group they were hit by all kinds of grenades, drones, missiles—and yet, no one was killed. He will be getting a bullet-proof vest. One of many good people doing everything they can for Ukraine—and for their Lord. Pray for his protection, for people to respond to the Lord through him, and pray for the many like him who are volunteering and doing all they can—for Ukraine, for the people they love.   This is a truth that I have based my prayer life on in the past couple of decades. I always aim to start my prayers, or prayer time, with praise. What a difference it makes in my attitude! It is the best way to turn my thoughts to God and His power and might and glory. And then the difficulties shrink in the face of our Almighty God. No, they don’t go away, but then--my focus is on the Solution, not on the problem. Always a good place! Praise the Lord, O my soul!! (Ps. 103:1)

Read More

Page 4 of 13