John
3 verse 36: He that believeth
on the Son hath everlasting life.
Many
return for Bible Teaching seminars.
Hundreds
of Bibles, tracts and christian books distributed.
So, I believe, would read the headlines for our
September 2004 mission to Nikopol, Ukraine. The hunger and thirst for the
things of God was much more real than that we experience in the U.K.
We preach the Word and God saves the souls!
The Lord blessed us
greatly and encouraged us with many coming to repentance and salvation, and
many re-committing their lives to Jesus.
Glen Rickard, Paulene (my
wife) and myself caught the 6:30 a.m. plane from Manchester to Kiev, via
Paris. We were met in Kiev by
Pastor John Botoch and Maranda Hoogland the Ukrainian representative for
E.W.F. We continued our journey to Nikopol in John’s minibus, a ten-hour
drive and arrived at 2:00 a.m. Saturday morning. We had been travelling for
nearly 24 hours, and although we were tired, were pleased to meet John’s
wife, Nadia and to be in Nikopol again.
Saturday 11th
September
A
morning at Nikopol market and in the afternoon
to a Rehabilitation Centre. Paulene,
Glen, myself and Pastor John all preached the word (they are used to long
meetings) and many came to repentance. In Ukraine we find that it’s not just a casual walk to the
front of the meeting – people come to repentance with tears and sorrow for
sin and joy in the knowledge of sins forgiven and a new life in Jesus.
During our mission a young Ukrainian man from
Nikopol, Dennis was our translator. He
was an excellent translator and is also a preacher himself.
We would often joke that we preached on Zacchaeus
but he spoke on Jeremiah!
We were asked to return to the rehabilitation centre
and were able to take two further meetings dealing with the subjects: Who is
Jesus, Bible reading and Prayer.
Sunday 12th
September
Ordzhonikidzie Baptist Church (House of Prayer) for harvest featival
with Pastor Uri. After the
meeting we had lunch in the garden patio.
The fruit and Vegetables in Ukraine are second to none and the
fellowship was good too!
Monday 13th September Today we visited an old peoples home and several responded to the Gospel call. Straight on to Golgotha village Church with Pastor Vladimir. Another meeting followed by a meal together.
Tuesday 14th
September Three meetings today.
Short Gospel meeting at an orphanage.
Wednesday 15th
September
We came to
Dnieperpetrosk to visit three families.
Three ladies from the church had independently decided to adopt
orphan babies and bring them up in their Christian homes.
Each had over 20 orphans and nearly all the children had become
Christians. What a way to
minister the gospel! We were
able to speak to the children and give financial support.
Thursday 16th
September
Friday 17th
September
In the evening we were
back in Nikopol at the Central Baptist Church, where Pastor John is pastor.
He also has oversight of 9 satellite
churches in and around Nikopol.
Saturday 18th
September
We then visited an outdoor
meeting organised by the local Pentecostal church.
Glen gave a greeting and testimony.
We were also able to
provide a washing machine for Oxanna. You
may remember the lady, Natasha, who died of cancer leaving three young
children. Oxanna, her sister
now has the children and her own two children as well. With five children Oxanna and her husband have a hard life
and the washing machine is a blessing to the family. Oxanna is a Christian
and is supported by the Christians in the Central Baptist Church, Nikopol.
Please pray for her husband to be saved.
Sunday 19th
September
Afternoon to Keyrovo, the village where E.W.F. has helped finance the
Church building. A beautiful
afternoon with a meeting in the open air.
Many responded to the gospel.
Monday 20th
September
Tuesday 21st
September We were shown the Bible
League warehouse with tens of thousands of Bibles, tracts and Christian
booklets ready for delivery across Ukraine.
We were able to give a donation from E.W.F. towards this work.
Afternoon to Kiev Borispol
Airport due at 1:00 p.m. for flight at 3:00 p.m.
Unfortunately at ten to one the minibus broke down, 10 miles from the
airport. We were towed the last
ten miles and arrived just before 2:00 p.m.
There were about five customs or security checks and we only just
boarded the plane in time. We arrived in Manchester at 9:30 p.m.
To say that this was the
best E.W.F. mission that I have ever been on is no exaggeration. We saw many
people come to the Lord, were able to preach freely and with the anointing
of God on our lives. We
distributed over five thousand American Dollars and gave out hundreds of
Bibles and tracts. (As well as a lot of sweets to the children and some
older people as well!).
Please keep praying for the work of E.W.F. because the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. Psalm 100 verse 5.
Colin Dickson
Mission
to NIKOPOL, UKRAINE September 2004
Report by Glen Rickard
Do you ever feel you need a
real tonic? A pick me-up in the
morning, something that would just lift your spirits.
Well, read on. We
recently spent 11 days in Ukraine and had 9 consecutive days of ministry,
which involved 16 meetings. During
this time we saw 38 people come to know the Lord Jesus Christ, and to people
who asked, we gave away over 200 Bibles and dozens of booklets like John
Blanchard's excellent tract, "Ultimate questions".
We do invite you to rejoice with us and we also extend a big thanks
to all of you who prayed for us during this time. We are so conscious that when people pray, God's hand
moves, the evidence was apparent.
It is impossible to report
everything that went on, but here are one or two up-dates and highlights.
Christian Rehabilitation
Centre
We first visited this Centre
on our last visit and were greatly impressed.
It is run by a young Christian couple who have both been delivered
from alcohol and drugs. They
have no state funding and their faces shine for Jesus.
They have been loaned a small farm by the local authority, who I'm
sure feel bemused by the work that they do.
As you can imagine, the farm is run-down and in a poor state of
repair. It is typical of most
places in the Ukraine. They
currently have around 25 residents, who go through a specific 9 month
programme of rehabilitation. This
largely centres upon bringing them to Christ.
The first thing that impressed both Colin and I, was the hunger that
these people have for God's word. Everyone
came to listen to us speak and a number came at the end of the service and
repented, giving their life to Jesus.
We both felt we should return and do some more specific Bible
teaching (Alpha course style) and they literally lapped this up.
It was so good to see. At
the end of our third visit we were asked to stay permanently but of course
we couldn't.
Nickolai
Nickolai is one character in
the Rehab Centre that particularly stood out.
A man who looks old for his years but I suspect is only in his early
50's. He radiated the
Lord and literally clung to us. He
told me that he had been in jail for 30 years and I asked if this was for
Christian witness. He
hung his head in shame and said no, he had once had an incredibly wicked
heart and now Jesus had transformed him.
He hugged and kissed me and I felt a kindred spirit.
In the Ukraine it is usual for men
to kiss each other on the lips. It
can be a shock for westerners, particularly when they turn to the ladies and
shake hands! Mission can
be so much fun.
Please pray for those who
minister in the Rehab Centre and also for the residents.
We were able to give Bibles and writing materials and other Christian
literature to all who asked.
The church at
Dnieperpetrosk
This story will bless you.
The church is currently run by John Botoch's brother, Stephan and
they have 1,400 members! The
history of the church is both fascinating, moving and an incredible
testimony of the power of God.
The church was opened in
1903 and has recently celebrated its Centenary.
As you can imagine, under the former Soviet Union, and particularly
under Stalin, the church suffered enormously due to State persecution.
It was dangerous to be a Christian in those days.
One night, on the 3rd April, 1938, the K.G.B. came unannounced and
took 37 members of the church, placing them in prison.
They then demanded the keys to the church and closed it down.
The 37 people, mainly young men, were never seen again.
Recent video footage has been released by the authorities, to show
how some of the prisoners were treated.
Most were shot, and others died more inhumane deaths, which we would
prefer not to disclose. However,
even despite these difficult days, the church has continued to thrive and
for this we praise God! At
the Centenary celebrations last year the President of the Baptist Union was
invited to preach. The church was packed with Christians and non-christians
and he began to read through Hebrews 11 and 12.
As the scriptures were read publicly, the video records people
leaving their seats and walking down the aisles to repent and give their
lives to the Lord. This was
incredibly moving and the President never got chance to preach, such was the
power of God through the reading of His word.
The meeting lasted for 6 hours.
What a contrast between the early days of persecution and the
centenary celebration. We
were greatly moved by this.
At the end of the service,
the video also records the way in which the families of those who were taken
away in 1938 were honoured. Many
of their widows are still alive and were brought to the front of the church
and given a single red flower. Others
were represented by daughters. These
people are a living testament to their own difficult history and it's
wonderful to see that even despite the sacrifices they have made (their own
husbands and fathers) they are undeterred in their pursuit of God and stand
as living testimonies to the goodness of God and the power of the gospel.
All over the Ukraine the
church is growing and it isn't difficult to fill a 1,000 seater hall by
putting up posters and word of mouth, which gives a week or so notice.
What a contrast to the U.K.
We very much feel that the Ukraine is on the point of revival and
once again ask you to pray that God will continue to move amongst these
wonderful people.
Elections 2004
There are to be elections
later on this year and the church in the Ukraine is concerned as to who will
represent the country. The
man who has stood in power for the past 8 years is not a Christian but has
been very sympathetic to the development of the church and the spread of the
gospel. There is real concern
that this may well change because the main candidate to be elected is a hard
line communist, and may very well take the Ukraine in a different direction.
We are reminded continually that although the Ukraine is meant to be
a democratic nation, the hard line communists who once ruled are still alive
and well and are only a "finger tip" away from regaining power.
Once again your prayer would be invaluable.
Children's stories
We were also able to visit
three families from the church at Dnieperpetrosk, whose homes are made up
wholly of adopted children. We
were amazed that one couple had adopted 26 children, another couple had
adopted 25 children and the third couple had adopted 16 children.
They receive no state aid whatsoever and undertake this ministry as a
service to the Lord. What
particularly thrilled us was that in two of the homes, the
"mothers" now have their own grandchildren, because previously
adopted children have grown and married.
We had the privilege of meeting this extended family.
John's brother, Stephan is obviously well involved with these three
homes and we suspect provides some support from the church.
Natasha
As you are aware, Natasha
died on Christmas day last year.
We had the privilege of meeting Oxana, Natasha's sister, who has now
adopted Natasha's three children. Many
thanks to those who sent gifts specifically for Natasha and the children, we
were able to deliver this money personally.
Oxana has two children of her own and her husband is working hard to
extend their home. As you can
imagine, their circumstances are incredibly poor.
At the moment they do not have running water, a difficulty which is
soon to remedied. The
children appear to be well, happy and John and Nadia give tireless pastoral
support.
John and Nadia Botoch
John now looks after 8
churches in the Nikopol and never seems to stop work.
We were greatly challenged when we discovered after our fourth day
with them, that the church holds a prayer meeting every morning at 7 am.
They certainly believe in the power of prayer, and the evidence is
there for all to see. We were able to visit all of the churches that John
looks after, preaching and giving testimony.
I can't think of any church where we didn't see at least one person
come to the Lord. As you know,
pastors in the Ukraine aren't paid, and we felt that we should give John and
Nadia a year's salary, so that John doesn't have to worry about finding work
in order to support himself and Nadia.
Upon receiving this gift, John and Nadia were completely shocked and
found it difficult to speak. Many
thanks once again to all who support East West regularly.
The money that you give is used prayerfully and after much
deliberation.
In one of the churches that
we visited, which has an unpronounceable name, an elderly man with a walking
stick and an obvious physical difficulty, attended and sat on the front row.
I spotted his war medals and after Colin had preached, John enquired
if there was anyone who wanted to come to the Lord.
This man responded immediately and wept as he repented of his sins.
I had observed a lady in the congregation, whose face beamed and who
needed no hymn book to sing. It
turned out that this man was her husband and she had prayed for him for
years. He had only come to the
meeting because he had heard that English people were going to attend. He had fought alongside American and English allies during
the second world war. It
was a real thrill that God used us as his instruments to reach this man.
To those of you who have an unsaved loved one, take heart from this
and continue to pray, for you never know just what God will do.
There is so much more to say, and I would particularly like to give a history of the Baptist Church were John Botoch is Pastor. Their Centenary is next year. Their history is difficult, fascinating, and a wonderful testimony to the power and presence of God. This however, must wait for another time.
Glen Rickard
First time in Ukraine!!!
People from Billinge Family Church have been travelling
in different countries for many years now.
Not on holidays but to take aid, money, gifts and general help to
poor people, sick people, those in need.
We also preach the gospel and support churches. Hospitals and
orphanages.
I was really privileged to go to Ukraine last month, the first time I had been there. We went to a city called Nikopol, about 400 miles south east of Kiev. It was autun and the gardens were full of fruit and vegetables. If you have a garden in Ukraine you don’t worry too much about flowers, you grow FOOD. Things are difficult in Ukraine, there is a lot of poverty and although in the cities there are things to buy, for most people the prices are too high .
“Skola Internat”is the name given to schools/orphanages all over post soviet Russia where children who have learning difficulties, or slight physical difficulties or are orphans, or abandoned, live and go to school. We asked them what they needed, they needed 150 dishes and spoons so we provided them and also a large bag of sweets for the children. We also gave a gift for materials for the beautiful craft work the older children do – this gift was made from the sale of sandwiches in Billinge Family Church. Life in Skola Internat is pretty basic and probably rather grim. Some of the teachers/carers are obviously fond of the children, others not so much. Although I was not at this Skola long enough to see it, there is a lot of bullying in these places which must add to the difficulties these children live with. The children need love, they throw their arms round you, kiss you. I found it difficult to leave.
We also went to the baby orphanage. In Nikopol abandoned children (and there were 13 children abandoned in the week we were there) stay in hospital for 2 weeks and then go to the Baby orphanage. The building is clean and pleasant, basic but light. The children are fed well and the carers do seem to be genuinely fond of the little ones but the children just sit silently with blank faces. They need mothers…..
What a contrast it was to visit homes where mothers have adopted children from these orphanages. Moved by compassion and led by God, some Christian mothers have adopted over 20 children, a real faith commitment in such a poor country. None of the three families we visited were well off in any sense of the work, they had a cow, pigs and chickens and a lot of love to give. The children were so happy, it means such a lot to them to have their own family, they belong somewhere and the stigma of being abandoned has gone.
Scenes that remain in my mind……Old ladies – Babushkas – with their head scarves, thick dresses and woolly stockings on a hot day…. Rosy apples and enormous water melons… the blank expressionless faces of the orphan babies…
The Christian church in Ukraine works hard to help poor families and the elderly. It is a privilege to come along side them in their work and to join with them in helping people and telling them about a Saviour who loves them.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS………..of UKRAINE
KIEV WAS COLD!!! We left England on a warm autumn day and arrived at Kiev where it was 8 degrees, although the weather did warm up a bit after a few days.
It was definitely HARVESTIME!!! Gardens were bursting with rosy apples, peppers, tomatoes, pumpkins and lovely juicy watermelons everywhere. (In Ukraine you don’t worry too much about flowers in your garden, you grow FOOD). We spoke at several Harvest Thanksgiving services and you could certainly feel in touch with what you were thanking God for. A good harvest is crucial to Ukraine’s economy and people were grateful for His supply.
I was very touched to see the desire in the hearts of the Christians to serve God. Born out of their love for God and gratefulness to Jesus, came the strong desire to serve. WORKING FOR GOD was a phrase often used and people were ready to give up so much in order to work for God, labour which they gladly and gratefully carried out.
And I met the HAPPIEST WOMAN I have ever met! Out of a desire to work for God, and compassion for the orphans left in orphanages growing up without a family and having the stigma of abandonment, this amazing lady had adopted 25 children. She started off by fostering the children but got tired of the State telling her she could not take the children to church etc that she adopted them all. They are certainly not a rich family, they all live in a large old house, no mod cons – they bathed the babies in the front garden using water from the well – but they grow most of their own food, keep a cow and pig. Their only income is selling potted plants but happy? YES! This is lady is secure and content in the knowledge that she is doing God’s work and making a complete difference in the lives of the children. She is giving abandoned children a family, a home, a faith and a future. What task is more fulfilling than that?
God’s jewels are not to be found in palaces, on platforms or in the public eye. They are hidden away in unexpected places, quietly changing the world. What a privilege it was for me to meet people like this. FIRST IMPRESSIONS .. that I will never forget.
Paulene Dickson