Easter concert

There was an AWESOME concert in the Odessa church tonight. Helena Udras (our regular church organist now) joined with others to organize a chamber music/organ music concert that not only hit it right, but hit the calendar right. It was a holiday, the day after Easter here, the very BEST time for religious outreach, and the place was full. They got the Philharmonic chamber orchestra and a couple of great soloists to join with our beautiful organ to perform Bach, Handel, and other religious pieces that matched the moment. Pastor Babuinin asked me to pray with him beforehand, and he gave a great introduction, giving glory to God, calling all to spiritual reflection, and connecting the music and Easter-time with the right blend of the “Russian soul” and a “spiritual” message of Christ's Resurrection. The music, setting, and atmosphere blended well -- I was inspired!

Missions in Presbytery

The First Presbytery of Ukraine met on Thursday, with visiting representatives from Bulgaria, St. Petersburg, Moscow, Tatarstan, Uzbekistan, and America. Besides the Particularization Ceremony itself, establishing them as a national church, one of the most significant acts of Presbytery was to change the name of a committee from “External Affairs” to “External Affairs & Missions.” It’s a small change, but it reflects the reality of a growing vision on the part of the churches to reach out with the Gospel to nearby and distant parts. Praise God!

Ditch-digger Clay

I'm tired! The Odessa church pastor has been talking for the past 6 months about the need for more evangelism and missions. There have been classes, changes in the budget, teaching, and even training of a greeting committee and outreach committee. But now that the weather is clearing up, new possibilities are open to us. Today, about 30 of our church people met at Langeron Beach, set up a tent, passed out tracts, sang praise songs, and worked together in the park. We joined a city-wide “green” campaign, raking, collecting trash, and digging a huge hole (some called it a grave) in which to bury it. After digging for an hour with little result, we commandeered a backhoe! A number of people came up to us asking for tracts, and many of our people shared the Gospel with the people on the park benches. Praise God for this day of fellowship, service, and outreach! It was encouraging, so there may be many more!
See pictures here: clayq.smugmug.com

TORNADO in Mississippi!

TORNADO in Mississippi! Our son Nate was in the eye, but God spared them! Nate's been helping others saw up fallen trees. All their trees fell AWAY from the house! Praise God for his miraculous care! A tree fell on my brother's car, but their house was spared.

Pray for Clay as he develops the Slide show for Presbytery. This is a crucial part for the ceremony, recounting the whole history of our work here and the growth of the church. It's been a much bigger project than we thought! -- scanning, organizing, researching, writing -- and now translating and timing! Pray for it to bring glory to God at the special celebration on April 16th, when the missionaries completely devolve leadership to Ukrainian hands.

Also Pray for safe travel for Clay and our European leaders to Spain this week. Pray for good connections to be developed between national and missionary leaders from all over Europe. Pray for Clay, too, as he will lead a seminar on Theological Education in Europe. And pray for Darlene at home in Odessa, holding the fort alone.