Daily Archives: July 13, 2014

July 13, 2014 · 16:40

Hostages: Ukraine part 3b

Even though other news events have shifted USA attention from what’s going on here in Ukraine, the crisis continues to develop.

EuroNews video on the flight from Donesk: click here

Part of the reason is an intensifying of the fighting. Yesterday either Russia or pro-Russian insurgents fired a battery of short range missiles at Ukrainian army positions and killed 19 soldiers. Ukrainian TV reported that military sources said the trajectory of the missiles may have been from across the border.

Meanwhile in Kyiv, military officials displayed an enormous quantity of Russian munitions captured from insurgents. These munitions included everything from AK-47s to large multi rocket launching systems.

I’ve heard stories that if people try to drive west out of Donesk they have to pay the pro-Russian insurgents to let them through. On friend told me of a cousin who was beaten and his car taken by these thugs.

Then there are the soldiers and journalists who were captured and are held for ransom. I’m told that teens from group home are being used as human shields.

Now we’re hearing that shots are being traded across the border. Meanwhile Merkel and Putin talk cease fire in Ukraine while Putin cheers for GER. If Putin wants a cease fire, why doesn’t he stop the incursion of his people. Merkel seems to be putting German industry and Russian trade over Ukrainian sovereignty.

Please pray for Ukraine.

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Filed under Eastern Europe

July 13, 2014 · 06:03

Surprise!

Weeks ago when I was planning this trip there was discussion about dates and the the places I would preach.

Originally, I was to have been here a week earlier but as the plan developed and today was the Sunday I would be serving with the brothers.

As it turns out this was a baptism Sunday. Here are the 124 candidates for baptism who have had basic Christian training and have been examined as to the sincerity of their faith:

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The Pentecostal church buildings in town were empty today because this is the Sunday when they all come together at the lake for singing, preaching and the baptisms. I am told there are several thousand on the hillside:

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As I was saying hello to one of the pastors it hit me that had my schedule not changed I would have missed preaching at this event. I’m so glad that God is orchestrating my itinerary.

I’m told this is a bit of a higher number of baptisms and it was hypothesized that recent events are causing people to realize their need for a relationship with God.

The newly baptized believers then received a Bible that I urged them to read daily.

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What will it take for us to realize and act on that need for God?

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Filed under being a disciple, Eastern Europe, experience, photos along the way, travel notes

July 13, 2014 · 01:35

Hostages: Ukraine part 3

Even though other news events have shifted USA attention from what’s going on here in Ukraine, the crisis continues to develop.

EuroNews video on the flight from Donesk: click here

Part of the reason is an intensifying of the fighting. Yesterday either Russia or pro-Russian insurgents fired a battery of short range missiles at Ukrainian army positions and killed 19 soldiers. Ukrainian TV reported that military sources said the trajectory of the missiles may have been from across the border.

Meanwhile in Kyiv, military officials displayed an enormous quantity of Russian munitions captured from insurgents. These munitions included everything from AK-47s to large multi rocket launching systems.

I’ve heard stories that if people try to drive west out of Donesk they have to pay the pro-Russian insurgents to let them through. On friend told me of a cousin who was beaten and his car taken by these thugs.

Then there are the soldiers and journalists who were captured and are held for ransom. I’m told that teens from group home are being used as human shields.

Please pray for Ukraine.

Leave a comment

Filed under Eastern Europe, shifts, travel notes