Friday was the Gibson's 16th wedding annversary! The people from the the ministry here ordered them a Ukrainian Cake. It was very good. (Tasted like black cherry)
We took a short boat ride on the black sea on Friday. It's funny how God works in things. I think we all were interested in seeing the sites and the romantic sound of a boat ride on the black sea. When we finished the boat ride (in the evening) all of us got together to talk about highlights of the day and NONE of us said the boat ride was the highlight.
Better yet, NONE of us could think of anything we saw on the boat ride. We were all consumed with getting to know the people here from the ministry. There are so many things we could ask for prayer in this area. Kurt and Rochelle zurBurg (mentioned at the end of the prayer journal yesterday) are church planters who've been in the ministry for 5 years. They've just started to feel comfortable here and have a new church plant about 45 minutes south of Odessa. (the church we will be working with is about 45 minutes north). They have two believers in their new church plant and are very special people. Please pray for them and their ministry. It was evident that they were very glad to have a voice from home to spend time with. It is a very small world, Kent Snoeyink and Kurt have about *everything* in common. Both married, 3 girls, both attended school in W michigan at the same time, both soccer coaches. Even more they actually *played* soccer against each other in high school but didn't know it. Parallel paths.I didn't get a picture of it but there is evidence of other church work in the area as well. (Likely charasmatic, but working to spread the gospel). We saw several city bus sides plastered with John 3:36 and a big "Do you believe?" on the back. Of course it was in russian so none of us could read it - but thankfully we had Kamil there to interpret.
John 3:36 (King James Version) 36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Special interest:
There is a very high walking bridge between the two sides of Odessa (over a deep ravine). Legend has it that an official from the area had the bridge built to enable him to more quickly reach his mother in law's house on the other side of the chasm. The gentlemen in our group discussed this theory and decided it was not something that was realistic. Other than the four of us, we couldn't think of anyone else that would build such a bridge to visit their mother in law.
The ladies in our group purchased locks and brought them. Another tradition is evident here. If true love is to last forever a couple will bring a lock with their names on it to the bridge and place the lock on this bridge. Tons of locks were here and we added our own.Ok. Time to be off for ministry practice. The kids with recorders have been individually playing them a bit and now it's time for group practice. Steve and Amy are off to the church to practice their stuff and see the church. Kent and Jim were able to see the church last night so this is 2nd hand information. The church area where we will do VBS is about 1/2 the size of an average room at Calvary. I'll give more details when seen first hand. I have a feeling we are going to double the size of the church population when we are there!
Das Vadanya! (goodbye!)
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