March 1, 2022 News Update
From the website manager:
As you know, Jim and Phyllis have been experiencing this "adventure" with Robby Dean. I didn't receive an update today from Jim, however, there's an update from Robyy that I thought I'd pass along.
Last Bucharest Update
From the time we left the Myers’ home Friday morning at 10.00 we travelled 45 hours through the heart of Ukraine to the southwestern border to cross into Romania. The crossing itself took a little over six and a half hours.
We were met by a former pastor, who knew our friend Pastor Greg Allen from State College, PA. We met Greg in 2016 when attending the Christian Leader Seminar at Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Memorial.
You might ask how we managed to be evacuated by Project Dynamo? As I said earlier, it was when Pam [Dean] alerted our Christian Outreach AIPAC friends, one of whom I became long time friends with, Arkansas State Senator Jason Rapert.
Each of the connections that brought us to the border were through contacts we developed in our support of Israel. In Gen 12:3 God made an eternal, unconditional promise to Avraham, “Those who bless you I will bless, those who treat you lightly I will judge harshly.” [my translation from the Hebrew] In Gen. 12:1-3 God summarized for Avraham that which would be the core of His eternal promise to the Jewish people. We, the Myers’ in their ministry, and me in my ministry, have always taught the importance of blessing the Jewish people and Israel and never succumbing to anti-Semitism.
In our extraction, God demonstrated His faithfulness to this promise as He has throughout 4,000 years since that was made. And we anticipate the ultimate fulfillment of those promises when Christ returns to fulfill all of His promises to Israel and to establish His glorious kingdom.
This morning I am sitting in the Coanda Airport in Bucharest awaiting our flight to Istanbul and then on home.
Throughout this journey the words of the third verse in John Newton’s well-known hymn have echoed through my mind:
"Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come,
Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home."
It is God’s undeserved mercy that protects, provides, and perserves us. It is by God’s grace through faith in Christ that we are saved. At that instant we become God’s adopted child, and among other things given a divine commission to serve and glorify Him. That is what should define our lives, shape our decisions, and focus our thoughts.
We live in such insane, and perilous times. It is God’s challenge to us to serve Him, and to do so whatever it might cost. Serving Him doesn’t save us, it is motivated by the gratitude that He has already saved us, and when all is said and done, that service is all that we take with us into the presence of God.
All is based on grace, and the proper response is gratitude. Each of us three are profoundly grateful to each one of you for your prayers for us, and many of you prayed hour upon hour, and we will never know how many of you or which ones of you were so motivated by we thank you. God answers all prayers, and this one He answered in the affirmative.
God has intervened to protect us from our enemis, to preserve us through problems of traffic, an overheating bus, enormous crowds, He provided unusally warm weather for February, even through we stood in the 32 degree cold we were warm and it wasn’t wet or snowing. God provided friends to pick us up at the crossing and to take us to their home and feed us.
There was a young man who escaped with us. He may or may not be a believer, we took him along so he could get to Bucharest. He saw things he had never imagined. The unconditional love of two Romanian families that welcomed us and him into their home. It was automatically a family environment. We were well fed, cared for, by total strangers all because we were brothers in Christ and in need of rescue. Only God produces this kind of qualitative, undonditional love for one another.
This young man spent a very long day surrounded by Christians loving him and loving one another. And it was obvious that he had never seen anything like it.
John 13:34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
John 13:35 "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
We must head to the gate now. We thank all of you for your love, prayer, and care for us on this journey.
Robby Dean
February 28, 2022 News Update
28 February, 2022
Dear Partners in the conflict,
We thank God for working out many details to bring us out of Ukraine. And we are so grateful for all of you who flooded the throne of grace with intercessions on our behalf. The Father has been pleased to answer your prayers.
While we are not there in the flesh, nevertheless we are there in spirit. We have many loved ones who are in the very heart of the conflict. Please do not let up in praying for Ukraine. Most of our college students have gotten out of Kiev, but some cannot do so. We have an Armenian student who is here with his wife and five children. He has no way to evacuate. Some of our church members have been able to move to other cities to be with family or to places that are not immediately threatened. Many have no place to go and must remain in place. One family had damage to the apartment building in which they live when a rocket hit it. One woman has had to spend nights in the basement of her apartment because of shelling in her neighborhood. Another sent me a photo of her apartment where she has filled the windows with sand bags to provide some protection from flying glass. There have been explosions close by.
Our Hebrew teacher, Nina Grigoliya, along with student Denis and his wife and three-year old son are trying to get out of Ukraine. They were able to get a train to Lviv on the border of Poland. They went to the border where the crush of people is tremendous. They have been standing outside in cold winter weather for about 36 hours as of this writing. They say that they are getting close to the check point. Please pray that they can get across the border.
Denis needs additional prayer in that he is from Belarus. Since Belarus was a staging area for Russian troops who invaded Ukraine, and since rockets were launched from Belarus which targeted Kiev, he may have problems leaving Ukraine and entering Poland. Denis is one of the best students we have ever had at the Bible college, whom I believe will become an outstanding pastor and Bible teacher.
Update: right after I finished this letter I got word that Nina and Denis and his family got across the border. What a wonderful loving Father we have. Now pray that they can find shelter, work and other things that they will need. I am sure that the Lord has a purpose for them where they are and that they will be faithful in serving Him wherever they are.
Pray also for Oleg Lozinski and his wife Natasha. Oleg is pastor of Word of God Church and now has the incredible responsibility of shepherding a flock which is literally under attack. He is tirelessly working to encourage the people, to keep tabs on the circumstances of each family, to know where they are and what needs they might have.
We just heard that there is activity and a number of deaths in the city of Brovary, which is just east of Kiev. Brovary is just a couple of miles from our house where Oleg also lives.
Tomorrow we are hoping to fly to Istanbul and then on to Houston. We will keep you posted.
What a privilege to be alive right now. To think that God has put us here at this time to be His representatives in a world gone berserk! He has entrusted us with the greatest news that could ever be broadcast – eternal life can be yours as a free gift, paid for by Jesus Christ. Just put your faith in Him and you can receive that eternal life, you can have peace with God and peace from God.
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.
Jim
February 27, 2022 News Update
Sunday, February 27, 2022
Dear Friends,
How gracious how merciful, how loving is our heavenly Father. We finally got through the border check points about 6:30 this morning. We were met outside the gate by long-time friend Tony Dedan and a new-found Christian friend who works in a church about 20 miles south of the border crossing. We went there for a wonderful breakfast. There we met the family of an American missionary who works in Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine. He and his wife and five children had a much more difficult passage through the border, which took them more than 24 hours.
After breakfast we drove about 7 hours to the big city of Bucharest where we are being treated to two wonderful nights in a beautiful hotel. We had to get covid tests before we could check into the hotel. We are so glad that all of us tested negative. Robby had tested positive before we left Kiev, so we rejoiced in the results of this test. But, we will have to get tested again to be able to fly to the US on Tuesday. Phyllis is faring well and her medicine has been helping. She is very tired, but doing much better. We are so thankful for all your intercession for us.
We have reservations to fly to Istanbul and then on to Houston. We plan to just relax for a few days and then make plans. Obviously we have no way of knowing how long this conflict in Ukraine will continue, but we are already looking forward to being able to return.
We have received just dozens and dozens of notes and letters from so many of you expressing your concerns, assuring us of your prayers for us, and sending precious promises from the Word of God. How we treasure all of those. Thank you all. All praise and honor goes to our loving heavenly Father who caused so many factors to come together to bring about our salvation from the war zone. In a future letter I will explain more fully how God takes all things and makes them work together for good for those who love Him, for those who are the called according to His purpose.
Thanks to you from our grateful hearts,
Jim and Phyllis
February 26/27, 2022 News Update #3
February 27, 2022 3:30 AM (EEST) - February 26, 8:22 PM CST
Beloved. Prayer Warriors.
We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of your love and concern for us.
It is now 3:30 in the morning. We had to walk a couple of miles with luggage to get to the Romanian border After standing in a huge crowd of people for 3 hours in sub freezing temperatures we finally crossed the border into Romania.
We have been waiting for almost an hour to get to security checks. I hope it will be soon. We have been on the go for almost 40 hours.
Phyllis is holding up well with the help of some medication. We pray the walking and exposure to the cold and lack of sleep will not worsen things.
He who dwells in the secret place of the most high will dwell under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and fortress, my God. In Him I will trust.
All by grace,
Jim
February 26, 2022 News Update #2
Update: February 26 10:00 PM (EEST) - came in at 5:11 PM CST
We are still at the border at 10:00 at night. No clue as to how long it will take. Pray for an opening.
Jim
February 26, 2022 News Update #1
Update: February 26 (11:09 CST)
After a 27-hour ride, we have arrived at the Romanian border. However the line of vehicles is exceedingly long and could take 18 hours.
It is possible to cross on foot, but we have been warned that this could take 10 hours. We would need to stand up and be outside in very cold and windy places. Neither prospect is attractive.
But we praise God that we are in a place where we are safe.
Jim
February 25, 2022 News Update
February 25, 2022
Dear Praying Friends,
It is morning after an uneventful night for us personally. We heard heavy planes last night and a couple of explosions far away, but it was otherwise very quiet.
We live in an old farmhouse in a village about 25 miles from the city center. It would seem that this is a relatively safe place to be at the moment. Several families from the church have come out to our place, considering this to be a safer place than the city.
I have decided to try to evacuate, if possible. Phyllis wants to leave, although she is willing to stay. However, she has been sick and needs to see a doctor. Also, it is an added burden for our people here to help us take care of our personal needs because they need to focus on their own family's needs. They are committed to taking care of us, but I consider it better to get out of their way.
We have made contact with Project Dynamo, the organization that rescued so many people from Afghanistan last year. They are now working in Ukraine also. We are awaiting instructions from them as to a time and meeting place. They will then provide transportation to one the countries bordering Ukraine to the West. Reports are that the lines are very long at the border crossings, but we can wait. Robby has already arranged for someone to meet us on the other side of the border to take us to an international airport.
It was a wonderful time last night as we joined an online prayer group being led by our Ukrainian missionary in Turkey. This prayer meeting lasted for many hours. People joined us from around the world, from Uzbekistan, France, UK, and several others.
Time to go right now.
Pray.
Jim
February 24, 2022 News Update
February 24, 2022
Dear Friends,
We were awakened before dawn this morning with several loud explosions. So it has begun. Russia has indeed invaded Ukraine. In my recent letter I had expressed that the situation here was largely calm and that I did not anticipate an immediate attack. But, I also said, that obvious things could change in a moment, and that has happened.
All Ukrainian airspace has been shut down so there are no commercial or private planes in the air. The borders have been shut down and travel between regions has been blocked. Martial law has been declared. The highways out of Kiev are in gridlock as many people are seeking to flee the city and country. Banks and ATMs are closed as well. The gas stations and grocery stores have incredibly long lines as people are trying to stock up.
These are the early hours and we have no way of knowing what will happen. Perhaps we will have more clarity in a day or two. In the meantime we are at home and still have electricity and internet. We are not in any immediate danger. We have food and water and plenty of firewood i we need it to heat the house.
Robby Dean is here in Ukraine right now. He came to teach at the Bible college, not expecting that the situation would deteriorate so rapidly. When things started to look dicey and KLM cancelled its flights out of Kiev, he decided to leave early on a different airline. However, when he went to get his PCR test he tested positive for Covid-19. So he had to wait a few days to get another test in order to be able to fly. With the travel restrictions on the highways he is unable to get out of the country at the present time.
We will keep you posted as we are able. I am confident that you will be in earnest prayer for us and for Ukraine. Pray for our safety. Pray that we will find a way for Robby to get safely home.
Pray also for Phyllis who has a severe case of bronchitis right now. Pray that we might glorify the Lord in the midst of all the chaos, and that this might be a great opportunity for the spread of the gospel and the spiritual growth of the believers.
Psalm 27:3 Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war should rise against me, In this I will be confident.
Psalm 27:5 For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabemacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.
Psalm 27:14 Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!
Jim
February 2022 News Update
February 21, 2022
Proverbs 25:25, “As cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a far country.”
Dear Friends,
We are alive and well in Ukraine. We are so grateful for all of you who have been praying for us, and we have been encouraged by many of you writing to tell us of your concern and how you are standing with us in prayer. Surely, through your intercession at the throne of grace we have been obtaining mercy and finding grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
It should come as no shock if I tell you that you can’t trust much of what you see or read in the media. There is so much that is hype and hyperbole and partial truths or outright lies that it is really hard to know what to believe. So let me give you my perspective.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine is not imminent, it happened in 2014. Since that time there have been close to 40,000 casualties, with the number of Ukrainians killed at more than 14,000. Close to 2 million people have been displaced. Contrary to many reports, most people are not fleeing to Russia but are moving to the west to the capital city of Kiev and other cities or other European countries in many cases. The US State Department has been issuing Level 3 and Level 4 threat warnings for more than seven years now. What is happening now is not something new.
It is true that there has been a large Russian military build-up all around Ukraine – on the eastern border, on the northern border in Belarus, in the south in the Crimean Peninsula, and in the west in the Transnistria region. No one knows for sure if this has any real significance or if it is just grand theater being produced for Putin’s aggrandizement. It may be that he is doing a lot of posturing in order to achieve political goals that do not include a full-scale assault of Ukraine at all.
Let me tell you what I observe in Ukraine. In the Donbas region of southeastern Ukraine several cities are under the control of Russian separatists. There have been continuing skirmishes for years between these Russian-backed forces and the Ukrainian military, accounting for the casualties mentioned above. However, for the most part, Ukrainians are not living in fear of an all-out assault.
I have traveled to many place around the country, and except in that one region there is no indication of a country on the brink of war. And except in that region a person can travel freely by car or public transportation without being stopped at checkpoints. There are no soldiers or military vehicles along the way. I have flown domestically into and out of cities in Ukraine with no problems, no increased scrutiny at the airports.
In the capital city of Kiev the airports are open, with more concern about the Corona virus than a military invasion. There are no long lines at the airports with people frantically leaving the country. In fact, the last couple of times that we have flow into Ukraine recently, the incoming planes were full. Apparently people are not afraid to come here. There are no special forces at the airports or along the highways. Businesses are open and there is no evidence of panic buying. The shelves are fully stocked. There are no long lines at the gas stations. Churches are not overflowing with people cowering in fear because of a perception of imminent danger. People are not huddled in their homes and we hear little talk of war. By all appearances Ukraine does not look like a country that is unduly alarmed by all of the news coming out of the US and western Europe.
Obviously things could change rapidly. We have no way of knowing if they will. We receive notices from the US Embassy here, almost daily, warning us to leave the country immediately. I have even received telephone calls from the State Department in Washington to ask if we are still in Ukraine, and, if so, do we plan to evacuate. The last time they called I asked if they had some information that was different from what I could get from the media, and they said no. So I want to know what has changed in the past week or month or year?
There are some who are making decisions based more on fear than fact. KLM airline has suspended all of its flights in and out of Ukraine because their insurers have refused to cover any losses that might be sustained due to a war. This results in economic loss both for them and for Ukraine. Other companies headquartered in the West have also suspended working here. This has also had some impact on the economy here. As you have probably heard a couple of countries, including the US, have pulled their embassy staff out of the country. But the vast majority have not done so.
We are not oblivious to the potential danger, and we have considered what steps we might need to take in the event of war. We have some food stockpiled, some gasoline and a power generator. We know where the border crossings are should it be necessary to leave. But we have no plans at present to evacuate. In fact, we do not anticipate leaving unless forced to do so. Our thinking is this: what kind of example would we be, what testimony of faith in the Lord, if we tell our people to trust in the Lord and then we bail out at the first hint of trouble? This is our life, our ministry, our home – until the Lord moves us!
Please continue to pray for Ukraine, for its leaders to have wisdom, for its military to have courage, for its people to turn to the Lord in their hour of testing. Pray for us that we can continue to preach the gospel, to keep on training our Bible college students to prepare them for ministry. It is our privilege, our joy to serve the Lord here.
“I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.” Psalm 91:2
Jim and Phyllis
January 2022 News Update
January 2022
Dear Friends,
Thirty years ago on Christmas Day the Hammer and Sickle was lowered for the last time at the Kremlin in Moscow. The Communist Party was dead. Thirty years ago this month the Soviet Union was dissolved and the republics in the USSR became independent nations. This opened the door for Christians from the west to enter into those countries which had been denied access to the gospel of grace and Bible teaching for 70 years.
In 1993 my wife, Phyllis, and I went to the former Soviet Union as missionaries. We have done evangelism, planted churches, and started Bible schools. Our primary focus is to train pastors, teachers, evangelists, and missionaries. Since 1996 the work has been centered in Kiev, Ukraine. This has been a wonderful place for ministry, with great freedom to openly preach the gospel, plant churches, and to teach the Bible.
Ukraine has experienced great turmoil in the past 30 years with differing factions vying for power, with political and economic problems. In spite of all these things the country has prospered and enjoyed much liberty. However, since 2014 with the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych, the country has suffered some severe blows. Russia forcibly took over the Crimean peninsula with its highly valuable ports and naval base on the Black Sea. In addition to that, Russian-backed separatists, in armed conflict, took control of the Donbas region in eastern and southern Ukraine. The conflict has continued for seven years now, resulting in the death of thousands of Ukrainians, the exodus of more than a million people from that area, and much suffering for those still there.
Since last year tensions have escalated due to a large buildup of Russian troops along the northern and eastern borders of Ukraine. Only recently has this caught the attention of Europe and America. What does this portend? I don’t know. Will there be a Russian invasion? I don’t know. What I do know is this:
No matter what the situation in the world, our divine mandate has not changed. We are in this world at this time for God’s purposes, not our own. We have not been called to comfort or east, to success or prosperity, but to represent the Lord Jesus Christ. In an era of political chaos, economic instability, pandemic, paranoia and fear, we must keep our eye on God’s objective and press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ. There is but one question that must be answered: how can I please the Lord in this situation?
Therefore, we press on, that we may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus laid hold of us. Our hope, our confidence, our stability comes from knowing God and His Word. We cannot control conditions in the world, but we can trust in the God who is sovereign over all. Therefore, let us redouble our efforts to walk worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, to bear fruit, and to increase in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10).
Our work here continues with the Bible college, church, and Bible conferences. We have a very busy schedule for this spring, not only in Kiev, but also in several other places in Ukraine where we are able to hold conferences and teach in other Bible schools. We also have trips planned for teaching in Armenia and Zambia in the next few months, and possibly Estonia if the Covid cops will allow us entry. We have not been vaccinated for the Covid virus, and will not do so. This presents problems for us in travel since some countries require a vaccination to enter. Even here in Ukraine it is necessary to have either proof of vaccination or a PCR to fly or even travel by train. It has been necessary to curtail a few teaching opportunities, but in spite of that we still have a full calendar.
We are so thankful for God’s abundant blessings to us in giving us the privilege of serving Him, continued health and strength, and faithful partners in ministry. Thank you so much for your prayers, your encouragement, your support. We praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for you. Please pray for our health, safety, and open doors for the ministry
By grace alone,
Jim Myers
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September 2021 News Update
September 2021
Dear Friends,
What a marvelous adventure this Christian life is. Of course, there are struggles, but, oh the joys that come to us in serving the Lord.
In July Phyllis and I returned to Hot Springs, Arkansas, where we had our first church ministry. Grace Bible Church was planted in 1971, and I had the privilege of being the founding pastor. The church had a Golden Anniversary celebration. A number of the charter members are still in the church, as well as some of their children and grandchildren. It was a great time of rejoicing in what the Lord has done in and through the ministry of that church. It has touched literally thousands of lives through various ministries over the years, and also produced a number of people who have gone into ministry. We are also rejoicing that the church has remained true to Word of God with a free grace gospel and emphasis on verse-by-verse Bible teaching. They have continued to grow under the ministry of Pastor Mark Goad, and just recently sold the building we met in for many years in order to put up a new structure, the old one being too small to accommodate the congregation.
Back in Kiev we are beginning our 29th year as missionaries in this part of the world. Word of God Church is doing well under its Ukrainian leadership, growing both in number and spiritual maturity. The Bible college is back in session. Although our enrollment is down this year, we still have a full schedule. It seems that a lot of people have gotten into the distance learning mode and do not want to leave home in order to study. Of course, we believe that face-to-face teaching is best, but we are in the process of developing online courses. This is a big undertaking, but it seems necessary at this point.
I just finished teaching a two-week module at Word of God Bible College on the subject of Soteriology (the doctrine of salvation) and will be teaching courses on Old Testament historical books (Joshua through Esther) and another course on the major prophets (Isaiah through Daniel). In addition to the college, I preach once and sometimes twice on Sundays, plus two online classes during the week. Other than that, I am free!
Many of the Covid-19 restrictions are still in effect, but people are becoming less fearful of becoming infected, and the government mandates are being eased. It is still necessary for Americans to get PCR tests before entering the country, but vaccination is not required. The vaccination papers are necessary in a number of European countries, and this makes for some frustrations. I had plans to go to Estonia to teach for a couple of weeks there, but they require vaccination papers, so I postponed the trip. I tested positive for Covid early this year, so, I assume, I am now immune and have no need for vaccination.
We are so thankful to the Lord for His mercy in giving us health and stamina, His grace in allowing us the privilege of serving Him here. We also praise the Lord for all of you who pray for us, encourage us, and support us. Thank you.
By grace alone,
Jim
December 2020 News Update
December 2020
Dear Friends,
What a year this has been. I doubt anyone will forget 2020 with all of the tumultuous events, the chaos, confusion and panic: impeachment, riots, pandemic, and the election fiasco, lockdowns, quarantines, shuttered businesses, restrictions on church attendance, travel bans, etc., etc., etc.
What a great time to be alive! What a tremendous opportunity to manifest the grace of God, His provision to a lost world, and to give a reason for the hope that is in us. What a comfort to know that our sovereign Lord is ruling over all. The world is not spinning out of control but is moving in the exact direction that He has planned. In His book they all were written, the days fashioned for us when as yet there were none of them. He saw this year in eternity past and made perfect provision for His children to go through it with peace and joy, with confidence and assurance. He put you where you are at this very time for His own purposes. We have opportunity to shine as lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. We do not despair. We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair (2 Corinthians 4:8).
In the midst of everything we had to make many alterations to our usual way of doing things. We had to cancel our annual trips to Africa and South America. I was scheduled to teach for two weeks in Estonia, but that had to be postponed. I was planning on teaching a course in eastern Ukraine, but that was scrapped at the last minute due to the Covid-19 panic. For several months our church could not meet face-to-face because of government restrictions. So we held services at our house with 10-15 people in person and the rest joined us live stream on the Internet.
Because people were confined to their homes for weeks on end, we started having Bible classes online every night of the week. This has abated somewhat so that we now have livestream classes four times a week, but the church is now able to meet in our usual place on Sundays.
I have been teaching a group of 15–20 people on Sunday evenings in a town about an hour and a half from our home. We are hoping that this will develop into a local church there. I had an interesting experience there the first Sunday in December. There were two teenagers, a brother and sister who wanted to be baptized. The man at whose house we meet has a small above- ground swimming pool. Even though the temperature was only 15 degrees, we had the baptism outside. I was delighted to do this, of course, but this is not an experience I look forward to repeating with any regularity.
Classes at the college continue unabated, although it has been necessary to conduct some of them online. This has required us to do some juggling in schedules, though, due to the time difference between Ukraine and the US. American professors would start teaching at 7:00 or 8:00 in the morning, which is 4:00 or 5:00 in the afternoon here. So, the students here finish at 8:00 or 9:00 in the evening. But this was really a minor inconvenience.
As we come to the close of this memorable year, we give thanks to our loving Lord who has enabled us to carry on the work. We have been blessed with good health and abundant provision. We also give thanks to all of you who have been so faithful in supporting us in prayer and with your financial support.
We do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:9-10).
All by grace,
Jim
May 2020 News Update
May 6, 2020
Dear Friends,
Greetings from Ukraine. We are alive and well and enjoying good health. The country has been shut down for months now, but the government has announced that it will begin to ease some of the restrictions next week, but continue the quarantine for at least two more weeks.
The US Embassy here has been very good about sending out notices of changes made by Ukrainian government concerning regulations that have been put into effect. They even held a virtual town hall meeting last week with the Charge d’affaires and Counsel General addressing the regulations and policies of both the US and Ukrainian governments.
The Corona virus has not been too serious here. As of 5/6/2020 there have been some 325 deaths attributed to COVID-19. The economic impact, however, is tremendous because so many small businesses have been shut down. Restaurants have been closed, but they will be allowed to serve take-outs starting next week. Quite a few of our people have not been able to work for more than 2 months now, and this has put a real strain on them.
We hope that by the end of the month we will be able to resume normal meetings for the church. During this quarantine period we have been holding church from our living room via the internet. We have also been having Bible classes every night of the week from our home. It seems that people are willing to get online every night for Bible study and some social interaction with others in the church. What is interesting to me is that we have more people watching online than we have ever had in church. We even have people from several other countries joining us regularly. We pray that this will be a time of spiritual growth as people realize that God is the sovereign in control of all things, and that we are totally dependent on Him.
I had to cancel my annual pastors’ conferences in Zambia and Brazil due to travel restrictions. A couple of other conferences planned for Ukraine were also shut down because of regulations concerning the number of people who could congregate.
Our Bible college has continued with all of the classes being taught online. This has required some modifications since many of our classes are taught by Americans. The time difference between here and America is 6-10 hours, depending on the time zones. So, our students have classes in the evening while it is morning in the US. But we are glad for the technology that makes the distance learning possible.
We pray that the Lord will sustain you and keep you during this time of trouble, but most of all that He will continue to work in you, that you might fulfill His purpose for you at this time, and that He will be glorified through you.
By grace alone,
Jim
Deuteronomy 33:27, “The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms.”
Psalm 46:1-2, “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear …”
March 2020 News Update
Dear Friends,
We are back in Ukraine after a two-month tour in southern US states. It was a blessed time for us as we were able to spend Christmas with all of our kids and grandkids for the first time in 15 years. After that we went on the road, traveling through 8 states and visiting 14 churches. It was a wonderful trip, seeing many old friends; but also we visited a number of churches we had not known before, making many new friends.
But back in Ukraine now things are really heating up for Bible teaching. Mark Musser is not only teaching a course at the Bible college but is conducting conferences in three different churches during two weeks. During this time I will be teaching a seminar at a church recently planted by one of our graduates. Then, I will be teaching a module at the college during the last two weeks of the month.
April will also be a busy schedule. I will travel to Eastern Ukraine to teach a two-week course at a Bible college the first part of the month and then fly to Zambia for conferences in three different cities. Of course, all of this requires a lot of preparation and organization before the teaching ever begins.
Many people ask about the political situation in Ukraine. Whatever is going on here has not affected our ministry at all. There is still conflict in the eastern part of the country, and in spite of a “cease fire” agreement, there are still occasions of shooting and shelling between Ukrainian and Russian-backed forces. We get frequent warnings from the embassy to avoid certain sectors and cities because they are dangerous and some people have been taken hostage and held for ransom. Obviously, we stay out of those places
We praise the Lord for His abundant mercies, giving us the health, strength and provision to be able to carry on such a rigorous schedule. We ask for your prayers for our continued health and safety, especially as we travel to other countries.
We also thank God for your participation in this ministry. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
By His lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Jim