Mission Trip to Ukraine autumn 2009

Matthew 28, verse 19 and 20, Jesus commanded his disciples before he ascended into heaven, “Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”

Since the fall of the Iron Curtain in the Ukraine, the ‘Alte Schule’ Mission usually travels two times a year into the Ukraine visiting meetings where contacts have been made.

On the 23rd of October, 2009, Brother Harry F., Gerhard A. and Cornelius B. traveled to the Ukraine with a VW bus packed full of relief supplies to bring the people God’s Word and support for their daily needs. In the Ukraine, Igor S from Believka climbed aboard to accompany the brothers as translator.

The first part of the trip led to Luts’k, a big city in the north western part of the Ukraine.

On the way there, a young sister was visited in a town. She is converted, but has nearly no one in her area that is like-minded.

In Luts’k, the brothers proclaimed God’s Word in a nationwide Pentecostal meeting with a 1,000 friends. Brother Harry f. read from Luke 10:17-20. Jesus said to his disciples that they shouldn’t rejoice that the spirits were submissive to them in his name, but rather to rejoice that their names are written in Heaven. Not the gift of grace, but alone moral conduct determines if our name remains in the Book of Life or not.

In that it is very difficult to find work in the country, a lot of the youth moves to the city in order to get work or to study. That’s why about 500 youth gather in Luts’k for youth meetings. On Monday evening in the youth meeting, Ecclesiastes 12:1 was the topic: “Remember now your creator in the days of your youth; before the evil days come, and the years draw near when you say, ‘I have no pleasure in them’”. Joseph, for example, understood in his youth to think of his Creator; to love and fear Him. He didn’t ever want to sin against Him.

In the days there after, different meetings were visited in the country. Around 50 to 150 friends came to these meetings. Different leaders of the meetings (whom we have had contact with many years) led us to different churches where the good news of victory over sin and sanctification of the Spirit could be freely proclaimed. There was generally one meeting mornings and one meeting evenings. Also, two Baptist meetings were visited.

In many places, relief aid was distributed.

To end with, after two weeks of visiting 21 meetings, the eastern European Brothers Conference took place. It was a faith-strengthening and uplifting experience with Brother K.J. Smith and about 400 brothers from Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, the Ukraine and other countries.

After this weekend, the 1500 kilometer trip home began.

The mission ‘Alte Schule’ gives hearty thanks for all support, prayer and gifts.