Dearest Friends,
This Sunday, September 10, we leave for Ukraine. As I was preparing to go, I was thinking about how Mike was planning to make this his first trip to Ukraine. More, while I am in eastern Europe, the anniversary of Mike’s death, his new life in Heaven will come on September 21st. I have been trying to read things that would put my heart in the right place.
The following was written by Amy Carmichael, a pioneer missionary to India. This excerpt is from her book "If." This truly challenged me, so I hope it blesses you.
"If, I put my own happiness before the well-being of the work entrusted to me; if, though I have this ministry and have received much mercy, I faint, then I know nothing of Jesus’ Love.
If, interruptions annoy me, and private cares make me impatient; if, I shadow the souls about me because I myself am shadowed, then I know nothing of Jesus’ Love.
If, I ask to be delivered from trial rather than willingly face it, to the praise of His glory; if, I forget that the way of the Cross leads to the Cross and not to a bank of flowers; so that I am surprised when the way is rough and think it strange though the Word says, ‘think it not strange, count it all joy,’ then I know nothing of Jesus’ Love.
If, the ultimate, the hardest, cannot be asked of me; if, my friends hesitate to ask it and turn to someone else, then I know nothing of Jesus’ Love."
Please pray that the entire team will focus on the Cross so that we can share the power of Jesus’ love with the children of Ukraine. Please ask God to call many of these children to faith in Jesus Christ.
This is our proposed schedule in Ukraine with one change. We have a problem and we need you to pray. Please pray for Sept.20-22. Sevastopol goverment hates all foreigners. They canceled our shows at schools. Most likely we’ll go to Zaporozhie, big industrial city on the way to Crimea. Please pray!
Mon, Sept.11 – arrival
Tue, Sept.12 – Zhitomir: 3 shows
Wed, Sept.13 – Zhitomir: 3 shows
Thur, Sept.14 – Zhitomir: 3 shows
Fri, Sep.15 – travel to Donetsk
Sat, Sept.16 – Donetsk: 3 shows
Sun, Sept.17 – Donetsk: a church service and 2 shows
Mon. Sept.18 – Donetsk: 2 shows and a training
Tue, Sep.19 – travel to Sevastopol
Wed, Sept.20 – Sevastopol: 3 shows
Thur, Sept.21 – Sevastopol: 3 shows
Fri, Sept.22 – Sevastopol: 2 shows and a training
Sat, Sept.23 – travel to Simpheropol and 2 shows
Sun, Sept.24 – Simpheropol: a church service and 2 shows
Mon, Sept.25 – Simpheropol: 3 shows
Tue, Sept.26 – travel to Zhitomir
Wed, Sept.27 – departure
Love in Jesus,
Linda for
Sam
Katie
Hannah
Oksana