God’s blessings on each of you for your prayers and financial gifts. I have been working on my update since returning. My schedule has been really packed since arriving back late Saturday evening.
Below is a small excerpt of what God did in my heart.
We were able to distribute Bibles to people who have never seen them in a local village. We offered a call to repentance.
I preached 5 times and one of those was in the largest churches in Vinnista, Ukraine where I was stationed.
We distributed the 2,500 Ibuprophen which will help people with arthritis and other ailments who cannot easily purchase them in the villages.
We took in blankets and baby clothes for people in need. A baby blanket over there would cost between $50 - $100.00 which is ALOT of money for the average Ukrainian.
I worked with an orphanage to partner with them in getting help to them. Sasha and I will continue our outreach to this orphanage as needs arise.
I had a wonderful 25 year old translator Sasha, who shares my b-day and we have a mutual understanding toward the things of God. Sasha has a heart for orphans so we are going to begin the process of helping him do what God has called him to do.
I was able to work with, and disciple, both Sasha and Dr. Andrey Boynuk. Dr. Andrey is a orthopedic bone surgeon finishing up his last internship in Vinnista, Ukraine. Touched by Grace has decided, by the Holy Spirits leading, to begin helping him become equipped with all the tools necessary to help the people of Ukraine physically and spiritually. We have already secured a stethoscope and are working to secure other medical instruments to help him set up his practice.
I, personally, was ministered to by God in a very powerful way that has made me even more sensitive to God’s heart , but also more bold in my stance for Christ.
This is not the time for luke warm mentalities. The people of the world are in NEED of a Savior. After 16 countries and over 70 cities I have seen much. Every trip brings me closer to Him. Every day brings me closer to Him.
I have found myself walking in the Word of God in 2 Corinthians chapter 3:1-6 and also chapters 4,5,6
We must set ourselves apart for God and become the LIVING Epistles read by all men.
Flying en-route back to the USA from the field in Ukraine, I have been overtaken by a new kind of Love. I am learning about love from another perspective in the Kingdom of God.
So far in my life God has been teaching me about how to give and receive love as a Father, Husband, and Son. During each of these life cycles there are many opportunities to grow. The moment of time when God connects with you in a deeper understanding of the those love areas goes beyond human desire or will. Just when you think you have experienced love you turn the corner and a new opportunity awaits you. I chose to walk through this opportunity.
Joyce Meyer has taught me that God does not expect us to have to understand everything to believe. Jesus did many things that would not make sense to human reasoning.
The love I began to grasp a hold of is the Love that 2 Corinthians 2: 2-3 4:5 and 5:14 speak of... It is CHRIST's love that compels or constrains us, and therefore we have become ministers of reconciliation for His Kingdom.
As I arrived in Ukraine to work both with believers and unbelievers, I did not realize that foot washing was going to be required of me. As I began to disciple and get to know Dr. Andrey it became apparent that this was going to take place. I was overwhelmed with more sleepless nights than ones I actually slept through. The Love God placed in my heart was not describable. When Discipleship takes place and the brotherhood connects there is a special bond that accompanies. Even Rose, my wife, all the way in the USA was moved when she saw the picture of Julia, Dr. Andrey's wife.
I have begun to journey down the path of learning about the Agape love that Christ shared with His disciples. In 2010 what I know is a place in my heart as a believer has been made alive as I have never experienced before. Many warm tears have flowed down my cold cheeks as I have reflected. The words to the song Adonai... I lift up my heart and I cry move me to this special place of understanding. However, to only experience this myself was not the goal, but to share with those who He chose according to John 15. I was overwhelmed, and know it came from God.
I have been moved in my heart to care for Dr. Andrey and his wife Julia. A new beginning has started, but my prayer is that we will seek God to know this type of love and be able to express it and be willing to radically show it to others.
As we Love this way the world will know our God reigns among believers and non believers. It is unfortunate that so few people ever come to this important teaching.
I pray God continues to deeply call out to me and I to him. I want to show others His amazing love story that He has with us.
Compelled and Constrained by His love,
Todd
“When an institution is young, it is flexible, fluid, willing to try anything once. As the institution ages, risk-taking decreases, daring gives way to rigidity, creativity fades, the capacity to meet new challenges from unexpected directions is lost. The same processes at work in the demise of institutions likewise operate in the decline of individuals. Brennan Manning
