Dear Friends,
Marriage was
ordained by our Creator for our edification and pleasure, as well as for
proliferation and the joy of raising children to know and love Him! Marriage is
sacred and holy. Godly marriages and families are the foundation of the church
and our society. No wonder Satan is constantly attempting to destroy them. Enjoy
reading how Danelle and I were privileged to participate in a Ukrainian
wedding, family activities, and a future marriage.
Alla and Alexandyr, and his son, Daniel
Wedding In Georgia We met
Alexandyr 20 years ago when he and his sister came to our house in Canton to
bring us some gifts to take to Ukraine on one of our mission trips. A few years ago we found out he was
going through a painful divorce. I was able to travel to central Georgia to
meet with him, comfort and encourage him, and help him commit his life to
Christ. Last year Danelle and I met Alla in Kiev during a mission trip. She
wanted our counsel about a young man named Alexandyr who lived in Georgia –
yes, the same Alexandyr! They got to know one another through Skype as well as
Alexandyr went to Kiev to meet her. They grew closer and decided it was
God’s will for them to marry. They called and asked me to do the ceremony. It
was beautiful service. It was also the first marriage I had translated into
Russian! Please pray for them to grow in Christ and have a strong marriage.
Alla doesn’t speak English and has never lived in America, to go along with the
challenge of just getting married! We hope our Ukrainian friends in our church,
Alex and Oksana, will be able to reach out to them and help them adjust.
Wedding In Pennsylvania Danelle’s niece is getting married August 11th
and asked if I would perform their ceremony. We were honored and heartily agreed!
We also explained to them how we want every couple to have a good marriage that
will last a lifetime. Therefore, we always have premarital counseling with the
couple to help them start well. So, for several months we have enjoyed encouraging
sessions on Skype with Kelsey and Eddie. Their desire to honor God and put Him
first in their relationship has been refreshing. Please pray for this new
couple to continue to seek God first and His purpose for their marriage. They
need God’s grace as well as our prayers and support.
Grandchildren Summer
provides more opportunities to spend time with our grandchildren, and this
month has been fantastic! We have been to the Botanical Gardens, Fernbank
Science Center, swimming numerous times, and had many cookouts and walks
together. Our granddaughters from NYC, Jasper and Emilia Dewey, were able to
spend an entire week with us. We had great discussions about spiritual birth,
God’s character, and read a biography of Lillian Trasher. (We had never heard
of this woman before. It made us realize that there are thousands of fruitful
Christian heroes whom we have never heard of that we will meet in heaven. May
that be us as well!!!) The girls were so captivated by her life that they
didn’t want to stop reading! They were eager to learn to pray out loud, as well
as to read the word of God! Our
times praying together were so rich that they reminded us why God gave us
children!
Steve, Danelle, Jasper, & Dewey
Prayer
Requests
1.
Alexandyr & Alla Ask God to help
this new couple to find good fellowship, and to grow in their devotion to one
another.
2. Atlanta
Pray for our friends pictured here, Abel
Israel, Abel, and his wife Francesca. We enjoyed dinner together at a Mexican
restaurant recently. The parents are believers, but Abel Israel isn’t yet. We
have shared Christ with him numerous times over the years. We continue to meet
weekly with his parents to read the Bible and pray together. Pray for our
lifeguard, Ace, who is reading Steve’s book, to trust Christ as his Savior. Pray
too for our church to continue to become a close family that reflects Christ’s
love to our community.
3. Family
Pray for the upcoming opportunities this
summer to build our children and grandchildren’s faith in God. Ask God to save
the grandchildren who don’t know Him yet, and to help the kids who know Him to
grow stronger in faith. Pray for their parents to disciple them and be good
examples to them. Pray too for Eddie and
Kelsey who will be married August 11th in Pittsburgh. Pray for their
love for others to grow as a result of their growing relationship with Jesus.
Thank
you for your love and prayers!
Steve &
Danelle
