Dear Ministry Partners,
This month we decided to do something different. Danelle recently wrote two devotionals for Faithwalkers based on our ministry in Ukraine. We thought you would enjoy them!
It is hard to believe that we have lived in Ukraine for nearly 5 years! Our first two years were spent intensely studying Russian with our teacher, Galina. During our first year of class, Galina’s father died suddenly, leaving her as the only caretaker for her invalid mother. Galina’s mother was very unhappy and difficult, and demanded her constant attention. God had given us a special love for Galina, and she for us, but her circumstances motivated us to pray for her even more. While we knew it was likely that we would rarely see each other after we finished our two years of Russian, but we knew we would always be friends.
Many times we spoke with Galina about God’s loved for her personally; about Christ’s death on the cross for her sins. Although she was interested, she wasn’t ready to make a commitment to Christ. And so, it was with great joy that we recently received the news that Galina had become a Christian. We went to see her last week, and we all cried and laughed as she told us her story. She said, “One day I was complaining to myself that I was all alone and without hope. Then I heard God’s voice in my heart say “Who’s alone? I’m with you!!” At that moment I knew it was true and I gave my life to God.” While we weren’t the only ones who shared the gospel with Galina over the years, she said our love and care, and discussions about salvation by grace, were a vital part of her decision to become a Christian.
“Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” II Corinthians 9:6
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A young lawyer named Sasha attended one of our English clubs. Many times we would weave the gospel through our lessons. Sasha even met with Steve privately a few times to ask questions about how to know God, but like Galina, he was interested, but not ready. That is until his roommate had a dream in which Sasha died. Sasha took it to heart, and realized that if he had died, he would have gone to hell. At this point he started to reflect on the things Steve had shared with him about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and immediately decided to trust Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Sasha has continued to grow as a new follower of Christ. Just last week he and Steve had lunch together, because he wanted to learn how to more effectively communicate the gospel with his family.
As I have reflected on our afternoon with Galina, and Steve’s lunch with Sasha, I am reminded that these times are just a sneak preview of what heaven is going to be like. We will see people that we have shared Christ with who later became Christians, but we never knew it! Or we will see others we have lost touch with who have continued to be faithful and obedient to Christ. In heaven we will be able to hear all the stories when we meet together again! Our hearts will be exploding with so much joy and happiness that we will barely be able to stand it!
Finally, when I think of people like Galina and Sasha, it motivates me to notice the people around me and recognize they ARE either going to be in heaven or hell. God will use every instance that we show love to someone, take a risk, and tell them about Jesus. We may see the results on this earth – or maybe not until heaven! Therefore, let’s sow bountifully!
PRAYER REQUESTS
Yours in Christ’s love,
Steve and Danelle
This month we decided to do something different. Danelle recently wrote two devotionals for Faithwalkers based on our ministry in Ukraine. We thought you would enjoy them!
GALINA
It is hard to believe that we have lived in Ukraine for nearly 5 years! Our first two years were spent intensely studying Russian with our teacher, Galina. During our first year of class, Galina’s father died suddenly, leaving her as the only caretaker for her invalid mother. Galina’s mother was very unhappy and difficult, and demanded her constant attention. God had given us a special love for Galina, and she for us, but her circumstances motivated us to pray for her even more. While we knew it was likely that we would rarely see each other after we finished our two years of Russian, but we knew we would always be friends.Many times we spoke with Galina about God’s loved for her personally; about Christ’s death on the cross for her sins. Although she was interested, she wasn’t ready to make a commitment to Christ. And so, it was with great joy that we recently received the news that Galina had become a Christian. We went to see her last week, and we all cried and laughed as she told us her story. She said, “One day I was complaining to myself that I was all alone and without hope. Then I heard God’s voice in my heart say “Who’s alone? I’m with you!!” At that moment I knew it was true and I gave my life to God.” While we weren’t the only ones who shared the gospel with Galina over the years, she said our love and care, and discussions about salvation by grace, were a vital part of her decision to become a Christian.
SASHA
“Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” II Corinthians 9:6
A young lawyer named Sasha attended one of our English clubs. Many times we would weave the gospel through our lessons. Sasha even met with Steve privately a few times to ask questions about how to know God, but like Galina, he was interested, but not ready. That is until his roommate had a dream in which Sasha died. Sasha took it to heart, and realized that if he had died, he would have gone to hell. At this point he started to reflect on the things Steve had shared with him about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and immediately decided to trust Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Sasha has continued to grow as a new follower of Christ. Just last week he and Steve had lunch together, because he wanted to learn how to more effectively communicate the gospel with his family. As I have reflected on our afternoon with Galina, and Steve’s lunch with Sasha, I am reminded that these times are just a sneak preview of what heaven is going to be like. We will see people that we have shared Christ with who later became Christians, but we never knew it! Or we will see others we have lost touch with who have continued to be faithful and obedient to Christ. In heaven we will be able to hear all the stories when we meet together again! Our hearts will be exploding with so much joy and happiness that we will barely be able to stand it!
Finally, when I think of people like Galina and Sasha, it motivates me to notice the people around me and recognize they ARE either going to be in heaven or hell. God will use every instance that we show love to someone, take a risk, and tell them about Jesus. We may see the results on this earth – or maybe not until heaven! Therefore, let’s sow bountifully!
PRAYER REQUESTS
- Our trip to Odessa April 21-25th to train the new house churches.
- Our trip to Moldova April 30– May 3 helping with house churches.
- Wisdom to help City on a Hill church here in Kiev, & the group meeting Tuesday night.
- Wisdom about a sports camp here in June, & simple church training in Moldova in July.
- Effective transition of the new believers at the Rehab center into ministry in normal life. We just opened a 2nd center. Praise God for the 25 men have come to Christ in the past 18 months!
- Continued health & a safe delivery for our daughter Whitney & our new grandson, who is due in early June.
Yours in Christ’s love,
Steve and Danelle
Church Conference in Odessa Timmy Powers and I took 14 men from Kiev down to Odessa. We taught a conference on the church to several small groups of believers. They recently began to function under Christ’s headship (leadership), to meet in homes, and encourage each member to participate. A group of 15 believers also came from Moldova to join us. Timmy, myself, Stas from Moldova, and Maxim Nickolaev (pictured at right), each taught. It was a rich time studying God’s word together and enjoying fellowship with like-minded men and women. Thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray for them! They are charting new waters with God.
European Summit We met in Berlin last month for our annual leadership summit. These are the men with whom I am linked heart and soul to make disciples and plant churches in Europe. Herschel Martindale, (centered on the couch) along with Joe Dunn, (back row -4th from right) came to participate with us. Discipleship, leadership and equipping others were discussed, and we had excellent times praying for the Lord to send out workers into the harvest.
Discipleship on the Run Danelle, Ivan and I went to Germany, where Ivan and I ran the Cologne marathon on October 4th. Ivan’s first marathon! Training with Ivan over the past six months afforded us numerous opportunities for fellowship. God used this time to build this young man’s new faith, as well as mine! Two are better than one! The believers in the Cologne were very kind and supportive. We enjoyed excellent fellowship with Lori Goering, the Fords, and the Bonnets.
Secure In An Insecure World in Russian soon! It has been translated, and will soon be published in Russian! Thank you so much for praying with us for this project. The truths have already transformed the lives of many Ukrainians who read the English version. A resent testimony from a young man:
together,” is exactly the miracle we observed on that special day. It was a beautiful celebration of God’s grace and love. Stephanie plans to graduate in May from UGA with a degree in Education, and David with a Masters in Counseling. Please pray for the new couple as they adjust to marriage and finish their degrees while living in Athens, Georgia. 
Visiting Supporters Danelle and I were able to meet with many of you personally, as well speaking at Riverbend Community Church, the Rock KSU (photo) and Sanctuary Baptist Church. Thank you to everyone for your kindness and love this summer. It is always refreshing to experience sweet fellowship and to sing songs to Jesus in English! We wish we could have met will all of you. Maybe we will be able to next time we are in town. 
His book is being translated into Russian with the goal of printing it this fall. Please pray for the translation to be excellent and for God to use it in the Russian speaking world to build secure, Christ-centered people and marriages. If you are interested in purchasing a copy, please go to our website, 
Running For Life Camp.
Our goal was to develop relationships with the parents as well as the students. Therefore, on the last day we held a track meet and invited the parents. We were delighted that 12 of them came. Many of them expressed their deep gratitude for what we had done for their children. A number said they wanted to continue the relationship and invited us to their homes. Every Saturday morning at 9am, I will meet with students who expressed an interest in going for a run, hanging out and continuing our spiritual discussions. Your prayers were an integral part-thank you!!!
