We Remember…
“Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundance peace & security. I will bring Judah & Israel back from captivity and will rebuild them as they were before. I will cleanse them from all the sins of rebellion against me. Then this city will being me renown, joy, praise, and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it” Jeremiah 33:6-9
L’viv, Ukraine. This area used to be part of Poland.
(& To think it happened here…) I am in the aftermath of what happen in the 1930’s & 40’s.
Yesterday was Holocaust remembrance day & what a tragic time it was in history. 6 million Jews(or more) that lost their lives. I cannot understand the kind of hate & evil behind what happened during that time. Now is the aftermath;there are many Jews who are oppressed in small European communities & in other areas throughout the world as well. It’s crazy to think that there are still survivors of this event in history who are 70+ years old. You can still feel the oppression of what happened sometimes in the atmosphere.
This month our team has had the joy of working with the Blessing Family. In 1992 God called them & put a burden on their hearts for Soviet Jews and Gentiles. They planted a church from 1993-2001 and saw it grow to 200+ people. For 2 1/2 years they returned to the states to take a sabbatical & through the leading of the Holy Spirit. They were led during those 2 1/2 years to Memphis, Tennessee to a Messianic Jewish congregation. They truly are an obedient & humble family who has been so welcoming to us. We have been so grateful to be here during month 9 of the World Race.
This month we have had the opportunity to participate in a seder before Easter & learned a lot about Jewish culture & traditions; many of which tie so much into the love & truth of Jesus. This month has been a great learning month & a way to reach out to the community of L’viv.
This family has been nothing but a huge blessing to all of our team while we have been serving them here in their church & in the community. They have treated us just like family; as we are in Christ. One Body, one Spirit. They have given us plenty of hot showers, delicious American cooking (and deserts!), deep conversations that challenge our faith & prepare us for what awaits us in 2 months, and they have given us the opportunity to share where the Lord has brought us & is bringing us. This Family is really amazing.
We have been doing bi-weekly food distributions on saturdays, home groups meetings, English club meetings for college students, ministry house construction ( painting, priming, dry wall, ect), English club @ the local community school. Please keep this family in prayer so that their church can grow & that more people can become believers in this area. Many people are caught up in orthodox traditions & “religion” but don’t know anything about a personal relationship with Jesus. Pray for eyes, hearts, & minds to be opened. Please also pray for spiritual protection for this family; they have been nothing but a blessing to us & this community! They help bring sunshine on cloudy days & the Father has called them to be bearers of truth & his light.
Please also pray about supporting them; I would love for them to be blessed back for the way they have welcomed us this month:
Please check out their websites to learn more!
http://blessingministry.wordpress.com/
www.blessinggirls.wordpress.com
