It's early Tuesday morning from Salt Lake City. Reagan had a rather uneventful day yesterday and there has been no calls from the family during the night which is good news. This is her condition and update since Sunday:
* The doctors had to "undo" the surgery that was performed on Friday. They were able to put into two steel rods along her spine and is stabilizing her neck and head with a halo.
* She is not breathing on her own. Yesterday, they tried to cut the oxygen level down but had to raise it back up. She has attempted no breaths on her own since Sunday.
* All scans yesterday looked good.
* They are hoping today to begin letting her wake up some.
If you wish to write a card of encouragement to the McBrides, you may do so to this address:
Reagan McBride
Primary Children's Medical Center
100 North Medical Drive
Salt Lake City, Utah 84113
Continue to pray earnestly for Reagan, Allen, Jeri Ann, Brennen, the doctors, the nurses, the grandmothers (who are here until Saturday) and the other family members that are here or coming. Allen and Jeri Ann have not left the hospital since Friday.
Just a word about Sunday. WOW - what a great day of healing worship for our church. Our entire church body was experiencing great sorrow and heavy hearts over the weekend, but with focused times of prayer and worship - it helped to refresh our hearts.
It was great to have the Clemmons with us in view of a call as our Student Pastor. I understand Sunday night's youth service went very well. I look forward to hearing him preach tomorrow night.
Jason and Shae Walton and I fly home this afternoon.
Continue to pray!
Got a link yesterday with the picture of our newest baby in our church family. Landon Alexander McGee, son of Stephen and Becki McGee who was born April 15. See this fine looking young man here.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Update on Reagan McBride
Today has not been a good day for Reagan. Please, pray. She will have to have surgery again tomorrow to undo what they did yesterday. I am flying to Salt Lake City tomorrow afternoon.
I'm home
Well, after 28 hours of travel yesterday, I am home. Praise the Lord for safety.
Regean McBride had her surgery yesterday in Salt Lake City and overall it was successfully. Very anxious moments for the parents when the doctor, after seeing her for the first time, did not give as good hopes for the surgery and there was skull fracture that occurred during surgery that could have resulted in a blood clot, but the blood clot did not occur and the doctor was pleased with the results of the surgery.
She is in ICU at the Children's Hospital at the University of Utah Medical Center.
I still plan to fly out tomorrow afternoon to be two days with them.
Can't wait til tomorrow. Jeremy Clemmons and family will be with us in view of a call as our Student Pastor, Tim Lett will be leading music and I will be preaching, the Lord willing.
Regean McBride had her surgery yesterday in Salt Lake City and overall it was successfully. Very anxious moments for the parents when the doctor, after seeing her for the first time, did not give as good hopes for the surgery and there was skull fracture that occurred during surgery that could have resulted in a blood clot, but the blood clot did not occur and the doctor was pleased with the results of the surgery.
She is in ICU at the Children's Hospital at the University of Utah Medical Center.
I still plan to fly out tomorrow afternoon to be two days with them.
Can't wait til tomorrow. Jeremy Clemmons and family will be with us in view of a call as our Student Pastor, Tim Lett will be leading music and I will be preaching, the Lord willing.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Day Thirteen in Ukraine
Hello from the third floor of Kiev Theological Seminary. My home away from home. It is raining again but here they don’t have thunderstorms and lightening very often. It’s just a rain and then, not really downpours although this morning the wind blew the hardest it has in my time here. Interesting. A place where there are not tornados?
Today is my last full day of teaching. Tomorrow is a special presentation and final exam.
I am thoroughly enjoying the experience. Steve Marshall, the mission pastor from Marantha Bible Church, Akron, Ohio spoke in chapel yesterday and talked about how our churches are like hotels that we want while on vacation: 1. We want to be feed well; 2. We want some good activities for our children to keep them busy and out of our hair; 3. We want it to be a safe place to come back to at night after we’ve been seeing the sights all day.
As you know I am substituting for Barry Clingan who was scheduled to be on this trip with this assignment. But due to the illness of his mother, he could not make it. An update – she had surgery yesterday (Tuesday) at Vanderbilt and they only had to remove about 30-40% of the kidney due to the tumor and the doctor is very optimistic she will make a full recovery with no dialysis. They did have to rush her back to surgery later in the day for internal bleeding and low blood pressure, but it was her spleen, not the kidney. Continue to pray for her for full healing and recovery. This is the only kidney she has.
I am still receiving great reviews of the movie “Expelled.” Richard Land interviewed Ben Stein and you can hear it or read it here.
Tim Lett will be with us Sunday leading music. Tim led during our “Faith Week” in October, 2006 and I had the opportunity to serve with him in the late 90’s. He and his wife, Daphne, and four children live in Gadsden. Check out his blog here.
I visited a Greek Exegesis class of the Gospel of John this morning taught by Dr. Rick Perhai. The students seem to be very dedicated to their studies and I’m overall impressed with the quality of the students. Many of the faculty here are missionaries with SEND International. Such is the case with Rick, who is from Michigan.
The seminary here has 191 enrolled. The Church Planting Division (of which I am serving and is under the leadership of Bro. Joel) will graduate their first class this May. It is a class of 12.
Well, I may blog again tomorrow, but if not: I leave the Seminary for the airport at 4:15 Friday morning (8:15 CST Thursday night) and go to Amsterdam, Memphis and then to Huntsville about 8:30 Friday night.
Today is my last full day of teaching. Tomorrow is a special presentation and final exam.
I am thoroughly enjoying the experience. Steve Marshall, the mission pastor from Marantha Bible Church, Akron, Ohio spoke in chapel yesterday and talked about how our churches are like hotels that we want while on vacation: 1. We want to be feed well; 2. We want some good activities for our children to keep them busy and out of our hair; 3. We want it to be a safe place to come back to at night after we’ve been seeing the sights all day.
As you know I am substituting for Barry Clingan who was scheduled to be on this trip with this assignment. But due to the illness of his mother, he could not make it. An update – she had surgery yesterday (Tuesday) at Vanderbilt and they only had to remove about 30-40% of the kidney due to the tumor and the doctor is very optimistic she will make a full recovery with no dialysis. They did have to rush her back to surgery later in the day for internal bleeding and low blood pressure, but it was her spleen, not the kidney. Continue to pray for her for full healing and recovery. This is the only kidney she has.
I am still receiving great reviews of the movie “Expelled.” Richard Land interviewed Ben Stein and you can hear it or read it here.
Tim Lett will be with us Sunday leading music. Tim led during our “Faith Week” in October, 2006 and I had the opportunity to serve with him in the late 90’s. He and his wife, Daphne, and four children live in Gadsden. Check out his blog here.
I visited a Greek Exegesis class of the Gospel of John this morning taught by Dr. Rick Perhai. The students seem to be very dedicated to their studies and I’m overall impressed with the quality of the students. Many of the faculty here are missionaries with SEND International. Such is the case with Rick, who is from Michigan.
The seminary here has 191 enrolled. The Church Planting Division (of which I am serving and is under the leadership of Bro. Joel) will graduate their first class this May. It is a class of 12.
Well, I may blog again tomorrow, but if not: I leave the Seminary for the airport at 4:15 Friday morning (8:15 CST Thursday night) and go to Amsterdam, Memphis and then to Huntsville about 8:30 Friday night.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Student Pastor Candidate Announced
What exciting news shared yesterday at CrossRoads. God has led us to a Student Pastor. I am excited to introduce to you Jeremy Clemmons. Jeremy and his wife, DeNita have been married for almost eight years and are the proud parents of three children: Alivia, 6; Chalea, 3; and Kade, 8 months.
He currently teaches 8th grade math at Florence Middle School and is involved there with FCA. He also coaches football at Florence. They are currently active members of Underwood having been involved or currently involved in both youth ministry and older children’s ministry. He did serve as Youth Pastor at Central Heights Baptist Church several years ago.
This is the schedule to meet and hear the Clemmons:
He will give a testimony in the Sunday morning service, April 27
There will be a pizza lunch for all the youth immediately following the service (since some of them will just be coming back from Disciple Now Weekend about lunch time) This will also include a question and answer time for the youth and youth workers.
He will preach and led worship on Sunday night for the youth service.
He will preach and they will sing on Wednesday night, April 30.
We will vote on Sunday, May 4 by secret ballot at the close of the service with no discussion.
We have been praying for almost nine months for God to move and now its time for a new birth.
He currently teaches 8th grade math at Florence Middle School and is involved there with FCA. He also coaches football at Florence. They are currently active members of Underwood having been involved or currently involved in both youth ministry and older children’s ministry. He did serve as Youth Pastor at Central Heights Baptist Church several years ago.
This is the schedule to meet and hear the Clemmons:
He will give a testimony in the Sunday morning service, April 27
There will be a pizza lunch for all the youth immediately following the service (since some of them will just be coming back from Disciple Now Weekend about lunch time) This will also include a question and answer time for the youth and youth workers.
He will preach and led worship on Sunday night for the youth service.
He will preach and they will sing on Wednesday night, April 30.
We will vote on Sunday, May 4 by secret ballot at the close of the service with no discussion.
We have been praying for almost nine months for God to move and now its time for a new birth.
Day Eleven in Ukraine
It’s day eleven in Ukraine. Before I give you an update, two prayer requests:
One of the best friends I have is Barry Clingan. He was scheduled to be here in this place in Kiev this two weeks teaching but his mother is scheduled for serious kidney surgery tomorrow (Tuesday) at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, TN. Please pray for her and for wisdom for the doctors. She only has the one kidney; pray for God’s will to be done.
Precious Reagan McBride, daughter of one of our young deacons and wife, Allen and Jerri Ann McBride is scheduled for major surgery next Monday in Salt Lake City. She is about three years old.
“Expelled” is still getting Christian endorsements. Ken Hamm, Answers in Genesis, just wrote this encouragement to see the movie.
Now, update from Kiev…
There is only one way to describe the weekend we had in the marriage retreat … WOW. We left Friday afternoon and after driving through the worst Friday traffic through the city, we arrived about two-hours-and-fifteen minutes later. The place where they have gone the past two years was booked this year so we went to a new place called “The Spa.” Ok, I have debated whether to show you their web site but eventually somebody will see pictures, so the sooner the truth comes out, the better. http://www.spa-center.kiev.ua/. No, I was not suffering very much
Every year a church in America provides this retreat for the church planters and their wife who is taking the Leadership course that I am in (so all cp’s get to go one time during their seminary career). This year First Baptist Church, Kenner, LA (just outside New Orleans) furnished this retreat and I want to say a big “thank you” for the wonderful investment in their lives.
Also, CrossRoads, the ladies loved their gifts and gift bag. Everyone said to tell you “thank you.”
During our closing session, here are some of the comments made:
“We did not really get to have a honeymoon, this is it.”
“This is miraculous. We have been trying to find this time and due to seminary and church, we have had no time for rest until now.”
“We want to help other couples that they would find what we have found here.”
“There is a new idea born in our mind. We are committing one day a week to each other.”
“We will provide opportunities for others like this.”
The Saturday evening banquet lasted three-hours-and-twenty-minutes to just serve the food. The Ragains had arranged for the room to be petitioned so each couple had a private dinning area with candlelight and roses. It was awesome. The Ragains, Mrs. Linda and I sat together and well, we got a little rowdy with laughter from time-to-time and might have disturbed the others.
Mrs. Linda Ray (see Day 8 below) spoke to the ladies in two sessions on Saturday on respecting your husbands while I spoke to the men on loving your wives. Then we swapped our classes for 30 minutes. I had a closing hour with all of them on Saturday and then we had a great worship experience and final teaching on Sunday.
This retreat is the vision of Bro. Joel and Mrs. MaryEllen and what a wonderful success.
What an experience that I will never forget and I don't think any of us will, certainly the students.
As we headed back to the Seminary, Bro. Joel was so kind to show me the city of Kiev. We took Metro (underground subway) into the heart of the city. I saw where “The Orange Revolution” took place, our International Mission Board headquarters for Ukraine and enjoyed a Coke and cherry pastry while Bro. Joel had his coffee (and cherry pastry, too).
Well, it’s back to four hours of teaching today. I finish up Thursday afternoon before heading home. I am enjoying the teaching tremendously.
One of the best friends I have is Barry Clingan. He was scheduled to be here in this place in Kiev this two weeks teaching but his mother is scheduled for serious kidney surgery tomorrow (Tuesday) at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, TN. Please pray for her and for wisdom for the doctors. She only has the one kidney; pray for God’s will to be done.
Precious Reagan McBride, daughter of one of our young deacons and wife, Allen and Jerri Ann McBride is scheduled for major surgery next Monday in Salt Lake City. She is about three years old.
“Expelled” is still getting Christian endorsements. Ken Hamm, Answers in Genesis, just wrote this encouragement to see the movie.
Now, update from Kiev…
There is only one way to describe the weekend we had in the marriage retreat … WOW. We left Friday afternoon and after driving through the worst Friday traffic through the city, we arrived about two-hours-and-fifteen minutes later. The place where they have gone the past two years was booked this year so we went to a new place called “The Spa.” Ok, I have debated whether to show you their web site but eventually somebody will see pictures, so the sooner the truth comes out, the better. http://www.spa-center.kiev.ua/. No, I was not suffering very much
Every year a church in America provides this retreat for the church planters and their wife who is taking the Leadership course that I am in (so all cp’s get to go one time during their seminary career). This year First Baptist Church, Kenner, LA (just outside New Orleans) furnished this retreat and I want to say a big “thank you” for the wonderful investment in their lives.
Also, CrossRoads, the ladies loved their gifts and gift bag. Everyone said to tell you “thank you.”
During our closing session, here are some of the comments made:
“We did not really get to have a honeymoon, this is it.”
“This is miraculous. We have been trying to find this time and due to seminary and church, we have had no time for rest until now.”
“We want to help other couples that they would find what we have found here.”
“There is a new idea born in our mind. We are committing one day a week to each other.”
“We will provide opportunities for others like this.”
The Saturday evening banquet lasted three-hours-and-twenty-minutes to just serve the food. The Ragains had arranged for the room to be petitioned so each couple had a private dinning area with candlelight and roses. It was awesome. The Ragains, Mrs. Linda and I sat together and well, we got a little rowdy with laughter from time-to-time and might have disturbed the others.
Mrs. Linda Ray (see Day 8 below) spoke to the ladies in two sessions on Saturday on respecting your husbands while I spoke to the men on loving your wives. Then we swapped our classes for 30 minutes. I had a closing hour with all of them on Saturday and then we had a great worship experience and final teaching on Sunday.
This retreat is the vision of Bro. Joel and Mrs. MaryEllen and what a wonderful success.
What an experience that I will never forget and I don't think any of us will, certainly the students.
As we headed back to the Seminary, Bro. Joel was so kind to show me the city of Kiev. We took Metro (underground subway) into the heart of the city. I saw where “The Orange Revolution” took place, our International Mission Board headquarters for Ukraine and enjoyed a Coke and cherry pastry while Bro. Joel had his coffee (and cherry pastry, too).
Well, it’s back to four hours of teaching today. I finish up Thursday afternoon before heading home. I am enjoying the teaching tremendously.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Day Eight in Ukraine
Good morning from the third floor of the Kiev Theological Seminary where it is 43 degrees this morning (I had to put on an extra blanket last night) but sunny (so far anyway).
Pray for the Marriage Retreat that begins tonight and ends at lunch Sunday. This is the third year Bro. Joel and Mrs. MaryEllen have done this retreat for the church planters and their wives. The husbands are here in school for two weeks at a time but once a year they bring the wives here for the weekend for this retreat. Most of them will come quite a distance like and all of it is provided through the mission.
We are going to a “ritzy” place to pamper the couples, especially the wives. Since Roxanne could not come, they have enlisted Mrs. Linda Ray to come to speak to the wives. Mrs. Linda and her husband, Mike, are IMB missionaries here serving southeast of Kiev. She is from Mississippi and he is from Arkansas. Check out their web site here.
I got to meet Mrs. Linda last night and share ideas about what God was speaking to her about for the retreat. The Ragains hosted us in their home for dinner, fixing gift bags for the wives and talking about the retreat.
In fact, on their web site they already have pictures of that “bagging party” last night. See it here. Thanks CrossRoads for your investment in this ministry. Love ya
We were on the same page – interesting? I am planning on speaking from the book Love and Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs and she was thinking of the same topics but from a book for women (For Women Only: What You Need to Know About the Inner Lives of Men) by Shaunti Feldhaha. Guess what – Nancy Leigh DeMoss just featured her this week on her programs and I read the manuscript. You can too here.
One other web site you might be interested in that I looked at for material here this weekend. Most of you are familiar with Dr. Gary Chapman’s book The Five Love Languages. At his web site you can take the 30 second assessment to see what your love language is.
Today is a shortened day of class for the students due to us leaving early for the retreat. But it is mid-term exam and a paper due today. So this is a mixed day of blessing for the students. We all love shortened days of class time but not tests.
There is a new movie coming out today in America called “Expelled.” There is a lot of talk about it in Christian circles so you might want to check it out. I believe the closest place that it opens for us is in Decatur at River Oaks.
Blessings to all and much love.
Pray for the Marriage Retreat that begins tonight and ends at lunch Sunday. This is the third year Bro. Joel and Mrs. MaryEllen have done this retreat for the church planters and their wives. The husbands are here in school for two weeks at a time but once a year they bring the wives here for the weekend for this retreat. Most of them will come quite a distance like and all of it is provided through the mission.
We are going to a “ritzy” place to pamper the couples, especially the wives. Since Roxanne could not come, they have enlisted Mrs. Linda Ray to come to speak to the wives. Mrs. Linda and her husband, Mike, are IMB missionaries here serving southeast of Kiev. She is from Mississippi and he is from Arkansas. Check out their web site here.
I got to meet Mrs. Linda last night and share ideas about what God was speaking to her about for the retreat. The Ragains hosted us in their home for dinner, fixing gift bags for the wives and talking about the retreat.
In fact, on their web site they already have pictures of that “bagging party” last night. See it here. Thanks CrossRoads for your investment in this ministry. Love ya
We were on the same page – interesting? I am planning on speaking from the book Love and Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs and she was thinking of the same topics but from a book for women (For Women Only: What You Need to Know About the Inner Lives of Men) by Shaunti Feldhaha. Guess what – Nancy Leigh DeMoss just featured her this week on her programs and I read the manuscript. You can too here.
One other web site you might be interested in that I looked at for material here this weekend. Most of you are familiar with Dr. Gary Chapman’s book The Five Love Languages. At his web site you can take the 30 second assessment to see what your love language is.
Today is a shortened day of class for the students due to us leaving early for the retreat. But it is mid-term exam and a paper due today. So this is a mixed day of blessing for the students. We all love shortened days of class time but not tests.
There is a new movie coming out today in America called “Expelled.” There is a lot of talk about it in Christian circles so you might want to check it out. I believe the closest place that it opens for us is in Decatur at River Oaks.
Blessings to all and much love.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Day Seven in Ukraine
Greetings from Kiev where the Sun is attempting to shine today. It has rained often since being here seven days, but oddly most of the rain has been at night. Anyway, I’m not trying to be a weatherman.
I am humbled that God is blessing our time here. Yesterday during our class, we had a group of visitors from ALABAMA! As you may know, the Alabama Baptist State Convention has a partnership with Ukraine and this group of pastors (about six) led by the Director of Missions had been in Ukraine for a week and is headed home today. But they visited the Seminary to talk with Bro. Joel about how they could partner with his vision of church planting. It was good to see a brother with an Auburn shirt on. Haha
The pastors were from the Covington Baptist Association and their Director of Missions, Larry Cummings. This is in LA - Lower Alabama. The assoication is based in Andalusia, AL.
Congratulations to Stephen and Becki McGee on the birth of their son, Landon Alexander. He was born Tuesday.
I heard about the great move of the Spirit last night at CrossRoads. That does a pastor’s heart good!! I miss being there, but my heart is for those who attend to meet God in a life-changing way; so it doesn’t matter if it’s when I’m there or another servant of the Lord is leading. Let’s just meet God!!
Nancy Leigh DeMoss has done it again. I’ve been catching up on some of her radio shows and today she is teaching from I Samuel 25 and Nabal and David. Read the entire message here. She gave an acrostic that is very good. I had to share it with you.
H-A-L-T
If you are…
H Hungry
A Angry
L Lonely
T Tired
then you need to HALT before you speak or respond to an issue.
Good advice.
By the way, I’m so proud of myself. To get into my blog here, it is all in Russian. I was able to figure it out with assistance. But I must be honest, it was not because I could read the Russian words, but that the buttons and words are in the same place on the page as they are in English. So I just guessed and got it right. haha
I am humbled that God is blessing our time here. Yesterday during our class, we had a group of visitors from ALABAMA! As you may know, the Alabama Baptist State Convention has a partnership with Ukraine and this group of pastors (about six) led by the Director of Missions had been in Ukraine for a week and is headed home today. But they visited the Seminary to talk with Bro. Joel about how they could partner with his vision of church planting. It was good to see a brother with an Auburn shirt on. Haha
The pastors were from the Covington Baptist Association and their Director of Missions, Larry Cummings. This is in LA - Lower Alabama. The assoication is based in Andalusia, AL.
Congratulations to Stephen and Becki McGee on the birth of their son, Landon Alexander. He was born Tuesday.
I heard about the great move of the Spirit last night at CrossRoads. That does a pastor’s heart good!! I miss being there, but my heart is for those who attend to meet God in a life-changing way; so it doesn’t matter if it’s when I’m there or another servant of the Lord is leading. Let’s just meet God!!
Nancy Leigh DeMoss has done it again. I’ve been catching up on some of her radio shows and today she is teaching from I Samuel 25 and Nabal and David. Read the entire message here. She gave an acrostic that is very good. I had to share it with you.
H-A-L-T
If you are…
H Hungry
A Angry
L Lonely
T Tired
then you need to HALT before you speak or respond to an issue.
Good advice.
By the way, I’m so proud of myself. To get into my blog here, it is all in Russian. I was able to figure it out with assistance. But I must be honest, it was not because I could read the Russian words, but that the buttons and words are in the same place on the page as they are in English. So I just guessed and got it right. haha
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
The Tempter is the TV
Al Mohler recently wrote an interesting article “The Tempter is the TV.” Worth your reading especially if you have children at home – hint: with a TV in their rooms.
Day Five in Ukraine
It has been a wonderful five days in Ukraine. I did get to spend a most delightful weekend with Tim and Donna Akers and family in Lviv. They were such wonderful hosts with KayLee giving up her bedroom for me, Mrs. Donna being such a wonderful cook (she was trained well by her mom), Levi letting me tickle him (not always willingly, but nevertheless), Shane wearing an orange shirt with blue jeans for me (he’ll most likely never wear that again now since I think its that he’s for Auburn) and Bro. Tim spending the day Saturday showing me the city. The stay was too short but most delightful. And I got to enjoy some family videos that Michelle sent to her family.
I was privileged to preach Sunday at the Grapevine Church in Lviv. This is a new church plant and it was a delight to see such a young, faithful church.
I flew back to Kiev on Monday morning and was met by my hosts here, Joel and MaryEllen Ragains. They are likewise IMB missionaries who just last week were approved by the IMB to be career missionaries. They are from the Graceland Baptist Church, New Albany, IN and have been here in Kiev for five years. What a delightful couple as our spirits and hearts are so kindred.
They hosted me in their home tonight for lasagna, green beans and salad. If I keep eating so well I may never come home (lol)
My first two days of teaching have gone well. I have six students in the class with four of them being church planters and two being in the pastoral leadership division of the school. They have received me very warmly.
I was delaying my post here so I could add some pictures and til I could get my laptop up and running here. Well, I have the laptop going and tonight when I went to get my pictures from Lviv and the seminary to upload, I realized I brought the wrong cord with me. So, I doubt I can run home to get it, so no pictures until I get home.
If you wish to see the seminary here, go to their web site at http://www.ktsonline.org/ then click on English in the upper right hand corner (unless you can read Russian). To visit the Ragains web site go to http://www.kievkonnect.com/. Oh, Bro. Joel and the Church Planting Division here graduate their first class next month – NINE students!! Congratulations to the students and to the Ragains.
Thanks for praying for me.
I was privileged to preach Sunday at the Grapevine Church in Lviv. This is a new church plant and it was a delight to see such a young, faithful church.
I flew back to Kiev on Monday morning and was met by my hosts here, Joel and MaryEllen Ragains. They are likewise IMB missionaries who just last week were approved by the IMB to be career missionaries. They are from the Graceland Baptist Church, New Albany, IN and have been here in Kiev for five years. What a delightful couple as our spirits and hearts are so kindred.
They hosted me in their home tonight for lasagna, green beans and salad. If I keep eating so well I may never come home (lol)
My first two days of teaching have gone well. I have six students in the class with four of them being church planters and two being in the pastoral leadership division of the school. They have received me very warmly.
I was delaying my post here so I could add some pictures and til I could get my laptop up and running here. Well, I have the laptop going and tonight when I went to get my pictures from Lviv and the seminary to upload, I realized I brought the wrong cord with me. So, I doubt I can run home to get it, so no pictures until I get home.
If you wish to see the seminary here, go to their web site at http://www.ktsonline.org/ then click on English in the upper right hand corner (unless you can read Russian). To visit the Ragains web site go to http://www.kievkonnect.com/. Oh, Bro. Joel and the Church Planting Division here graduate their first class next month – NINE students!! Congratulations to the students and to the Ragains.
Thanks for praying for me.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Arrived in Kiev
I have arrived safely in Kiev as of this morning about 10:55 Kiev time. We are eight hours ahead of Central time zone. I am staying at the Kiev Theological Seminary in an apartment furnished for visiting professors and guests. I am leaving here tonight at 8 to fly to Lviv to visit with Tim and Donna Akers and family over the weekend.
On the flight over last night I sat beside a professor from the University of Nebraska at Omaha who was coming to Ukraine as a guest lecturer in his field of corporate business. Then on the flight to Kiev this morning I met a missionary from Grand Rapids, Michigan who was also on the same flight from Detriot. He has lived in Ukraine for 16 years and as we talked, we knew several of the same people especially through connections with another country here in Central Asia. Its a small world.
I will post as often as I can.
Thanks for your prayers.
Blessings
On the flight over last night I sat beside a professor from the University of Nebraska at Omaha who was coming to Ukraine as a guest lecturer in his field of corporate business. Then on the flight to Kiev this morning I met a missionary from Grand Rapids, Michigan who was also on the same flight from Detriot. He has lived in Ukraine for 16 years and as we talked, we knew several of the same people especially through connections with another country here in Central Asia. Its a small world.
I will post as often as I can.
Thanks for your prayers.
Blessings
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Student Sunday, Building and Ukraine
Sunday we had a special Student Day with a praise band from Morris, AL leading us in both service and then Bro. Dan spoke Sunday night on Relationships and Dating. It was simply great.
There are pouring concrete at the new property this week. How exciting!!
I leave today for Ukraine. I will keep you updated at this post for the next two weeks.
I am serving with Joel and MaryEllen Ragainis and you can see their blog here.
There are pouring concrete at the new property this week. How exciting!!
I leave today for Ukraine. I will keep you updated at this post for the next two weeks.
I am serving with Joel and MaryEllen Ragainis and you can see their blog here.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
How We Arrange Our Mind
Dr. Jess Hendley was a short-term but powerful mentor in my life. He preached next-to-his last message at North Glencoe Baptist Church. His topic was "Picture Galleries of the Mind." His point was that in every experience of life we hang a picture of God in our mind that we develop through that experience. Sometime those pictures of God are wrong and when we realize they are wrong, we need to take the old picture down and replace it with the new picture.
I think he would have loved this story:
There is a story of a ninety-two-year-old lady who was moving into a nursing home. As she was being wheeled down the corridor, the attendant began to describe the room. "I love it," the old women gushed. "But you haven't even seen the room yet," the attendant reminded her. "That doesn't have anything to do with it,"she replied. "Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged. It's how I arrange my mind."
I think he would have loved this story:
There is a story of a ninety-two-year-old lady who was moving into a nursing home. As she was being wheeled down the corridor, the attendant began to describe the room. "I love it," the old women gushed. "But you haven't even seen the room yet," the attendant reminded her. "That doesn't have anything to do with it,"she replied. "Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged. It's how I arrange my mind."
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