WOW! We are just under two weeks out before we (Andrea, Isaac, and I) will be in Nikolaev, Ukraine. And we keep hearing more opportunities for us: we have visits to the Boys' Rehabilitation Center, bible studies, meeting with the church 3 times a week, and now the new opportunity- A university professor asked if I would come and give a lesson about God to her students! My first reaction was Praise God! But then I thought Wow, who am I - this little human being on this little tiny planet in this incredibly (I mean INCREDIBLY) large universe- to speak about God? I don't even understand my wife, how will I understand such an HOLY ETERNAL GOD! So I go with humility and excitement because I know that God is with us:

Matthew 28:16-20 "¹⁶Now the eleven disciples^(A) went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. ¹⁷And when they saw him they^(B) worshiped him, but some doubted.¹⁸And Jesus came and said to them, ^(C) "All authority^(D) in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ^19(E) Go therefore and^(F) make disciples of^(G) all nations,^(H)baptizing them^(I) in^[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,²⁰teaching them^(J) to observe all that^(K) I have commanded you. And behold,^(L) I am with you always, to^(M) the end of the age." (ESV)

and John 12:23-26 - ²³And Jesus answered them, ^(A) "The hour has come^(B) for the Son of Man to be glorified. ²⁴Truly, truly, I say to you,^(C) unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. ^25(D) Whoever loves his life loses it, and^(E) whoever^(F) hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.²⁶If anyone serves me, he must^(G) follow me; and^(H) where I am, there will my servant be also.^(I) If anyone serves me,^(J) the Father will honor him.

How could you ever feel lonely?

ONE MONTH TO GO

We have just one month to go 'till the Ukraine trip in November. Andrea and Isaac are striving to learn some Russian in preparation. I was reading in Exodus and came across this scripture: and Moses said to the Lord "If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?" (Exodus 33:15-16 ESV)

Although our plans are going well (all tickets purchased and reservations made), my greatest desire is that God is with us on this trip. There will be many studies, classes and visits while we are there. There is no greater comfort in knowing that God will do amazing things even with our weaknesses. I am excited to see this, but more so that Andrea and my middle son Isaac will be experiencing this work along side with me.

Please, remember to keep us in your prayers in November.

With Jesus,

Mike