Psalm 119:1-3

Our family decided to memorize Psalm 119 (yes, all 176 verses). We are currently up to verse 14. We noticed that Elora was memorizing with us, simply by hearing it each evening.

Hope there is a bit of encouragement out of this.

NEW SISTER IN CHRIST!

August 4th, 2011 Update

Ever since the team left Nikolayev, we have received daily updates of all the studies and the progress. It has been exciting to see the growth and work that is still going on. I am amazed at how much one couple can do when the Lord is working with them. David and Galina are working so diligently. What would it look like if we so diligently let God work through us?

There is some greater news, one of my students was baptized yesterday. I have been studying and visiting with her via Skype. David and Galina have been studying with her weekly and often two-three times daily (praise God for summer)! Our new sister is Olya Shevtsova!

Here are pictures of her visiting the boys rehab center and studying.

For better quality watch at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN6HE0cImP8

Here is a video of Olya and her baptism.

She shared with me today over Skype, that she is overwhelmed at the size of her new family all over the world!

Praise God!

Please send Olya a greeting, congratulation, or welcome to the family and sign your name in an email to me (chelovek@hotmail.com) and I will compile them and give them to her in one email.

Continue to pray for her and parents- it is her desire that they will come to the Lord as well.

In Him,

Mike

Nikolaev Update July 19, 2011

NIKOLAEV

UPDATE

After leaving at the first of July, there have been many updates sent from missionaries David and Galina Binkley. They have constantly been on the go, working with the rehabilitation center for boys, conducting bible studies, and continuing the work we began in June.

It is a harvest that is ready for a "combine"!

The Ukrainian flag is composed of two colors: yellow and blue. The yellow is on the bottom for the Grain and the Blue is on top for the sky. Ukraine is known as the breadbasket of Europe. It is now a breadbasket for the church.

This last Sunday (17th of July) was their largest attendance for worship at 23, and this is minus some that have been out of town. Here are some photos of the latest report:

This is a during the the service.

These are photos from the fellowship after services.

There is a plea from David and Galina for someone to come and help during the fall, because there are so many (30+) studies. Andrea and I, along with Isaac, are going to make a trip back to Nikolaev, Ukraine for three weeks in November. We ask you for prayers as we prepare for this work.

I have been studying with six of the students using Skype. They all are so eager to study English and Bible. Much of our Skype sessions are discussing life issues and applying God's word.

Thank you for your support, your prayers are being answered!

Luke 10:2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (NIV)

²и сказал им: жатвы много, а делателей мало; итак, молите Господина жатвы, чтобы выслал делателей на жатву Свою.(Russian)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

As I begin to write this update, there are so many memories and emotions from this trip that it is nearly impossible to accurately and thoroughly present you all the information about what God has done in one newsletter. So, I will do my best and will update more information in the next couple of weeks and months. I will do so on a blog so that you can have more detailed information: hisfollowers@blogspot.com

I will start out by saying that such diligence, love, and devotion to the mission of God from missionaries seen in David and Galina Binkley has challenged me and has given many of our students a new view of Christianity- one they unanimously say they love (John 13:35).

Also, this trip has produced 32 bible studies for David and Galina. It was a trip to teach English using the bible, but our students desired more lessons from the bible and asked that David and Galina would continue studies with them.

I will briefly give a description of some of the students, with whom God has blessed me the opportunity to study. And before I begin, If you have any questions please feel free to call me (503) 804-8775 or email (chelovek@hotmail.com).

Tanya- As we started, Tanya was a student that was very shy when it came to speaking English, but as with all the students, when we discuss important issues such as faith, their English speaking blossomed. Tanya loves the Word and has been a part of a group in Nikolaev that has some teachings that are very charismatic. One example is speaking in tongues. I would ask you to pray for Tanya, she has said that she realizes that many teachings are taken from verses out of context and would like to study the word more clearly. Her hurdle to submitting to theWord is summed upin this phrase “I just know in my heart.” So I ask you to pray for her.

Here is Tanya and hermother visiting the church on Sunday. This was her mother’s first time to be with any church family.

Dasha and Olya- Dasha and Olya are two 17-year old girls who speak English very well, and after the first week began to love the teachings of Christ. Olya had never opened the bible until this course. She had to leave for the first two weeks on vacation with her parents, but Olya was so excited about what the Bible teaches and the walk of Christ that she would call by telephone to discuss these things with Dasha and me. Dasha has been apart of a large (~450 members) Baptist Christian church, but has seen the love in David and Galina that moves her to visit the Nikolaev church of Christ with her friend Olya. Dasha is quiet but very mature and knows much bible. After we left, they spent the weekend studying with David and Galina,visited the church, and asked for more studies. Dasha and Olya both emailed me already and expressed theirexcitement for the church and the love it shows. Please continue to pray for them. Olya needs prayers: her family is going through a divorce, and she is thirsty for hope. Dasha wants to study and be a part of the church, but may encounter some pressure from the Baptist church- we are relieved to know that she may not have pressure from her mother.

Dasha is on the left and Olya is on the right

Pavel (Paul)- a 38-year-old student who came strictly for English, but learned that you can still have joy and hope a midst some trials (Philippians), this is what we spoke about the most together. Please keep him in your prayers he has gone through a tough marriage that has recently ended, it is hard on him as he struggles to find hope and family. Thank you God that hope was brought to Pavel in his studies.

Pavel and I after a two hour study

Sergey- a 43 year-old student who has some health problems with digestion, but is eager to know God. He had a little difficulty in comprehending how God could cause all various forms of life to come into existence in 6 days. He is a historian and has spent years studying evolution. I am thankful to God for the opportunity to have received a B.S. in Biology and the ability to speak Russian – this helped me in studying with Sergey. He is enjoying the word and the passion of God for His people. Another hurdle for Sergey was – if there was a God why all the mess in the world. We looked through the history in the Old Testament and noticed that these problems are when men/women take their eyes off of God and follow their own hearts-so it points more to the need for people to turn to God (Num. 15:37-40; Prov. 3:5-6; Jeremiah 10:23). It also was evidence to Sergey that there is a God, the morals that God has set for man, does not come from man alone (Proverbs 14:12).

Sergey and I after an intense and exciting study. Notice my hair as I leaned on my hand while going through scriptures with Sergey.

There were two students that I had who started out the first week, but had moved or couldn’t come due to work. I had four more students from the last week we were there who will continue with David and Galina. And all four of us workers fell in love with all the students. It was the most difficult mission campaign for me to leave.

The missionaries – Galina, David, Dick Ady (president of WEI), Charles Chandler, ME, and Jon Rawlings.

While in Nikolaev, I had learned that the opportunities are plentiful, and the harvest is ready. There is a rehabilitation home for boys who have gotten into trouble because of homelessness and no love at home. David and Galina are the only ones in the city of 500 thousand that are willing to make regular committed visits (twice a week). They teach the love of Christ and the fruits of the Spirit. Some of these boys graduate and will be living in Nikolaev. It is David and Galina’s desire and prayers that they will continue to stay in contact and join the family of God. I know it is God’s desire. Also, there is a University that allows and will furnish an office free of charge for them to teach English using the Bible. The administration urged that missionaries would teach the moral characters of the bible to their students.

Your support and part in this team effort has bore fruit and continues to bear fruit. I plead to you to continue to pray for David and Galina and those making plans to move and help with this work. I have truly seen God work in one of the most amazing ways on this trip. THANK YOU, and May God bless you as you accomplish his will here in the states as well as abroad.

Please continue to look for the updates on hisfollowers@blogspot.com

There you will see many more pictures of other students and the church and the laughter, the tears, and the joy we have shared together.

What an amazing God we serve,

In Service to our King – Jesus.

Mike Soto

Here are two ladies, who are very dear to me in my life and ministry. They love the idea of Laundromat ministry. They come and sit with me for hours paying for others' laundry sharing the love of Christ with which we are so richly blessed. Here is Edna and Darlene, they are both widows and so fully active in all our outreach. I love how they "run" to anyone who comes in the doors at the laundromat, church building, and at our clothing giveaways. It doesn't matter if a stranger comes in with a mohawk, tattoos, piercing, and rags for clothes- their love and smiles are the same! They are two of my greatest heros of the faith! And I love it all the more, that they are heros to my boys!

Mark 1:17 says, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men."

I have been fishing the Columbia for spring Chinook with a brother in Christ. We have enjoyed the times together on the boat, the misses, and the catches. We hooked a 13 lb. beautiful Spring Chinook. The pole dipped down as I took a big bite of a sandwich. I pulled and reeled, and John netted the blue/green silvery fish into the boat. I realized after the 15 minute battle that I still had the bite in my mouth. I had been so excited that I didn't even swallow my sandwich. That is excitement!

We cleaned and filleted the salmon, what beautiful red meat. I took it home, split it with some friends and gave a good chunk to my new (we recently purchased a house) neighbor. It had opened a door - Harold told me about his life and how he needs God. He asked if I would pray for him. He is willing to get together and study.

This day was chalked full of excitement to catch my first spring Chinook on the beautiful Columbia River and then use the salmon to "fish for men" - that is just Awesome! Praise God!

Love for God

Earlier this year, Isaac shared some of his thoughts on God with me. I would love to share one of these with you, it has really revealed a love that he has and a battle we all fight.

"Dad, I want to be good, but why is it so hard sometimes?"

Coffee and Christians

What a great time today to spend drinking coffee (ok, I had a Green Tea Frappuccino) and visiting about our walk with God.  I love these guys; they love the Lord and each other. They give me strength and encouragement to remain faithful. It is a great blessing to see teens from four different congregations get together to fellowship - better than that, we are FAMILY!

This picture is of my cousin Ryan, but its message to me is powerful.  I have been perplexed at how God can find me worthy to be His instrument; it is this thought that has stopped me in my tracks many times, but I have come to realize recently that God has forgiven me anything that may make me unworthy, and has given me Christ - everything that makes me worthy to be his instrument. I now can step out boldly and know that God is with me and CAN use me as his instrument. THANK YOU GOD! I will now show my thanks by the life I live!

Men of God

Matt Phillips (my best friend) and my cousin (Ryan Lovelace) ventured out to the mountains this weekend to encourage one another to be strong in the Lord. Matt and I call each other by other names; Matt is David and I am Jonathan.  We have such a strong brotherhood relationship that we chose to use these names; it is the strength of love that David and Jonathan had as close friends that we share. This weekend provided the opportunity to welcome Ryan to join us in our walk with God. We discussed what it is to be a man of God while hiking, fishing, cliff diving, and just drinking coffee by the fire. We wrote each other letters of encouragement and read them aloud around the campfire. What an awesome weekend to experience God. It was majestic to experience the stars at night without city light interference. Thank you David and Ryan-My brothers in arms- for this adventure/experience.

Half Dome

On June 6th, there will be many of us that will endeavor to hike the 16 mile round trip journey to the top of Half Dome (Yosemite Valley) and back.  It will be tough, it will challenge the weak, and it WILL humble us all.  At the top, we will experience the realization that we are not as big as we think. We will come before God and his creation, and we will be enlightened to this fact; we are nothing in comparison.  I pray that we will come back with complete reverence for our God, the creator of the world. And I pray that we will entrust our souls, our work, and our lives to Him.

Matthew 4:19

"Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."

I love to fly fish. To carefully choose the fly that will attract a beautiful Oncorhynchus mykiss (rainbow trout).  To tie the fly securely in place, preparing for the catch. The trout bites, the fisherman snaps, holding the line tight, hauling in the yield. With fly fishing you feel every bit of the struggle.  I pray that God will use the church, carefully placing each member (fly) securely where he/she needs to be, in order to haul in the yield.  The struggle will be felt, for the world is tough to let go for some.  Follow Him, for he will make you fishers of men.

We are afraid of persecution, rejection, and failure.

-What is persecution, but evidence of not living according to the persecutor.

-What is rejection, but evidence of insecurity within the rejector.

-What is failure, but evidence of success in trying.

I should have made mention of this blog's purpose from the beginning.

I had very little desire to begin a blog or to even write. I don't know if I have anything that is new to write or worthy to be read.  

This blog is practice for me to grow and learn in writing.  I hope to better my grammar and confidence in writing through the use of this blog. 

IF there is ever anyone encouraged by the words I write then praise God, but know that I have so many people in my life that have taught and continue to teach me so much concerning our faith and life. 

THANKS BE TO GOD! 

This is just a short comment that grew out of our study on Sunday Nights from looking at the men and women of faith in Hebrews 11.  One aspect of this study is to elucidate who God is as seen by these "witnesses." 

Last Sunday night we have noticed ways in which Noah's actions were affected by his faith in God.

I could not help to be reminded of the various properties of water as I thought of the flood incident. 

WATER

Is the only substance on earth that exists in all three phases: solid, liquid, and gaseous.

has a large range of temperature (0-100 C) making it available anywhere on earth.

possesses an incredible property that is shared by very few other substances; it is less dense in its solid state than it is in its liquid, allowing ice to float.  Otherwise, the oceans, lakes, and ponds would freeze from the bottom up and destroy all aquatic life. I could go into the way the molecular structure allows for this to happen, but I am sure many of you would be bored or could care less.

has an incredible high heat capacity that is second to mercury.  This is best for buffering the earth's climate from high temperature fluctuations.

It is essential to the life of all living organisms.

Maybe this is why Jesus is referred to as the living water!

It is exciting to see the design of our Creator and GOD in this universe.  The details of the water molecule help us to see God as our Creator!

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.  The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat. - Theodore Roosevelt

This was a portion of a speech given by Roosevelt in 1910 at the Sorbonne in Paris, France. He was speaking about citizenship in a republic, but I can’t help to apply this to our lives as citizens of another kingdom.   

In 2 Corinthians 5:11-21, Paul is encouraging (vs. 6) the church to see ourselves as a "new creation."  Paul not only impresses upon us our identity as a new creation, but he gives us a purpose. That purpose is the "ministry of reconciliation", our purpose is to invite the world to come to know God.  We are ambassadors; we are God's voice to the lost, and we are the "righteousness of God in Him." We are to not critique those “in the arena,” but to get dirty and sweaty, to “strive valiantly” even if it appears that our work is in vain.

God, the Creator of the Universe, gave us this ministry. It is in verse 18 that I was encouraged by this message-"Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation….” What an awesome gift, a purpose, that we are looked at by God, not as we look at each other by the flesh, but as His new creation (vs. 16) who have been charged with the “valiant work” of fulfilling His will, in this desperate and lost world. 

We now look at each other as citizens of the kingdom of God. We do not look at each other according to the flesh; that is we do not care about educational, financial, or familial standings. We look at each other as brothers and sisters of our Father; we look at each other as the righteousness of God.  WOW. How much will that changed perspective affect the body?  How many sins are covered up in love (1 Peter 4:8)?  

If we saw our work as God’s work, if we “strived to do great deeds” for God, rather than for ourselves; if we spent our lives in “great devotion” to each other’s good. What might be accomplished? 

We not only look at one another differently; we look at the world through the eyes of God - LOST!  And we ache and run "daring greatly" to reconcile them to the Lord! 

In Christian Love   Mike Soto

The Kingdom

After a reading of Luke chapter 8, it strikes me that the thorns are very much the luxuries that we see day to day here in our country.  These "thorns" are choking us, we need to cut them down so that we are able to get through to the world and present that there is a God who wants them to return to their Father.

I enjoyed looking at the ministry of Christ throughout the gospels, and I noticed that there is an overwhelming amount (108) of references by Christ about the Kingdom. What is it to live in this Kingdom?