Fall trip 2023 Report #5

The Lord’s Day dawned cloudy and cooler than any day that has greeted us in the trip thus far. The assembly of the Church was wonderful. Ivan announced that a number of the regulars were absent because of illness. However, even with those missing there was a good number to assemble and worship.

Chip was finally able to present the sermon that he’s been working on for two years! He spoke on the parable of the sower and how each of us are responsible for sowing the seed of the Kingdom by teaching the Word of God. It was a well-thought out lesson and well presented.

The time prior to and after the assembly was a wonderful time of fellowship. Tanya had brought some refreshments from Poland and shared them with the Church.

It was good to see the Church assembling in the building and observe the warmth and love that was evident. Among those attending were Maria and Ivan Mykhalovch. These were the hosts of our spring group. Ivan played the accordion for the group. Ever since the spring group left, Maria and Ivan have been attending.

After the assembly we went to a local restaurant for a fellowship meal. Not all were able to go because some had to get back to loved ones who were ill. As the fellowship meal was concluding, Maria stood up and addressed the group. She said she wanted to express her great love and appreciation for the Church of Christ. She said she had never known such existed until Ivan helped the IDPs living in her house with relief items. She said she thought it was just a small group in Ivano-Frankivsk but now she understood it was worldwide. She had many compliments for Ivan and the congregation. Ivan Mykhalovch said the next time he would bring his accordion and play it at a fellowship meal.

It was a very good day that began early and ended late! On the way back to the hotel we passed a city bus carrying people. I looked and there was a whole bench of people waving to us. It was Alex and his family (members at the congregation). They had not been present because Alex has just been drafted and today he was leaving for the frontline. Ivan pulled over and we were able to give brief greetings to this brother in the Lord as he left.

Perry’s Thoughts

Ivan picked us up in the Church bus, which by the way is beautiful, and drove us to the Church building in Ugorniky where we had a wonderful worship service with the brothers and sisters. What a pleasure to get reacquainted with everyone. Ivan started the service by introducing each of us and telling what each would be doing. John opened with prayer, Chip gave a wonderful lesson about being a seed planter and don’t give up, Ivan the Lord’s Supper and I closed with prayer and Maxim was the song leader.

Following the closing prayer Chip on behalf of Dalriada presented the Church with the United States and Alabama flags along with a certificate. The whole congregation were so happy! We had some refreshments, picture taking and then lunch. What a great and remarkable fellowship on the Lord’s Day.

Back in April we met Maria and Ivan Mykhalovch who opened their home to take care of the displaced people from the war areas whose homes were destroyed. When Ivan found out about it, the Church came to their aid with humanitarian needs that the Churches in the USA gave. Maria and Ivan Mykhalovch were so impressed that they wanted to find out more about this “church” called Church of Christ and started to come visit and now are regular in attendance. This is an example of what seed planting and watering can do! Lord willing in time they will become our brother and sister in Christ. Please pray for them.

Vernon’s Thoughts

Today was a much anticipated and anxious day for me. I was to present the morning service sermon for the Ivano-Frankivsk Church. This was the culmination of 2 years of preparation. I had been planning to come with our October 2021 trip contingent but was stopped because of a positive COVID test which prevented me from flyimg even though I was totally asymptomatic but those were the rules.

I had spent a lot of time in preparation of this sermon entitled “ARE YOU A FARMER” based on the parable of the sower. Well it has been 2 years to have the chance again and I have practiced a lot in preparation for today. I tried not to overthink but did make some enhancements even up to last night.

It is a strange feeling to deliver a speech with an I speak/They speak delivery style required when having to be translated into the audience’s language and my wonderful translator, Kate Gladkykh, did a wonderful job of translation.

Following Church services we traveled to a local restaurant and had a fellowship dinner. Afterwards we transported back to our hotel and I was able to get a little nap as I usually do at home.

Tomorrow we have plans to meet some special people and I will tell you about that in the next report. Keep those prayers for our safety and success fervently offered!