A Heart for Ukraine
As the Local Missions Representative (LMR) for Statesboro Church of God in Georgia, I have a heart for all nations and all people—including those in our own home town! However, God has designated a special place in my heart for the people of Ukraine.
Just having returned from my “umpteenth” trip there to minister, I am celebrating God’s miraculous power in a way that I haven’t before. On my November trip I had the honor of meeting another precious family: the Doroninas.
Brother Sergey Doronina brought two special requests for prayer to one of our services in Kerch. The first concerned his cousin, Sasha Slepoha, who was covered with skin cancer and had lost his will to live. He was in bed, could not get to our services and due to the distance and time restraints we couldn’t get to him before leaving Ukraine. So…we did what Paul did. We anointed a cloth with oil, prayed, believed and sent it to him via Brother Sergey.
When we arrived in Kerch last month and saw Brother Sergey, the first thing he told us was that God had miraculously healed his cousin! I am so thankful that we serve a God not limited by geographical (or any other) boundaries!
God has moved in amazing ways during every trip we’ve made. Every single visit has resulted in at least one soul saved and many who renew their commitment to Him. Even if we never saw healing miracles or people delivered from the spirits of suicide, oppression, and depression, every trip would still be worth it for one soul saved. We can make a difference, one life at a time.
Ministry Opportunities
We had the honor of speaking in and working with several non-denominational churches in the Crimea region of Ukraine, where God is obviously moving in the hearts of His people. It is so awesome to know that while we humans may set denominational borders, God does not! He is the one true God and Father of us all.
Operating in supernatural favor, we were privileged to visit with and pray for children in the Hospital for Abandoned Children as well as babies suffering from AIDS, Down syndrome and other diseases. The need is great in Ukraine, especially in the remote cities, towns and villages. We were delighted to be able to supply one baby orphanage with diapers, baby clothes and soft fleece blankets. They were so appreciative.
Our schedule was packed, but we were so in awe of the doors God opened for us and the ways in which He was moving that we really did not have time to be tired! We were able to present funds to a severely asthmatic child’s family for the purchase of a new breathing machine. This machine is not even available in Ukraine and had to be ordered from Russia. You can’t begin to imagine the gratitude expressed by this precious family.
Additionally, we ministered to a 15-year-old boy who is handicapped due to his body’s reaction to a vaccine received at the tender age of 4. He has been confined to his flat for 11 years. His father left him and his mother, saying he simply could not handle the responsibility of a handicapped child. The people of Statesboro Church of God sowed into Jhenya’s life by providing the funds for a computer program that will allow him to translate documents for a local foundation. This income opportunity will enable him to assist his mother with their living expenses as well as the enormous medical bills.
All I can say is what an awesome God we serve! I can hardly wait to return “home”!
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Lyne Hitt, local missions representative, Statesboro Church of God, Georgia
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