Download the latest sermonDate added: Thursday, 26th March 2009
Great time in Ukraine! An update from Bob Hyde . . .
At one minute past midnight on Thursday 12 March myself, Paul Black and my son Ben boarded the overnight bus from Paignton Bus Station to Heathrow Airport. After a good breakfast we caught our flight to Amsterdam and then on to Kiev, the capital city of Ukraine.
We were met at Borispil Airport by one of our translators, Anya, together with her friend, Lana. After a meal in an 'underground restaurant' we headed off to the central Railway Station to catch the overnight sleeper train to Krivoy Rog - a very 'interesting' experience! Imagine if you will, being in a well heated four-berth sleeper compartment with two other people. As the temperature rises you feel the compulsion to open the window . . . no chance! In their wisdom, the makers of the carriages decided that opening the window to allow fresh air into the compartment was definitely NOT going to be allowed! Nine hours later, complete with a headache, we arrived into Krivoy Rog.
Over the next eight days, we taught in the Bible College and Mission School and preached in diferent churches. Since we were last in Ukraine in November 2007, the Ukrainian Union of Churches of Praise (our hosts) have continued to grow. The main church building in Krivoy Rog was filled to capacity on Sunday morning with a congregation of about 1400 people. The sung praise and worship was as vibrant as ever and it was an honour to preach in such an atmosphere.
In 2007, our church gave some finances to a school in a suburb of Krivoy Rog. We directed these funds through the local church led by Pastor Victor. (Nine years ago, Pastor Victor was an ardent member of the Communist Party.) Picture if you can, a run-down school which hasn't received any funds for maintenance for the past eighteen years and where teachers earn only £120.00 per month. The impact of our gift has been incredile and has resulted in the purchase of a computer, a video projector and some excellent software, which is being shared with other schools around the city. One of the teachers in 'our school' has also won a national award for the work that he's done.
I always return from Ukraine feeling that I've received more than I've given. It was fantastic to see five men make open decisions to become followers of Jesus Christ as a result of our preaching. We'll be going back again - want to come?!
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