October 2016
Dear Friends & Ministry Partners,
By the time you receive this letter, Rick may be leaving Ukraine and going to Germany for the last leg of this mission trip. I told him I would do the prayer letter this time, and it may not be at all like he does it, but I hope you will enjoy reading it anyway. And you can look forward to next month when he is back and can share his experiences with you. I asked Sam Hough if he would write something for me concerning the time he spent in Ukraine working with Rick. Below is what he wrote. – Della
“This September I had an opportunity to travel to the Ukraine with Rick Deighton from Overseas Outreach. I had a great time preaching and teaching with Rick in 3 major cities and in one smaller town in central Ukraine. Together we shared the gospel of Christ at churches, orphanages, synagogues, coffee shops, and a university.
The first bulk of our time together we spent about a week with Love Cradle Ministries in Mala Viska, reaching out to State-run orphanages. Every day we loaded up a trailer with humanitarian aid supplies, which we delivered to different orphanages. Sometimes that included fresh produce, blankets, pillows, sheets, shoes, jackets, cloths, and other supplies. When we arrived at each orphanage, we were met either by the state appointed directors or their assistant directors. After meeting we were given an opportunity to speak with a group of the children.
Rick always spoke first with them about world view and the importance of having a world view with Christ at the center. Afterwards, I spoke with them about the love and power of God. I always began my message with a statement, ‘You are deeply loved.’ One orphan boy shouted from the back, ‘By who?’ and then I had the opportunity to share the truth that no matter what happens in our lives, no matter who might abandon us or hurt us in this world, God loves us and wants to be with us and give us a new kind of life.
We then took a train from Mala Viska to Odessa, where we spent most of the rest of our time together teaching students at Open Christian University. Together we were guest teachers in the 1st – 4th year English classes. Each day we taught 4 classes. Rick taught 2, and I took 2. Rick’s focus in his teaching was sharing the importance of having a Christian world view and understanding a creation origin. I focused my lessons on stories from the Bible that teach us that God knows us, loves us, cares about us, calls us, and sends us. As I taught stories from the Bible, I also shared evidences from a creation science perspective.
After classes we almost always had a church to visit, a missionary to connect with, or an outing of some sort. I especially enjoyed my time getting to know many of the students and touring the city with them. They invited me to a Bible study prayer group that I really enjoyed. I also really enjoyed getting to know some of the missionaries and visiting some Messianic Jewish worship services.
The last stop for my part of the trip was in Kharkov where we visited with Zhenya Molodchy. We visited with a Messianic church on Saturday, and Sunday we had the opportunity to visit with the church that Zhenya is starting. It was good to get to know him and his family. Then I had to leave Rick in Ukraine and fly home. It’s been over a week since I have been home, and I’m still trying to regain my energy.
It was a great trip. If I had to do it again, I would spend a bit more time working on learning some Russian language. This Sunday I will be sharing about my trip with the church after our worship services. I had a great time with Rick. He is a good man with a great heart for the Lord. I will keep him in my prayers as he continues his time in eastern Europe and Germany.”
Needs for Orphanages
September 12 – 15 when Rick and Sam Hough worked with Stephen and Iryna Yagilnicky near Mala Viska, Ukraine, in the orphanages, they learned of some needs there:
• Flannel graph for the entire Bible
• A projector (for transparencies) that would work on 220 volt electricity
Is there anyone who could supply these needs? If so, they could be sent to the address below and they can get the items to Stephen & Iryna.
Love Cradle International, 276 W. Cherry Lane, Souderton, PA, USA 18964.
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Other needs that we learned of recently are for White Fields Overseas Evangelism for their “Jesus Loves Me” Orphanage in Haiti:
• Food for the orphans. The prices are rising rapidly, and their budget cannot handle the increases. Haitian laws now require 3 meals a day for the children, and they are only able to provide for two a day.
• $300 is needed to replace clothing and shoes that were stolen from the boys’ dorm.
• More funds are needed to make necessary improvements on their property.
If you, your Sunday School Class, or small group would be able to help with any of these needs, funds can be sent to: White Fields Overseas Evangelism, P. O. Box 1089, Joplin, MO 64802-1089. (Write “JLMH” in the memo line of the check for “Jesus Loves Me Home”).
“We ignore suffering when we are not experiencing it and are surprised by it when it touches us.”
A Note from Rick
“At one of the small group meetings they were asking me questions about my perspectives as an American. One of the questions was if there was anything particularly surprising to me about their culture. The first thing I thought of was the amazing hospitality of the Ukrainian people when I’m invited into their homes. Later I said, ‘Oh yes, there is something else.’ How many Ukrainians can fit into one ‘maschutka’ (transport van)? I mentioned this last evening after the youth meeting at Church of Christ Savior, when a huge portion of the youth group crammed into Stas’s van and we were on our way. Stas (the youth leader) laughed and said, ‘We have had 26 in this van!’ Now is that amazing – or what? (I kind of doubt that all 26 were wearing seat belts!)”
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Victor Knowles shared the following with us, and his purpose was to give us “strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.”
10 THINGS THAT WILL STILL BE TRUE ON NOVEMBER 9,
NO MATTER WHO IS ELECTED AS OUR NEXT PRESIDENT!
1. God will still be on His throne, reigning over all. (Isa. 6:1; 57:15).
2. Jesus Christ will still be King of Kings and Lord of Lords (1 Tim. 6:15-16).
3. The Holy Spirit will still be doing His work on earth (1 John 4:4).
4. The kingdom of Christ will continue to trump all other kingdoms (Rev. 11:15).
5. The Bible will still have all the answers to the great questions of life (John 10:35).
6. Our prayers will still ascend to heaven to be heard and answered by God (Dan. 6:10).
7. There will still be singing, and the songs will encourage our hearts (Isa. 51:11).
8. The Gospel of Christ will still be the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16-17).
9. Faith will continue to be the victory that overcomes the world (1 John 4:4-5).
10. There will still be room at the cross for you. “Though millions have come, there’s still room for one. Yes, there’s room at the cross for you.” (1 Cor. 1:18).
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A Heartwarming Story
“He was driving home one evening, on a two-lane country road. Work in this small Midwestern community, was almost as slow as his beat-up Pontiac. But he never quit looking.
Ever since the factory closed, he’d been unemployed, and with winter raging on, the chill had finally hit home. It was a lonely road. Not very many people had a reason to be on it, unless they were leaving. Most of his friends had already left. They had families to feed and dreams to fulfill. But he stayed on. After all, this was where he buried his mother and father. He was born here and he knew the country. He could go down this road blind, and tell you what was on either side. With his headlights not working, that came in handy.
It was starting to get dark and light snow flurries were coming down. He’d better get a move on.
He almost didn’t see the old lady, stranded on the side of the road. But even in the dim light of day, he could see she needed help. So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out. His Pontiac was still sputtering when he approached her. Even with the smile on his face, she was worried. No one had stopped to help for the last hour or so. Was he going to hurt her? He didn’t look safe. He looked poor and hungry.
He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold. He knew how she felt. It was that chill which only fear can put in you. He said, “I’m here to help you ma’am. Why don’t you wait in the car where it’s warm? By the way, my name is Bryan.”
Well, all she had was a flat tire, but for an old lady, that was bad enough. Bryan crawled under
the car looking for a place to put the jack, skinning his knuckles a time or two. Soon he was able to change the tire. But he had to get dirty and his hands hurt.
As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down the window and began to talk to him. She told him that she was from St. Louis and was only just passing through. She couldn’t thank him enough for coming to her aid. Bryan just smiled as he closed her trunk. She asked him how much she owed him. Any amount would have been all right with her. She had already imagined all the awful things that could have happened had he not stopped.
Bryan never thought twice about the money. This was not a job to him. This was helping someone in need, and God knows there were plenty who had given him a hand in the past. He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act any other way.
He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance that they needed, and Bryan added, “…and think of me.”
He waited until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold and depressing day, but he felt good as he headed for home, disappearing into the twilight.
A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to grab a bite to eat, and take the chill off before she made the last leg of her trip home. It was a dingy looking restaurant. Outside were two old gas pumps. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her.
Her waitress came over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair. She had a sweet smile, one that even being on her feet for the whole day couldn’t erase. The lady noticed that the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude. The old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a stranger. Then she remembered Bryan.
After the lady finished her meal, and the waitress went to get change for her hundred dollar bill, the lady slipped right out the door. She was gone by the time the waitress came back. She wondered where the lady could be, then she noticed something written on the napkin under which was four $100 bills. There were tears in her eyes when she read what the lady wrote. It said: “You don’t owe me anything. I have been there too. Somebody once helped me out, the way I’m helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here is what you do: Do not let this chain of love end with you.”
Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people to serve, but the waitress made it through another evening. That night when she got home from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what the lady had written. How could the lady have known how much she and her husband needed it? With the baby due next month, it was going to be hard. She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered soft and low, ‘Everything’s gonna be all right; I love you, Bryan.'”
I don’t know about you, but when I hear stories like this one, it strengthens my faith to see how God works things out in the most unusual ways. When so many things in our world seem out of control, when our hearts are aching for a loved one who is making poor decisions that could affect the rest of his or her life, when our bodies hurt and there is no relief from the pain, when we wonder if we’ll be able to pay the bills this month…..can we trust Him? Yes, we can! Many times in my life I have turned back to the words of the following poem (or maybe it was a song) by Twila Paris.
Do I Trust You?
“Sometimes my little heart can’t understand what’s in Your will, what’s in Your plan;
So many times I’m tempted to ask you why.
But I can never forget it for long. Lord, what You do could not be wrong.
So I believe You even when I must cry.”
“Does the river flow?
Do I trust You, Lord?
Does the north wind blow?
You can see my heart,
You can read my mind,
And You’ve got to know
I would rather die
Than to lose my faith
In the One I love.
Do I trust You, Lord?
Do I trust You?
I know the answers; I’ve given them all, but suddenly now I feel so small,
shaken right down to the cavity in my soul.
I know the doctrine and theology, but right now that doesn’t mean much to me.
This time there’s only one thing I’ve got to know:
Do I trust You, Lord?
Does the robin sing?
Do I trust You, Lord?
Does it rain in spring?
You can see my heart,
You can read my mind,
And You’ve got to know
I would rather die
Than to lose my faith
In the One I love.
Do I trust You, Lord?
Do I trust You?
I will trust You, Lord,
When I don’t know why.
I will trust You, Lord,
Till the day I die.
I will trust You, Lord,
When I’m blind with pain.
You were God before,
and You’ll never change!
I will trust You;
I will trust You;
I will trust You, Lord.
Invitation to Join the Prayer Movement for the Persecuted – Sunday, November 13, 2016
IDOP-Africa invites you to join Christians around the world in praying with, and for, the persecuted church on Sunday, 13 November. www.idop-africa.org provides you with news, articles, resources, links and contacts to enable you to mobilize your friends, family, co-workers, congregation and community to prayer and action on behalf of those who are persecuted for their Faith.
Westminster Abbey and Westminster Cathedral will both be back-lit red in November to raise awareness for Christian persecution around the world.
Christians under Fire
Over 400 million Christians live in the 66 countries of the world which severely restrict, or persecute, believers. This year over 220,000 Christians have died as martyrs for Christ. Christian brothers and sisters are being persecuted for their faith in: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bhutan, Burma, Red China, Cuba, Egypt, Eritrea, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Lagos, Malaysia, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Palestine territories, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Philippines, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Zimbabwe.
“Remember the prisoners as if chained with them – those who are mistreated – since you yourselves are in the body also.” Hebrews 13:3
The above are excerpts from:
http://nordskogpublishing.com/westminster-abbey-lit-red-highlight-christian-persecution/
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Other Prayer Requests & Praises
1. Please pray for Rick for wisdom in the rest of his teaching and speaking appointments and for safety for him in the many miles he will still be travelling before he gets home.
2. Pray concerning the needs for the Orphanages in Ukraine and Haiti. (See pages 2 for details.)
3. Praise: That Sam Hough, minister from Vernonia Christian Church in Oregon, was able to go and work with Rick in Ukraine from September 9 – 26. His lessons and the sharing of his testimony were well received.
4. Pray for the persecuted!
5. Pray for the upcoming election.
“When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot.”