Tuesday, September 30, 2003

Hi, This is Just to let you know that we serve an Almighty, Living God. In my last e-mail - I asked you to pray for me and the language... Well, the past week was spent in Plavni, an small village 30km from Reni. There I visited with, Seroge, an young church planter. In that week with him - I learnt more Russian (and Moldovian) than I all my study time before that! We had a great time of ministry - and I could also encourage Seroge a great deal. Seroge, is 19 years old and he has been a Christian for 3 years and he is already a church planter…says something …hey! . He was working as a translator for one of the missionaries (Tannie Jossie) also from South Africa. She is presently in SA, and it looks as if she will be coming back to Plavni only to hand the church over to the "next" leader. Although Seroge is very young, and feels very incapable, he is very good with the children. He has a heart for the people - and wants to do Gods will. I praise God that I could be with him for a week, and that I could encourage him. On my first day there we went around town, meeting different people. We met Stjoppa, a young man (26yr) that was totally drunk. We spent some time with him in prayer. The next day, again we visited him. This time around he had terrible withdrawal symptoms, as he has been an alcoholic for a couple of years. We prayed some more for him. Sunday (the day before I left) we visited him for the last time. He was busy cleaning his house, and looking good. He confessed, however, that he had had a glass of wine again... Please pray that he will be strong. In the time of visiting Stjoppa, we met Sultan, an Muslin - from Tajikistan. On Sunday when Seroge asked him how he is doing he just said "Plogge" - BAD. Seroge told him that Jesus is the answer to the depression he feels, and a big discussion - that I couldn't understand - followed. When people talk in Russian - it often sounds like they are fighting. After a while I told Seroge that he must be careful not to go into a big debate about God. He just said, "Wait". Shortly after that Saltan said, "dawaai" which can be translated in "go" "take" "begin" (and many more). I thought he was telling us to leave... But no, he was saying that we should pray for him. As we prayed for him we saw the depression physically leave him! God is faithful! In Jer: 29:11-14 God says that if you call on Him with all your heart He will answer you. The weekend previous to my visit there - was Reni (the town)'s 450th birthday. The town was all dressed up in lights, there was even an "Merry-go-round" ! I talked to the youth on Sunday evening about being focused on God. As with the youth in South Africa I see that the girls have a far deeper relationship with God than most of the boys. I pray that the Lord will show me what the "KEY" is that will develop the young men into being true "men of God", and to take up the role and authority that they should play in society. After the youth Nina, Seroge (Ockerts right hand man, not the one from Plavni) and some other youth said I must go on one of the swings with them. This was a great time to get to know some of the kids. I have also started to give English lessons... please don't let Mrs Pretorius, my old English teacher, or Boet, hear this. % Please praise God with me for the ability to learn the language, of the region, where he has placed me. % Praise the Lord that He is helping me to get to know the people and get into there hearts. % Praise God for the things He is doing in Plavni!!! % I praise God that he has given me a "backup team" praying for me. # Please pray for the work in Plavni. For Seroge to be strong and to grow in his relationship with the Lord. For Stjoppa to be able to survive day after day and to come out on top. And for Saltan. that he might grow to be the man God created him to be. # Please pray that I might be able to connect with the youth. That I might be able to speak into their lives and make a difference. # Please pray for the young men and boys. That they might be able to grow to be "Men of God". # Please pray for me, that I might be able to teach English, and in doing so get to know the people and to use this opportunity to minister to them. # Please pray that I might be able to get closer and closer to God, and that I might be able to know His Father-heart. # Please pray that the Lord will let me know what to do after my 3months in the Ukraine. Thank you for all your prayers, financial support and encouragement. I don't know what I would do without this... May God Bless you with all His love and mercy! Al the Pote