News from the "field"

In the end of October we had an interesting strategy, brand new to Odessa, - seminars on EQ, emotional intelligence. Two of our staff from Budapest have held fascinating seminars for three days. The hall was packed, the students were delighted.

It would seem that the theme of EQ is very far from Christianity. But actually talking about faith with students was very natural. We discussed this pyramid.

Our beliefs are always at the base of each of our lives, then our character forms, and last - emotions. We are forming our belief based on what we understand about our value and significance, as people created in the image and likeness of God. At the end of the workshop each of the students were offered a personal meeting to plan the development of certain areas of their EQ.

Alina and Nastya

I went along with Alina, the girl I disciple, to attend one of those meetings. We met with Nastya, a student of the Building Academy. She moved to Odessa from Donetsk. Nastya was very open and listened carefully about how our relationship with God affects our beliefs. She wanted to pray the prayer of repentance at the meeting. Now Alina helps her understand the basic principles for spiritual growth. 

Also, God answered our prayers for Anya. She heard the Gospel last year and now I see the sprouts of faith. She said that she accepted Christ. My meetings with her are a great joy. What a privilege it is to help somebody make the first steps of faith!

God  blesses us with new volunteers. This year we met Lana. She is Georgian and came to Ukraine from Batumi. Lana is already a Christian and she loved our vision in reaching out the students of Odessa with the Gospel. She is studying at the National University and lives in a dorm. Last week I went with her evangelize in her dorm. For her it was a great encouragement to learn how you can talk to students in such a simple and natural way.

Pray at the same time for us as well, that God may open up to us a door for the word... (Col 4:3)

1.  Please pray for the spiritual growth of Nastya and Anya. Anya's parents set up quite negatively against faith, arguing that her repentance is a betrayal of Orthodoxy. It’s a big trial for her.

2. Pray for our time of evangelism in the dorms. May God lead us to those students who seek Him.

3. In my last letter I shared about my conversations with Ira. Just one month after that she was hit by a car. Now she is treated in her hometown and we do not have many opportunities to see each other. Please pray for her recovery, and the fact that these tests have strengthened her faith. Not draw her away.