Let the Reading Begin!

This post marks the end of our second full day of reading, and are third full day as a team here in Mariupol, but we are already feeling like we've been working for weeks! At our lunch break we were sitting around talking about the day, and I had trouble getting off the couch! However, despite being worn out, we have had some encouraging moments already with the readers. We are currently reading with over 50 people of which about half are not church members. The other half are members of the church who are coming to learn or improve their English. Some of them are in group classes where the main focus is English. I am teaching a class of about 9 people who speak very little English, and we are covering the basics. Today they learned to count from one to one hundred. It's really exciting to see how they improve a little bit every time we talk. I can't communicate with them very well, but they always seem so appreciative when the class ends. It really is serving as a means to build relationships with members of the church, and be encouraged through fellowship. Emily also started a class today for young children, teaching them some very basic English phrases and words.

As great as it is to be able to provide this service for the church, our purpose in coming was not just to encourage the church, but to reach the lost. The girls have told me several stories of how they have had some meaningful conversations with their readers already, and I am reading with a husband and wife couple who really seem to understand that what Luke wrote about in his gospel really happened. The more we read the more they seem to recognize that the things we are reading are not just made up stories, but actual historical events. Their names are Alex and Alona. Tommie has talked to me about a reader named Alevtina who says she has been struggling with depression and just wants to find happiness again. Tommie gently told her that she had come to the right place. We're praying that over the next two weeks that she would realize the truth of those words. I am sure each of us could talk about the many encouraging moments that we have already had, and we are only three days into the trip. There have also already been some difficult moments, but they are causing us to rely more heavily on God, and on each other as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Thank you for your comments, your encouragement, and your prayers. After only three days there is already a lot to talk about! Please continue to keep us, the readers, and the church here in your prayers. Pictures coming soon!



Our love and thanks...