April 7, 2002

Dear Ones, 

Easter Greetings to all of you!  Such a glorious season this is!  It is a season of hope, life and miracles.  As we approach Easter, may there stir within you great expectations for miracles and changes!

            For most American Christians, it is a common thing to view Easter this way.  But not all people enjoy this knowledge of hope and salvation through Christ.  Many, both here and abroad, are locked up in hopelessness, or are going through mindless rituals, some out of a sense of obligation. Others simply do not yet know the fullness that Christ gives.  To know Christ and to personally experience His love and His forgiveness for one’s self is the greatest joy and freedom you can know.  To be able to share that love and same freedom with others is so exhilarating and fulfilling!

            In Europe, the Orthodox Church celebrates Easter on May 5^th.  This is very exciting for me, because I arrive in Ukraine on May 4^th.  God is sending me once again and allowing me to be a living witness to the people of Ukraine, with whom I have fallen in love.

            God is so good!  There are so many doors being opened to me in Ukraine that my head is spinning!  There are many opportunities to share Jesus.  What a joy and privilege that God chooses US to be His vessels!

            I am tingling with anticipation for what God has planned for this trip.  I am brushing up on English lessons and listening for ways to tie in scriptures to go along with them.  God gives me wonderful practical things to bring Jesus into the picture again and again.       

Please pray for me.  1. Pray for me to be able to make the quiet time needed to hear Him in detail about all these details.  2.Then pray for my continued health and stamina, and for my safety in the airports and while traveling.  3. Also, pray for ease getting through customs.  4. Pray for all the people I’ll meet along the way; that even the waitresses and stewardesses, or people just passing by, will be touched by the Master.  5. Pray that His heart will be satisfied and that His will, will be accomplished this trip.

            These requests are not so I can look good, or feel spiritual, or gain approval.  But it’s about the longing in His heart to touch people and pour out His love upon them, would be satisfied and that His thirst to bless them would be quenched. 

May this vessel be the “donkey that carries Jesus,” as together we travel along.   May I do that quietly, sure-footedly and with humility, but also with great joy!  You are welcome to join me in this journey through life, for we are all Ambassadors for Christ!

I pray that for each of you, this Easter will be a glorious and grand Resurrection Celebration!  May we each do our part in  “Carrying Jesus to the World”!                                  

                                                             Easter Blessings,

                                                                     Nancy  & Tom