September 5, 2002

Dearly Beloved, America is coming up on the one-year anniversary of Sept. 11th, a day that lives in infamy, horror and grief in the memories of us all. Our lives were irreversibly altered, whether we lost a loved one or just lost a previous sense of safety and innocence. Yes, our lives were touched, and it was not a gentle touch.

Things were taken from us…things like a false sense of security, a misplaced trust that we as a nation were impervious to attack on the homeland, and, for many, their well-being. People were snatched away and families were left grieving their losses. But for all the things that were taken away, immeasurable things have been given to us. As a nation, we’ve been given a re-awakened patriotism and sense of unity. We have seen our government rise from mediocrity and “politics as usual,” to stand tall and firm in commitment to “freedom and justice for all.” Let’s not forget to say that we have also been brought to the awareness that we are a “nation under God” and have had unprecedented opportunities to share what it means to be “under God’s wings!”

We as Christians are watching prophecy unfold, as the stage is set for end-time harvest. We are cognizant of our ability to affect people for eternity as, more and more, we take our place and respond to the urgency of God’s call upon His Church. Truly Jesus is coming back for a Bride without spot or wrinkle. So He is getting us ready! May we have many, many souls to present to Him at the time of His appearing. I believe that, increasingly, believers are stepping into a deeper, closer walk with the Lord. The closer we get to Him, the more we become like Him and shine with His love in a world that so desperately needs to see and know Him. To that end, we are shining brightly in the lives of several hundred children and adults in Ukraine and Belarus through our ongoing contact and help. School is upon us and ‘life goes on” around the world. But we are “interrupting” and touching lives in these countries! It is a welcome interruption that brings joy and surprise as they are presented your gifts of love with the reminder that it is because they are special to Jesus and loved by Him very much. We are anticipating supplying Rudky and Sactoveetchie Schools and Sambir Kindergarten #2 with “back to school” supplies. There are over 200 children we are expecting to impact! Tom also wants to help “Love for Kids” in Belarus with back to school materials. Then, at Christmas, we want to present our 56 orphans with candy and toys, so save your 32 oz. plastic drink glasses with lids and help us fill them! We’ll put in candy, a toothbrush, a small box of toothpaste and a card. We need to ship everything by the first weekend in October.

Praise reports! None of “my people” were hurt or killed in the terrible air show tragedy in Lviv, Ukraine. Pastor Kirill’s brother-in-law was at the show with his two children. His wife had stayed home. Suddenly she was filled with a feeling that she needed to pray. She didn’t know why, but began to pray. One of the children tugged on his Dad’s sleeve and said, “I want us to move over there Dad, to see better.” They had no sooner moved than one of the jets came crashing and ripping into the crowd were they had been standing just minutes before! The faithfulness and goodness of our Lord!

The pastors, Vasil and Natalka, who are in the mountain town of Skollyia, have had their baby! It is a little girl, 10 lbs. and quite long! They have named her Elena. For the baby to be so large is a blessing, as most are very under weight due to malnutrition. The little family must find more suitable living quarters before winter, as the little cottage they are in has no running water or even a refrigerator and it is very damp and cold in bad weather. I am so excited to report that a widow in the Midwest has stepped up to help support them with a monthly offering. She is also sewing baby clothes and a quilt for the newborn. See how God uses our hands to touch and bless others! This young couple is on fire for God and has a real burden for the little village of Skollyia, to which God has called them. While I was there ministering in their church, someone came into the building where the church is located and threw rocks at the church doors, trying to disrupt the services! They told me this was not the first incident that they have encountered. So, please pray for them and their ministry!

Lastly, I am enclosing a flag pin for you to proudly wear. Remember, this symbol speaks not only of our American pride and heritage, but also that this nation is by God’s design and under His sovereign care! Red is for His blood that was shed for mankind’s freedom, and then the blood that our forefathers shed to keep us living free from tyranny. White represents the purity of the spotless Lamb of God, and also the pureness of purpose and vision with which our land was founded. Blue is to remind us that we as a nation are under God and therefore must answer to a higher sovereignty than just ourselves. For me personally, the stars on the flag remind me that there is nothing too big that we as a people cannot accomplish when we are all working together and walking with God! There are 50 stars representing 50 states, but it took vision, dreams, determination and courage to make all that happen. Millions of people whose lives were interconnected by common goals and desires brought it about!

God is not through with America yet! She still has some shining to do and the gospel still needs to be sent from her shores. We can all play a part in that with our prayers, our giving, or our going. For all the people that have been, and will be, changed, “thank you” for being a part of that shining and sending!

God Bless America and the world through all of us, and America, Bless God!

Love, Nancy and Tom