1614 Days of War

Dear partners and prayer warriors,

Greetings!

Matthew 7:7-8 tells us to ask, and it shall be given to us; to seek, and we shall find. We recently read a quote that stuck with us: “How many souls have we left behind because we merely passed through the garden of prayer, rather than tending it and cultivating it?” We need to be persistent in prayer, to pray as if our lives and those we are ministering to depended upon it – because they do!

This past month has been very busy for our family and ministry. We have been on the go and seen the Lord work in so many places – adding to our prayer list and answering prayers as well!

Many of you were praying for our recent trip to Kentucky. Oleh made contact with a core group of Ukrainians who desire to start a Baptist church and is in regular contact with them. We believe that the Lord is moving in Nicholasville, KY to start a sustainable Bible Study/church plant. It was so encouraging to be taken on for support by a church that actively ministers to and seeks to expand its ministry to the Ukrainian community near them. Amen.

The Lord also added several churches to our partnership team this month that tremendously encouraged us by their faithfulness to the Lord, serving their communities and being a LIGHT for Jesus.

We were able to visit with a long-time supporting church in SC. We participated in a church fellowship there. It was encouraging to see a church that loves each other and truly desires to spend time together. The pastor’s son, Josh Medlin, is a master blacksmith and made us a ladle for our soup outreaches. Every time we dip up a bowl of Ukrainian soup, we thank the Lord for his kindness and skill.

Ministry in Ukraine continues to prosper. Our partners held a week-long camp for displaced Ukrainian children. They are gifted ministers of the Gospel and have a real knack for serving children. The Lord uses their creativity to open children’s hearts to the Gospel. Please pray for the follow-up discipleship that continues year-round after these camps.

The Raleigh, Miami, and London, Canada Bible studies and church plants meet weekly and are continuing to grow and disciple new and old believers alike. The immigration crisis in America is heating up. In Raleigh alone, we have 5 families that will self-deport in the next 40 days if their work permits are not renewed. Please pray for us to minister to and comfort these vulnerable war refugees and for their documents to be renewed, if this is God’s will for these families.

The situation in Ukraine is quite dire. The war continues to be one of attrition with heavy losses on both sides. Every night, Ukraine is bombarded with missiles, drones, and rockets. People are tired, on edge, and are filled with anxiety for the future. Please pray for our Ukrainian team not to grow weary in doing good in these tough life circumstances and for many to come to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord through this war.

We praise the Lord that “Project Rest and Restoration” will be held in Hungary on January 25-29, 2027. Please keep this retreat in your prayers, that the pastors will get their exit documents and be able to come for a time of true spiritual and physical rest. Please pray for Lori to have wisdom as she makes all the arrangements, that this retreat will be a blessing to those who attend. We are so grateful for the churches and people who have sacrificially given so that this retreat can be held!

Please continue to also pray for the following:

A soon and just end to the Russian-Ukrainian war; today is day 1614;
Project Rest and Restore to be held January 25-29, 2027, and exit documents to be issued to our pastors who will be attending the retreat in Hungary.
Wisdom, spiritual endurance, and physical safety for our family as we minister to many needy and hurting people; that the Lord would give clear direction for future ministry opportunities;
For the Raleigh, Miami, Washington DC, and Canadian church plants/Bible studies to grow; pray for ongoing discipleship of new believers;
For our Ukrainian team members not to grow weary in doing good; Every night they are attacked by drones and missiles.
For the immigration status of Ukrainian refugees to become more stable; for the fear and instability that many are experiencing to be used of the Lord to open their hearts to the Gospel;
Favor with churches and individuals as we contact them to become missionary partners. Lori recently took a partnership development class and will be stepping outside her comfort zone to try new techniques in this endeavor.
For our son Simon to grow in his relationship with the Lord, do well at his job, and learn to drive;
For our daughter Abigail, who is not making Biblical decisions.