WORD OF THE DAY - 08 January 2010

I sought the LORD, and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:4)

Я взыскал Господа, и Он услышал меня, и от всех опасностей моих избавил меня. (Псалтирь 34:4 Russian 33-5)

O LORD our God, Holy is Your Name ~ Thank you dear Father, for the brightness of our hopes on this new day because of the assurance of your abiding presence and care. Give us wisdom as we study and reflect upon your word so that we will not think that we have all the answers for life’s problems. Increase our faith while we submit to Christ Jesus our Lord. In His blessed name we pray, Amen.

Yesterday was Christmas day here in Ukraine and for many other people around the world, so we celebrated by meeting our two brothers from Nigeria who have been studying in the Maritime University here in Nikolaev. We had lunch together at a cafe situated in a large supermarket/mall. Nikolaev is a great historic seaport with a rich reputation for sending men to sea. In the late 1700's it became a military outpost and remained strictly a naval base and shipbuilding city for over a hundred years. Then in the late 1800's it began to be changed to include civilian maritime preparation and shipbuilding along with the military. Even though it has been very difficult for our brothers Afolabi and Akinrinde, they have finished the course and are prepared to be officers aboard merchant ships that sail the high seas. While we ate and visited with them yesterday, it gave me the opportunity to "commission" them for their task of carrying the Gospel to the world. They know that they will have to look hard for a job once back in Nigeria and they have high hopes. But, most importantly - these men gave their hearts in obedience to Christ and His church while here in Nikolaev. They are prepared to share what they have learned with others. I talked to them about 2 Timothy 2:2 a verse that a certain preacher drilled into me long ago. One of them spoke about preaching the Gospel, and the other spoke about teaching seamen aboard ships the glorious gospel of Christ. Galina and I have grown to love these young men as our own. And as we make preparations for our business trip to the USA, they are preparing to return to Africa at about the same time. We hope and pray that our paths will cross again here on this earth, but if not, we have that positive hope of a happy reunion in that Better Land after all of this is over. Today we have a Bible study with the church at 2.00 this afternoon, and then two English students are scheduled to meet with us at 4.00 and 5.00. Your prayers for these young men of faith and all in the church here and those with whom we search the scriptures are vital and sincerely appreciated.