WORD OF THE DAY - Thursday 02 September 2010 from Mykolayiv, Ukraine

As we left Slavyansk on the inner-city bus, we crossed over one of the scenic rivers that wind through the hills of this area.

This is one of several Orthodox temples that are located in and around Slavyansk. In fact, one of the most well-known and very scenic monasteries complete with several old church buildings is located in Slavyanogorsk just a few miles from Slavyansk. Many people from Russia take vacations to this area to see the beautiful nature and investigate the old temples and systems of caves that it is said were made by monks and priests in order to hide from enemies.

As we were about to depart from the last view of Slavyansk, we got a picture of a very large vegetable and fruit farm that is mostly operated by people from Turkey. Just over the knoll in the background near the TV tower is a small cemetery where Galina's papa was buried in May. There is a small community there called Andreeva.

On the way from Slavyask to Donetsk, we always go through the nearby sister city of Kramatorsk. Galina was actually born in Kramatorsk where he father was working as a machinist at one of the very large industrial Soviet enterprises that are now privately owned. The entire Donetsk aka Donbass Region is a smokestack area and also most of the coal mines in Ukraine are found here.

This is an automobile sales and service business that we passed in Kramatorsk. I don't know if the owner is honoring Christ or that is a family name. We'll have to learn more about that.

Early this morning our bus stopped in Dnepropetrovsk to hopefully pick up some new passengers and for a 15 minute break. This is a very large bus terminal but we are only there in the middle of the night and have never seen it operating at full strength. We come back to Nikolaev very tired, but full of joy that our mission was 100% accomplished. We received the extension on our stay in Ukraine. Now, we do not have to be concerned about being illegal immigrants. Thank you for all your prayers.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2 NIV)

и не сообразуйтесь с веком сим, но преобразуйтесь обновлением ума вашего, чтобы вам познавать, что есть воля Божия, благая, угодная и совершенная. (К Римлянам 12:2 Russian)

і не стосуйтесь до віку цього, але перемініться відновою вашого розуму, щоб пізнати вам, що то є воля Божа, добро, приємність та досконалість. (Римляни 12:2 Ukrainian)

No se amolden al mundo actual, sino sean transformados mediante la renovación de su mente. Así podrán comprobar cuál es la voluntad de Dios, buena, agradable y perfecta. (Romanos 12:2 NVI Spanish)

Most Glorious and Magnificent God, our Dear Heavenly Father ~ Thank you for the beneficial blessings that arrive from your grace on this new day. Help us to continually realize that we must be proactively involved in the transforming process. We are deeply grateful that we are made new through a life of submission to the perfect will of Christ our Lord. Give us more of your perfect wisdom. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.