Its gorgeous here in the countryside south of Kiev, Ukraine.  Spring flowers are abundant; lilac bushes are heavy with the purple clusters, filling the air with that distinct sweet aroma; summer marigolds, petunias, and geraniums are opening their blossoms; the singing of birds is echoing through the forest outside my window; and the skies are a cloudless royal blue reflecting off the placid water of the river just down the hill.

But the most beautiful sight is that of the faces of eager and appreciative students who have come for this spring term at the Evangelical Reformed Seminary of Ukraine.  There are about forty of them from all over Ukraine (as well as from Russia, Poland, Belarus, and Uzebekistan).  They come here to Kiev four times a year for two week concentrated class sessions.  What an extraordinary privilege and responsibility the Lord has given me to help shape the worship of almost all the churches in this entire generation through the pastors and church leaders who are in my class on the theology, history, and practice of worship!

Mealtimes are very special.  As we all eat together in the dining hall, I get the chance to listen to the stories of how God has brought these people to Christ, and how He is preparing and already using them to plant and grow healthy churches in their communities in this formerly atheistic secular culture, where in years past most church buildings were either dynamited or turned into “Museums of Atheism.”

Anya moved away from home three years ago right after high school to get away from the beatings of her alcoholic father.  She found a place to live in a new city, sharing rent for a very small apartment with two other girls about her age.  They were Christians and invited her to their church.  She had grown up with no religious experience whatsoever.  She went with them and was moved to tears by the joy and genuineness of the singing that first Sunday.  Through that, God opened her heart to hear and believe the Gospel.  She’s taking classes at the seminary now to learn more Bible and theology to help her in youth ministry and teaching.

Sasha grew up in Western Ukraine in a nominally Orthodox family, but it never meant anything to him.  By the age of 16 he was disillusioned with life and felt there had to be something more.  He “happened” to pick up a Bible and started reading it.  It made sense to him, and he believed what it said.  He got into a Baptist church and then wound up planting a Baptist church on his own.  But he and his congregation have now discovered Reformed theology, and have even starting baptizing infants!  They’re trying to figure out if they’re Bapterians or Presbtists!

Andrei grew up as a convinced atheist in Odessa.  He met a couple of guys playing basketball.  Their friendship grew, and he discovered they were Christians.  They invited him to church (the church where I brought the organ in 2004) and he went just to be polite.  What he heard made sense to him.  Before long he became a believer.  Later he was ordained as a deacon, and is now helping to plant another Presbyterian church in the north part of Odessa.

I love meeting people like this who are now my family members in Christ, and who I count among my “forever-friends.” Seeing Jesus build His church, just as He promised He would, is a thrill of unparalleled delight!  Thanks for praying for me … and for them.  I look forward to introducing you to them when we all get “home.”