A Time for Everything … (March 2018 Update)
March was a very busy month for teaching. It began with grading papers from classes in February and ending with more papers to grade from my March classes (which will continue to come in until May!). Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Because I had so much to do last month, I often wondered if I would have time for everything. But I was reminded time and time again that there is a season for everything that God gives us. But most of all, I was motivated by Ephesians 5:16, “Make the most of your time, because the days are evil.” I especially like the translation of this verse by J. B. Phillips: “Make the best use of your time, despite all the difficulties of these days. Don’t be vague but firmly grasp what you know to be the will of God.” Though some days were exhausting, it is encouraging to be reminded our time must be guided by the will of God. Here are a few highlights from March….
A Time for Teaching …
March was a very busy month for teaching. In addition to grading papers from my February classes, I taught the Church Planters and Pastoral students a class on the Theology and Practice of Prayer. This year we also combined with a church outreach ministry where we were involved in a prayer walk and street evangelism. We also had a special service where I preached. The class time was great. We had lots of practical questions and the students began to put many of the lessons into practice quickly.
Following this class, I began by helping out with doing interviews of students for our Spring Campus outreach through English Clubs. We interviewed nearly 500 university students, most of whom are non-believers. I was not planning to help with the teaching this year because I was teaching two classes at Kiev Theological Seminary. But, on Wednesday, I went to one of the leader’s meetings and found out that one of the Americans who was supposed to teach a class could not make it. So they asked me to teach. As usual, I was greatly blessed to be able to work with this campus ministry and teach these university students. Most are not Christians so the Campus Ministry team will be following up with visits and Bible studies. Be praying for them as they continue this outreach!
The week after the English Club Outreach, I taught our Masters in Biblical Counseling group a class on “Research and Writing for Biblical Counseling.” Not only did we work on research and writing during this class, but we always seemed to end up discussing practical approaches to Biblical Counseling.
Finally, I am now working on getting ready for teaching Research and Critical Thinking in May. It will be my last class for this semester and I am looking forward to summer and a little rest!
A Time for Family
Even with all the teaching, we still made time to be together as a family. It is really a precious time to see Kristina and Nadia and how they are growing and how their personalities are developing. (We also included a family picture for a recent church fellowship).
Time for Ukraine …
Ukraine has certainly changed much over the last 22 years I have been ministering here. But Ukraine still has a long way to go. Please be praying for the nation as we continue to face attacked by the Russia-supported forces still in Eastern Ukraine. These attacks keep us wondering what Putin may do next. Also, pray for the economy of Ukraine. The people here continue to struggle with inflation and very low incomes. Pray that the leaders of Ukraine would stop bowing to corruption and begin to live by the rule of law. But most of all, pray for the churches of Ukraine. Pray that they may keep their focus on the Lord even in such difficult times. Pray that they will see these difficulties as an open door to reach out to people all around them. And pray for us, as we train a new group of ministers who will lead the churches of Ukraine in the years ahead.
A Time for Thanks …
We are grateful for your prayers and for your support! We know that the time we all have on this planet is short and we are grateful that you have chosen to be partners with us as we try to use our time for the sake of His Kingdom! Thank you for allowing us to be part of this work!
By His Grace,
Jim and Katya
Kristina and Nadia
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