September 12, 2019
Thus began the longest teaching day of this tour with prayer and devotions. Key Scripture today, “Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”. Thursday class began with Bob at the helm finishing up with “Filling the Customer’s Need” Bob passed the baton to Bill who led the class in learning about “Positioning the Offering” until the class had an unexpected visit from the Lviv Chamber of Commerce President Dmytro Aftanas.
As the morning progresses Herb added a dramatic video clip demonstrating how Digital Media can be used in the furniture business to help potential customers change certain features of furniture available in a theoretical furniture store.
Class broke for lunch a 13:00 and returned an hour later for the next two hours of intensive work. By 16:00 (4PM if you live in Winston) class ended and the team made a quick trip back to the hotel before heading out to the new worship facility of Disciples Church (we attended their worship Sunday afternoon at the Ukraine Baptist Theological Seminary. Team contributed toward starting the sand blasting and we saw the results of three days work.
Photo after and before newly uncovered brick and the old yuk on the corner. The church was planted by Elisey Pronin and Russell Woodbridge whom we were blessed to share dinner.
Team met with Russell Woodbridge from UBTS and Elisey Pronin for a tour of the improvements to the interior as the God has been blessing the growth of the church. Pastor Elisey expanded on the rapid growth and the vision for the new facility including use not only for worship but for a community center with a vision for Youth, Medical, Language, Rehabilitation ministries in the mix.
The team prayed for the church, the future of the new facility, wisdom from heaven and God’s provision for money, membership and ministry (not necessarily in that order.)
We all had a late dinner to continue our conversation and networking mutual connections between this emerging church and ministries we know about back in the states.
Herb had an opportunity to reunion at dinner with former students Zen, Lilia, Nina, and Sergey. Herb and Susan hosted these couples on their visit to the United States.
Back to the hotel to prep for the final day of this course and the graduation and completion ceremony celebration following class. The week is nearly over, and our emotions are running high at what we’ve been blessed to see in the class and in the hand of the Lord throughout. The debrief at home will be something.