August Trip, by Anatoliy Belonozhko
What a big blessing Americans are for Ukraine! I am very grateful to all of my American friends because each of you invest a part of yourself in spreading the Kingdom of God in Ukraine and all over the world. I believe in great God's calling for our 2 countries - USA and Ukraine. Thank you, everybody!
The last two weeks in Ukraine were very fruitful and we had a lot of work to do. Brother David Tinney was in Ukraine from the 23d of August till the 1st of September. Thanks to him and his team of FAI the Kingdom of God is expanding around the cities of Ukraine.
On the 23d of August we visited the night prayer at the central church "Embassy of God". About one thousand people were praying and asking God to send the doers to the harvest. We were also praying that God would send us as doers to His field.
(The night prayer begins at 11pm each Friday night and ends on Saturday morning at 6am. The usual order of service begins with 2 hours of praise, another hour or so of worship then organized prayer. A leader has been designated to seek the Lord beforehand and get His direction on what to specifically prayer for. The prayer leader has selected verses from the Bible that pertains to the direction of the particular night's service. Prayer is then offered according to scripture, with everyone in attendance praying in unity with the scriptures. This corporate prayer service is modeled after the early church prayer meeting as recorded in Acts chapter 4, verses 22-31. It is highly effective and there are many reports of salvations, healings, deliverances from various addictions as a result of these weekly night prayer servcies. I have spoken with several people who regularly make a 3 to 4 hour drive each Friday to attend these prayer services...David)
August 24th. David held business seminar in Kiev where about 150 people were present. The theme of the seminar was "Marketing, the key to success". It taught businessmen how to manage their businesses properly. It inspired them to inculcate new principles in their businesses. One brother from the church "Word of Grace" has doubled his profit because of these principles.
August 25th. On Sunday morning, we had a wonderful service at the church "Word of Grace". God revealed to me before the service that it would be a service of healing and it really went that way. David prayed for more than 150 people. Many of them were healed right at the service. Glory to God!
August 26th. Monday we drove to Chernigov (140 km from Kiev). David held there the next business seminar. The interesting part is that this seminar was visited by many people from Pentecostal and Baptist church. Even the pastor from Baptist church was there. He was so blessed by the teaching that he invited us to visit him. We accepted his invitation and spent a few hours together. I believe that these business seminars tie Christians from different denominations together.
August 27th. We spent the day in Bakhmach (200 km from Kiev). We had a wonderful meeting with the mayor of the city. It's the only mayor we ever met that was saved and baptized with the Holy Ghost. We were talking with him for about 3 hours at the house of pastor of the local church. We talked about the problems of the city, low level of people's life and economy and also we were making plans how we can help this city. We made decision to collaborate and help the people of the city. In the evening David held business seminar at this city and the mayor's wife visited it.
August 28th. We drove to Konotop (40 minutes from Bakhmach). We met with mayor's assistant who deals with economical issues of the city. EuroAsia Foundation gave the city grant of 7000$ and they used this money to open business center and business incubator. The aim is to teach and prepare new private entrepreneurs so that they start their businesses and bring economy of this city on a higher level. They suggested FAI collaboration in opening a computer school in the business incubator. Also brother David spoke his message on the local TV programme. There is a strong local church of pastor Paul in Konotop. Overall, we saw great opportunities how to improve the economy of this city. In the evening a business seminar was held with 100 people were present.
August 29th. We went to the city of Romny where people also were taught the principles of marketing.(About 100 people were present, about half of them were Christians interested in learning how to develop business skills. I shared my testimony about how I became a Christian and that God was now sending me to Ukraine to encourage and give them hope for the future. Many of the non-Christians thanked me afterwards for the informative meeting and asked if we could come back in the future....David)
It was very good that at the end of each business seminar people had chance to ask David many questions and he answered them with pleasure.
Ukraine is a young country. It is only 11 years old. And a lot of people don't know how to develop their business, don't even know the principles of successful business. It's a big blessing when experienced people come to Ukraine and share their knowledge and experience in different areas.
August 30th. (Drove back to Kiev early that morning...David) We again went to the night prayer. The whole prayer was based on the scripture Isaiah 54, especially verses 2 and 3: "Enlarge the place of your tent; stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, spare not; Lengthen your cords, And strengthen your pegs. "For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left. And your descendants will possess nations, And they will resettle the desolate cities."
Another good news is that FAI opened the computer school in Kiev. It has very good location, not far from subway station.
Family Aid International and our partners are making a difference in the lives of people in Ukraine. Our philosphy of ministry is to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and to demonstrate His love to Ukraine through acts of mercy and kindness.
At each business seminar I conduct, I ask the question, "Who among you would like to do better? Who would like to be able to provide a better life for your family, your children or grandchildren?" The response is always 100% the same. They all do. Ukrainians are no different than Americans. They love their families, their husbands, wives and children. They want to experience a better life.
Ukraine needs a helping hand and Family Aid International is there to help. Our ministry to orphans and the poor have opened many cities to us. The business seminars give us unprecedented influence within the politcal structure every city we have been to.
Recently, I asked the mayor of a city, "Are you tired of your people experiencing poverty and lack?" His response was in the affirmative. I then told him, "There is a right way to do business, a way that will not only bring prosperity but also release the Blessing of God in your city. This is why I have come to your city, to teach Christian principles of business and practical ways to cause a business to grow."
Right now in Ukraine, there is an acute shortage of people with computer skills. Our center will teach computer skills so Christians can get better jobs that will raise their standard of living. This is a practical way the Gospel is put into practice. Our goal is to open computer centers all over Ukraine for this purpose.
I am convinced, if we do not address and do something about poverty, then all of our humanitarian efforts, as genuine as they are, are only putting a band-aid on the problem. As Christains, we must bring the influence of the Kingdom of God to our cities and the nations.
Its recorded in Luke 11:20 the words of Jesus, "If I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the Kingdom of God has come to you."
This is a principle that applies to everything we do. If we conduct business in a Christlike manner, then the power and influence of the Kingdom is present wherever and with whomever we do business. If we give shoes, coats and food to the poor and orphans in the Name of Jesus, then the Kingdom of God is being demonstrated to them.
The world is waiting to see the Christ in us. Preaching is such a small part of any ministry. We need to be like Jesus, who demonstrated the Love of the Father through His actions. (Read Romans 5:6-8) We must demonstrate God's Love to the world in like manner.
This is a powerful concept that I have learned while working in Ukraine. It has transformed the ministry God has entrusted to us. We are seeing the fruit of what we sow manifest before our eyes. We give all the Glory to God and thank our partners who help make all this possible.
Upon my arrival to Ukraine August 22nd, funds given to purchase the shoes and school supplies were dispersed. Shoes, paper, pencils, erasers, crayons, rulers notebooks, etc. were acquired for 100 children. We thank those who responded and sent donations to bless the children.