2nd Christmas Celebration

    In Ukraine there are two celebrations of Christmas. The believers of the Protestant churches celebrate the 25th of December while the Orthodox celebrates January 7. This turns out to be good for the believers. They are given a holiday for the 25th of December, and for January 7th. The government and all business close for several days around the 7th for national holidays. The believers take advantage of this time to have special services and it is a time that the Orthodox can come to service and hear the true Gospel.

    Arriving in Ukraine on December 31, we were able to join in the New Year services and also to be in the special services for the Ukrainian Christmas holidays. Traveling with me were Br. Travis Day and his wife Tina from Georgia. We were in service almost every night, and also several special day services. The cold weather did not prevent the people from coming to the services and the buildings were full. There were special programs and skits about the Birth of Jesus. The young people went to the houses of the invalids and sang songs of Christmas.

    Br. Travis and Sis. Tina ministered in song, and Br. Travis in the preached Word. There were special services for the youth, and the Lord helped Br. Travis to minister and encourage the young people. I especially remember one service. Br. Travis preached that night. I was late for the service because Br. Valeriy and I had gone to a village to look at a possible site for youth camp. When I stepped into the church, immediately, you could feel the presence of God. The people were praying, some were standing, some kneeling, some with their hands raised, some just weeping before the Lord, some receiving the Holy Ghost, and others praying for healing.

Thank God for His blessings to Ukraine,