March 1, 2024 (Day 737)

March 1, 2024 (Day 737)

Spring has come. We look hopefully into the spring sky and enjoy the warm sun and spring weather. Spring has come. As we look hopefully into the spring sky enjoying the warm sun and spring weather we want the end of winter to bring an end to the war, but it’s probably not the time yet and we are comforted by the Lord and His word: "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." Romans 12:12

Now, when the situation at the front is quite difficult and requires a lot of strength and endurance, we pray for our military and try to support them as best we can. We pray by name for every soldier we know, send them messages, talk to them on the phone when it’s possible, find out about their needs. We collect help and send parcels. We know that our support is important and many people around do some special work for the army. Some members of our church even organized a production process. Victor, Paul’s father, makes very special things. He uses a 3D printer to produce plastic details that the military orders from him. Another family in our church makes canned meat and fish. They use their own special recipe and it turns out very tasty. We have received a lot of feedback from the soldiers, they really like this food.

I want to write about some of the soldiers that we support.

Paul had a small vacation and spent last week at home. He was in the church and spent some time with our youth. We see changes in him. He used to joke and smile a lot. Now he has become serious and silent. War changes us all. Yesterday Paul went back to his position and we are waiting for the messages from him. He shares with us from time to time Bible verses that the Lord gives to his heart and shares his thoughts.

Dr. Anya is busy now with the formation of evacuation medical centers the task of which is to evacuate and stabilize the wounded before they are sent to hospitals. She has a good experience of such work since the time when the Kherson region was liberated. She does a lot of training and planning. She has to rush between her medical service and caring for her husband, who is recovering after a serious injury. But she never complains and always thanks for prayers and help.

We thank God that Ivan keeps serving in our town. He works with database and forms new military groups. It’s wonderful that he has the opportunity to continue his ministry in the church. Now he is very busy and we see him less often. But we are glad that he is here and can be a good example and encouragement for our youth.

Denis Dudkin is our friend and a brother in Christ, we call him often to find out about his needs and the needs of his group. He used to be a professional military man and served in the army but at some point of his life God called him to the ministry and he was one of the elders in Odessa PresbyterianJ church. At the beginning of a full-scale war, he joined the army again. Last week his group was transferred to the front line so they especially need our prayers now.

Viktoria is a military woman who serves in the scout group. They often go behind enemy lines on a special mission. We met her by chance, a good friend connected us with her. She was very careful in the conversation at the beginning and did not say anything about herself, but then she realized that we don’t need information about her. We just want to help. We began sending help to her group, she called us back her voice became warm and friendly. We told her that our church was praying and she asked us to send her and her friends something small that they can carry in their pockets when they go on a mission. We made the cards with the Lords prayer and Psalm 91 and little hearts that will remind them that God loves and protects them.

We also ask you to pray for the family of our counselor, George, who is a war veteran himself. All the men in his family are at war- his son Gleb, his grandson – Sasha and his son-in-law, who is Sasha, too. Please, pray for these men and for their wives, mothers and children.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

Please, send your donations to Pathway Ministries
E. Langston Haygood,D.Min.,Ph.D.
Pathway Ministries, Inc.
288 Huntington Parc Circle
Birmingham, AL 35226
(205)835-3325
http://www.pathwayministriesinc.com

In Christ,
Lyuda

P.S. There are photos of Dr. Anya’s group, the photo of our church men’s group with Ivan and Paul, the photos of jars with meat for the soldiers and product made on a 3D printer