IN the May issue we recounted the problems we experienced in bringing humanitarian and other aid to the Ukraine at the beginning of April. Eventually, we received clearance from the Cabinet of Ministers in Kiev to distribute our goods. However, the distribution did not in fact take place. The Customs officers prevented it by unexpectedly impounding the goods and demanding that we complete more pages of seemingly endless documentation.
Since we returned to Scotland we have been informed that the goods are to be released shortly, apart from a quantity of food which was confiscated. The increasing confrontations with bureaucracy makes it needful to have much patience in order to persevere in this work of compassion in providing aid. Regulations are frequently changing, and the latest ones are that we must produce a veterinary certificate for certain kinds of food we take in, and a fumigation certificate for all the clothing. We are thankful that the Bibles and literature, which cost more than £1,100, were not confiscated.
The main cause of our trying difficulties on this occasion was that aid sent in by some charitable organisations in recent times ended up being sold on the open market. It was for this reason that all our goods were to be taxed by an amount that was far more than the original cost. However, the tax was eventually waived. It is often the case that the misdemeanours of others cause troubles for innocent parties. Meantime we are making further enquiries and taking steps to prevent, if possible, the arising of a similar situation again.
With regard to public worship services, there are two families in Borispol which take turn about of making their homes available for the meetings; and for this we are very grateful. Sixteen souls met and were addressed from the words, “So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief,” Hebrews 3:19. A certain lack of earnest and spiritual appreciation of the gospel among these friends constrained us to preach from this truth. However they listened attentively, and an old lady expressed deep affection for our coming to preach the gospel to them. There was also a number of young people present. We long that their young hearts would yet know something of the beauty of Christ.
In Odessa a congregation of 20 was addressed from the words of the Saviour in John 16:8, “And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement.” The doctrine of the renewing work of the Holy Ghost is one with which few in many other churches are familiar; and this is one of the reasons I spoke on this verse. On the previous day I had to write the sermon in full, and then the interpreter had to translate it and write it in Russian. At the service the sermon was read phrase by phrase, alternately in English and Russian. I felt a little hampered by this method, but this was the only way, at this stage, in which the address could be given as the interpreter does not feel confident enough yet to interpret without such preparation.
It seems that the congregation has a sincere desire to embrace the doctrines of the Word of God as these are summarised in The Westminster Confession of Faith and The Shorter Catechism. Mr Igor Zadorozniy is the leader of the group, although he is not a pastor. The people express the wish to belong to the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, and are anxious that they would have the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper administered in the congregation. At the moment Mr Zadorozniy is proceeding with registering the congregation as a church in the manner required by Ukrainian law. This is not an easy task, and could take many months to complete. Our hope is that this movement in Odessa will show itself more and more to be a genuine embracing of the Reformed Faith.
During our stay in Odessa Mr and Mrs Zadorozniy kindly provided for us in their home, as did Mrs Belozyorov and her son Igor in Kiev. To these people, and others also, we are very much indebted for their warm hospitality.
In Kiev I addressed 30 patients in the Cancer Hospital at a mid-week service, at the invitation of Pastor Grechenko. I spoke from 1 Timothy 1:15, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” Some of our listeners were no doubt hearing the gospel for the first time.
Pastor Grechenko is the person responsible for inviting us into the Ukraine. Without such an invitation we could not enter the country. His daughter Luba attends to all the documentation at the Kiev end which is necessary for our arrival. Once we arrive in Kiev, it is Luba and Mr Igor Belosyrov who show us the way from one Government department to another and who do all the necessary negotiating in preparation for the final release of aid.
Pastor Grechenko has asked me to express to the our Church in Scotland his heartfelt gratitude for the aid which was left for his congregation, and expressed his deep sorrow for all the troubles we had to endure in the course of bringing in the aid. However, it is himself and his daughter who at times have to endure the greater harassment. It is most unpleasant to be harangued by beligerent beauraucrats and brought to breaking point.
At the moment we are proceeding to print 5000 copies of The Westminster Confessions of Faith booklet in Russian. This will be done, God willing, in Odessa, and at a fraction of what it would cost in Western Europe. Reformation Christian Ministries, USA, with the assistance of Dr Stephen Westcott, gave us permission to use their translation. When the copies are printed, Mr Igor Zadorozniy will distribute them, mostly by post. He has many outlets for distribution. We hope and pray that the Lord, in His great mercy, will bless this spreading of the Biblical teachings set forth in the Confession of Faith.
Last, but not least, we acknowledge the hard word of Mr Edward Ross in preparing our vehicle for the journey. We thank him also for accompanying myself to the Ukraine; for which he took time off from his work, and employed someone in his place. Without his constant help, and that of many others, it would not be possible to pursue this mission endeavour in Eastern Europe.
We look to the Lord to prosper this small work. It is the Saviour who has said, “The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.” Matthew 13: 31,32.
(Rev.) Donald A. Ross