by Rev. D. A. Ross
Our intention to visit Eastern Europe in May was reported in the March issue. In the kind providence of God the journey was undertaken a week earlier than first planned. However, I was unable to accompany Mr Alisdair MacRae, but Mr Edward Ross kindly took my place at very short notice. The Church owes a debt of gratitude to these men who give of their time (in some cases at no little expense to themselves) for undertaking the arduous task of journeying to Eastern Europe with the Word of God and material help.
The journey on this occasion was not one of the easier ones because of many difficulties and delays. The border crossing into Romania took up to seventeen hours. During that time the rules for entry, it seems, were changed no less than three times. After many lengthy arguments they eventually got through. Were it not for the help of a missionary from the Hungarian Reformed Church, Rev. Istvan Geczy, their attempts to enter Romania may not have been successful. In the past it has always been our habit to leave a small amount of Bibles and material aid with the friends in Romania, while the bulk of our load went to Ukraine. On this occasion our men were not allowed by the Custom Officers to do so. The regulation now is that we obtain a letter of invitation from a certain organisation in Romania, along with approval from the Romanian Embassy in London, before we are allowed to distribute aid in Romania.
In Moldova, Mr MacRae and Mr Ross were advised strongly by Moldovan friends not to travel through the planned north eastern region of Moldova lest they be arrested as foreigners. For this reason they had to abandon a visit to Odessa in south Ukraine. At the same time, in heading for Kiev in Ukraine, they had to make a long detour north west of Moldova, which added a considerable mileage to their journey.
Sincere and warm expressions of gratitude were given by all those who received help, whether of a spiritual or a material nature. One person in Kiev, who has written to myself since the return of Mr A. MacRae and Mr E. Ross, says, “I’m grateful to you, ‘I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God’. Philippians 4: 18.” There are three families which continue to enquire as to when we hope to begin the church in Ukraine among themselves. In the circumstances, we are doing the best we can by conducting occasional services in the home of a family in Borispol. The Borispol friends expressed great disappointment that our two elders, Mr MacRae and Mr Ross, were unable to take services because they had to make up the time lost earlier in the journey. However, on our next visit, which we hope God willing will be in October of this year, we trust that it will be possible to take further services.
As the work continues among the families to whom we preach the gospel and send literature, we crave the prayers of the Lord’s people. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Plead that the God of mercies will establish this work in Eastern Europe by converting those to whom we given the printed Word and to whom we preach the Word; also that He would raise up a suitable person from Eastern Europe to preach the everlasting gospel. Pray also that a place of worship would be established, and those in attendance would embrace reformed doctrine, worship and practice, also that the reformed literature which we distribute to the churches in Eastern Europe and to believers would be blessed to their strengthening and to bringing them to a fuller understanding of the doctrines of Word of God. The Reformers were not content to have anything less in the Church of God than the entire teaching of the Word. Our missionary zeal must have this in it also.
Finally, if this work is to continue, not only is it necessary that it be supported by praying for it, but also by giving of financial help. It is proper to look at the end result of all our tithing. What is the result? Well, to hear of the Bible put into the hand of one person who has never had the Word of God before, is a blessed reward of our tithing; and it will be a greater reward to hear of a genuine conversion through the Word and by the Holy Spirit. James the Apostle said of those who were the means, in one way or another of the conversion of a sinner, “Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins,” James 5: 20.