October 1995
Rev D A Ross
ONCE again we acknowledge the help of many people in giving money and material aid, as well as much of their time, making it possible to undertake mission work in Eastern Europe. We acknowledge with gratitude to the Most High that we travelled safely to and from the Ukraine, despite a number of problems throughout our journey.
While travelling through Austria a tyre blew out and we later sustained a puncture in another tyre. In Romania a second blow-out brought us to the brink of disaster; but thankfully Mr Edward Ross managed to keep the van with its tyreless front wheel on the road. After clearing up the mess two burly policemen approached us demanding to see our money, ostensibly in search of counterfeit money. We discovered later on that one of them stole \$50 US. At the Moldova border there was considerable friction between customs officials and soldiers and we were caught between the “warring factions”, which caused a delay. Again while parked in one of the streets in Kiev, a passing lorry tore off our front bumper and twisted one of our driving mirrors.
However, this and other problems in travel seemed trivial in comparison to disappointments in connection with spreading the Word of God. One disappointment was to find that families who were previously very interested in us taking services in their homes are not now showing that desire.
It was our intention, after delivering some of our goods in Kishinev, the capital city of Moldova, to press on and spend two Sabbaths in Kiev, Ukraine. However it was not to be as we planned. Due to some of the travel problems already mentioned we spent only one Sabbath in the Ukraine. The other was spent in Kishinev.
We made our usual visit to Mr Gregory Katz, a director of homes for the destitute and of a large orphanage. We left him with about a third of our load, and again he and his staff were delighted with our assistance, although it was so very small in comparison with their needs. Mr Katz cared for us during our stay in Kishinev. On the Sabbath he took us to his church and we were asked to speak to a large Baptist congregation, but we did not accept the invitation.
After the service we visited one of Mr Katz’s homes and through an interpreter addressed the residents from the Word of God. Mr Katz asked us to supply 1000 Catechisms for the orphanage and, God willing, will deliver these on our next visit. We gave Mr Katz practically all 5000 of the Trinitarian Bible Society calendars in Romanian for the orphanage and homes. In all we received from the Trinitarian Bible Society 25 000 calendars with Scripture texts in Romanian, Hungarian and Russian. We are thankful for the opportunity to spread the Word of God in this way.
In Borispol, Ukraine, we had the opportunity of preaching to a small gathering of people in a private home. Our interpreter and helper, Igor Belozyorov was very anxious to maintain accuracy of interpretation. The people listened attentively and there was a short Bible study after the service, which indicated that some of those present had a considerable degree of Bible knowledge. We were invited to pay another visit at a later date but, God willing, when we return we hope to take the services in a public place rather than in a private home. A good friend who has been of help in the past has arranged with a local Baptist pastor that his place of meeting be used for the occasion.
The bulk of our load went to Kiev where we distributed it to a small independent Baptist Church, without whose help we would not have been able to enter the Ukraine with our Bibles and other goods. We also gave some medicines to a hospital in Kiev, which also assisted our entry into the Ukraine. As well as distributing to the above we left a quantity of items in other towns and visited a number of homes with Bibles, calendars, food and clothing which was received with genuine gratitude.
One great disadvantage regarding the mission work in Eastern Europe is the brevity of the visits, which leaves us very little time to speak to people about the Word of God. Nevertheless we look to the good and gracious God of mercies to bless what we do. Whether we do little or much by way of spreading the Word of God, it is necessary that God by His Holy Spirit give the increase. The Apostle Paul paid, it seems, a brief visit to Philippi, and it pleased God to bless that short period of labour to Lydia and the Philippian jailor. We look to the Lord to do likewise as we engage in these short visits to Eastern Europe.
We appreciate greatly the kindness shown by the many friends we met and their readiness to give of the little they had for our comfort, but above all we are thankful for the mercies granted by the Most High in affording safe travel to and from the Ukraine.
I take the opportunity also to remind our readers again of the excellent booklet, The Shorter Catechism, which we have now printed in Russian. It is available from the Church Bookroom for those who wish to use it for spreading sound doctrine among Russian-speaking people. I also ask that you continue to support this small mission to Eastern Europe with your prayers and financial contributions.
The whole earth let His glory fill.
Amen, so let it be
(Ps 72:19).