THE Apostle Paul wrote, “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the Word of theLord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you” (2 Thessalonians 3:1). With regard to our work in Eastern Europe, those involved in it wish that it would be remembered by the Lords people in their prayers. Indeed, this is the desire also of some of those in the Ukraine to whom we bring the gospel. While some of the people there ask for material aid, most people ask for Bibles and literature, and some of them emphasise the need they have of being remembered at the throne of grace.
For example, a few of the believers connected with us in Odessa write: “We pray for you and for your work in this mission. Please pray for us. Maybe the Lord in His great mercy will bless our work in the Ukraine. The Ukrainian people are like those people which walked in the darkness, Isaiah 9:2, The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. We pray for that light. May the Lord bless this people and give them repentance for their sins.” On another occasion they wrote, “Please pray for a reformation work in the hearts of the Ukrainian people.”
We are thankful to the Most High for the material support which has been given by our people, and by friends outwith the Church. This enabled us to undertake the large project of printing the Confession of Faith and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms in Ukrainian. The great need now is that many people would be pleading with the Most High to bless the work of distributing the Scriptures and these excellent summaries of Christian doctrine throughout the Ukraine. Paul reminded the Corinthians, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6). This is the blessing which we must pray for in connection with thousands of Ukrainians reading what we send to them. The constant work of distributing by post these Confessions and Catechisms along with Bibles is done by Mr Igor Zadoroshney in Odessa.
We are progressing with the preparation for printing, this time in the Russian language and in one volume, The Confession of Faith, The Larger Catechism, The Shorter Catechism, The Sum of Saving Knowledge, The Directory for The Public Worship of God, The Form Of Presbyterial Church-Government, and Directions For Family Worship. We intend also reprint both Catechisms, in Russian, as separate booklets. Our stock in Odessa of The Shorter Catechism and The Mothers Catechism in Ukrainian is low again. The reprinting of these will be given priority. We are also preparing to print the Westminster Confession Faith in the Hungarian language, for distribution not only in Hungary but also in the Hungarian speaking parts of the Ukraine.
We had hoped to send another load of aid to the Ukraine early this year, but that did not materialise. However we are planning three visits in the Autumn, two to the Ukraine and one to Romania. “Brethren pray for us.” D.A.R.
Return to Table of Contents for The Free Presbyterian Magazine – August 1999