Catch up time . . . Priestly Blessing

Since my last blog, there has been so much happening. I attended a two week prophetic seminar. Anita Giovannoni is from South Africa and her teaching was absolutely wonderful. Every student experienced a deeper move of God personally. The seminar was spiritually refreshing.

A friend and teacher in the college also attended. He began to move in a new way in prophetic painting. Please pray God continues to move in his life. The conference directors instructed my friend to sell his paintings the last day of the conference. Every painting sold; which was an encouragement and a blessing for him.

During the seminar, I was scheduled to teach in Dnipropetrovs’k. With a renewed spirit the studying, preparation and teaching was easy to do. During class, the Holy Spirit fell, there was singing in the spirit with interpretation. This was a sweet and special time worshiping and fellowshipping. There was another singing in the spirit, this time in Hebrew, it was the Priestly blessing.

During my preparation time, I was reading the Priestly Blessing and God revealed something new to me.

Numbers 6:24-26 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: (5) The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: (6) The LORD lift up his countenance (face) upon thee, and give thee peace.

Notice the phrase “May the LORD lift up His face toward you ...” this provides a picture of God holding us up in His arms, as a delighted father might hold up his young child in joy ... God ‘lifts up His face’ as He holds us up in divine joy!

Praise God, I love the picture of God holding me above His head playing with me and loving me. How about you?

This month the topic was ‘The Life of Christ’. God provided new and additional information for the class. We used maps and diagrams to further our understanding regarding Jesus’ travels during His ministry. We also discussed the medical aspect and history of crucifixion. New insight to the pain and agony Jesus really suffered on the cross affected us in a more personal manner. We also discussed the Jewish perspective of the Torah and touched on ‘law versus grace.’

Tonight I travel to Kherson to teach the same class. Please pray God moves in a special way. I have a new interpreter for tomorrow. I am praying and believing the Holy Spirit will visit us in a new and refreshing way tomorrow in class like He did in Dnipropetrovs’k.

Last Seder of 2009 - Plus

April was a busy month of traveling and fellowshipping with friends during the Passover season. Our Passover Seders are part of the college program. We have a great time experiencing a traditional Jewish Seder plus learning of the traditions and Biblical roots of the Seder.

Our last Seder was held in Kherson. We started late, but enjoyed our time together. There always are issues when the administrator is absent. The group is like a flock of sheep who don’t know what to do! So, with a few instructions everything falls into place. The Lord touched each of us in a special way. The college did not make arrangements for photos during the Seder. I apologize for this.

Kherson’s Pastor shared with me of his Jewish roots. He has attended an Orthodox Seder, of course which is different than the colleges program. We teach about the Seder and how it reveals the Messiah.

Please continue to pray God opens and softens hearts to receive His word.

While in Kherson, Luda and I visited an old fortress including a church founded by Catherine the Great! It was interesting to see the well, where they dug escape tunnels and to photograph some of the church statues and walk through the park. Seeing history is much more exciting than reading about it.
It is hard to believe that over 200 years ago, Catherine persevered and was victorious in obtaining access to Ukraine’s southern regions. She built fortresses and cities during her conquerors. Kherson is one of these areas. The walls were mounds of dirt, with an iron gate. Catherine’s goal was to retrieve access to the Black Sea to increase Russia’s shipping potential.

Personal note: This past week, I had an opportunity to visit a dentist! I have not been to a dentist to have my teeth cleaned in about five or six years. Luda called and checked prices and cleaning methods. We found a dentist in our building that is reasonably priced. Wow! I was in for quite an experience. They use ultra sound and a machine like a pressure washer! Am I behind the times or is this a new treatment? I know one thing, it cleaned my teeth! I feel like a new person.

Thank you for your prayers, we covet them greatly.

Passover Seder and Theatre

Truth Church – Seder:

This past weekend I spent in Cherkasy. There were twenty-eight students attending the Seder and everyone had a great time. This Seder had more of a teaching atmosphere so in order to make it more enjoyable we did pantomime. When we poured out our cups of joy (the 2nd cup) with the ten plagues, we broke into groups and acted out the plagues! There was darkness flies, boils, plagues on the cattle and even death. Unfortunately most of my photos did not turn out; it is difficult to be teacher and photographer at the same time.

Again, the Holy Spirit presented Himself in a strong and mighty way. Each of us received new revelation regarding the Passover. Even the instructors! The class asked to learn the Hebrew prayers which surprised us. In order to fulfill this desire the Hebrew prayers will be added to our Haggadah for next year.

I was truly blessed once again by the openness of the students and their desire to learn more of God’s Word. I am blessed watching God mature His children. My desire is to be filled with more of His word in order to teach others.

Word of Life Church – Pesach:

Sunday, we celebrated the Orthodox Pesach. We do not call it Easter. It is strange that America has chosen to use a word with pagan roots to refer to the resurrection of Christ. Well, it is worth some personal thought.

I attended the children’s church at Word of Life for Pesach. Alyona is the Children’s minister, my friend and gracious host while I stay in Cherkasy. She had an amazing program for the children.

The children were greeted by Pharaoh and immediately were tied at the wrists in their slavery. They were forced to make bricks (color bricks on the walls) and were whipped (soft yarn rope)! Ok, get the picture? These children experienced slavery in a fun way. As we left the service adults were tearing up because Pesach now had a new meaning for them.


Now, Moses was in the wilderness where he encountered God, or God came to meet Moses and call him to lead the Children out of Egypt.

The little folks who were not tied up, became frogs; they had frogs banded on their palms. They invaded Pharaoh’s home and Egypt! They had a great time hopping all over the place.


Moses used hyssop and covered the door with blood. The children entered and when the death angel appeared, they were saved. Moses led them to the sea (long blue cloths) which parted when he prayed. Moses led the children through the sea on dry ground. Pharaoh followed the children and the sea swallowed him up!

To bring the entire story to a close, Alyona had a miniature Passover Seder for the children. She explained the Seder plate and what each item meant. She served the children maror (horseradish), bitter herbs (parsley) and wine (grape juice). The children enjoyed the theater and went home with a new understanding of Pesach. Passover is the story of freedom and redemption!

The question now is why as adult Christians do we not recognize Jesus in the Passover? Why then, do we not desire to know Him more intimately in the Old Testament? What does the Passover mean to you? Do you realize that each item and even the prayers are messianic prophecy of our Messiah? Questions I will leave for you to ponder . . .

May God be gracious to you and smile upon you and your loved ones.
Be blessed

Passover Seder in Kyiv

Greetings from sunny Kyiv!

The Kyiv Passover Seder was absolutely awesome! This Seder had a family atmosphere, though we included teaching. Michael a Messianic Jew and his wife Alyona assisted with the Seder by adding to the atmosphere of an authentic Passover. Michael prayed in Hebrew and helped with teaching while Alyona lit the Seder candles with the traditional Jewish prayer and conducted the music portion of the service. The Hebrew prayers added a special touch or reality for everyone.

We had a large group attend the Office Seder including students and friends. One friend is a new Christian and another is a helper in the office from time to time and does not know the Lord personally. These two ladies were impressed with the atmosphere of a Christian function and how well everyone cooperated even though some of them did not know each other. The Seder was a great testimony for these ladies. Pleas pray God touches them in a special way.

This past Saturday was not only Shabbat but also Passover. The Seder included several additional prayers for this occasion. We believe the office Seder was a success!

A friend videotaped the event and we will share a clip with you.

Our Passover meal included a traditional Jewish meat dish. This surprised Michael and he truly enjoyed it. One student diligently shopped for lamb. Eventually, she was successful; so we were able to add lamb to our matzah sandwich with the maror and haroseth. Lamb is no longer a part of the Seder because it was replaced with matzah when the temple was destroyed.

Saturday we have another Passover Seder, this time in Cherkassy. I understand we will have some special guests, there are several Americans visiting the Church of Truth who will attend the Seder. I am truly looking forward to serving the people of Ukraine.

Continue to pray for the office and the help. We need a mighty move of the Spirit to begin here and spread out to the colleges. We desire a new and deeper relationship with the Lord for everyone.

Thank you for your prayers and support of this ministry.

Greetings from me to you!

Saturday was our first Passover Seder. I spent Friday night on the train and did not sleep well. When this happens I always pray. Saturday morning my spirit was soaring however my body was not!

Victor, one of the students picked me up and we went for coffee. I arrive in at 7 AM and class does not start until 8:30. This class began later due to the Passover celebration and meal which is included in the teaching. Victor brought his friend Sasha who is a Messianic Jew; he grew up as a practicing Orthodox Jew.

God incredibly orchestrates life to the smallest details. Sasha had listened to the teaching on the Jewishness of Jesus and placed his stamp of approval on it. You may ask, ‘Why does this matter?’ Receiving approval on the teaching material provides confidence in it. I never want to teach heresy.

Needless to say our meeting was incredible. We worshiped and prayed with Jewish music there in the restaurant. The other customers did not seem to mind. God used my inability to sleep to prepare me spiritually for what was happening that morning/day. Words cannot express what happened, all I can say is the Holy Spirit showed up and we walked out of the restaurant drunk in the Spirit! The presence of the Holy Spirit gave me physical strength to conduct and teach the Passover Seder.

The celebration (Seder) was amazing. One of our students is Jewish and she blessed us with saying the prayers in Hebrew. This made our Seder even more special. Each and every one of us left with a new insight into the Lord’s Supper. During the Seder, there was not a dry eye and God provided a miraculous healing. One lady was struggling with a headache, we stopped and prayed – in God’s presence there is healing, peace and comfort.

After our Passover Seder, I was blessed to visit the Messianic Congregation in Dnipropetrovs’k. I enjoy the dancing the flags and the atmosphere. They are focused on worshiping the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Thank you for your prayers, God showed up in a mighty way for all of us.
May God turn His favor towards you this day.

Hallelujah!

This past weekend was fulfilling. God continues to amaze me with all the ministry opportunities. Last Sunday was a day off for me so I went to Cherkasy to visit friends and enjoy some great worship and preaching. It takes 2 ½ hour ride to get to Cherkasy, so my day began at 4 AM. To make it to the 10 AM service, I have to be on the bus by 7 AM. Complicated, right? Well, it is inexpensive transportation and I love the chauffeurs! I can leave the driving to them whether it is raining, sleeting or snowing.

My two and a half hour ride was amazing. I met a couple who are missionaries here, also. They are Mormon! What an opportunity, I was able to witness to them the entire time. Also they are going to attend our Passover Seder in Kyiv! What an even greater opportunity to witness about Jesus Christ. They are truly interested and desire to learn more about the historical significance of this celebration. Praise God!

While visiting Word of Life Church, I helped in the children’s ministry. The leader, Alena, is my friend who opens her home to me. While Alena stayed with me in Kyiv during a conference I taught her how to use the tambourine. She learned a couple of basic movements and was so excited about the opportunity to teach her children, that I gave her 3 tambourines. Thank you Edie, your gift continues to give! I was amazed to see the children had already learned a pattern in a few weeks. God keeps expanding the field of worship. Of course, this is my heart, so I get so excited to see it spread across the country.

There will be four Passover services this year. We are updating the material and preparing for the services. In preparation, we visited King David Synagogue (store) to purchase matzah and a Seder plate. They permitted us to go into the sanctuary. Sitting in front of the door of the sanctuary, was a menorah with the servant’s candle and two lions sitting on each side of it. Immediately my spirit jumped, though they don’t know Jesus, it is in their spirit. Even in the sanctuary, they have 2 lions guarding the Word (scroll) along with a crown above it! What awesome symbolism. I am at a loss for words. I felt the Spirit of God so strongly in the Synagogue and throughout the rest of the day.

While in the sanctuary, one gentleman was teaching on the ‘afikomen’ which is a broken piece of matzah which is hidden during the service, redeemed and taken as communion at the end of the meeting. It is this matzah that replaced the lamb sacrifice when the Temple was destroyed. Luda was translating for me and I stood there in awe, I received affirmation of what I am about to teach to Christians about our Lord Jesus Christ and His feasts!

God blesses me in so many ways. Yesterday was a renewal of peace and comfort for me. Orthodox Christians truly love G-d; however they do not know Jesus. Let us pray for the Peace of Jerusalem and the exposure of the Truth!

"May the Lord bless you and take good care of you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord look on you with favor and give you peace." Num. 6:24-26

Our God-given Gifts and Passover

Greetings again!

This past weekend I traveled to Dnipropetrovs’k. We had class for two churches and the Master program. This month we are teaching “Discovering Your God-Given Gifts.” Everyone enjoyed the class. Taking the tests surprised even me! I discovered my third gifting. This class gave us insight into how and why people function they way they do. This information will help us in our personal relationships, work relationships and ministry relationships.

Do you know what the oldest religious holiday celebrated today is? It is Passover.

We are preparing to teach the traditional Jewish Passover Service in April. In this teaching, we add the New Covenant (Jesus) to the traditional Passover Seder. This year the material has been reviewed and approved by several Orthodox Jews.

Please pray hearts are open to seeing Jesus in the Passover service. Scripture tells us to study and practice the ‘Feasts of the Lord.’ As we study the feasts we are able to see Jesus in these feasts. There are seven feasts, some have been fulfilled and we all look forward to the rest being fulfilled!

"May the Lord bless you and take care of you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord look on you with favor and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26