August 2005 - Posts
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| Steve and Zoyia |
New Life in Kiev, Ukraine
We are here safe and sound here in Kiev. The trip was an adventure. God was in control though. That is what Danelle kept telling me. I was struggling to believe this when we started. We had a two hour delay in Atlanta as we sat on the runway in a thunder storm for 2 hours! It made us miss our connecting flight in Amsterdam. It was a God-thing though. I sat next to a mother and daughter from Odessa, Ukraine. They were on their way back from vacationing in Cuba. The daughter spoke English and we talked about knowing God through Christ for several hours. She asked Christ to forgive her sins and take control of her life toward the end of our conversation. It was beautiful! Please pray for Zoyia to grow and get involved in a good fellowship here. She is 17 and will be studing here in Kiev for 4 years. I spoke to her a few days ago and she expressed interest in coming to church and pursuing God. Now I understand what He was doing in Atlanta with the storm.
When we finally arrived in Kiev we were short 3 pieces of luggage. They came late the next night though. Only three things were broken. Praise God!
We have been working hard at getting settled, buying food and things for the flat. It is not easy to be here at times, many emotions and thoughts of sadness leaving our family and friends, but God is keeping us encouraged by His word and through each other. The team here has been a great support, especially the Powers family!
We had our first Russian class yesterday and had a language helper come over last night. It is a challenge, but God is giving grace.
Our language helper is Svetlana. I have known her several years and she is a very good Christian and member of the church we are working with. So it seems like an answer to our prayers. Sveta has a very good job right now and is praying about quitting so she can tutor us and work for the church. Her mom is not happy about it though. Please pray for her in this big decision.
Love,
Steve, Danelle, Grace and Merry
Меня зовут Стив Нельсон, я живу в городе Атланта, штат Джорджия, США. Я женат. У нас семеро детей: два сына и пять дочерей. Я преподаю Библию.
Я верил, что существует Бог, который сотворил этот мир, еще задолго до того как начал следовать за Христом, но личных отношений с Ним у меня не было. Я считал себя христианином, потому что ходил в церковь и старался жить правильно. Но, в конце концов. Я понял, что не могу самостоятельно побороть свой эгоизм и греховность, я понял, что мне нужно изменить свою жизнь. Я перечил своим родителям, был аморален в своих мыслях и поступках, мои слова часто ранили окружающих.
Когда я познакомился с настоящими христианами, я начал сравнивать себя с ними. Я понял, что я – грешник, и что если не раскаюсь в своих грехах, то после смерти попаду в ад. В результате этого я уверовал в Иисуса Христа. Я осознал, что Христос умер на кресте, чтобы понести наказание за мой грех, я затем, в доказательство того, что Он является истинным Богом, Он воскрес из мертвых и теперь обитает на Небесах. Я принял Его плату за мой грех и спасение как божий дар, который невозможно заслужить. И теперь я нахожусь в личных отношениях с Богом. Мне тогда было девятнадцать, и я решил, что подчинюсь, Его власти и отдам контроль над моей жизнью в Его руки.
Моя жизнь сейчас – это постоянный процесс углубления и укрепления моих отношений с Господом Иисусом Христом. Он помог мне полюбить людей, и не только близких, но даже врагов. Его Дух дает мне силы для того, чтобы посвящать свою жизнь Ему, Его людям и неверующим. И теперь я точно знаю, что после смерти я буду с Ним на Небесах.
А знаете ли вы, где вы будете после смерти? Хотели бы вы посвятить свою жизнь Христу? Если вы хотите узнать о том, как можно получить прощение своих грехов и вечную жизнь, то я с удовольствием расскажу вам об этом.
Steve Nelson
I am from Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
I am a Christian Bible teacher and my wife and I have two sons and five daughters.
Before following Christ I knew there was a God who made this world, but I did not know Him personally. I thought I was a Christian because I attended church and tried to do the right things. I realized I needed a change because I could not stop being selfish (sinning) in my own power. I was disobedient to my parents, immoral in my thoughts and actions, and unkind in my words towards others.
I became a Christian because I understood through association with some real Christians that I was lost and going to hell if I did not repent and turn to Jesus Christ. I realized that Jesus died on a cross, thus paying the penalty for my sins. Then to prove he is God, he miraculously arose from the dead, and now lives in heaven. I accepted this free gift from God, and now I have a personal relationship with him. I gave him control of my life when I was nineteen years old.
Today my life as a Christian is one of a growing relationship with my God, Jesus Christ. He has helped me love others, even my enemies. His Spirit gives me the power to live for Him, His people, and non-christians. I know I am going to heaven when I die!
Have you ever come to the point where you know you are going to heaven? Would you like to give your life to Jesus Christ today?
Steve Nelson