June 6, 2022
After twelve full days, the Team was eager to return home, traveling early on June 6. Bill, Dave, and Steve arrived home safe and sound. But before they did, they attended scheduled events in Krakow and Warsaw. The READ leadership is always grateful for the prayers and support of our friends and donor base. God bless you all.
Krakow, Warsaw, and Home!
The Team spent two days in Krakow for critical meetings that would allow them to explore where the efforts of READ should go and who to connect with in Poland regarding resources for discipleship, evangelism, and counseling. Steve Eckert and Bill Arvan, along with board members Volodymyr Degatyaryov, Todd Magnuson, and Dave Melin, met with SEND International contacts on June 2. They had good discussions about necessary resources for dealing with trauma coming from a war situation.
A schedule change with Mission Eurasia prevented the Team’s meeting with this mission agency. Still, plans are in place to connect soon on a collaboration with the resource “Healing the Soul Through the Gospel: Spiritual and Physical First Aid.” The trauma is real, and God cares about each refugee. READ Ministries will be obedient to this call and this grave need to get the necessary resources to Ukrainian pastors and ministry leaders in Poland.
Back in Warsaw for the weekend, the Team attended a Polish & Ukrainian Outreach and VBS event hosted by Central Baptist Church of Warsaw. The church service offered some wonderful prayer and worship time. Afterward, there was a large picnic on the grounds of the Theological Seminary, where the event took place. Word has it the Polish hotdogs were great!
Alexander and Steve participated in the service on Sunday, June 5, at Central Baptist Church. After the Lord’s Supper with this body of believers, Steve spoke about READ Ministries’ mission and vision and the pivot to war-time relief as he shared encouragement from Isaiah 12 titled God is With You.
Joyful Thanksgiving
1In that day you will say:
“O LORD, I will praise You.
Although You were angry with me,
Your anger has turned away,
and You have comforted me.
2Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
For the LORD GOD is my strength and my song,
and He also has become my salvation.”
3With joy you will draw water from the springs of salvation,
4and on that day you will say:
“Give praise to the LORD;
proclaim His name!
Make His works known among the peoples;
declare that His name is exalted.
5Sing to the LORD, for He has done glorious things.
Let this be known in all the earth.
6Cry out and sing, O citizen of Zion,
for great among you is the Holy One of Israel.”