Challenges of Adapting to New Ways of Life
“Greetings, dear brothers and sisters in Christ!
From the bottom of our hearts, we thank the Lord for you, for your prayers for us, for our country, for your help that you provide to us! Thank God!
This is a very difficult time for our country, and the same for us. The brutal war continues, people are dying, and our brothers are being drafted into the army. These are all experiences that bring tears. For a long period of time, we have been subjected to rocket attacks. Very often we are without electricity. In recent days, more time without electricity, than with it. And then there is the lack of communication, no internet, and no heat. We have another life, not the same as before the war. Under such circumstances, it is very difficult to plan anything in the ministry. However, we do not lose heart, because our Lord allowed it! We don’t understand everything. It is difficult, but it is comforting: He allowed this trial, but He is with us in these circumstances! Thank God!
Our church continues its ministry. Assistance continues to be given to people in need. General church meetings are held where I preach. Brotherly meetings are held. I conduct classes in a home group with young people. And now it is important to console people, teach them to not get angry and to not hold evil in their hearts, or get irritated with the situation. One young brother said that he hates the Russians. He said that it is difficult for him to forgive them after all that they have done and are doing to our people. We talked with him for a long time, and he said that he would think about the state of which his heart is at and would try to properly relate to what was happening all around him and to the enemies.
Seminary teaching requires a lot of preparation of material, because part of the training will go online. This is a new path and experience for me. Please support this ministry in prayer. In Yenakiyevo, everything is unchanged. Young people are hiding, whoever can, from forced mobilization. There are more military men in the city, water shortages continue.
Praise God that this month our church is already 29 years old! Praise God for the journey! Thank God, He keeps our family, children, and grandchildren! My wife’s blood pressure has been high for the past few days, pray that the Lord will strengthen her and keep us all!
With gratitude and prayers for you – Sergei and Lyuba! Peace and love to you!”
Sergei
Adapting to new ways of life can be a great challenge.
However, it’s how we face those challenges that carry us through. In the story below, Sergei is learning how to meet the needs of many people and face the challenges of daily wartime life. What was normal before is now constant adaptation.
Dealing with communication issues with the internet, lack of heat and electricity, and then the very hearts of broken and grieving people can be very overwhelming.
Sergei realizes that things have changed and that he needs to adapt to this new way of life, but more importantly he has made the decision to not lose heart and to put his full trust in the Lord.
Whether lighting candles in a darkened room for a Bible study or caring for the heart of an angry man, Sergei is being faithful to his calling and praising God for the ministry and journey that he has been given.
