Sermon Central
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Ukraine & God's Masterplan
Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Nov 28, 2022 (message contributor)
Closed Doors - Open Doors
My first trip to Ukraine was in 2000. We visited Kiev and L'viv to connect with ministry training institutions.
In 2002 I made my first teaching trip to L'viv to teach at L'viv Theological Seminary (LTS).
It was so rewarding to contribute to God's work in Ukraine and meet students with a passion for the gospel.
In the past 22 years I've made many more trips - and developed some lifelong friendships.
In 2018 it seemed like time to move to Ukraine and teach full-time at LTS.
We applied to go, but upon formal application we were told, "We don't need you in Ukraine."
Door closed.
Surprised, yes.
Confused, yes.
Then God opened a door of ministry in St. John's, Newfoundland in the fall of 2018. The beloved place of my childhood. It had been 35 years since I lived in Newfoundland.
Surprised, Yes.
Now, in the year 2022, because of the war in Ukraine, Ukrainians are moving to St. John's!
Two former students of mine - now married and with 3 children, accepted our invitation and moved into our home.
They attend our church - and together we have started a ministry to Ukrainian refugees.
It seems God's masterplan was far superior to our modest plan.
Surprised, Yes.
James 4:13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
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