One of the biggest opportunities to spread the gospel here in L'viv, Ukraine is found not exactly where one might expect. L'viv is a cultural city and is known as the cultural capital of Ukraine. It is a very unique and exciting place to live, and there are a lot of interesting people here. Also, it has many universities, colleges and other learning institutions. Not only do people come from all over Ukraine to study here, but they come from all over the world as well. They can get a decent education here for much less the cost of studying in other places. I personally have met people from many African countries, Korea, and South America. One such person we met and befriended is Ibrahim. He comes from Guinea, West Africa. It is a small country on the Ivory Coast that is predominately Muslim. He is here as a refugee. He fled political turmoil in his country and tried to get to Europe, and he ended up in Ukraine. Although it maybe wasn't his first choice, he quickly fell in love with the city and the people here. We tried our best just to show him love and we were friendly to him. It doesn't sound like much, and really it isn't. We simple invited him over for dinner or for some game nights for example. Then we invited him to come to bible study and church with us. Although by birth he is a Muslim, our friendliness and warmth to him immediately attracted him to us. Now he is hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ on a regular basis, which is a beautiful thing. These types of opportunities are common here. Especially for foreigners who maybe are not very comfortable here. I understand their struggle. Adapting to a new culture and city can be very tough. They might not even have any friends or people to talk to. Amazingly we can reach them here in L'viv, even though we might be prohibited to reach them in their own countries.
What a great opportunity, I know one that I personally don't want to miss out on. We can reach them here in L'viv, then they go back to their own countries as missionaries to their friends and families, what a beautiful picture of Christ's global church! I have started praying and thinking more about how, while I am here, I can witness to such groups of people. Most of them speak English, and many of them have never heard anything about Jesus Christ. So please pray for the salvation of the foreign people in L'viv Ukraine, especially young students such as Ibrahim. That the Holy Spirit would touch their hearts and they would receive Christ and know him as their personal savior. Pray that we, his church, would be willing and able to go to them and share with them the love of Christ and be friends to them here in a foreign place. I also encourage my friends and families in USA to do the same. Look for people who might be studying far from home. You could be a real blessing to them as well as open up opportunities to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth! May God bless us in this endeavor. Thank you again and again for your constant prayers and support!!!
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