Throughout 2022 and 2023, small teams from VBC have taken trips to Ukraine & Poland to continue serving the people impacted by the war. Below are updates from Pat and Sheila Smith in Poland. You can also follow our team on Instagram @vbcinukraine.
Questions about this trip or missions? Contact us at missions@vbc.online for more information.

Feb 12th - March 3rd, 2023

Cześć (Hello) From Poland

A VIEW OF ETERNITY 

We listened to the young men in Ukraine who are diligently studying and being trained to shepherd and teach God's word in the middle of a war. They asked for our counsel in continuing in the journey. Men who don’t know when it will be their time to join the troops; concerned if they would start something and not be able to finish. This is the scripture we all settled on and became the encouragement. John 21 : 21,22 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” We are asked to trust and obey the leading of Jesus for the work of the Kingdom. God gives us the work we are to do and its completion is God's business. We remain faithful to whatever He asked us to do to His glory. Run the race….. no matter how long your race is.

THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS 

Ukraine Antioch Cohort 

There is the sound of an air raid in the background as we discuss the ways of Christ. Conversations and learning together the plan God gave for the establishment and expansion of the church. Into the late night we considered how the 1st Century church was able to move out from Jerusalem. We joined Steve Galegor (Antioch school European coordinator) for the ongoing teaching of these men. This was the first time they and their families have seen each other since the war began. Just as the first believers were scattered because of persecution and began the spread of the gospel and establishing communities of believers, these men have been scattered to different areas of Ukraine establishing and building the Church of God. Being able to gather together for the continuation of their learning and the fellowship of believers was an experience that is hard to put into words. We had one day we sang and worshiped our wonderful God into the late evening. The commitment they have made to serve God no matter the cost is inspirational for us to also be faithful to our growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus. It is our hope God will bring us back to continue the work we have begun here.

Gathering together

We love when the Polish and Ukrainian church at the beginning of the month gather together for one service. Hearing three different languages singing songs of worship makes it almost possible to envision the way we will all gather before the throne of God with every tribe, tongue and nation as described in Revelations 7:9! 

Patrick has been teaching the future men leaders and helping the pastor plan out the course of action to further establish the Kutno Polish church. We have been using the material our own church has been using for the last 12 years. Sheila had one of the Ukraine refugees bring another woman to our home so she too could learn about Jesus and His church. Teaching English has become the means of sharing the gospel and now the women of the church are seeing how it can be a tool for them, too. We are working together for the glory of God. 

This is Pastor Anton from Ukraine. He is the one that arranged the retreat. Thanks to Valley Bible Church we were able to provide him with solar powered Bibles. He will bring these up to the front line where they will be given to the soldiers. He goes up whenever possible to share the word of God. He helps bear the burden of the sufferings these soldiers endure because of the war.

Praise:  

God’s kindness was experienced throughout our whole trip to and from Ukraine.

The Ukraine men were so encouraged they asked us to come back.

Sheila’s English classes are established and discipleship is expanding into the refugee housing.

Prayers:    

The flu has been making its way through Polish/Ukraine church. We ask you to pray for the pastor's wife (Donna) who has been very sick.     

For our continued health.

Clear communication for the translation of the languages.

We do not get distracted by other matters or issues that would pull us away from the work we are called to do.

The Polish church establishes good discipleship and training for their leaders.    

For the food/aid distribution to the refugees we will take part in this Saturday, the 18th.

The solar panel Bibles would be a source of encouragement to the older refugees who are not able to come to church and to the soldiers.

Until we meet again

Peace,

Patrick & Sheila Smith