We were blessed through October to witness the Holy Spirit lead in our discipleship ministry.
Discipleship with women: I (Mary) felt led to share with a group of women some personal reflections that God had impressed on me. This faithfulness in sharing what the Spirit had given me prompted one lady to reach out to me for deeper conversation and connection. Apart from this, I continue meeting with small groups of women and conducting one-on-one mentoring online with a variety of Ukrainian and American women throughout the month. It’s a privilege and responsibility to be in touch with so many different stories, and I’m grateful to see how God uses my studies to empower me to be a better steward of those stories.
Discipleship with men: I (Andrew) have been blessed to help a team serve college students at the OMS Asbury Student Center in Wilmore. I get to lead a small fellowship band (discipleship group) with some college men on Sunday evenings. Some of the men find it challenging to engage on deeper topics. As I spent time in prayer this month, I felt God give me a question to ask: “What is occupying mental/emotional space for you right now?” This question was open and specific enough to encourage the men to share as they felt comfortable, and we were able to have more fruitful spiritual conversations. Apart from the student center, I am blessed to continue one-on-one discipleship meetings online every week.
Please pray for:
- Continued submitting to the Spirit in these relationships and pray for God’s continued work in the hearts of those we serve, that he would lead them to their next steps of faith as he forms them into disciples whose lives are centered on him.
The Family and Friends Fellowship (in Ukraine) continues to meet faithfully online nearly every week, and we’ve been blessed to hear personal stories about the work of God in their lives—how they witnessed His goodness and got a chance to share these stories with others. We are continually thanking God for the unique and personal ways He speaks to each member, empowering them to serve and worship Him with their gifts and talents. Andrew and I are grateful for the ability to witness His work in their lives even being so far away from them.
Please pray for:
- The mental and physical health of all the members. All are bearing the effects of the war while trying not just to survive, but also to live, work, serve, and embrace day-to-day life with God and others.
- A just end to the war and fair consequences for those responsible for this terror.
- Protection, strength, and perseverance for those who are defending our country and their families. One group member has her sons fighting on the front line. Other group members have husbands, sons, and friends who have a high risk of being drafted.
We are giving thanks for:
- Mary is in the 3rd trimester! The baby girl has been growing well and Mary feels healthy and strong. We’ve been asking for prayers for us to be able to find a good clinic and God provided one! So far, we have enjoyed having regular visits with midwives and felt cared for!
- God also provided a caring community of house fellowships here in Wilmore who want to bless us with a baby shower! It’s been a huge blessing to see God caring and providing through the loving community of brothers and sisters here.
- We are enjoying our seminary studies a lot! It’s not easy! We have a full load of classes and must daily rely on God amid all the work that we must accomplish. Yet, we are grateful for how our classes not only teach us how to serve as professional mental health counselors but also how to be formed and shaped by the Holy Spirit and be obedient servants of Christ.
Please pray for:
- Mary and the baby as we navigate the third trimester together.
- Diligence in our seminary studies as we enter the second half of our semester.
Andrew and Mary are Inspire Missioners and OMS missionaries in Kyiv, Ukraine, living in the USA for a season. Read more of their news and stories HERE.
