Thorny and wonderful path...

 It is sometimes difficult to understand why God allows trials and hardship. Awful pain, many tears, helplessness, confusion, many questions "Why?"... But no matter how hard the Lord is always there! He knows the pain of our heart. He never leaves, but supports and shows His hand! It is important to learn to see these blessings in difficult times and thank the Lord. But it could have been worse! The three youths Shadrach, Meshach and Abdenago were on Furnace of fire. But the fourth was with them - the Lord! The Lord is always there in fiery trials! 

  Two and a half years ago, little Elijah fell ill with Rassmussen's encephalitis. Elijah spent almost a year in the hospital. Every day he got worse and the doctors gave disappointing forecasts. We were told  it was necessary to operate on the baby and remove part of the brain to save life. It was unbearably painful and terrible! We found the only neurosurgeon in Ukraine who performs such surgeries. We raised the necessary funds. But something constantly prevented the surgery! Elijah's frequent illnesses, measles in the hospital, doctor's trips abroad and other factors. All we could do was entrust the Lord with the life of a baby. We could not do anything and felt helpless ... Time passed ... Elijah was melting before our eyes and slowly leaving ... It was scary and terribly painful. It is scary that the kid was innocent of anything and so much pain from the loss ... We will never forget the time and words when all the hospital staff told him only a few days left to live ... We counted the hours of his living to the Lord ... Elijah was the first baby in our region with such a diagnosis. Doctors were scared, some nurses were afraid to help seeing how the baby was suffering. They did everything they could ... We prepared for the worst. But Elijah continued to live! 

   Last summer the BOM team was preparing for a trip to the United States, to give a report and meet with sponsors and dear friends. Everything was going so great and smooth! Many were waiting for us! We saw many blessings and were confident that this was the will of God! Our joy and delight knew no bounds! It remains only to get a visa for Pastor and BOM Director Misha. And what was our surprise when he was refused a visa! God, how is that ?! You started to bless... We have not seen the slightest obstacle! And here is such a surprise! It was somehow strange ... We saw how God blessed absolutely everything! And here is a bright "No"! And you know what ?! In the midst of this incomprehensible situation, God gave us peace in our hearts! 

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.(Phil.4^6-7)

We could not understand and only trusted Christ. So, God had a different plan. 

  We understood when 3 weeks later, our Brother in Christ was admitted to the hospital due to poor health and was preparing for a surgery. A doctor said that he did not give a chance for improvement and even for a life! Exactly one month later, we learned and understand what relatives and friends feel when they hear the word "Cancer"... To be continued...

Delayed surgery

 Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support! By the grace of the Lord, little Elijah is still alive!

  But every day he gets worse ... Now the right hand began to function poorly and the kid can only say 3-4 words per day. His brain is slowly dying off ... :( The surgery was postponed in November because the baby fell ill again. Then he was in contact with sick of measles. Then, for about a month, the baby was in the hospital and the doctors expected measles to manifest. But thank God, Elijah has no measles! Then again pneumonia and resuscitation. Because of these diseases, the boy still can not get operated. Therefore, the surgery was postponed to January, in the hope that the baby will be better. Today the poor boy is at home and the doctors hope that the home environment will improve his condition. 

  Please, pray for God's mercy to little Elijah. God knows better when to do the surgery. Pray that the faith of the parents will be strengthened and they will be closer to the Lord in these difficult days. That God will give strength to endure all difficulties and His perfect peace in the hearts.

He is free...

We are grieving these days with our brother in Christ Misha, who has lost his brother few days ago... 

Andriy was homeless often and he got sick with TB a while ago. Few days ago his brother Misha called us and asked to pray for Andriy because he was dying... He was so very bad. We were horrified to hear this news because we knew this young guy and we know how awful this sickness. How many lives it took away... It was heartbreaking to see how Misha suffered, worry and feel about his brother. He did the best he could.
Both boys are orphans, there are no parents, no relatives, not even friends. Sadly, we don`t have Andriy`s photo. His brother is working, but these funds were not enough to feed both and pay rent for housing.

Misha is in a gray T-shirt on the photo in the cemetery burying his brother 

Andriy could no longer get out of bed for several days, he coughed with blood, had very low blood pressure, he was very pale and very skinny. He was very sick with an open form of TB... Misha called an ambulance 4 times. All refused to take the young guy to the hospital, saying that there was no point because he was dying, he had a few days or hours left... Can you imagine what felt and think both guys at that moment??? Alone, without support and abandoned to the mercy of fate... Is this fair?
The next day poor guy was finally taken to the hospital. Doctors did X-ray, all the necessary tests. But unfortunately he passed away the next day... :(((

BOM helped with funds to help Misha take his brother to the last path. Andrei lived on so much poverty that there was not even shoes to bury him ... 

Some years ago, when Andrew came to church, he looked and was dressed awfully. Pastor Misha was so sad and could not look at him. He took off his shoes and gave it to Andrei. It was just one and last pair of shoes that our pastor had. Later when we met Andrew he said. I was so ashamed, I felt terrible, but no one helped me, only you pastor took off your shoes and gave it to me. And Andrew started to cry... It touched our hearts and gave a good lesson. Sometimes we do not see the result at once, but God works in the hearts of people.

We feel heartbreaking and very sad these days... How many orphans did not live up to 30 years old? BOM knows not one situation that orphans do not live to this age dying completely alone ...

But at same time we celebrate victory in Jesus! We are so grateful to everyone, who prayed for Andrew these days. We published early on facebook. But God had another plan. Andriy is FREE! He no longer feels pain, he has no tears, he is not alone, but with his Lord and Savior! The day before his death, he received Jesus Christ as his Savior! Praise God!!!Now he rests in the Heaven with his Heavenly Father and is comforted under His wing of love. Now Andriy enjoys the presence of God and everything heartbreaking and terrifying is behind.

We are so thankful to everyone, who blessed the young guy Misha to help him bury his brother showing him love and console in these heavy days... We are so thankful for sweet notes of love you left for Misha on facebook. He saw how many people around the world praying for him and he is NOT alone! He cried when we read notes... He said, it is so important for him at these difficult time... We try do not leave Misha alone and take him everywhere it is possible...Thank you very much for all your Christian love and care!

Here is a short video of Misha's thanks for prayers and financial support. He feels your prayers. :) He shocked that his brother has gone so fast. He grieves and at same time has peace in heart. And he is happy that he will meet his brother in the Heaven some day.

What Misha says:"Dear friends, thank you for your help and prayers. I felt very strongly that you were praying for me for my brother. Thank you friends for your financial help. And thanks for the prayers again! It's very hard to talk for me now. Friends, thank you for everything! Amen."