I want to share with you one very interesting story. It happened in London. One foreign journalist has decided to begin her acquaintance with a new country, and first of all she got interested in local publishing press. Having bought herself one of the most popular newspapers and cookies, she sat down at a table in a cafe. This woman was so much fascinated by reading, that she did not even notice how close to her appeared some unknown man. Besides that, to her great surprise, the stranger was eating her cookies. It is so much outraged the woman that she reached out and moved closer to her the cookies. But the unknown man smiled and pulled it back. It could be anything, but something like that in London, she certainly did not expect. Looking at the stranger with her indignant look, the woman once again moved the cookies to herself. Very strange, but a stranger with a smile on his face once again pulling it back. This has repeated for several times, and when the last cookie left, a strange man, broke it in a half and handed over the half to a foreigner. “What a shameless man” – she thought, then she got up and hurried away. The story ends with the fact, that shortly after this a female, while opening her purse to take out the money, discovered in it sealed pack of cookies. After all, in actual fact, she had not even took it out. It would be interesting to know of, what has this woman thought about…
But, i may say with the confidence, that in this story we definitely can see what grace is, and how we perceive it. After all the grace – is an undeserved gift from God that, which we, unfortunately, take it for granted.
And now, by the grace of our Lord, for six wonderful days in our camp, we have studied the subject of grace, and not only that, but in reality we could enjoy with it, thankfully to our Savior Jesus Christ.
God gave us two blessed preachers – Taras Nikolaevich Prystupa and Masato Funakoshi. They prepared for us a wonderful sermons: “The source of grace”, “Common grace,” “Saving grace,” “Sanctifying grace”, “The Grace in the words”, “Conditions of grace”, “Competitors of grace.” Day after day the Lord was opening the eyes of our hearts to His inexhaustible goodness and grace. But it is, in actual fact, so much of it!
Gradually, all the doubts and vile thoughts were getting away from us, and instead we were filled with gratitude, joy and humility.
After the morning sermons we had time to talk on the topic of the day, in a small groups. Thus, we had the opportunity to share our impressions, discuss what we’ve heard and to ask questions our mentor. God gave us a very caring and loving mentors, who at any time were ready to give an attention to each one of us and to help in every way.
Very interesting and exciting was passing our time of recreation. There were lessons of needlework, playing the guitar and sopilka (flute), strolls in the woods and communication, as well as sports games in the teams. Well what can I say, all as one, from a little to great ones, in the unity of the spirit were supporting each other and took the same way together to the victory. God has taught us to stick together, to enjoy for each other and to encourage.
Probably, the most joyful and interesting for everyone was the time of our evening meeting. Here we could laugh and cry heartily. Every day, the teams were prepared with representations, songs, poems, shows, as well as with testimonies of how the Great God was revealing His grace in the lives of ordinary people. At one of those evenings two boys professed their faith and repented before the Lord. What a joy it was for all to see, how a new life with Christ has appeared. Glory to You, Lord for this!
Oh, if only it was possible to write about all the good that our Lord has given us in this camp! But He is so kind, merciful and gracious, that it is impossible. There is more of His grace, than of ours words.
Here, is quite a bit out of all, that God has given to us, for what our church is particularly grateful: magnificent preaching of the Word of God, time of prayer and fellowship, spiritual growth, joyful familiarity with the brothers and sisters from Odessa city, an opportunity to take in the camp of people that still do not know God personally, dedication and loyalty to God’s work in the team of ministers, a pleasant and happy time, as well as the support of our friends. But, the most important, for what I especially want to thank God, it is for His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. After all, if He had not done that, we would have never experienced what grace is.
“We will bring more honor to our Lord, if we will receive more grace from Him” (Charles Spurgeon).
Olga Siroochenko
