Already again the New Year begins in Zalessie really special. This is the time when we have time to do everything: to talk to old friends and find new friends, to take part in the amazing New Year’s program, to try keeping balance while downhill skiing and to fly high on the bungee.
It was also a very good time for all of us, as we could once again be present at the New Year Conference “Heart reload.” The current topic “Crossroads of life” was very important. Indeed, each person is going some way in life, and sooner or later appears a crossroad, when all future road will depend on a particular decision.
We need to make a choice: to worship God or creation, to seek God’s will, choosing a husband or wife, or turn the “wrong way” and lifelong regret it. Preachers also pointed us to another very important crossroads – choosing the place of work and study. Together we found out what we should be guided with solving these matters. They forced us to think about how we really spend time in the Internet and to see the “charm” of the virtual world.
During the whole time everyone could touch the world of Mission and Missionary work. Friends from Kiev shared with us about the service in Crimea with Crimean Tatars. We learned a bit about the features of the relationship with these people, their beliefs and culture. Straight from the conference sisters went to fulfill this mission and to hold a holiday for Crimean children and adolescents.
As the basis of the Evening of praise and worship was taken the theme of Missionary work. We saw brothers and sisters from Belarus, those who lived and repented in Argentina, and those who served in Uzbekistan. They told us about how God led them and acted in the hearts of people.
On the last day of this precious time preacher Alexander Kalinskij reminded us on the example of the Laodicean church God’s attitude to “warm” Christians and why they do not have joy in God and a right relationship with Him. He recalled what means to be “hot” a child of God, who is capable for anything, and he left us the question in hearts, – “Where is Christ in your life? In your heart or outside the door?”
Igor Plyva, pastor of the church “Light of Gospel” in Kiev, said about the conference:
“Technical equipment of the conference is a big step forward. The program is a result of serious and well-coordinated team work, and in the future you should not be afraid to connect more people to this case. Regarding the missionary work, which we described, and which called for the younger generation, we can say that the level of acquaintance with this area is currently sufficient. It was evident that it has affected young people, and they have already started to make serious decisions.”
This conference was the time to answer many questions, to sum up the year we lived. It helped us to renew our commitment to God, or to make it for the first time – to decide for ourselves the question of direct participation in missionary work. Is missionary work worth it? Or better way to ask – if we are worthy the sacrifice of Christ?
All participants, relying on the grace of God, are already looking forward to the next trip to Zalesie. Protect your precious time, do not waste it on the empty things, worship God constantly and everywhere. We wish you blessings!
Alona Kudlay,
Church “Light of the Gospel”, Kiev
