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December 23, 2006

Winter 2006
Volume II No.2

I returned recently from a long trip to the U.S. It was an incredible time to spend time with family and friends. I think that I managed to spend time in five different states over the three months that I was back. Many thanks to all of you who housed me, fed me, or supported me in different ways. I was especially blessed, and send my thanks to Mark and Cathy Canada for the use of their car for the majority of my stay. I don’t know what I would have done with out it. In August, shortly after I arrived, my family had our first reunion in over 3 years. As you can see by the picture on the left, there are more than a few of us! Most of my family lives in Cleveland, but my brother Jake lives and works in Indianapolis, IN. My brother Abe and his wife Tiffany live and study in Dallas, TX. Of course I live in Ukraine, so we’re starting to get spread out. It was so refreshing to be back with family (and a bit crazy!). I praise God that my whole family loves the Lord and we have that deep spiritual fellowship that makes the family bonds even stronger. I about had a heart attack when I saw my fourteen-year-old sisters for the first time in a while. They’re growing up without me! God has given me an awesome family that continually supports me in many ways as I am out in Ukraine serving. I often say that I am just an extension of my parents’ ministry.

What did I do in the States?
Besides spending time with my large family, I also was invited to several churches, to share what God is doing in Kharkiv, Ukraine. While in Cleveland, I was blessed to teach the two morning services at the Calvary Chapel. In Indianapolis, I shared at Horizon N.E., Horizon Central, and Calvary Christian Fellowship.

Since Bible College, several of my former classmates have gotten involved in many ministries throughout the world, including the United States. One classmate, Matt Hawkins had me up to share with the youth group he leads at Harvest Fellowship in Leo, IN. The kids there were great and very open to what I had to share with them. Other former classmates, Joel and Jean Belding invited me down to Calvary Chapel St. Louis County. There I spoke at a home fellowship and for a few minutes at the morning service. Oh, I also spent five days up with my CCBC roommate, Josh Brindle up in the UP of Michigan. That place should really be called Canada Jr. It was great to be in the UP. The church there is about the same size as the church here in Kharkiv. I was so encouraged to see how the Lord is working mightily up there. (above) My first Thanksgiving turkey in Ukraine this year. It was so big! Stephen and Shane got it at the open market. Ironically, it was Katie, Shane’s Irish wife, who cooked the turkey for the American holiday! Paul (Left) from Uganda and Peter (Right) from Oxford, England.

New Bible Study
The Vision of Calvary Chapel Kharkiv is that the Word of God would increase. In light of this, shortly after returning from the States, Stephen and I started two home fellowships. One of them is on Tuesdays, which he hosts and teaches. This study is Philosophy of Calvary Chapel. The other study is on Saturday evenings, which I host and teach. It is through the book of Philippians. This study is mainly geared towards the foreign students in the church. It is only in English, but is open to anyone. So far there haven’t been many people coming, but those who come have blessed me.

One of the men that has been coming to the study is Paul, a student from Uganda. Paul is in his mid-thirties and is a computer-engineering student. He has a love for the Word that has challenged me in a good way. This last week we were studying through the first chapter of Philippians, when we came upon to the subject of trials and suffering in the Christian life. Paul shared with me how he has seen the benefit of trials in the church in Uganda. He said that while the country was under the dictatorship of Idi Amin, the church faced much persecution but grew very strong. Now, after twenty years with out persecution, the church has grown soft and stagnate in many places.

Recently the Lord has been giving me more of a heart for the African students in the church here. When I was back in Cleveland, I spoke with a friend, Bryan Newfield. He and his family are preparing to be missionaries in Uganda, with a vision to equip people there with the Word of God. He told me about the severe lack in Uganda of strong, Bible teaching churches. As he put it, Christianity there is a mile wide, but an inch deep. Meaning, many people claim to be Christians but have little to no
knowledge of the Word. My friend Paul confirmed this, and told me of many people being led astray in the church there. Every Sunday, at least 1/3 of our church is filled with Ugandans. I also encounter many more every day on the streets of Kharkiv. I
believe that the Lord desires to use the church in Kharkiv to reach (indirectly) into Uganda with His Word. I praise God that it is His Spirit and His Word that changes lives. Please pray that we would continue to be faithful to ministering the Word of God to these students and that His Word would not return void in their lives as they complete their schooling and return to their countries.

Stepping Out In Faith
As of the beginning of November, the Church in Kharkiv is now carrying all of its regular expenses from the weekly offerings that are received. This is a big step for us. When Stephen and I first arrived here, we were paying the rent, then about a year
ago, the church starting paying half, and we took care of the other half. Now we are stepping out and trusting in the Lord’s provision on a daily basis. So far there have been some close moments, but we have had the pleasure of trusting God in this way. Now, we as a body, are seeing Him provide for His church. I find it to be no coincidence that in the same month we stopped paying half the church rent, Stephen’s and my personal rent increased significantly. While, it would have been nice to have more financial breathing room, I continue to thank God for keeping me in a position to seek Him and trust in His provision alone. God is the One building His church. We are just servants here.

Prayer requests
1.Diligence and grace learning the Russian language
2.That the Church here would continue to grow in the Word
3.Passion for the lost
4.The Bible study that I am teaching for the international students. That they would develop a strong love for the Word of God.

If you are interested in supporting this ministry financially, please send all checks to:
Horizon Ministries
7702 Indian Lake Rd.
Indianapolis, IN 46236
Make the check out to “Horizon Ministries”.
(Please leave the memo line blank and enclose a
note stating “for Nate Medlong”)

Personal mail can be sent to:
Nate Medlong
5 Dimitrivskaya St., Apt, 94
Kharkiv - 61022
UKRAINE

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