Give me a sign...

The youth were in charge of the service this morning at church. They do this once a month, and I absolutely LOVE it when they do. Today was no exception. The theme was hope, and in what are we placing our hope.

One part of the service was pretty unusual for a church service here, but they did a short play. I could never reproduce in written words what they communicated through this drama, but it was very impactful. I've seen drama used before, but not in Ukraine, and not in such a powerful way - wow!

One young man preached the short sermon today, and it was the first time I'd seen him preach - we were very impressed. He used one illustration, and THIS is what I wanted to pass on. He told a story to illustrate the measure of God's love for us:

"Once there was a man in prison, who realized his sinful and needy position. He repented, and when he was about to be released from prison, he wrote a letter to his parents. He knew he had no one else to turn to, and he also knew how much pain and strife he had caused them. Remembering that the train would go past the family home before it arrived at the village train station, he asked his parents for a sign.

He wrote in his letter that if they were willing to take him into their home again, and if they could forgive him and look beyond all the pain and suffering that he knew had been his fault, would they please hang a bedsheet on the tree in their backyard. This way, as the train neared his village, and passed their home, he would see the bedsheet and know that he could get off the train and go home.

As he rode this train to the village, his heart beat faster in his chest and he began to feel nervous - of course. Would they receive him? Could they possibly forgive him after all that he had done to them?! He almost couldn't bear to look out the window!

As the train chugged past the family home, the man looked out the window and saw that every tree in the yard was covered with 2 and 3 and 4 bedsheets... he was forgiven and welcome at home."

The message of today's service certainly spoke to many hearts. One precious man named Victor came forward at the end of church to pray in repentance... he is a new creature today!! Praise God.