God did exceedingly, abundantly more than we could have asked or imagined!!!!

It is Sunday night in Kiev and we are all still on a very tired "high" from the New Life conference! GOD did do exceedingly, abundantly, more than we could have ever asked or imagined!!! I think we all are still in awe. Rachel did an incredible job as the keynote speaker -- She was amazing! She was tender, and poignant and yet very direct and Biblical. You could just feel the audience connecting with her. The New Life team had decorated the stage in the hall and it looked lovely. Their worship team led us before the throne of grace at the beginning of each session. The entire conference was on God's redeeming love that is told through our stories. In all of the seminars and keynote talks we all shared about how each woman was a unique and beloved story of God's redemption. And that all of the good and bad events in our lives, all of the relationships - healthy and broken, were ordained to reveal God to us and give us a perspective on His character and His truth. Dede, Sharon, Debbie, Marti and Rachel all lead their two hour seminars four times! And then did much counseling afterward. Walls came crashing down, much healing took place, and women began to see that God had always been with them even in the most painful times. And the pain in many of these women's lives is unbelievable. We all are changed too after experiencing the intimacy of God as He used us to minister to hurting women and we too experienced more of His healing love. The women loved the beautiful bracelets that we brought for each one of them, made by women in Nashville (thank you, Dinah!!!). Steve was the center of attention on many occasions being one of only three men around. On Saturday the weather was crisp and clear and the women loved being able to be outside the city and experience the fresh air in the woods. I could go on and on.....

Today we were part of two worship services at New Life which was always like being home with family. After lunch we did some sightseeing at St. Michael's and St. Sophia and then shopping down St. Andrusky. Dinner in Podil and then the metro back to the hotel!