Under Communism, it was not unusual for believers to baptise new converts under cover of darkness, even in the winter going to such extremes as cutting a hole in the ice. To this day, few, if any churches have an indoor baptistry. The tradition is for baptism to be in the local river or lake where now it is a very public testimony and opportunity for preaching the gospel. That said, it is still unusual today for new believers to choose mid-December, when ice has formed at the water’s edge and a Northeasterly Siberian wind is blowing and the temperature is registering -7 C. However, this is what happened recently, when Alex and Inna were baptised in the River Dnipro. The engaged couple, who are getting married in April, became Christians at an extreme camp, the like of which Hope Now will hold this summer under the leadership of Alexander (Sasha) Malamuzh, who now takes up the story.
Many people came to see the baptism. There were Alex’s friends, Inna’s relatives and the serviceman Alexander who was Alex’s commander when Alex served in the Ukraine Army. Alexander is a Christian, so he often met soldiers and talked about Jesus Christ, the Gospel, and salvation. Alex had argued with him and said “I will never believe in God.” However, Alexander had special confidence in Alex’s salvation. So, when three years later, Alex called his former commander to tell about his faith in Jesus Christ, he was very happy and came to be a witness of Alex’s baptism. This baptism can indeed be called “an ice baptism”, for the rocks on the bank of the river were covered by the ice. Some tried to persuade the guys not to do it; some said “You will catch a cold”, but Alex and Inna had been waiting and were ready to do it in spite of the cold.
Sasha baptises Alex in the freezing Dnipro
After the baptism, all our fellowship met around the table. We had wonderful teatime with a real Russian samovar. We had conversation, sang songs and were very happy. The next day, Sasha Prichodko accepted Jesus Christ into his heart. He had been thinking about his life and his need of Jesus for a long time, but this extreme baptism of his best friend Alex motivated him to repent. Praise the Lord! Sasha Malamuzh
If you are interested in being part of the Extreme Water Camp 16 – 20 August please contact vic.jackopson@mac.com. If you are, or know someone who, is an instructor in kite-surfing or wind-surfing, we would love to hear from you. The camp is designed to test to the limit under expert tutelage and within acceptable margins of safety, but It is not for the faint hearted! Come at your own risk! You must be over 18 to apply.
On the 7th January, Christians from all over Cherkassy gathered at the Palace of Culture to celebrate the Ukrainian Christmas Day and to hear evangelist Stanislav Gruntkovsky, who will preach on the 6/7th June at the Cherkassy Football Stadium.
01.03.2010 For Ukraine, which has voted in a new president, Victor Yanakovych. Pray that he will be just and lead the country into a new era of peace with both Russia and Europe.
02.03.2010 For Vic and Sue as they spend this week in Memphis, Tennessee, where they will be attending the mission's conference and sharing experiences of ministry in Ukraine.
03.03.2010 For Dee Ewart who is one of Hope Now's directors as she undergoes investigation for suspected cancer, that the doctors may be guided to the correct diagnosis and treatment.
04.03.2010 For Anatolii Perepilitsa and Sasha Tarasenko as they lead the outreach to prisons and for sufficient funds to come in for the creation of a counselling and rehabilitation suite to the rear of the prison church.
05.03.2010 For CHRIST, OUR HOPE MISSION preparations and for the protection of evangelist Stanislav Gruntkovsky from the attack of the evil one.
06.03.2010 For the mission minded, Christ centred, Evangelical Free Church in Memphis where Vic and Sue will be joining in the celebration of their 75th Anniversary.
07.03.2010 For Jon Budgell and Brenda Greenwood as they continue to hold the fort in the Southampton office.
08.03.2010 For Frank and Lin Collier and Alla Kostyunina as they work out the implications of the new Child protection policy and prepare for the summer.
09.03.2010 For Vic and Sue as they fly home and take a few days off to rest after a busy schedule of activities in the USA.
10.03.2010 For the young people in our pre-independence homes as they grapple with studies and the practicalities of looking after themselves and the homes.
11.03.2010 For the students of the Bible school as they begin to look forward to their future ministries in the churches of Cherkassy and beyond.
12.03.2010 For Valerie Reddaway as she oversees the church planting and twinning programmes and hands more and more responsibility over to the staff in Ukraine.
13.03.2010 For the planning of the Fresh Start for Children, orphans camping fortnight and for sufficient funds to host it at Kompas Park.
14.03.2010 For Vic as he preaches today at Castlehold Baptist Church in Newport, Isle of Wight.
15.03.2010 For Margaret Ferguson and the trustees as they oversee the education of the young people in South Africa.
16.03.2010 For Misha Vyshemirskyi as he leads the team in Ukraine and makes preparations for the Silver Jubilee Celebrations in June.
17.03.2010 For Larissa Vovk in her essential work as Child Care officer for Hope Now in Ukraine.
18.03.2010 For Alexander Doreshenko as he and his team of doctors, nurses and dentists visit the villages of Kirovograd to give primary care and preach the gospel.
19.03.2010 For Vic as he speaks this evening at the Christian Viewpoint for women in Worthing this evening.
20.03.2010 For Vic as he speaks at an evangelistic breakfast for men in Yeovil and goes on to Taunton to visit old friends.
21.03.2010 For Vic as he preaches at Martock Christian Fellowship this morning and looks forward to a day of rest tomorrow.
22.03.2010 For the students who are sponsored by Hope Now, that they will be a constant source of witness for Christ on the campuses of Ukraine.
23.03.2010 For Vic as he travels today to Ukraine to meet with the planning committee for CHRIST, OUR HOPE MISSION and the Extreme Water camp.
24.03.2010 For the teachers and adminstrator of the Bible School as they faithfully serve the students alongside their other multitude of responsibilities.
25.03.2010 For the government of Ukraine to serve the people with dignity and honour and to create a climate of freedom and responsibility for all its people.
26.03.2010 For those Ukrainian, Christian, young men who have set up businesses in Ukraine and now employ young people who might otherwise have had to go to Kyiv or further for work.
27.03.2010 For the pastors in Cherkassy to give leadership to their churches in preparing for CHRIST IS OUR HOPE MISSION. CHERKASSY FOOTBALL STADIUM 5 - 6 JUNE.
28.03.2010 For the directors and staff in orphanages to look after their children with love and dedication as they prepare them for life beyond the institution.
29.03.2010 For those of our prayer partners who have lost their jobs that they may soon find work and receive from God's overflowing grace.
30.03.2010 For Vic as he travels home and that the plans he and others have made for the summer will bear much fruit for the kingdom of God.
31.03.2010 For the good health of our workers in Ukraine, most especially Misha and Leyna, who carry such a weight of responsibility.
