(December 24, 2024) David McGuire, Missionary With The Camera, reports from Romania and Ukraine with his camera!

Once again our team headed north for Kharkov area near the Ukraine/Russian border— a dangerous spot as bombing is still happening there.

Our hearts were warm toward individuals that we’d meet and help, but weather-wise it was a cold missions trip… as you’ll see from this photo of our team preparing to leave Romania. And colder when snow fell where we went to!

Photo left: That’s me third left with fellow travellers

Purpose
Our desire was to again bless precious Ukrainians in desperate situations by suppling needed provisions such as food and comforting greetings.

Such is the hunger for Jesus around Kharkov area near the Ukraine/Russian border that a total of 22 churches have been planted since the war started.

So this time we headed for people of seven villages around Kharkov bringing them needed food… and the gospel of Jesus before Christmas. Our purpose was to share the love of Jesus who is the true reason of this Christmas season.

Prayer
As usual before setting out on these dangerous trips to that border region where bombing can still happen, we prayed first before journeying north. We also prayed again at a halfway break point in a warm room.

Our prayers? Praising God for past protection on other trips, souls challenged and acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Saviour, and that people prayed over healing were healed. Now we humbly asked for similar results this trip.

Provision
Believing that we’ll be able to have gospel meetings with Ukranians— and their children we carried many children’s Bibles and teaching books on Christianity.

Many troubled Ukrainians were so grateful to receive Christmas food supplies that many smiled as they received what we gifted to them. At times some just nodded their head to indicate their thanks.

If our message to them was demonstarting the love of Jesus, overall their message to us was ‘Thank you for coming and not forgetting about us.’

Pleasure
It was our pleasure to not only distribute provisions and pray with individuals and— despite the falling snow— to also make meals for individuals who greeted and welcomed us. This happy little girl is truly enjoying a big hotdog.

Preaching
We praised and thanked God for the opportunity we had to share the Christmas good news of God sending the redeemer who saves us from the penalty of sin and grants eternal life!

Four Ukrainians accepted Christ as Saviour, praise God. And 75 received healing as we prayed in Jesus’ name believing that needs would be met.

A woman told us she had witchcraft curses on her legs and hadn’t walk without crutches for 20 years. We broke all curses in the name of Jesus… and she walked on her own for the first time in two decades! Again we praise God! 

Protection
Where we were was dangerous territory… we chanced venturing into shelled buildings to film the damage to bombed homes.

What we observed and the threat of danger around us fairly took our breath away! We had to be careful as bombings were happening close by! Praise God for His protection!

Principle
Jesus instructed us to care for others— ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ (Luke 10:27). We see Ukrainians as our needy neighbours and appreciate the prayers of everyone who prays for our safety and success.

Paul’s Galatians 2:10 scripture shares the delighted and blessed Ukrainians’ heart— ‘All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.’

Actually the word ‘eager’ above is spoudazo— to make the effort speedily and diligently. With the Holy Spirit’s assistantance we were able to do so, praise God.

Our prayer for you dear readers is that you too will be a blessing to someone this Christmas.

Proposition
I now make a humble proposal… endeavour to open this link you can and, as it were, accompany us on our trip.

Even if the link won’t open, know that your prayers are appreciated! Speaking of prayer—

Personal Prayer Requested
Do keep us in prayer regarding our ministry here at home, sharing Jesus with both adults and children. And please email any thoughts from the Lord you might have to encourage us. We thank you for supporting us in prayer and all your practical ways you keep us supported in God’s work.

It is a privilege, an honour to share the gospel of Jesus! Blessings from us!

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David and Rodica McGuire are missionaries in Sighișoara and have built many houses for the poor in that area, especially among the Romanian gypsy communities, as well as outreaching to children who have never heard of Jesus, using Christian cartoon DVDs. Do contact David if the Lord prompts to help their ministry. Link: David McGuire bluevan1@hotmail.com

Recommended: David McGuire’s own story A Work in Progress 
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