USED BY GOD, LOVED BY PEOPLE

Dear John,

Thank you for letting me to be a witness to your life during the past three and a half years here in Zaporozhye, Ukraine. I was able to see a great Servant who was used by the Master do miracles in lives of other people. I was also able to see how people responded to you with a great love and appreciation. I am so thankful to God for giving me and my wife, Anya, a privilege to know you so closely and to be an eye witness to your and Evelyn's ministry here in Ukraine. Thank you John for what I saw in you. It  impacted me so much!

Thank you, John, for your love. It just pored out of your big heart. You accepted all people the way they were and encouraged them to be better - better Christians, better husbands and wives, better friends, better citizens. People felt that you always were on their side and wanted the best for them. That is why they listened your words and even did what you encouraged them to do! Not always, I know.... When I interpreted for you helping you to communicate or just observed your interaction with others God showed to me how much I need to change to love people like you did. I knew that only selfless love could motivate others to change. I saw this love in you. John, you truly was a person who loved sinners.

Thank you, John, for your openness and integrity. You were always true, people were able to know what you were thinking as well as see what you were feeling. You told me and others that God continued to work in you in certain aspects of your life thus recongizing your weaknesses and your dependence on God. It was so sincere. This is probably where I need to learn from you the most. Due to you, John, I've learned that God can heal a broken heart. He just needs another heart, which is open wide and filled with God's love, to be part of the healing process.

Thank you, John, for being a great example of Christian leader. The way you lead your family, New Hope Church and our Ministry to Orphans was so encouraging. You had God given vision, you had a great determination to move forward, you sacrificed so much to reach your goals. At the same time it was so easy to be lead by you, so fun to be around you as leader and so motivating for me to ministry to others with you. I saw a great example of true, Jesus-like, Servant Leadership. Three and a half years of your leadership I've seen will never let me forget it! I've seen a great leadership model to follow.

God tells me and all of us to develop these and many other good christian qualities. How can I do so, unless I see them in some one?! In you, John, I was able to see love, integrity, servanthood and much more. God used you to change me and I want to thank you, John, for letting Him do so.

Nothing can stop the growth of God's kingdom. He is the Allpowerful and the Almighty; what He decided to happen will surely happen. And it is God himself who raises such strong and determined as well as such loving and caring people. John, you definitely is one of them, the one I know.

So many people who knew you during your earthly life are saying now that they want to continue doing what you DID. I join them and will do my best to continue what you started. At the same time my heart cries out to say I want to continue BEING like John so many other lives can be touched and influenced by God through my life as well. Your life was your ministry. And I want to follow you as you followed Jesus.

Thank you dear John for being in my life.
Till I see you in heaven,
your friend,
Max Oliferovski