MOVING FORWARD - pastor mike landry

Today we visited 9th Fort in Kaunas, Lithuania.  This was one of many Jewish extermination camps during World War II.  Over 50,000 people were killed.  As we walked through the fort and saw where the atrocities were committed I couldn't help but think of how awful and depraved the human heart had to be to do such things.  The Bible does say that the heart is "deceitful and desperately wicked."

With a heart condition like that we need much more than forgiveness; we need redemption.  Our sin nature demands a Savior.  God's holy and righteous nature can't just let something like this go.  He must judge such a heart.  That's what makes His love for us so much louder than normal.  He sent His Son to serve the sentence our sins deserved.  Jesus actually died for us and in our place so that we wouldn't have to.

Of course, we must receive the gift of life that He offers.  Just because He paid the price doesn't mean you or I have to accept it.  We can still choose to serve our sentence, which is death, or we can accept His redemptive gift, which is life and forgiveness.  Have you made your decision yet.

As you can see from the picture, I've found a McDonalds!  Ah yes...my internal navigational system can smell out a McDonalds anywhere.  I feel like I'm back home again.  :-)

Seriously, we're having a great time in the city of Kaunas, Lithuania.  We've been able to do some prayer walking as well as get to know a few of the locals.  I met a young lady from this city who comes to N.J. to visit her mom every summer.  When she found out I was a pastor from the US she wanted to know when and where the Bible Study would be here in town.  She's planning to come tomorrow night and brings some friends.  God is working...this looks like the beginnings of a new church start.

Keep praying.

I'll be back in touch ASAP.

Pastor Mike

These guys looks like they've been up all night.  They have!  We landed in Helsinki at 8 am (but that is 1am Sarasota time).  Big shock was to land in the snow.  Snow is everywhere and coming down.  We hope they can take off from here for Lithuania in about 8 hours.

Chad's looking for a diet coke.  Jerry found some coffee for 2.5 euros.  The rest of us are still thinking about what we'll do for the next 8 hours.  Talk again soon.

:)

It's a sunny day in Tampa, Florida.  Heading to the tundra of NYC and then off to Lithuania.  Pray that our travel plans go exactly as the Lord desires.  Pray that we meet a lot of people who need Jesus.   Updates to come.  For more extensive updates see our Lithuania link on our church website.  www.sarasotabaptist.com

Blessings!

Jerry, Pastor Mike, Sam, Chad and Rod.      :)