Dear Brother Jaksic,

Heartfelt and brotherly greetings for you from our young people in Ukraine. We have read of plans for Youth Congresses and were very happy that the list now included another country—Ukraine. Welcome to us! We are waiting and praying for that. We will also try to be attend the meetings in Hungary.

We recently held an evangelistic series in Odessa (the largest seaport in Ukraine). Our brethren there made much advertisement about the series on the radio, television, in newspapers, leaflets, invitations, and placards. There was a poster in every trolleybus of this great city. Praise God, the whole project was organized and held exclusively by young people. The Lord helped us very much because the authorities gave us permission to preach the Gospel and to use the advertising free of charge. The 3-week Bible study course was held in a beautiful hall that seats 600 people. Rent for this hall costs a lot of money today, but by the help of our wonderful God it was 10 or more times less than normal. The Lord says, “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit.”

Our Young People’s leader is pleased to mention that youth meetings are now being held regularly in our Field, and hopefully soon in our Union, too. For the first time in the history of our Youth Department, our young people have begun to publish a monthly youth magazine entitled “Pilgrim,” sponsored by our Youth Committee.

May the Lord continue to grant all of us beautiful experiences with Him, and great victories in our lives!

Dear Brethren,

I greet you with 2 Thessalonians 1:2, 3: “Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth.”

Here is my photo in the hope of meeting penpals from among our fellow Christians worldwide. I am requesting that you please publish this in the Youth Messenger, which has influenced my life and brought changes in my decision. I am a bilingual French-English brother. My interest is mainly in the Bible and I need to know more about our Saviour.

Awaiting your friendly reply, I remain your brother in Christ,

Komi Soku

Ashaiman-North

SDA Church

Box 79

GHANA, West Africa

P.S. I was born May 20, 1974 and I enjoy Bible study, art, flowers, nature’s beauty, and music.

Dear Mr. Brostovski,

Hi! How are you? I’m fine. I know God has blessed you with the talent of dealing with teenagers. You made the youth meetings very interesting at [the Southeast U. S. Field] camp meeting. It was truly a blessing and I can hardly wait for the next Conference. I truly believe that the Reform Movement is the church of God. I know we are just visiting one in Ocala but I would like to join. If you have anything about what your beliefs are, I would really appreciate it if you send me some information.

I really enjoyed the copy of the Youth Messenger. The part about evolution [October–December 1996 issue] was interesting; however, I think that a true story could be added to maintain the person’s interest. Just something about an experience that someone had gone through which helped them to get closer to God. [See the 1997 YM issues for this.] Nevertheless, I love the poems and I also enjoy writing some in my spare time. In this letter, I have enclosed two poems which the Lord has blessed me with. If you like them, it would be an honor if you published them in your next copy of the Youth Messenger. It would make me so happy if someone were to benefit from reading them.

I really think that the articles you print are a blessing to those who read them. There should be more ministries like yours all over the world. Keep up the good work in printing the Youth Messenger. I really hope to see you at the Seminar in Tennessee this August, if you are going. If not, then I’ll see you at another camp meeting someday; but most importantly, I hope to see you in heaven. May God richly bless you and continue to inspire you to reach others for Him.—L.F.

I had to just say that I would like to send the Youth Messenger to some of the youth at my former church. It’s so much more sober-minded than the regular youth magazine they get. It is meat in due season. Bless the Lord. Anyway, may the gifts be a blessing to the church and publishing ministry.