"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. (Matthew 14:28, 29)

  In his book If You want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat John Ortberg is inviting us to follow Peter's example and walk to Jesus on the water. What prevents us from making the first step to get out of the boat? Where are we now-- in the boat wearing the life vest? Or with one foot in the boat and one foot out? Or maybe we're walking on the water? The author is inviting us to answer these questions. And these were the questions that the "International Partnerships" staff was trying to answer at the August training conference that was devoted to the topic of walking on the water.
   All participants of the conference got the most unforgettable impressions during the team building games. They all had to really "get out of the boat." overcome their fear and trust God and their team members as the tasks were not easy. The accomplishment of these tasks required a lot of strength, trust and support of each other.




   Each of the twelve teams had to prepare a session on spiritual development based on John Ortberg's book. There were also classes on skill development that took place in mixed groups consisting of members of different teams.

  On the last night of the conference, the whole family gathered in to remember "IP" history, laugh and sing together, share memories from the past and hopes for the future Our God is a wonderful and wise Creator. He gathered 50 so different people and united them with one dream, one idea, one goal - to bring the Gospel to the educated people of Ukraine. And He is doing a great work through them!