These steps follow getting our life right with God, either by coming to Him through faith and baptism or by coming back to Him as discussed on the lesson that follows this one in this blog. Or it can be seen as a daily plan for the faithful child of God that is trusting their lives daily to Jesus!
1. Remember how we came to God, through the Word of God and faith. Romans 10:17 “faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” We need to have a DAILY reading and studying plan of the Word of God in our lives. It is very important to allow God to speak to us through the Bible to guide us in our daily lives. Without allowing God to talk to us every day, we will gradually grow away from Him.
2. Remember how much God wants us to talk to Him through prayer.
Matthew 7:7-8 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it , and it will be yours. This page could be filled with scriptures of God asking us to come to Him prayer. Let us remember that we can talk to God about ANYTHING in our lives at ANY time of the day or night. When we in faith trust in His promises, we will receive all of our life’s needs that we lay before God.
3. Remember how God designed His Church, His Family, His Body for us.
Acts 2:47 And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. 1 Corinthians 12:13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body. When we are baptized into Christ, God puts us into His Church, which is His family and body! Romans 8:15-17 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Jesus Christ died on the cross so we would be in His family! So we would be God’s children and brothers and sisters to Jesus! God wants us close and near to Him! Eph 1:22-23 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. We can only be full and complete in Jesus when we are living with each other in the daily and weekly living and worship with our brothers and sisters in Christ! Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching. God feels so strongly about our being together, He has COMMANDED us to not miss worshipping together – not neglecting being together when we as a Church meets. If you want to continue to grow spiritually you need to be with the Church, with other Christians, with your spiritual family to encourage them and to allow them to encourage you!
Saturday, February 16, 2008
The Lost Son that Came Home!
Luke 15:11-24
11 Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.
13 "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs . 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 "When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20 So he got up and went to his father.
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
22 "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
This is a story that Jesus told that shows us how God’s children leave the Father, sin against him, decide they must come home by repenting and submitting to God again. Then we see that God is waiting, looking and wanting very much for the son to come home. God wants us always to be home with Him! And there will be a great celebration when the child of God that was lost comes home again to the Father!
How do we get back home to God again?
1. We have to come to our senses and realize we need God as much as the day we first came to Him! We must know that we will never be happy living outside of God’s will for our lives.
2. We have to admit our sins and know that we must have God’s forgiveness through Jesus just as much now as before. We must humbly submit to God. 2 Corinthians 7:9-11 now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done.
3. As we come to God, He is waiting for us! He will run to you, throw His arms around you and kiss you! He will rejoice for His lost child was dead but is alive again, was lost and is found! Let’s celebrate!!! Revelations 3:19-2019 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door , I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. This passage was written to Christians that needed to repent! Jesus is waiting for us to come home to Him so we can be with each other again because He loves us so much!
11 Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.
13 "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs . 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 "When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20 So he got up and went to his father.
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
22 "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
This is a story that Jesus told that shows us how God’s children leave the Father, sin against him, decide they must come home by repenting and submitting to God again. Then we see that God is waiting, looking and wanting very much for the son to come home. God wants us always to be home with Him! And there will be a great celebration when the child of God that was lost comes home again to the Father!
How do we get back home to God again?
1. We have to come to our senses and realize we need God as much as the day we first came to Him! We must know that we will never be happy living outside of God’s will for our lives.
2. We have to admit our sins and know that we must have God’s forgiveness through Jesus just as much now as before. We must humbly submit to God. 2 Corinthians 7:9-11 now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done.
3. As we come to God, He is waiting for us! He will run to you, throw His arms around you and kiss you! He will rejoice for His lost child was dead but is alive again, was lost and is found! Let’s celebrate!!! Revelations 3:19-2019 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door , I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. This passage was written to Christians that needed to repent! Jesus is waiting for us to come home to Him so we can be with each other again because He loves us so much!
Journal for Feb 1-15
Friday, February 1, 2008
Besides my regular morning routine, I worked on finishing up my personal information and references today to send out to Churches that I might be interested in to move too. I am very thankful that all but one of the people I asked to be references for me agreed and have gotten back to me very promptly! One of the big questions is if churches are interested in me! I haven’t done this since 1990 – apply to churches and it is always a time consuming and waiting game. Since I am trying to locate close to where my children are, I sent stuff to 2 churches in NE and one in TX. Well, it’s a start anyway! After lunch, I went to the food market and bought food to make Pizzas at my house for tonight. Several are going to homecomings at their local schools, so I don’t expect too many people tonight. I fixed 2 large pizzas and we had 11 people! It was enough for everyone to have at least 2 small pieces! I was surprised! Then we watched the movie “Cheaper by the Dozen Part 2!” We watched it in Russian with English subtitles. It is a pretty funny movie and clean. Then people stayed around until 10:15 in a very comfortable and relaxed environment. Of course people drifted out and all didn’t stay that late.
Saturday, February 2
Bible Club day. Morning is preparations. In the afternoon we had 7 for the Adult Bible Club and 5 for the Teen Club. I didn’t go to the Bible Discussion at 4 because I had a bad headache.
Sunday, February 3
My Dad has been gone for 10 years. It doesn’t seem possible – he is always still in my heart and thoughts. On a brighter note, we had a good worship, made sandwiches and started going to the Orphanage in Potoki again. We had classes of 32 and 20 kids. It was really good to be with them again! We have really missed them! Then I had just 2 in my Parents Bible Club at 5 at the church building which has just turned into another Bible Club for people from the church – I don’t have any parents coming now, but it has made our fellowship with those from Church that come stronger. At 6 I preached, which I do at all Tuesday and Sunday nights unless otherwise noted. I got home around 8. In the evening Anton and I had a good spiritual discussion. I am so proud of him!
Monday, February 4 – Happy 24th Birthday to Janessa, my youngest daughter!
I tried 3 times during the day to call Janessa and missed her each time, but left messages. In the morning Inna from Kiev came over and we spent a couple of hours together. Then in the afternoon, I had some good quality time with a couple of my students. At 5:30, 5 of us went to the Family Orphanage and had a good Bible study and tea with the family – we were there for a couple of hours.
Tuesday, February 5
I called Janessa early this morning and got to wish her a happy birthday! Sent out a couple more personal info and references to churches in TX. You can be in TX and still be a long ways away from some other place! I did a lot of personal study today. Did some shopping. Had a good devo with 9 people present. Had good fellowship until almost 10. I love these people so much!
Wednesday, February 6
Oksana is out of town for the week to Poland (left on Sunday and will be back next Tuesday). So Yulya went with me to the village of Bugkivka today to study with our 11th form girls. We had a good reunion – I hadn’t seen them since Nov. – and a good study on what it means to be “in Christ.” We got back about 4pm. Then I finished preparing for my English Club in my house with mostly University Students and we had 8 present. It was a good time and a good study. Lord willing, we will be able to use this time as a stepping stone to bringing these people to Christ.
Thursday, February 7
Had a good personal study and am working on some of my charts to make them better. Also spent a lot of time getting ready for the afternoon classes. The afternoon was spent going to Svetlovodsk (leaving about 1:30 – it is about a ½ hour drive over there) to teach at the orphanage there. This was our first Bible Classes with them and we (Yulya, Ksusha and Olya and I) had 3 Bible Classes. One with 5th and 6th graders – 23; 9th graders – 15; and 7th graders – 13. It was a really good beginning!!! We got home about 5:30. For the first time that I could remember, I forgot my billfold and passport. I had no identification and no money and so I was VERY careful for the highway police will stop you for every and any reason. I could have been in a lot of trouble if stopped without this information. I was fine, but it was a bit of a scary thing!
Friday, February 8
I thought I would try and take part of this day off, since I didn’t have one on Monday. The morning was pretty relaxing, but I had people around all afternoon and evening. To me that is what ministry is all about – being around people, growing closer in relationships with them and helping them grow in their relationships with God. In the evening we had another pizza party with movie – but a lot different from last week. Ksusha came over about 4 and wanted to talk and we had a good talk. Then she helped me make chocolate chip cookies – she did most of it and had a blast doing it! We eventually had 14 people over and ordered out pizza. We went and picked it up and finally ate about 7:30. Then we played a game called “Prince a Paris” that most people love that my dad taught me when I was a kid. There were 12 of us playing and we played it for about an hour. We laughed and laughed! Then 11 of us went to a monster movie at 9:30 called “Monstro” in Russian – different English name where this monster attaches NY (Isn’t this where all monsters attach???) and destroys this poor city – this city has been destroyed more times than any other city in history I think! Well it was done with a hand held movie camera and I got motion sickness watching it and had to leave early. The kids told me I was lucky to leave because it wasn’t a good movie – everybody killed, etc.! I was ok the next day.
Saturday, February 9
I went to the market and store in the morning. We had 7 for our Adult Bible Club again. We had 2 for our Teen one. That was mostly my day!
Sunday, February 10
Yulya, Yura, Artem and Ksusha and I went to Komsomolsk for morning worship leaving about 9 and about 9:25 after I picked up everyone. The service was at 10. With our 5 there, there were 12 in worship. I preached this morning and Sasha translated. We finished at got back home around noon. I took the 5 of us out for pizza – yes again! A lot of pizza lately – but it is the cheapest food to take people out with! At 2 we went to Potoki again and good classes there and were finished about 4. Then at 5 Olya translated for me for the Bible Club, but only 2 came – we are going to postpone this class for awhile. But, Nadya, one of the older adult students that came, brought a tort and candy along, so we had that afterwards. There were 11 of us there and we just stayed, sat around and ate and talked until about 9 – it was really nice!
Monday, February 11
I actually got most of Monday off! Just kind of goofed around all day. (Every day of the week, there is something planned and going on, so it is not possible to have a whole day off – who are you going to say no too that wants to study the Bible and that’s the only time they have to do it???) At 5:30 I picked up Ksusha, Artem and Olya and we went to the Orphan home family. We had some good tea time, a very good Bible study and just relaxing family time with the kids and Inna (mother) talking and sharing her life struggles with Olya. Olya is a very good listener for Inna. I got home about 9:30pm – so 4 hour work day!
Tuesday, February 12
We were going to go to the village today to teach the 8th grade class, but I didn’t have a translator so I of course didn’t go. I took Zhenya to the Dr. and then we went to pickup Oksana. Oksana got home from a week in Poland at 1:30 and then the 3 of us went to lunch together. I worked on lessons and prepared for Devo. We had 13 tonight and a good fellowship afterwards.
Wednesday, February 13
My son has given me good advice that it might be better to not talk about specifics of getting up and going to bed, etc. in this. Probably good advice! So this morning when I got up… Just Kidding! My young people here that have computer access have gone rather crazy over a (for me) new craze in computer contacts with each other called facebook. They really seem to love it! Worked part of the afternoon preparing for English Club at 6. Everyone came late and by 10 after no one – I almost left! But we ended up having 7 and a good time. I’m going to start directing my discussion in here to moral themes and issues.
Thursday, February 14 – Happy Valentine’s Day!
Well, I had my car washed 2 days ago because the weather forecast was for a week of dry weather. Well it snowed today and made a mess out of my car again! We (Natasha, Ksusha, Olya and Yulya) drove to the orphanage in Svetlovodsk in a mild snow storm and had 4 great classes with the kids – it was a lot of fun. I was real proud of Olya and Yulya as they co-taught a 9th grade class of girls together – preparing their own lesson and all! They were great! I was eating supper about 6:45 and feeling a bit blue about spending Valentine’s day evening alone, when Olya and Yulya called and asked if the could come over. I said that would be great! So they came and we spent the rest of the evening together and I took them home about 10:30! It was a nice surprise.
Friday, February 15
I cleaned my house –especially bedroom and kitchen’s were a mess for we are having our Valentine’s party tonight. I made sugar cookie doe in the morning and boiled some eggs, etc. getting ready. I tell you this next thing because it is just so Ukrainian. I have my water delivered. I ordered it to come between 8-10. It came at 12:30. Well, I didn’t want to cook, so went out to eat, then bought candies for tonight and went and paid for my internet. Later I cooked the cookies and made hot tuna sandwiches that everybody loves. People brought candies and sweets. Momma Nadya (My oldest student that comes to my house – 31 with a 6th grade daughter that has been with us since she was really little) brought a big, delicious tort – cake. We had 18 for the party, ate, played games and ate some more. The last went home about 9:30. We had 4 people that hadn’t been with us for awhile so if the party accomplished anything, this was worth it!
Besides my regular morning routine, I worked on finishing up my personal information and references today to send out to Churches that I might be interested in to move too. I am very thankful that all but one of the people I asked to be references for me agreed and have gotten back to me very promptly! One of the big questions is if churches are interested in me! I haven’t done this since 1990 – apply to churches and it is always a time consuming and waiting game. Since I am trying to locate close to where my children are, I sent stuff to 2 churches in NE and one in TX. Well, it’s a start anyway! After lunch, I went to the food market and bought food to make Pizzas at my house for tonight. Several are going to homecomings at their local schools, so I don’t expect too many people tonight. I fixed 2 large pizzas and we had 11 people! It was enough for everyone to have at least 2 small pieces! I was surprised! Then we watched the movie “Cheaper by the Dozen Part 2!” We watched it in Russian with English subtitles. It is a pretty funny movie and clean. Then people stayed around until 10:15 in a very comfortable and relaxed environment. Of course people drifted out and all didn’t stay that late.
Saturday, February 2
Bible Club day. Morning is preparations. In the afternoon we had 7 for the Adult Bible Club and 5 for the Teen Club. I didn’t go to the Bible Discussion at 4 because I had a bad headache.
Sunday, February 3
My Dad has been gone for 10 years. It doesn’t seem possible – he is always still in my heart and thoughts. On a brighter note, we had a good worship, made sandwiches and started going to the Orphanage in Potoki again. We had classes of 32 and 20 kids. It was really good to be with them again! We have really missed them! Then I had just 2 in my Parents Bible Club at 5 at the church building which has just turned into another Bible Club for people from the church – I don’t have any parents coming now, but it has made our fellowship with those from Church that come stronger. At 6 I preached, which I do at all Tuesday and Sunday nights unless otherwise noted. I got home around 8. In the evening Anton and I had a good spiritual discussion. I am so proud of him!
Monday, February 4 – Happy 24th Birthday to Janessa, my youngest daughter!
I tried 3 times during the day to call Janessa and missed her each time, but left messages. In the morning Inna from Kiev came over and we spent a couple of hours together. Then in the afternoon, I had some good quality time with a couple of my students. At 5:30, 5 of us went to the Family Orphanage and had a good Bible study and tea with the family – we were there for a couple of hours.
Tuesday, February 5
I called Janessa early this morning and got to wish her a happy birthday! Sent out a couple more personal info and references to churches in TX. You can be in TX and still be a long ways away from some other place! I did a lot of personal study today. Did some shopping. Had a good devo with 9 people present. Had good fellowship until almost 10. I love these people so much!
Wednesday, February 6
Oksana is out of town for the week to Poland (left on Sunday and will be back next Tuesday). So Yulya went with me to the village of Bugkivka today to study with our 11th form girls. We had a good reunion – I hadn’t seen them since Nov. – and a good study on what it means to be “in Christ.” We got back about 4pm. Then I finished preparing for my English Club in my house with mostly University Students and we had 8 present. It was a good time and a good study. Lord willing, we will be able to use this time as a stepping stone to bringing these people to Christ.
Thursday, February 7
Had a good personal study and am working on some of my charts to make them better. Also spent a lot of time getting ready for the afternoon classes. The afternoon was spent going to Svetlovodsk (leaving about 1:30 – it is about a ½ hour drive over there) to teach at the orphanage there. This was our first Bible Classes with them and we (Yulya, Ksusha and Olya and I) had 3 Bible Classes. One with 5th and 6th graders – 23; 9th graders – 15; and 7th graders – 13. It was a really good beginning!!! We got home about 5:30. For the first time that I could remember, I forgot my billfold and passport. I had no identification and no money and so I was VERY careful for the highway police will stop you for every and any reason. I could have been in a lot of trouble if stopped without this information. I was fine, but it was a bit of a scary thing!
Friday, February 8
I thought I would try and take part of this day off, since I didn’t have one on Monday. The morning was pretty relaxing, but I had people around all afternoon and evening. To me that is what ministry is all about – being around people, growing closer in relationships with them and helping them grow in their relationships with God. In the evening we had another pizza party with movie – but a lot different from last week. Ksusha came over about 4 and wanted to talk and we had a good talk. Then she helped me make chocolate chip cookies – she did most of it and had a blast doing it! We eventually had 14 people over and ordered out pizza. We went and picked it up and finally ate about 7:30. Then we played a game called “Prince a Paris” that most people love that my dad taught me when I was a kid. There were 12 of us playing and we played it for about an hour. We laughed and laughed! Then 11 of us went to a monster movie at 9:30 called “Monstro” in Russian – different English name where this monster attaches NY (Isn’t this where all monsters attach???) and destroys this poor city – this city has been destroyed more times than any other city in history I think! Well it was done with a hand held movie camera and I got motion sickness watching it and had to leave early. The kids told me I was lucky to leave because it wasn’t a good movie – everybody killed, etc.! I was ok the next day.
Saturday, February 9
I went to the market and store in the morning. We had 7 for our Adult Bible Club again. We had 2 for our Teen one. That was mostly my day!
Sunday, February 10
Yulya, Yura, Artem and Ksusha and I went to Komsomolsk for morning worship leaving about 9 and about 9:25 after I picked up everyone. The service was at 10. With our 5 there, there were 12 in worship. I preached this morning and Sasha translated. We finished at got back home around noon. I took the 5 of us out for pizza – yes again! A lot of pizza lately – but it is the cheapest food to take people out with! At 2 we went to Potoki again and good classes there and were finished about 4. Then at 5 Olya translated for me for the Bible Club, but only 2 came – we are going to postpone this class for awhile. But, Nadya, one of the older adult students that came, brought a tort and candy along, so we had that afterwards. There were 11 of us there and we just stayed, sat around and ate and talked until about 9 – it was really nice!
Monday, February 11
I actually got most of Monday off! Just kind of goofed around all day. (Every day of the week, there is something planned and going on, so it is not possible to have a whole day off – who are you going to say no too that wants to study the Bible and that’s the only time they have to do it???) At 5:30 I picked up Ksusha, Artem and Olya and we went to the Orphan home family. We had some good tea time, a very good Bible study and just relaxing family time with the kids and Inna (mother) talking and sharing her life struggles with Olya. Olya is a very good listener for Inna. I got home about 9:30pm – so 4 hour work day!
Tuesday, February 12
We were going to go to the village today to teach the 8th grade class, but I didn’t have a translator so I of course didn’t go. I took Zhenya to the Dr. and then we went to pickup Oksana. Oksana got home from a week in Poland at 1:30 and then the 3 of us went to lunch together. I worked on lessons and prepared for Devo. We had 13 tonight and a good fellowship afterwards.
Wednesday, February 13
My son has given me good advice that it might be better to not talk about specifics of getting up and going to bed, etc. in this. Probably good advice! So this morning when I got up… Just Kidding! My young people here that have computer access have gone rather crazy over a (for me) new craze in computer contacts with each other called facebook. They really seem to love it! Worked part of the afternoon preparing for English Club at 6. Everyone came late and by 10 after no one – I almost left! But we ended up having 7 and a good time. I’m going to start directing my discussion in here to moral themes and issues.
Thursday, February 14 – Happy Valentine’s Day!
Well, I had my car washed 2 days ago because the weather forecast was for a week of dry weather. Well it snowed today and made a mess out of my car again! We (Natasha, Ksusha, Olya and Yulya) drove to the orphanage in Svetlovodsk in a mild snow storm and had 4 great classes with the kids – it was a lot of fun. I was real proud of Olya and Yulya as they co-taught a 9th grade class of girls together – preparing their own lesson and all! They were great! I was eating supper about 6:45 and feeling a bit blue about spending Valentine’s day evening alone, when Olya and Yulya called and asked if the could come over. I said that would be great! So they came and we spent the rest of the evening together and I took them home about 10:30! It was a nice surprise.
Friday, February 15
I cleaned my house –especially bedroom and kitchen’s were a mess for we are having our Valentine’s party tonight. I made sugar cookie doe in the morning and boiled some eggs, etc. getting ready. I tell you this next thing because it is just so Ukrainian. I have my water delivered. I ordered it to come between 8-10. It came at 12:30. Well, I didn’t want to cook, so went out to eat, then bought candies for tonight and went and paid for my internet. Later I cooked the cookies and made hot tuna sandwiches that everybody loves. People brought candies and sweets. Momma Nadya (My oldest student that comes to my house – 31 with a 6th grade daughter that has been with us since she was really little) brought a big, delicious tort – cake. We had 18 for the party, ate, played games and ate some more. The last went home about 9:30. We had 4 people that hadn’t been with us for awhile so if the party accomplished anything, this was worth it!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Journal for January 16-31, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
I don’t think that I have written about the apparent tragedy that took place just before I left for the US. The Director at School 11, where we have had a mainstay in our working in the schools, was either fired or quit. It is not sure what happened. She was replaced by the Director at School #9, who ended our work there. This effectively ends our work at School 11 that has been on going for 11 years! We still have our work in the village school and now three orphanages in neighboring villages and towns as well. The doors in these 3 orphanages are wide open right now and we intended to do our best to step into them. Also if there is time, there is an internot school here in Kremenchuk that we have worked before in, that we will see about entering again. Please continue to pray for these works.
Thursday, January 17, Friday, January 18
I am writing this Journal on January 28th. I know that I have not kept up with it as I should. I intend to do better! Just a couple of notes about Thursdays and Fridays. Our Thursday classes were dwindling down to 1 or 2, so we decided to focus our energy and studies on Tuesday, where we hope to increase our study time and worship/singing time to 1 ½ hours. On Fridays, we have started again our fun night – but that too, so far has been lightly attended. We are looking for the direction that God is seeking to take us in. Please continue to pray for us in these areas.
Saturday, January 19
Yura agreed to open my house for the noon Adult Bible Club, because I needed to take a trip to the airport by Kiev – Borispil and pick up an American friend, Michael Braswell, who is coming in to spend a week with us and the orphanages here in Kremenchuk and surrounding areas. Michael is from TN and is a very caring Christian Brother that cares very deeply for the children here in Ukraine! He became a Christian in January of 2006, made his first visit to Kremenchuk and the orphanages in January of 2007 with Buddy Baker. This year he decided to come on his own and care for the children out of his own pocket. He is NOT rich, except in God’s love and love for the Christ’s Church, the children, the Lord’s work that we are doing here and our young people as well. I left at 9:30 with Olya and Yulya and his flight arrived at 1:30 and we arrived back in Kremenchuk about 5:30. The noon Bible Club had 2, but the evening Bible Club had 9 with 2 new people – a mother and daughter! The last went home around 9:30 and after my travels I was pretty tired. You just can’t compare the wear and tear that driving in Ukraine brings to you to driving in the US. It’s just not the same!!!
Sunday, January 20
We worshipped in the morning, made sandwiches in the afternoon for the prison, and spent most of the time planning the week to come with Michael and our young people. We had a good afternoon together. Then we had 15 for our evening worship. We got Michael back to his room, as he struggling with jet lag and needs to sleep. Just to mention about our Sunday night “sermons/lessons.” I am doing most of them, but I am proud to say that Yura and Artem are taking a more active roll in preparing talks as well. Yura presented the lesson tonight and did a good job!
Monday, January 21
We spent a very busy day visiting different orphanages. First I picked up Yulya and Olya and then met Michael and our 2 local workers Nickoli and Anya (Christian workers that full time sponsored by this orphans work by Buddy Baker and Jerry Morgan). They know the work well and are doing an amazing job in the things that they do for the Lord. We got started at 9:30 and went first to the Baby’s Orphanage and spent most of the morning there. Then I went to the bank and we went to McDonalds where we hand lunch together. Did I mention that we now have a McDonalds in Kremenchuk (I’m sure I probably did!)?? Then we went to Svetlovodsk where we visited the 2 orphanages there, one that we had never been in before and they are thrilled that we want to come and teach Bible lessons there. Of course the one, the Visually Handicapped Orphanage, we have been teaching there, but we hope to expand that work as well. We got back to Kremenchuk about 4:30 and then went to the Orphan family, arriving there about 5:30 (they are in a village about 15 Kil. out of Kremenchuk). We all were very tired and left there about 7:30pm to come back to home, eat supper and go to bed – Michael is waking up very early – jet lag!
Tuesday, January 22
Again with an early start we spent quite a bit of time at the orphanages. In the afternoon, while Michael was buying things for the orphanages that he wanted to give to them, I spent time in lesson preparations that I needed to do. In the evening we had our devotional with 15 present. We celebrated Marina’s 21st birthday and then we went out to Pizza as Michael’s guest. Everyone went home from there around 9pm.
Wednesday, January 23
While Michael was again buying and delivering things to the orphanages I went to pick up Ksusha in Poltava. It is about 1 ½ hour drive both ways and so it took a little over 4 hours round trip. She had been there for 3 weeks of study and had a lot of stuff to bring back! She had to take all her bedding, etc. with her so it was extra. I have to mention a little bit about what Michael is doing with the Potoki Orphanage – the poorest one in our area. The shoes on the kids feet were literally falling off, so Michael took it upon himself to buy a new pair of shoes for every child there! Then he bought 4 new sowing machines and a ton of material for the kids to be able to make their own new clothes! They got really great prices on the material and machines!
Thursday, January 24
In the morning I again had my own work to do and Michael finished up his buying and delivering things to the orphanages. I worked nearly all morning on my newsletter for our kids. I hadn’t done one since I had been back, but now I did and sent it to Anya O. V. translate for me. He has such a great heart for the kids! We met at 1pm at McDonalds, ate lunch with Anya and Nickoli who have worked so great with Michael this week. Then Michael and I left for Kiev arriving at the hotel airport about 4:30pm. Michael had been getting up between 1 and 3 each morning because of jet lag and just wanted to go to his room and rest. I did the same, eating supper about 7 and going to bed around 9.
Friday, January 25
I got up 3 (my internal alarm usually lets me sleep 6 hours – or less if it is not being nice to me) to leave at 4:30 to get Michael to the airport by 4:50 to go through all the customs etc and fly out at 6:50. I got home around 8:30 in the morning. Was in phone contact with several during the day, but mostly rested from the busy week. Vika was the only one that came for fun night tonight but we played cards, looked at pictures on my computer, ate and talked until she left around 9.
Saturday, January 26
Prepared for my Bible clubs for today and tomorrow, did some shopping for food in the morning. We had 4 for our Adult Bible Club. Those that came for this Bible Club, helped me with some translations for tomorrow’s lesson too. I went to the church discussion at 4 and that was good. Then we had 5 for our evening Bible Club with the new mother – Tanya and daughter – Ira with us again. Folks went home around 9:30pm.
Sunday, January 27
Nice service in the morning. Afterwards 4 went with me to Prostor (our local super walmart – sort of) and I bought some more groceries. Then we ate lunch together at a buffet place there. Then we came to my place and talked about the future and of course played some games together. At 4:40, I left and went to the church building for our Parent Bible Club where we had 4 in attendance – it is really just now a beginner’s Bible club and is going fine. Then we had 12 for our evening services and left the building around 8pm.
Monday, January 28
I worked all morning on my Newsletter to mail to the states and also Anya emailed me back my newsletter for here and I printed out 20 of those for our folks here. In the afternoon, I spent some time with some people that needed counseling. Then at 5:30 Oksana, Olya, Ksusha went out to the Orphan family to spend our Monday evening with them. We had a good time and a good Bible Study. We left a little earlier than normal because all 3 girls had other things that they needed and wanted to do. I got home around 8:30pm.
Tuesday, January 29
Much of day was in finishing the newsletter to send to the states. Also I worked on my resume and personal information to give to churches and schools that may be interested in my working with them after I return to the states. I had a real good meeting for about 45 minutes with Sasha R. and Valerie the preachers that I work with from Komsomolsk who are also enjoying the work in the orphanages in Svetlovodsk and are doing a good job there. We had 12 for our devotional. Artem gave the talk and did a really good job! People stayed around until 9:30 this evening and I really enjoyed our time together!
Wednesday, January 30
I spent quite a bit of time cleaning up “corners” in my apartment. Cleaned my kitchen, I cleaned up my bookcase in the living room – I am afraid that I tend to let things kind of get stacked on the book case – not it is neat and clutter free. I took all the Christmas and New Years stuff down – I did have an artificial tree! Finally I cleaned the desks in my bedroom/office. It feels so much better not having so much clutter around – I threw away a lot of stuff! I took a break and went to the bank – it took about an hour here again – I really don’t like that part of banking here, but it is often the way it is. Then went to the drug store for some blood pressure meds, paid some bills, got a couple of things at the grocery store and came home. Then I also prepared for the Evening English Club – we had a record number with 13 people present! We had a good time and had 2 new people.
Thursday, January 31
Just in case you are interested – I still have my 6 hour sleeping habits. If I go to bed at 10, I wake up at 4, etc. So I usually start my day with checking the internet for email and corresponding with that. I check the weather and news on line, have breakfast and do my personal time of Bible Study and prayer. Then I usually get into my study time. I did a lot of study and Bible Study on lessons this morning. I ordered water (I get in 20 liter bottles delivered. It is a lot easier and cheaper this way) and it came at 8:30. I have fallen into a pattern of studying until about 10 and then showering. It refreshes me for more! Then I went back to my study until about noon. At 1:45 Olya, Sasha preacher and Valerie and I went to Svetlovodsk to the 2 orphanages. It is about a ½ hour drive over there. We met with the TB orphanage (children are taken here that have had a family background of TB or are have some tests that show that they have a weakness toward it. None have ever broken out and developed it.) director and visited 2 classes of children – 5th and 6th together and the 7th grade. All were eager to be with us and have classes with us. Everyone of the younger group said that they had Bibles are read them regularly!!! All of us were amazed at this! After visiting the other orphanage and watching Sasha and Valerie teach their class of about 20 kids with puppets, we returned home about 5:30. It was a good afternoon!
I don’t think that I have written about the apparent tragedy that took place just before I left for the US. The Director at School 11, where we have had a mainstay in our working in the schools, was either fired or quit. It is not sure what happened. She was replaced by the Director at School #9, who ended our work there. This effectively ends our work at School 11 that has been on going for 11 years! We still have our work in the village school and now three orphanages in neighboring villages and towns as well. The doors in these 3 orphanages are wide open right now and we intended to do our best to step into them. Also if there is time, there is an internot school here in Kremenchuk that we have worked before in, that we will see about entering again. Please continue to pray for these works.
Thursday, January 17, Friday, January 18
I am writing this Journal on January 28th. I know that I have not kept up with it as I should. I intend to do better! Just a couple of notes about Thursdays and Fridays. Our Thursday classes were dwindling down to 1 or 2, so we decided to focus our energy and studies on Tuesday, where we hope to increase our study time and worship/singing time to 1 ½ hours. On Fridays, we have started again our fun night – but that too, so far has been lightly attended. We are looking for the direction that God is seeking to take us in. Please continue to pray for us in these areas.
Saturday, January 19
Yura agreed to open my house for the noon Adult Bible Club, because I needed to take a trip to the airport by Kiev – Borispil and pick up an American friend, Michael Braswell, who is coming in to spend a week with us and the orphanages here in Kremenchuk and surrounding areas. Michael is from TN and is a very caring Christian Brother that cares very deeply for the children here in Ukraine! He became a Christian in January of 2006, made his first visit to Kremenchuk and the orphanages in January of 2007 with Buddy Baker. This year he decided to come on his own and care for the children out of his own pocket. He is NOT rich, except in God’s love and love for the Christ’s Church, the children, the Lord’s work that we are doing here and our young people as well. I left at 9:30 with Olya and Yulya and his flight arrived at 1:30 and we arrived back in Kremenchuk about 5:30. The noon Bible Club had 2, but the evening Bible Club had 9 with 2 new people – a mother and daughter! The last went home around 9:30 and after my travels I was pretty tired. You just can’t compare the wear and tear that driving in Ukraine brings to you to driving in the US. It’s just not the same!!!
Sunday, January 20
We worshipped in the morning, made sandwiches in the afternoon for the prison, and spent most of the time planning the week to come with Michael and our young people. We had a good afternoon together. Then we had 15 for our evening worship. We got Michael back to his room, as he struggling with jet lag and needs to sleep. Just to mention about our Sunday night “sermons/lessons.” I am doing most of them, but I am proud to say that Yura and Artem are taking a more active roll in preparing talks as well. Yura presented the lesson tonight and did a good job!
Monday, January 21
We spent a very busy day visiting different orphanages. First I picked up Yulya and Olya and then met Michael and our 2 local workers Nickoli and Anya (Christian workers that full time sponsored by this orphans work by Buddy Baker and Jerry Morgan). They know the work well and are doing an amazing job in the things that they do for the Lord. We got started at 9:30 and went first to the Baby’s Orphanage and spent most of the morning there. Then I went to the bank and we went to McDonalds where we hand lunch together. Did I mention that we now have a McDonalds in Kremenchuk (I’m sure I probably did!)?? Then we went to Svetlovodsk where we visited the 2 orphanages there, one that we had never been in before and they are thrilled that we want to come and teach Bible lessons there. Of course the one, the Visually Handicapped Orphanage, we have been teaching there, but we hope to expand that work as well. We got back to Kremenchuk about 4:30 and then went to the Orphan family, arriving there about 5:30 (they are in a village about 15 Kil. out of Kremenchuk). We all were very tired and left there about 7:30pm to come back to home, eat supper and go to bed – Michael is waking up very early – jet lag!
Tuesday, January 22
Again with an early start we spent quite a bit of time at the orphanages. In the afternoon, while Michael was buying things for the orphanages that he wanted to give to them, I spent time in lesson preparations that I needed to do. In the evening we had our devotional with 15 present. We celebrated Marina’s 21st birthday and then we went out to Pizza as Michael’s guest. Everyone went home from there around 9pm.
Wednesday, January 23
While Michael was again buying and delivering things to the orphanages I went to pick up Ksusha in Poltava. It is about 1 ½ hour drive both ways and so it took a little over 4 hours round trip. She had been there for 3 weeks of study and had a lot of stuff to bring back! She had to take all her bedding, etc. with her so it was extra. I have to mention a little bit about what Michael is doing with the Potoki Orphanage – the poorest one in our area. The shoes on the kids feet were literally falling off, so Michael took it upon himself to buy a new pair of shoes for every child there! Then he bought 4 new sowing machines and a ton of material for the kids to be able to make their own new clothes! They got really great prices on the material and machines!
Thursday, January 24
In the morning I again had my own work to do and Michael finished up his buying and delivering things to the orphanages. I worked nearly all morning on my newsletter for our kids. I hadn’t done one since I had been back, but now I did and sent it to Anya O. V. translate for me. He has such a great heart for the kids! We met at 1pm at McDonalds, ate lunch with Anya and Nickoli who have worked so great with Michael this week. Then Michael and I left for Kiev arriving at the hotel airport about 4:30pm. Michael had been getting up between 1 and 3 each morning because of jet lag and just wanted to go to his room and rest. I did the same, eating supper about 7 and going to bed around 9.
Friday, January 25
I got up 3 (my internal alarm usually lets me sleep 6 hours – or less if it is not being nice to me) to leave at 4:30 to get Michael to the airport by 4:50 to go through all the customs etc and fly out at 6:50. I got home around 8:30 in the morning. Was in phone contact with several during the day, but mostly rested from the busy week. Vika was the only one that came for fun night tonight but we played cards, looked at pictures on my computer, ate and talked until she left around 9.
Saturday, January 26
Prepared for my Bible clubs for today and tomorrow, did some shopping for food in the morning. We had 4 for our Adult Bible Club. Those that came for this Bible Club, helped me with some translations for tomorrow’s lesson too. I went to the church discussion at 4 and that was good. Then we had 5 for our evening Bible Club with the new mother – Tanya and daughter – Ira with us again. Folks went home around 9:30pm.
Sunday, January 27
Nice service in the morning. Afterwards 4 went with me to Prostor (our local super walmart – sort of) and I bought some more groceries. Then we ate lunch together at a buffet place there. Then we came to my place and talked about the future and of course played some games together. At 4:40, I left and went to the church building for our Parent Bible Club where we had 4 in attendance – it is really just now a beginner’s Bible club and is going fine. Then we had 12 for our evening services and left the building around 8pm.
Monday, January 28
I worked all morning on my Newsletter to mail to the states and also Anya emailed me back my newsletter for here and I printed out 20 of those for our folks here. In the afternoon, I spent some time with some people that needed counseling. Then at 5:30 Oksana, Olya, Ksusha went out to the Orphan family to spend our Monday evening with them. We had a good time and a good Bible Study. We left a little earlier than normal because all 3 girls had other things that they needed and wanted to do. I got home around 8:30pm.
Tuesday, January 29
Much of day was in finishing the newsletter to send to the states. Also I worked on my resume and personal information to give to churches and schools that may be interested in my working with them after I return to the states. I had a real good meeting for about 45 minutes with Sasha R. and Valerie the preachers that I work with from Komsomolsk who are also enjoying the work in the orphanages in Svetlovodsk and are doing a good job there. We had 12 for our devotional. Artem gave the talk and did a really good job! People stayed around until 9:30 this evening and I really enjoyed our time together!
Wednesday, January 30
I spent quite a bit of time cleaning up “corners” in my apartment. Cleaned my kitchen, I cleaned up my bookcase in the living room – I am afraid that I tend to let things kind of get stacked on the book case – not it is neat and clutter free. I took all the Christmas and New Years stuff down – I did have an artificial tree! Finally I cleaned the desks in my bedroom/office. It feels so much better not having so much clutter around – I threw away a lot of stuff! I took a break and went to the bank – it took about an hour here again – I really don’t like that part of banking here, but it is often the way it is. Then went to the drug store for some blood pressure meds, paid some bills, got a couple of things at the grocery store and came home. Then I also prepared for the Evening English Club – we had a record number with 13 people present! We had a good time and had 2 new people.
Thursday, January 31
Just in case you are interested – I still have my 6 hour sleeping habits. If I go to bed at 10, I wake up at 4, etc. So I usually start my day with checking the internet for email and corresponding with that. I check the weather and news on line, have breakfast and do my personal time of Bible Study and prayer. Then I usually get into my study time. I did a lot of study and Bible Study on lessons this morning. I ordered water (I get in 20 liter bottles delivered. It is a lot easier and cheaper this way) and it came at 8:30. I have fallen into a pattern of studying until about 10 and then showering. It refreshes me for more! Then I went back to my study until about noon. At 1:45 Olya, Sasha preacher and Valerie and I went to Svetlovodsk to the 2 orphanages. It is about a ½ hour drive over there. We met with the TB orphanage (children are taken here that have had a family background of TB or are have some tests that show that they have a weakness toward it. None have ever broken out and developed it.) director and visited 2 classes of children – 5th and 6th together and the 7th grade. All were eager to be with us and have classes with us. Everyone of the younger group said that they had Bibles are read them regularly!!! All of us were amazed at this! After visiting the other orphanage and watching Sasha and Valerie teach their class of about 20 kids with puppets, we returned home about 5:30. It was a good afternoon!
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