Kremenchuk Mission

Latest Trip to Ukraine

2009-02-02T14:37:00.001+02:00

I wanted to tell you about my latest trip to Ukraine. It was great, but too short! I knew it was going to be short - only a week - but I thought it would be much better than nothing. I was right on both accounts!

I arrived on January 8th with two of my sisters-in-Christ coming to meet me at the airport, Olya and Yulya. It was so awesome to see them as I came out those airport doors! What a strange thing it is to be homesick for people that aren't your physical family that live over 6,000 miles away! But as you know they have become my deep and spiritual family as I have been a part of bringing them to Christ over the last 8 years of work and involvement in Ukraine. I know I had been going through what is called reverse culture shock. I was adjusting to living in the USA again and being homesick for those I missed in Ukraine. So what a blessing it was to be back in Ukraine again, even though it was for only a week.

I found I didn't miss marshutkas (large vans that are used as buses to take people all over the place in Ukraine) travel as we traveled back to Kremenchuk. I got serious motion sickness and lost it all as I arrived in Kremenchuk with 15 wonderful friends greeting me when I got there! I ran to the bathroom and then came back to them! They had waited outside in about zero F weather for 45 minutes waiting for me. It was so wonderful to see them but I was so sick. I felt fine the next morning.

The next week, I was with my brothers and sisters in Christ as a group every night. I was with from 8 to 26 each evening. We had 2 devotionals, 2 worship services on Sunday and I preached and taught 3 times. I was in several homes and 1 orphan home. I was able to encourage and be encouraged almost hourly that I was awake. We walked and talked. We laughed and cried! For them and for me, it felt like I had never been away!! Except I was staying in someone elses home and not my own - that felt a bit weird!

While I was there we made final arrangements for our Bible Camp in August this year. For the first time it will not be at the Black Sea but at a Bible Camp that some of the members of the Church of Christ are building in Ukraine. It looks like it will be truly wonderful place for us to be and the cost will be a lot less than what we paid last year. One of the great disappointments for me, is that we are really struggling right now with Visa problems for our young University age sisters-in-Christ that want to come and be with us this summer in Des Moines, IA where I now preach. There have been many obstacles that have arisen that we did not anticipate. Please be praying for this.

Because our funding is way down from previous years because we now don't have as many full time financial supporters as in the past we are needing your assistance in a couple of ways:

1. If we are able to bring our young Ukrainians to the US to be strengthened in Christ, to strengthen us, and live with us, we are going to need funds to bring them here, then they will repay to the Ukrainian account as the work here. We will then use this money for Bible Camp. We already have 1 person that will cover the cost of travel for 1 Ukrainian sister. We need 3 more. OR we need several that will give some towards this. If you can assist us, please consdier the following:

A. One time contributions towards this that would be great!

B. Or if you can make monthly contributions from now through July, that too be a great blessing!

2. Our second need is funds for our Bible Camp and my travel this summer. Camp will cost us about $3,600 + this summer. IF our sisters from Ukraine cannot come, will you please still consider making the same kind of support just for our Bible Camp? This will be our 7th annual camp, and we really need your assistance with this! This has always been one of our strongest means of outreach, encouragement and growth over the years!

If you can assist us you can call me or email me. You can mail your contributions to:

Att: Ukraine Mission
Evergreen church of Christ
2207 Evergreen Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50320

Thank you so much for being a continued part of this ministry and this ongoing work of the Lord in Ukraine! You have blessed and continue to bless so many lives for the Lord!!!

Long Overdo

2008-11-12T02:23:00.002+02:00

Dear Friends and Family,
This is long overdo and I will attempt to update it more in the VERY near future. Just so that you know, I am now the preacher/evangelist with the Evergreen Church of Christ in Des Moines, IA. However, I am continuing my interest and work in Ukraine on a part time basis. I will write more about this to many of you and also include the letter on this blog. I am going to Ukraine for a week in January and then for a month in August and the Evergreen Church of Christ is now my overseeing congregation. I would hope that you will continue to support this mission effort in the months and years to come!
In Christ,
Doug Berry

Journal for July 1-15 2008

2008-07-15T19:15:00.000+03:00

Tuesday, July 1, 2008
My days are filled with packing my house, preparing for camp, working on my lessons for when I return to the US, packing for camp, and trying to get all money problems solved. The money thing is taking better shape now, thank the Lord! This is our 2nd week of Bible Studies and devo’s Monday through Friday and our plans are to continue them next week. We had 15 for our devo tonight and I fixed pumpkin muffins! I was going to fix pumpkin pies, but I couldn’t find that recipe – terrible!!! It’s my Mom’s recipe! I sure hope that I can find it! Each night, several are staying later and later – they don’t want to leave and I don’t want them too, even though I am pretty tired by night!
Wednesday, July 2
Our weather continues to be great with temps in the 70’s and at most low 80’s with at night around low 60’s! We have a lot of rain for a couple of days and then it clears up and we have some wonderful sunny days. Instead of Bible Study at my house tonight, we had a parent’s meeting at the church building at 7pm that took about an hour. Most parents have gone through this before, so our numbers were not large.
Thursday, July 3
My days are the same as are my nights. I try to schedule as many people into my day as possible, and still get all the other stuff done that I should do. We had our Bible Study tonight and food and fun afterwards, which really makes the days bearable!
Friday, July 4
No holiday celebration here, for the 4th of course. We tried to play Frisbee in the evening, but not enough people came, so we went to my house and more people came and we had a fun, impromptu dinner and evening. I was pretty blue tonight and I tried to keep it from showing, but people noticed and they did a good job of cheering me up!
Saturday, July 5
We had our Team Leaders Meeting for camp tonight. We had a lot to work with and ALL our Team Leaders were here and it went really well! The last to leave were Yura, Olya and Yulya as has been the case several times – I am thankful to have them! I took Yulya home at about 11:15pm and my car broke down on the bridge – it ended up it was my power train belt breaking! What do we do? Well, within 5 minutes a guy and friends driving an F10-150 – a BIG Ford pickup truck (I have seen maybe 2 of these in Ukraine – ever!) stopped and asked if we would like a tow across the bridge – and of course we accepted! Then he towed me back across the bridge and put the car at my place and will come and take it and fix it on Monday!!! Of course Yulya got home safe, too! Today is another National holiday here – they have a lot!
Sunday, July 6
Of course I had to take the marshutka (public transportation) to church back today – that was really taking me back to older times and I rather enjoyed it! After Sunday evening services 8 of us walked home and most came to my house again and we had a great time! I love these people so much!!!
Monday, July 7
Same oh, same oh. It doesn’t seem possible that what I am doing could be such a demanding these do, but it is! I also spent most of the morning getting my car fixed and it cost about $60 to get it all done. The banks were closed today – holiday weekend again! We had a good Bible Study in the evening.
Tuesday, July 8
Wow, it is just a week until camp!!! I can’t believe it! Frankie’s church and parents wired money to him to live on and for camp - $1000! We are now going to have all we need to cover all our costs! I backed out most of my teaching materials that I am leaving, Bibles, Books, Children’s Books, etc., etc. and at 3pm, with 4 of our guys helping me out we moved them to the church building. Maybe 20 boxes or more! We had 13 for our devo tonight and fixed Chocolate Chip cookies – using my LAST bag of chocolate chips! It’s all going away. I didn’t burn a cookie tonight! Yea! A lot of lasts happening here, but this is the last devo in my house in Kremenchuk! We have probably had at least 280 devos here in the last 6 years!
Wednesday, July 9
What was different today was that we went to the Orphan family to see them and encourage them. They are doing well and growing in their new faith!!! They are at peace and content as being new Christians! God is watching over them, protecting them and taking care of them! We had a good study. Afterwards, Artem, Olya and I went to buy materials to make Flags at camp and bandanas for each team. We will have a different color for each team and a camp flag for each team, too! We had 9 people at our Bible study tonight, and made my “famous” home-made pizza with the help of Olya and Artem! I do have to say it was really good! Everybody else thought so, too!
Thursday, July 10
I worked most of the morning on my power point presentation to make to Churches when I get back to the States. It went pretty well. At about noon, I took Anya O. and her mother to the hospital to pick up her grandmother and take her home. After that I did a bit of shopping, had lunch and then went to Alina’s to allow her parents to test drive the car they already said they would buy and then we had tea afterwards and I got home after 4:30 and spent nearly the rest of my time until Bible Study trying to finish most of the presentation. I also boiled some eggs to make hot tuna sandwiches. About 6:30 we had my very last Bible Study in my home with 9 people and then fixed the sandwiches – with a lot of help – afterwards. Probably my last large group meal, too unless we have something on Sunday afternoon. There should have been enough to feed at least twice that many, but we ate them all! The last of our group left about 9:30pm.
Friday, July 11
The last 3 days it has been raining – a lot! Working on the same stuff I have been working on. Alina came over at noon and helped all afternoon get my kitchen done and did a lot of other work as well. At 3:30 Frankie, Yura, Vika and I went to Anya O.’s graduation from the University and that was interesting and nice. We were going to play Frisbee but didn’t because of the rain – some came to my house and we played some games in the evening.
Saturday, July 12
The closets were my big project today and books and teaching materials – I took a load to the church at 4 for the Church discussion and then at 5 back home for a meeting about camp activities in the evenings. At 6:30 we played Frisbee, then people over here again until about 9:30 and I took some people home.
Sunday, July 13
After worship I took 6 to McDonalds for lunch and then we went back to the Church building to record Russian/Ukrainian songs at 1pm and we did this until 2:30. To my house with a half dozen again and then my first big stuff went out with Vika’s family getting my davenport, 2 arm chairs and foot stools out of my living room. At 6 we had a nice group of mixed older and younger with 18 present. One of our newest young people is Serge and he brought his mother with him this evening to worship with us as well. At 8pm, we had our last Team Leaders meeting before camp and finished up about 9 and I hadn’t had supper, so I went out with a couple of friends – Yulya and Alina and had a bite to eat!
Monday, July 14
I had a ton of last minute errands in the morning and Yulya helped me out with several things that I needed translation help with. At 1 we had about 15 people here and I did a free give away of many of my dishes and many things. It felt like a garage sale in my living room that was free. We did a drawing and people picked one thing at a time until it was all gone – it took over an hour to get it all gone! In the evening we went to our Orphan Family and had a pie and tea with them and a nice Bible study. Please pray for this family as they are going through birth and growing pains as new Christians often do. At 9:30, I went to a movie with some friends.
Tuesday, July 15
Today has been another crazy day of packing for camp and last minute things as I prepare for it. I have helped friends with errands with my car and now in about 20 minutes I will give my precious cat, Zhenya away! Oh, this is so hard! At 9:30pm we meet our bus to take us to the Black Sea Bible Camp and we will leave Kremenchuk about 10pm and return on the evening of the 26th. Please pray for us! I will be out of touch except by my cell phone. There is no internet in the small village that we will go to.

Journal for June 16-30

2008-07-03T07:44:00.002+03:00

Nastya's Birthday
Natasha's Birthday
A few of us at the last day of our VBS Day Camp
Victor's Baptism!
Inna's Baptism!

Monday, June 16, 2008
My life is going through more changes as our VBS Day Camp is now history and life slows down again – or so I thought. Just different is all. I have 5 main objectives in the next four weeks: 1) Prepare for the Black Sea Camp, 2) Spend as much time with people as I possibly can, 3) Have some evening Bible Studies leading up to camp, 4) Finish helping our Orphan family come to Christ and 5) Get everything packed out, given away, and ready to be out of this apartment and shipped back to the states! The first 2 of these objectives are right now paramount in my mind, but the others are just as demanding and have to be met as well! We didn’t go to the Orphan family tonight because they were busy and the parents gone.
Tuesday, June 17
We celebrated Ksusha’s birthday after devo tonight where we had 15. We had a good evening together.
Wednesday, June 18
I am having all kinds of banking problems in that my wired money that was supposed to arrive the first week in June still has not arrived – and this is the money we will pay for camp. As you will read this at the end of the month, I am sure that all will work out, but it is rather stressful! I spent the 2nd half of the day with Inna – one of my oldest student/friends. We had lunch together and went bowling together – I had been bowling in a long time and still remembered how! When I took Inna home, I saw her parents again after 5 years! Mostly I had seen her in Kiev where she has been going to the Univ. or when she was in town, she came to visit me and I never went to her parents’ home. It was really good to see them again.
Thursday, June 19
In the morning I went Sasha girl’s 9th grade graduation. It was nice and she sang a song in the entertainment part of the graduation time. In the afternoon, I studied. In the evening about 5 we (Artem, Olya and I) went to the Orphan home family village where there 2 twin boys had their 9th grade graduation. If you don’t know, students can either continue in school at this time or go to different colleges or technical schools. Many choose the latter route as all 3 of the graduates today will choose. Afterwards we were all hungry and Artem and I went to a pizza place to eat. I got home a little after 9. I am still working on the money wire transfer and they said that it will take at least 5 more days to work it out – my money is in Austria right now!!!
Friday, June 20
I am spending a lot of time on camp preparations. I spent some good quality time with a couple of my young people – I am trying to spend as much time with all of my young people as I possibly can to encourage them and just to be with them! The main event was school graduations took place this evening all across Kremenchuk and Ukraine. I went to school #11 for the last time for their graduation and one of our girls, Ivanna. When I walked up to the school, my first Ukrainian friend, Natalie – the English school teacher who left Ukraine to get married after the first few months that I was here – was at the school! It was fun and good to see her again! After the graduation I said good bye to several teachers and they were polite and kind. Another good bye.
Saturday, June 21
I haven’t been food or grocery shopping for some time so I went to the grocery store and market – both time consuming events. I had the bright idea of how to better give away my small items in my house. I was putting them in boxes in my living room and trying to get people to take them, but they wouldn’t do it! So I decided on Monday when our Bible Classes begin in the evenings (3 weeks of them before camp) I would do a “Christmas in June!” I had a lot of Christmas stockings left over from the holidays, so I hung them all over my living room – like I do at Christmas and started filling them with things for people to have. Every evening after Bible Classes and Devo, we will open them up and those that come, I will refill again! So some will get a lot more than others, because as they come, they get more! In the evening we had Frisbee and celebrated Nastya’s birthday.
Sunday, June 22
We had a good number at worship this morning. 4 of went to Prostor (like our Wal-Mart) had lunch together and bought a back-pack for Natasha’s birthday which we will celebrate tonight. I had a restful afternoon and then we had our evening worship and celebrated Natasha’s birthday at the church building and played games.
Monday, June 23
I had a busy study morning. Today I hung the stockings and began the process of going through my house step by step to empty it out as much as possible into the Christmas stockings. I sent out a text message to all inviting them to Christmas in June! Artem said it read the text 3 times because he couldn’t believe we were having Christmas in June! We had 10 for our first evening Bible Study. Everyone had fun opening their stockings and I cooked apple-jack pancakes for everyone! These evenings do look like that they will be late nighters!
Tuesday, June 24
I went to the market to buy extra food stuff for making tortias tonight – it is really improvising, because there are no true tortias here, but a kind of bread wrap that is similar, but a lot thinner. As I was starting to prepare supper, my kitchen sink fell apart – the drain rusted through and I had water everywhere! I took it apart and went to a plumbing outlet store that I know of – the ONLY one that I know of in Kremenchuk – and it was 5:15 and it was closed!!! So I washed dished that I had dirty and our evening meal dishes in my small bathroom sink and drained the dishes in my dish drainer moved to my bathtub! We had our devo tonight and Artem led the study on growing in our faith. Again we open stockings with 14 people here and several of us went for a walk after I cooked and we ate chocolate chip cookies! I have one bag of chocolate chips left! Pretty good timing and planning, don’t you think!?
Wednesday, June 25 – A Red Letter Day!
I continue to work on camp – I know a broken record! But it is coming along well and hopefully we will have a great camp! I also finished a chart that I have been working on about worshipping in song in our worship to God. I got to spend some extra time today with Zhenya and that was good. At 2, Yulya, Olya and I went to the Orphan family for our Bible Study! Victor is off from his work today, but the older kids were all working. I asked Inna and Victor if they were ready to be baptized and they said yes. So we went to the river, about 10 kilometers away, found a quiet spot and baptized them into Christ about 3:30pm!!! Yes, it was a great day and afternoon!!! We had 11 for our evening Bible Study that went well. Everyone enjoyed their stockings again. My tortias went over well and I took the last people home around 9.
Thursday, June 26
I went to the bank today and my money is still not there!!! So I wrote and then called the bank in the US, practically begging them to help me get it straightened out! They are not being a lot of help! They don’t seem to care! They said that I should go to my bank here and ask them to help too, which I will do tomorrow. I met Inna, who is the young woman that I first knew in the 9th grade when I was first here and is married and going to Spain to join her husband. We had lunch and a nice chat. It maybe the last time I see her for a long time! I have been sleeping only 4 to 5 hours a night for about a week and it caught up to me today. So I slept about 2 ½ hours in the afternoon. In the evening I was much better. We had 9 for our evening Bible Class. I fixed chili tonight and went to a late movie with a couple of our group.
Friday, June 27
I have been mistaken about the US bank – I have found out that they have been working very hard on this problem. I was telling a friend the other day that it seems like for people in the USA time is measured by weekends, where as we have daily and hourly pressing needs here that are not often realized by American friends and brothers in Christ. Often, we must move forward in actions with faith in God and also knowing that our US Brethren will act faithful in the future. So what about Friday? My life is full of camp, preparations for the future and people right now! In the evening we had a nice evening of Frisbee with 8 of us and 6 of those coming to my house afterwards until about 10:30.
Saturday, June 28
Since I am preaching tomorrow, I have spent several hours working on my sermon and today in finishing it up. We had no planned activity today, but again I was blessed to be with several of my brothers and sisters in Christ. In the evening we walked to the Lenin Square, where a large crowd was gathered to celebrate the Day of the Constitution. I had my sermon outline translated into Russian, so I could share it with the Church and with those that were not able to be there to hear it.
Sunday, June 29
I believe that my sermon went well and was appreciated by the Church. Our worship was good! Afterwards, about 12:15, I left for a couple of days in Kiev. I am visiting one of my students, Lilya who I have known since she was in the 9th grade. I stayed at a decent hotel and met her in the center, traveling by the metro. Today was another holiday – the Day of Youth and the center of Kiev was much more crowded than Kremenchuk’s was yesterday! We had a nice walk and supper together.
Monday, June 30
I rested and read in the morning in my hotel room and then met Lilya at 1pm in the center again and we spent the afternoon together. We said our goodbyes about 6pm. It was so hard to say goodbye. She is such a dear daughter to me! (Just a note, so you don’t have to wait to long to get the message – on July 2nd, most of my money and banking problems have been resolved.)

Doug's Contact Information

2008-06-20T12:53:00.000+03:00

Cell Phone: 011-380-96-564-4311
Home Phone: 011-380-536-791-737
Internet Number in the USA to call me: 931-442-0937
Email: doug_berry2001@yahoo.com
Website: ukrainemission.com
Blog: Kremenchuk.blogspot.com
USA contact: Steve Jefferson: 931-433-0189

June Newsletter

2008-06-20T12:49:00.002+03:00

Dear Family in the Lord
I have such appreciation and thankfulness in the Lord for you as you have so faithfully been with me over these last 6 years! What a blessing you have been to me and this ministry. Praise God for the love and service you have rendered to Him!
Moving Forward
We have just finished our 2 weeks of VBS Day Camp here with an average attendance of 14, with a low of 7 the first day and a high of 18 with ages ranging for 3rd grade to 8th grade. That is pretty good for us here! We have 8 of these young people that will go to the Black Sea with us this year at our Bible Camp there in July.
I have 5 main objectives in the next six weeks: 1) Prepare for the Black Sea Camp and carry it out, 2) Spend as much time with people as I possibly can, 3) Have some evening Bible Studies leading up to camp, 4) Finish helping our Orphan family come to Christ and 5) Get everything packed out, given away, and ready to be out of this apartment and shipped back to the states! The first 2 of these objectives are right now paramount in my mind, but the others are just as demanding and have to be met as well.
I have bought my ticket back to the USA for July 31, and I will first go to Fayetteville, TN to be with my overseeing congregation as we finish things up there and say good bye to those very wonderful and faithful people that have been with me all of these wonderful years. From there I will probably visit some congregations that I have been in contact with about ministry work. Please pray for my future work in the Lord’s Church.
About the future work in Ukraine, I am still planning on coming back in the summers to direct and be apart of Bible Camps. Please continue to support us in this work. Also, very important, please let us know of your intentions to continue to support us, so I can make future plans! Thank you so much!!!
Looking Back
I want to back up about 6 years! I started this work as the only worker on the field. Over the last 6 years we have had numerous short term summer workers join us as well as 4 full time workers that came for at least 18 months at a time. We have had 3 full time native workers working with us as well.
We came working in one school and over the years we have worked regularly in 6 schools in Kremenchuk and surrounding villages and cities. We have literally taught thousands of children over the last 6 years in their own schools. One School Director told me that he was glad to have me come back and work in his school, because I taught and did exactly what I said I would! He said I was always welcome to come back again!
We started working with Gregory in a small prison work that we continued to support over the full time of my work here. The prison work has grown to serving about 150 boys and we made sandwiches for them every Sunday for 6 years. We made approximately 35,000 sandwiches during this time! We also developed work in 4 orphanages as well, again teaching literally hundreds of kids during this time. We have been actively involved in Bible Teaching and in benevolence to these children.
We have also assisted in the work and development of 5 churches of Christ over the last 6 years, with different degrees of success.
As you know, our main outreach has been to school and University age students, also with the goal of also reaching parents through the young people. We have used teaching at schools, Singing, Devotionals and worship services at my home and at the church building. We have used Bible Clubs growing from 1 a weekend to 4 every weekend. Again, 100s have been taught the truth and 42 have been saved, including 8 parents! 82% of these have remained faithful and we are working with 3 of them to restore them and bring them back to the faith. Also a very large part of our work has been our summer campaigns, Bible Classes and Bible Camps. We have had 5 Black Sea Bible Camps and will have our 6th this summer before I return to the States.
The only goal I have not fulfilled as I wished was my learning of the language and being able to teach in it. Language has been one of my biggest struggles in being in Ukraine.

June 1-15 Journal - Featuring VBS Day Camp

2008-06-16T06:30:00.003+03:00

Our afternoon 6th-8th grade Bible Class with Frankie teaching.
Olya (Univ student and teacher) in the middle of 2 campers
It's dinner time! We had 2 snack times and dinner every day!
One of our devotionals during camp!

This was a special time every day.

Sunday, June 1, 2008
Worship was at 10am – a long service to 12 today as a visiting American had a long sermon – good but long! Then I had a meeting with our workers for camp. We have 6 women from the Church that are teaching Bible Classes for the first time!!! I am very proud and excited for them! We have a great group of ladies working with us this year! Then we made sandwiches for the boy’s prison and had chili at my house for 6 of us. At 2 we went to the Orphan family home to celebrate with the Katya, who is 6 years old today! I got back from there about 4:30pm and had my English Bible Club at the Church building at 5pm. That ended well – that was the last class for this study. Then at 6pm, we had a good worship service and I got home about 8.
Monday, June 2
We started our Day Camp from 8 to 4:30 today with 7 students (ages 3rd grade through 8th grade). We had no idea how many to expect! It’s a fewer than we hoped for, but hopefully it will grow! We changed our schedule up because of the kids schedule and started our Devotional at 10 and our first class at 11 with just one class in the morning instead of 2. We had lunch and our 2nd class at 2:30. In between we played a lot of games and had a lot of fun!!! We finished with a devo at about 4:15.
Tuesday, June 3 – Jenise’s Birthday (daughter) and Yulya’s 4th Spiritual Birthday today, too!
Today we had 11 at camp and we did it all over again! A good day. Then at 6 we had our devo with 13 people. People stayed around until 9:30.
Wednesday, June 4
Again Camp with 14 today! We are growing. We moved our starting time to 9am. Camp is going really well. I took my first evening off after camp – no plans tonight!
Thursday, June 5
Camp had 12 today, but our 15th new camper was with us! We have had just great help from the church ladies and our young people! It has been a great blend and mixture of workers and has gone really well. Tonight at 6:30 Artem, Olya and I went to the Orphan family for a Bible study and we had all 3 older kids and mom and dad there. First we had our traditional tea and cookies. Then we got into a very serious Bible Study. Artem and Olya shared their conversion and faith stories, we looked at the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. We talked to the twin boys who were baptized 2 years ago at camp very serious about coming back to faithfulness. We were there until almost 10 and I didn’t get home until after 10:30.
Friday, June 6
Olya insisted that she would come and work at camp all day today, if I would take the day off and rest! Last night I was soooo tired! So, I got her to camp (our camp has been at the church building). There was plenty of help and they did fine. I then went to the market (I hadn’t been in over a week!). Then I came home and took a nap!!! Then I fixed lunch and ate. Then took another nap! I told you I was tired! I did take time to work more on camp stuff. There is always so much to do with the Bible Camp! I went back to the Day Camp at 4 and we finished up there – they did great without me! I guess that is good – sure it is! At 6 we had Frisbee with a great turn out of 16 people and we played 3 really good games – I played the first 2. Then we had a meeting at my house to look at another camp site in the same town on the Black Sea that we were at 2 years ago. It is a lot better place and offer than anything else we have seen and decided to change our plans and take it. We will leave on the 15th at 9pm and be there for 10 full days before returning on the 26th. That leaves me just 5 days to finish up here before moving back to the US, but God will provide a way! The last of our young people – Olya and Yura left my house at 10:30pm.
Saturday, June 7
It seems strange not preparing for Bible Clubs – last weekend was our last. With the Day Camp, there was just too much to do. And now I have one day to catch up on a week – really 2 for there is next week and our Day Camp. Sometimes it is easy to feel overwhelmed. I know that the Apostle Paul felt that way – 2 Corinthians is full of that for him – even though I do have to say that the trials that he went through were a lot more severe than mine!
Sunday, June 8
A good morning of worship. At 2:30pm Vika came to me very distraught and crying. Her grandmother, that has been living with them, passed away. I spent some time with her and wanted to go to the family, but families are very private here and it was not the thing to do. In the afternoon, I also went to where Ksusha was working (her grandmother too) and tried to speak some words of comfort to her, but she was dealing with it ok and was very busy at work. I spoke to our evening service about God’s comfort.
Monday, June 9
We got off to another good start with VBS Day Camp. We are up to 16 registered and had 15 in attendance. Most of the time, we have had nearly all our campers coming back every day. Many times they ride across town and walk to us – sometimes 30 to 45 minutes. One of the girls who is in the 5th grade comes by 2 buses about 45 minutes away to come to our camp every day! In the evening, Artem, Olya and I again went to the Orphan family for our Bible Study. Tonight we studied many passages in the NT about Baptism and what God commands of us and the blessings He brings to us when we are Baptized into Christ. At the conclusion of our study, Inna (mother) said she wanted to be baptized! Then Victor (father) said that he wanted to be baptized too! The first we expected, the 2nd we were all taken by surprise. I think that Inna was more surprised than anyone else! I tried to encourage them to do it now, but they insisted that they wanted to be baptized on Sunday. I have been strongly encouraging them to come to church services, even though this is difficult for them with a large family and a small car. They said that they would come on Sunday, then we would go to a local river and baptize them! This is such a joyous evening as we have been working towards this for nearly 2 years!
Tuesday, June 10
I put these 3 days together, because nearly everything was the same about our Day Camp. It continues to go well and we hit a high of 18 on Tuesday! The teachers are doing great, we have had great help from our young people and the kids – on the whole – are doing great. We have had a couple of boys that have caused us some bad headaches, but that is normal, too! On Tuesday night we had our devo and as usual, that went well. Frankie led the devo this evening.
Wednesday, June 11
Wednesday morning, Frankie and I spent the morning at the funeral of Vika, Ksusha and Nadya’s (Ksusha’s mom) grandmother and mother. After the funeral, the family practically begged me to also come to the funeral dinner, so I did taking Frankie back to the church building to help with the camp. I returned to the camp, after the dinner about 1pm. Our Church ladies and young people did a good job of keeping the camp going while we were gone.
Thursday, June 12
Thursday was our last day of classes, as we plan to have a fun day on Friday! We had 14 today at camp.
Friday, June 13 – Anton’s 4th year Spiritual Birthday
One of the things that I haven’t mentioned is that several of our young people are going through exams at this time and are working around their exams to help at camp! I am very proud of how hard they have worked. These are such difficult and demanding exams – both at the school and university level. Today we went to the park for the morning and played outside games. Then after lunch we had games inside – we were going to have outside water games, but it rained – no fun having water games in the rain – you want to have them in the sun! In between I had to try and find a color cartridge for my printer. I thought I could just go to the store where I have gotten one for the last 5 years – but no, that would be too easy! They were out and didn’t have one! So I went to 4 different stores and NO ONE had one!!! What is going on here??? So I had to make our final rewards in black and white – ok, but not what I wanted to give to the kids! Back to camp. We finished with a nice devotional and awards presentation of best boy and girl campers. But everyone received a gift package put together by the ladies of the church and the kids really seemed to like that. We also gave each child either a full Russian Bible or a Children’s Bible Story Book – whichever they wanted. In the evening 10 of us played Ultimate Frisbee and that was good, but I was pretty exhausted afterwards! Then people came over to my house until about 10.
Saturday, June 14
Today is Ksusha’s 18th birthday! But is a sad, sweet day for her as she is still mourning her grandmother’s loss. Again, it is a day of recovery for me after Frisbee and a long week of camp. I worked on our Bible Camp again and more – there is just so much to do with this!
Sunday, June 15
Today was to be a glorious day, but it fizzled out. Again, I have had Father’s Day away from my kids. I don’t know where I will be next Father’s Day, but at least it will be someplace where my kids can easily call and talk to me! Victor and Inna, of the Orphan family didn’t come and bring their family to church today as they had said they would. I found out that Victor was called into work. So also, they won’t be baptized today. This was a real discouragement to me. I worry for them! Maybe tomorrow evening. My afternoon was long. Jenise, my oldest daughter did call at 5pm and that was nice. At our evening services we had 12. I had bought a gallon of fresh strawberries and took them to the church building with me and then after services bought ice cream, and we had them together. Then a thunderstorm hit and I took people home in 2 car loads – 3 decided to walk! It was really raining hard. At 10:30 Ben also called and Janessa and Butch left messages on my answering machine. So I did at least hear from all my kids today!

Journal for May 16-31 2008

2008-06-03T05:43:00.000+03:00

Friday, May 16, 2008
I didn’t mention that I spent considerable time yesterday filling up 5, 6 and 10 liter water bottles – all that I had in the house with water – and that’s quite a few as I used to get all my drinking water this way. Because they are going to turn off all water in all the city until Monday! Isn’t that wonderful? I am not sure why. Some say maybe it is because they are going to clean the sewer systems out. Well, true to form, we had no water when I got up this morning. Interesting, huh? I worked on our add for the upcoming Day Camp the first of June. I prepared for a class that didn’t show up at school 10 at 2. We had Frisbee at 5 that just 5 people came to and that’s not enough to play ultimate Frisbee with!
Saturday, May 17
Again no water. We had 2 and 2 for our Bible Clubs today – our last ones. Sad. An end of an era. Everything slows down this time of year as the Universities and Schools come to and end and prepare for exams in June.
Sunday, May 18
A good day of worship and fellowship. We made sandwiches for the boy’s prison. Then 6 of us ate together. Then we went to Potoki orphanage for the last time – I probably won’t be in Kremenchuk next Sunday and after that schools are done and the orphanages basically shut down for the summer or take the kids to summer camps for the summer months. We had 5 at our Adult beginner Bible Club at 5 at the church building and we had 14 for our evening worship. By the way, we got water back about noon today! Early but good. I am not complaining!
Monday, May 19
For us our weather is really turning hot – low to mid 80’s. At 2, Olya, Yulya and Vika and I went to Bugkivka for their annual spring celebration. It’s always on May 19. This is the 5th time (I think!) that I have been to this event. We watched them play games, get awards, and have a concert. They also fed us with buck wheat which is a tradition – they do a very good job of fixing it! We got home after 10pm. They went till midnight, but we didn’t want to stay that long!
Tuesday, May 20
I’m working on the day camp and camp. I went, with translation help, of course, to the director at School 11 and she said we could pass out invitations to our day camp in the hall way between classes, so we will do that later in the week. Devo with 9 people tonight.
Wednesday, May 21
I visited School 9 today to ask about inviting kids and the new director said yes, but come later – tomorrow we will come! I prepared for English club plus worked on a number of other things. We had only 3 at our last English Club. We were able to make contacts that we would have never made any other way, and yet we saw no Bible studies or conversions out of this class. 2 of the students have come to some of our other Bible Studies.
Thursday, May 22
Went to School 9 and handed out, with the help of Yulya translating and a school assistant, invitations to the Bible Day Camp! That went well. Prepared for the afternoon at the Orphanage and those classes went well with Olya, Yulya and Natasha. At 8pm we went to the Orphan Family study – late because they were working in the fields. When we got there they were still working. They were haying the old fashioned way. There was an extra pitch fork – and I had done a lot of this as a kid – so I pitched in and helped for about an hour. I probably shouldn’t have as I hurt my lower back and am in a lot of pain. We left without having a Bible Study and they were still working.
Friday, May 23
I struggled with a lot of pain in my back this morning, but I decided that I had some things that I had to do. So, Sasha R. – older buy and preacher in Komsomolsk – went with me to School 11 and 10 and handed out invitations for the Day Camp. I have probably handed out over 350 so far! We will hand out at one more school - #1. Olya and Yulya have agreed to do that one! I had lunch with Buddy Baker and Jerry Morgan today as they are in town. They are missionaries that bring clothes, food, special needs, etc. to 10 orphanages in our area. They do a great work! I came home and rested my sore back – it is a bit better. At 6 we were supposed to play Frisbee but it rained! It finally has cooled things down!!! So 3 came here and we played cards. I also packed 2 suitcases of clothes and books that Buddy Baker will take back with him and to Fayetteville for me! This will be a great help! We (fellow card players) met Nastya at the train station and took her home and then took the 2 suitcases to the Church building for Buddy to get on Sunday. Then Olya and Yura and I came back and played another game of Phase 10, finishing up about 10pm.
Saturday, May 24 and Sunday May 25
Natasha (a year old Christian and a 27 year old student) has been asking me for some time to go and visit her family, so today I went with her to village, 100 Kilometers away – 60 miles, to visit her family. Her main family in the village consists of her Mom, her sister and a niece and nephew. They were all really nice and I enjoyed spending the time with them and walking with them in their village. They were really nice to me! We came back on Sunday afternoon and were back in time for evening services where I preached. Then I had to get ready for my trip tomorrow!
Monday, May 26 and Tuesday, May 27
I left the house at 6:30 in the morning to pick up Ksusha, Vika and Zhenya for our trip down to the Azov Sea to check out a site for Bible Camp. We have had so many unpleasant surprises over the years of campsites we have not seen, so I decided that we would look at this one! This trip was 500 Kilometers or about 300 miles and took us 6 hours to get there, with getting lost a couple of times in big cities! But it was a nice place for Ukrainian camp sites and the Sea is only about a 5 minute walk away and the water was warm! The Azov Sea is not near as deep a sea as the Black Sea. It is located on the South eastern part of the country. Overall, we liked the place a lot. On the way back we stopped in another city and saw a Kosak museum that was really nice and we also stopped for dinner – so it took us about 8 hours to get back. We were back in time for devo and we had 10 for devo tonight. The travel on both days was hard on my back, but I believe it is getting better.
Wednesday, May 28
An extremely busy day of catching up after being gone for 4 days. At 5pm I had a meeting with my new teachers and workers from the Church. I have 6 ladies that have volunteered to help teach this year at the Children’s Day Camp that have NEVER taught before. So we have a lot of work that we are doing with them. By late afternoon, I was wanting a break, so I called Artem and Ksusha to see if they would like to go and see the new Indiana Jones movie with me – and translate for me! They agreed, so we got tickets and went at 6:30. It was pretty good and Ksusha did a good job translating most of it for me!
Thursday, May 29
Worked a lot on the day camp today coming up – it starts Monday! I am working on getting it all ready. At 6, Olya and I went out and had a good time and Bible Study with the Orphan family and got home around 9. What I don’t often write about, in all these trips that I take to the villages, to schools, to this family (about a 20 minute ride) I often have great opportunities to talk and share with my young people that go with me. For example, Olya and I have been working with this family for a long time now and we have some great conversations going and coming! I am really proud of her work with this family!!!
Friday, May 30
Again, I am still working on camp for Monday. I had to go to the bank today. I almost hate this time, because it seems like I have to always wait 30 to 60 minutes just to get in to take money out. But – I try – to wait patiently knowing that this is going to happen! I had to pay for utilities today, phone and run a hundred errands besides get to the market and store. It all sounds so mundane but it all takes a large amount of time! We had 9 for Frisbee tonight at 6 – which is really a good number for our first game (1 persons didn’t want to play). Then a couple left and there 7 us left. 3 girls and 3 guys besides me. So they decided to play girls against guys. Now the girls are really good, but the guys are just a lot more athletic than the girls. I played with the girls – I’m not athletic at all! (By the way, my back is much better – hope it will still be that way after tonight!) The guys beat us, but we had a lot of fun! Afterwards, all 7 of us went to my house to look at the Azov Sea pictures, eat and talk about camp! We were together until 10:30 when all went home.
Saturday, May 31
(By the way, my back is not hurting this morning!!!) I picked up Artem and Sasha girl and we left for the airport in Borispil by Kiev to pick up Frankie Villegas who is coming in to work with us for the summer! We are so thankful and excited to have him with us! We got back about 4:15pm (this is about 550 kilometers trip and about 7 hours or so of driving) to a welcome party at my house, ate, got him to his apartment that he will be staying at this summer, and I got home exhausted about 8pm.

Special Note

2008-05-17T11:05:00.002+03:00

We have received commitments from 2 families for $50 each ($100) for our camp needs for this summer. 2 others have told me that they are going to talk to their local congregations about our needs. This is very much appreciated!
Let me remind all who read this that our needs are at least $500 for our VBS Day Camp at the beginning of June for 2 weeks and at least $2,500 for our 2 week Bible Camp in July.
We have 2 of our young Christians here that have told me that they are each going to donate more than $100 towards camp this year ABOVE what their cost of camp will be, so we can be sure and have camp!!! That is over ½ of the money they will make for an entire month!
Will you please help, too? Thank you!

Journal for May 7-15

2008-05-17T10:56:00.004+03:00

Wednesday, May 7 and Thursday, May 8
I am lumping these two days together because they were “lumpy” kind of days! I really struggled with being productive these 2 days. Oh, I prepared for English Club and we had 4 – what is going on with that??? And it is Ukrainian holiday time and nothing much is going on. There is plenty that I could do and need to do. I have always felt that I was a pretty good self-motivator, but these days – wow – not so much. On Thursday evening at 5 I went to our Frisbee playing area and 9 of us had a good time for about 2 hours or so, but I was pretty worn down – no energy. I know that I am struggling with life like endings here and waiting for new beginnings – caught in the middle of time. The known trials of saying good byes here and the future unknown of where I will be and what work I will be doing. I constantly have to tell myself to stop worrying and turn it all over to the Lord. I could not carry the burden of life if it was not for Him!!!
Friday, May 9
Today is Victory Day – the day “The Great Patriotic War” came to and end in Europe or what we know as WWII. I expected a parade today, so I went outside with my camera and waited in the park, but nothing came. It was a bit cool, but a pleasant morning to wait in the park! So later I went shopping and then went home. I am still not much in a study mood, but am doing much better today. We met at 6 to play Frisbee again, but only 6 came – probably because of the holiday. So, I invited everyone home with me about 7 and I fixed hot tuna sandwiches and made peanut butter cookies, we played cards and had a great time together!!!

Saturday, May 10
Bible Clubs were pretty much a flop today. In the morning I was working on lessons and computer started acting really weird! I couldn’t do anything buy highlight text! Finally I opened the internet and tried to write an email and it all of sudden started working ok! Well, we had 1 for Adult Bible Club and 3 for the Teen one. End of the school year is a big reason for this as everyone is SO busy!
Sunday, May 11
As we sat down for services this morning and had our first prayer and couple of songs, Andrey announced that I was preaching. I had said last Sunday that I would like to preach again next Sunday and finish my text of 2 Cor 5, but it was translated as I was going to preach! It was a very good thing that when I was preparing last weeks Sermon, that I work on the whole chapter – so I got up and preached somewhat impromptu and all said that it went really well! After services we had our monthly fellowship meal with more people than ever before! Then Sasha girl and I spent the afternoon together – with Yura (guy) joining us later on. It was a really good time with Sasha and I. At 5pm we had our Parent Beginners Bible Club with 6 students (Sasha 9th grade translated) – we have had 3 baptisms out of this Bible Club. At 6pm we had our worship with 17 present and I preached and we had a good service. Some stayed around afterwards for tea and cookies and we went home about 8:30.
Monday, May 12
I had too much on my mind to have a day off today. I worked on my charts – I have decided to use them as our main study for our July Bible Camp. I did more study – again on Woman’s Role in the Church. I made granola cereal around other things. Sergie needed help so I spent a couple of hours helping him. I ate at McDonalds! I haven’t done that in quite a while! Sometimes a day just flies by and this was one of them. I picked up Olya at 5:45pm and we went to the Orphan family for our Bible study and that went very well! Olya and I afterwards picked up Yulya and I treated them to McDonalds and they bought happy meals and just delighted in them!!! We went to my house at 8:30 and joked, ate and played cards until 10:30pm and I took them home. I ended up in bed finally about 11:30 – but a really good day!
Tuesday, May 13
This morning I spent some time in emails, spent more time personal study. After cleaning up, I worked on my devo for tonight from 1 John 2:15-17 – do not love the world. Now I am again catching up on my journal. I had a busy afternoon, part of what was working on camp things. Our numbers were small for Tuesday night with 9 people present.
Wednesday, May 14
Again, I spent a lot of time on camp. I also spent time on lesson preparations. Then at 2, Yulya and I went to Bugkivka, our village 37 miles away and studied with 2 of our 11th grade girls and 1 8th grade girls. 2 of our 8th grade girls want to go to camp with us for sure, and MAYBE the 11th grade girls too, if they can finish their entrance exams into their desired universities. It is looking like we will have between 30 and 40 to go to the Bible Camp at the sea with us again this year. This is such an important time in the lives of these young people because it gives them Spiritual encouragement and hope to carry on and brings many to Christ for the first time! Our English Club had 7 tonight – a little better than last week.
Thursday, May 15
I did some shopping for food, etc. this morning – yup I have to do that for some reason! I spent a couple of hours getting ready for our studies at the Orphanage in Svetlovodsk, about 18 miles away. I had to fill up with gas today – translated into American money the cost is $4.71 a gallon now. It is almost 3 times more than what it was when I first came here! Sasha Revaykin went with me, for he will take over the leadership of teaching these classes after I leave. 3 of our young Christian sisters that are working here, also want to continue to work here. Look at my Blog site for this journal and pictures!

Journal May 1-6 2008

2008-05-06T13:41:00.001+03:00

Thursday, May 1, 2008
I went shopping this morning for chicken! I bought 36 drumsticks for our cookout and picnic. I dug out my grill, charcoal and lighter fluid (even though it is not called that here.) People started coming around 10am and 9 of us gathered for our Holiday picnic – many are out of town. We started hunting for more charcoal and ended up going all the way across town to get some more. Then a little after 11 we went out to the river side in a park area and had a good time. There are no picnic tables, so we spread a large blanket on the ground, blew up a couple of air mattress. The guys gathered wood for another fire besides my grill and the girls prepared salads. We had enough chicken for 2 meals so we ate about 12:30 and then again about 5. In between we played Frisbee, prayed together, played cards together, went for walks and had a really lovely afternoon. We headed for home around 6.
Friday, May 2
I have been working on my sermon for Sunday all week. It will come from 2 Cor. 5:1-10. In the evening at 6, nine of us gathered to play Frisbee and we had a really nice time together. I got home about 8:30 pretty exhausted!
Saturday, May 3
I prepared 3 new Bible Club lessons. The Adult Bible Club had 1 person, so we just talked. The Teen Bible Club had 4, with several absent. But we celebrated Lera’s 12th birthday and that was great! 2 more came after Bible Club and we had 6 for the party – pretty small, but we had a great time. I have known Lera since she was 6! Her and her Mom, Nadya, will both go to camp with us. Lera has been nearly every year. I asked Nadya what Lera wanted for her birthday and her Mom said a skateboard! A very rare thing for a girl in Ukraine to want that! But she said that she had been asking for it for a year, so I got her a skate board and pads for her knees, arms and wrists. She was so excited!!! She literally jumped up and down for joy! All went home around 9.
Sunday, May 4
A day of great blessing! Ksusha’s Mom, Nadya (different one from the above mentioned) has been coming to most things for most of the last year. Kelli studied with her, Ksusha has and lately I have too. This morning as we approached the church building, Nadya told me she wanted to be baptized! Oh, what great joy! We have to basically fill the baptistery – a very large bathtub – by hand – at least the hot water part. So, I came, with Sasha girl’s help at 4pm and began to fill it up. At 5 we had our Parent’s Bible Club (we had 5, with 2 non-Christians in attendance) – this is our 3rd baptism from this class as Nadya was one of our first Parents to attend this class. Though some were skeptical of my original plan to reach parents through our youth, several parents have become Christians over the years through their children. At about 6:15pm I baptized Nadya into Christ! This is our 40th baptism of our work since we have been in Ukraine. We had 22 for our worship service tonight and it was very rewarding service. I preached for both services today and one of the ladies from the morning worship told me that was the best sermon she had heard in 10 years! I think people react like this when a sermon really touches their hearts, so I am thankful that I could have blessed her life in this way. At about 8:20pm, I had about a 45 minute talk with the elders and deacons from the Ottawa Church of Christ, in Ottawa, IL. It was a nice conversation! It was a really great day!
Monday, May 5
About 9am I left home to gas up my car and take Ksusha to Poltava (120 Kilometers away) for her 3 weeks of University study. She does this study as a kind of extension study. She always finds these 2 to 3 weeks very hard as she gets very lonely being away from home. After taking her, we ate lunch together and I came home, getting back around 2:30pm. Then at 5:30 we went to our Bible study with the Orphan’s family and that went very well. We left about 8:30 and I got home around 9. So a 9 to 9 day with a little break in between!
Tuesday, May 6
Ben, my son, called me this morning at 6:10 my time (I was up at 5:20) on Skype. We talked about several things and it was great visiting with him! He told me that one congregation that I applied to in CO that he is familiar with, was very interested in my working with them. The retiring preacher, Bob Lewis, was the preacher at York, NE Easthill Church of Christ when I was a student at York. I always loved him and looked up to him so much! So Ben called to tell me that and encourage me! It worked! At 10am, Zhenya girl (really young woman of 23) called and asked for my help, so I took her on a couple of errands and then took her to work. From their I went to a big super market, shopped and got home around noon. Then I caught up on my journal and fixed lunch and now it is 1:13pm!

Journal for April 16-30, 2008

2008-05-06T11:46:00.000+03:00

Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Normal work day in the morning. In the afternoon, Ksusha and I went to the village and had a real good study with our 4 11th grade girls there. Because of exams and future Univ. plans, they don’t know if they will be able to come to camp with us this summer. I really want them to come! We had 10 for our English Club tonight and that was fun and went well finishing about 7:30.
Thursday, April 17
Our big extra thing to do is to go to the town of Svetlovodsk to the Orphanage. We had probably 50 kids in the 4th, 5th and 6th grade classes. We did a puppet show for them, then classes with lessons and crafts and games. It was a beautiful day and we stopped and took pictures on a hillside. I love spring! Did I say that before?!? We got back in around 5. Artem asked me to take him for a driver’s lesson and I did for about an hour then he took me out to eat and I got home around 8:30pm. Nice day.
Friday, April 18
Today was the last day for some of our American friends and teachers at the Bible College to be here, so they invited me to come to a party for their classes and that was fun. Then I went to my house and got Frisbees and water and walked to our playing field. We had 15 tonight, but I didn’t play so the teams were even. My low back has been bothering me and more today, so I didn’t play. Ksusha brought 6 of her non-Christian friends and that went well and they had a blast! We finished up around 8.
Saturday, April 19
Bible Clubs went well – we had 5 in each. At the Church discussion there was no translator, but a couple of young people that knew a little English and with my little Russian we did ok – but rather frustrating!
Sunday, April 20
We cleaned the church building after services and then we went to my house and made sandwiches for the prison. We have roughly made 30,800 sandwiches for the boys over the last 5 ½ + years! I believe that it has been a very worthy work and I thank all those who have given money for this work! A husband and wife Dr. team that I had seen maybe a couple years ago for a rash, called me and wanted to meet with me. They are wanting to immigrate to the US and wanted my help with English and learning more about America. We had about an hour visit and he will come to my English Club meetings. In the evening worship service we had 3 adult visitors and some good discussion afterwards about Church and worship and prayer. However one lady got very obnoxious and that kind of spoiled it all.
Monday, April 21
I had about 2/3 of a day off and so that was good. At 5, Olya and I went shopping for Elona’s birthday In the evening we went to the twins home (orphan family) and studied some OT characters and talked a lot about faith and how we have to act on our faith for it to really be worth anything! We also celebrated the oldest orphan’s girl birthday (Elona) who turned 8 and that was a lot of fun, too! After taking everyone home, I got home around 9. On a sad note, my cat had at least 7 seizures today and they are getting worse.
Tuesday, April 22
I spent quite a bit of time on the internet today with contacts for future churches, but definitely nothing fixed or really close as of yet. I also studied about being ready for the second coming and accepting the fact that we have to watch and be ready at all times. My cat had one more seizure today and I thought he was going to die with that one, but he pulled through. We had 12 for our devo tonight and the lesson went well.
Wednesday, April 23
Natasha was my translator today for the village and we had 3 girls and a good study – I decided to study with them on the 2nd coming too and the study went well. We had 4 for English Club tonight – rainy day all day that may have kept people away – who knows!
Thursday, April 24
Artem wasn’t working today, so he went with Natasha, Olya and Yulya and I to the Orphanage in Svetlovodsk. It is about 15 to 20 miles away. It is a town of about 60,000 and he had never been there before. We did puppets and classes again, but not so many students today. Sunday is Easter here and then Ukraine has 3 holidays in early May, so we won’t be back here for 3 weeks! No schools next week at all! I haven’t felt good all day – felt really stressed – for unknown reasons – really! – and a headache, so I just went home and crashed afterwards and went to bed early!
Friday, April 25
We had a birthday celebration for Sasha guy (hey, how am I going to keep them separate?! I can’t pronounce many of the last names – sorry to say!) who just turned 20. Our celebration started at 5 and we had a great evening together.
Saturday, April 26
Today is the day before Ukrainian or Orthodox Easter or as they call it, Paska (Same word as Passover.) There are no Bible Clubs today because most are busy with family on this 2nd biggest holiday of the year (New Year’s is 1st). 9 of us did gather to play Frisbee and I played without hurting my back! God has really answered my prayers about my back!
Sunday, April 27 – Ukrainian Easter
Good attendance today – of course! Just Kidding! Peter preached about Easter and some thought it was good and some thought he attacked the traditions too much. Me, I got most of the ideas through a translator. Several ate together and spent the afternoon together. I preached in the evening and we had 9.
Monday, April 28
Spent more time this morning in Internet communications and study. We had 15 over to my house at 6:30 – people started coming at 5. By request from my kids – my young people – I cooked chili and chocolate chip cookies! Good combination, huh? Also, I made home made biscuits and we had 15 people for dinner and a movie. Igor, a brother from Kiev, brought a Christian movie in English and we watched it with English subtitles and most got it just fine. It was a really good movie about anything is possible with God and that we should not fear. Both lessons that we all needed! Then people hung around until 10:30. This is really a holiday week for most with no school or University because it is between Easter and May 1st, another big holiday here. No schools, no orphanages and just free time.
Tuesday, April 29 – Happy Birthday to my oldest son, Butch!
We said good by to Bill, an American who has been here with us (not a member of the church) for about 3 years. He is going to the states until Sept. We had 16 for our devo tonight. It was raining so I took a carload home and got home around 11pm.
Wednesday, April 30
Not much going on above the normal today except English Club and we had 8.

Two Very Pressing Needs.

2008-04-17T05:56:00.004+02:00

These are financial needs.
They have to do with our camps.
1. For our VBS Day Camp we need $750. We have no money raised for this, but are going forward on faith that we will have American Friends help us out.
2. For our Bible Camp we need $2,500. We have $4,000 pledged for this 2 week camp, but for we have never charged more than 300 Grievnas ($60) per person before, but right now we will have to ask for at least 500 Grievnas per person for this camp (projected cost is 1000 Grievnas - $200). The average income in Ukraine 750 Grievnas a month, so you can see how hard this is for a family do to do this, especially if they have more than 1 child to send. We are trying to take between 40 and 45 people to camp with us this year. Camp costs continue to spiral with our 17% inflation that we have right now in Ukraine.

If you will assist us with either of these needs, please email me and also let the Church in West Fayetteville know by calling Steve Jefferson (931-433-0189) as soon as possible. Thank you!!!

Journal for April 1-15, 2008

2008-04-17T05:54:00.001+02:00

Tuesday, April 1, 2008
There are several things I am working at improving my discipline in: better eating for health and weight loss, daily walking for exercise, deeper and more consistent prayer life and personal study of the Word of God, always working on lesson study and sermon preparations ahead of time to take away all stress, better use of my time to touch more lives and daily communication with people through email, phone and in person. Whew! Now doing that every day, day in and day out is a good challenge! This is my life style, this is what I want and am working on. As Paul said, “I have not yet reached perfection, but I press on the upward call!” I went walking today to Ksusha’s pizza place where she works and had a SMALL pizza. I went there to eat and encourage her. Then I walked some more afterwards! I worked on my lesson for tonight’s devo. I fixed chocolate chip cookies before devo – I wasn’t going to eat any, but I did, but I didn’t eat any supper – does that count??? So pizza and chocolate chip cookies – I guess that is not eating to healthy today! We had 13 for devo tonight and that was good and a good time and fellowship afterwards!
Wednesday, April 02
I spent most of the morning trying to record a sermon to send out to churches requesting one. 3 times I did something wrong and the recording didn’t work! At least I got to practice the sermon a lot! Finally it worked. After lunch I worked on my English Club for tonight until 4:45pm. We had 8 for our English Club. Right now, 4 of those are also coming to our Bible Club, so already English Club is a success!
Thursday, April 3
I talked to my TN Elders this morning on the phone, working out some details about the future – at 5:30am my time. It’s ok – I was already up! There is some conflict – not the bad kind – about who is going to be working with the Orphanage in Svetlovodsk and so we didn’t go today, but Lord willing, we will next week. Again, I was blessed to spend some time with some of our group, but overall, a pretty quiet day.
Friday, April 4
I have been working, or I should say trying to work on some video and sound files and not having a great deal of success. I will try to get Artem to assist me with some of these things! I use the computer quiet a bit, but some things just seem to baffle me. I haven’t done my April Newsletter yet, because I am waiting to hear if the Dec. and Feb. newsletters have been – the physical paper ones – sent from TN. I feel like people don’t need to be receiving 3 newsletters from me all at once. We had a quiet fun night with just 6 of us here – but we did have a good time together!
Saturday, April 5
Bible Club was pretty much as usual. We had 5 in each of the 2 Bible Clubs. We had about 20 people in the Church Discussion time at the Church building today at 4. The Bryans and Gerganus’ are here for 3 weeks. They are such great people and it is so good to have them back with us!
Sunday, April 6
We had really good attendance today at services. Andrey, who does our song leading and translating was ill today, so Peter led the singing and Sasha older guy did the translating for Charles Bryan who preached a good sermon. To me the sermon was normal, but for Yulya – she said that it was great and just what she needed to hear! Everyone was so busy today, so we didn’t go to the Orphanage at Potoki. I finished up my sermon for tonight and then we had 15 at evening services, with 2 new ladies walking in to be with us. We celebrated Vika’s 15th birthday tonight and had a grand old time!
Monday, April 7
Personal study and prayer started my day. I spent some time working on this journal. I prepared for my Bible Study tonight with the Orphan family. Please pray for this family that they will come to faith and put their life and trust in Christ and become a part of His Church. It has been such a long study, I struggle what to teach and how to teach it to help them become obedient to Christ. I don’t understand why it is so hard for them. I spent some time with my brothers and sisters today helping them with personal things as well as some spiritual things. Ksusha, Olya and I went to the twins/Orphanage family tonight at 5:30 and I got home around 9. I do enjoy the family and we did have a good study, too.
Tuesday, April 8
I had a bad headache most of the first ½ of the day and it was hard to do anything, but then it lifted and went away – well mostly. I was preparing for the evening devo, when I got a text message from Yura asking if he could do the devo tonight. I said sure. We are in transition again. With Oksana leaving on Saturday, we are having to develop or find other translators to take her place in assisting me in my teaching in the village of Bugkivka. Everything has become increasingly more difficult and so we have had to do what we can well and keep on serving the Lord. Yura did a devo on what is the right church and are there Christians in all Churches? Wow – he really took me by surprise! He did it as question and answer/discussion. At first, I was really upset with him for doing such a devo, but I believe that it will turn out very good as this seems to something that has been buried and been on the minds of several of our young people and so we are going to study and share more about this now that it is out in the open. Afterwards, Yura and I talked for maybe an hour and made a lot of good progress. He didn’t mean to speak badly about the Church, but as so many do, wandered about all the other stronger believers in other Churches and what about them. So, it is an open door into deeper study into God’s Word. The last went home around 9:30 tonight. Oh yeah, we used the after devo time to say good bye to Oksana. It was a good time for her and us.
Wednesday, April 9
2 days in a row with a bad headache. I am doing a lot of study on future sermon preparations. This morning I also spent a lot of time in Bible study about last night’s devo and found 2 really good books in my library that have been a lot of help and have sent some emails off to people I know that translate brotherhood books into Russian and or Ukrainian to see if they have these 2 books or at least one of them. I ate lunch out today and shortly after I came back in, Serge came in. He is not a member of the Church, but we have studied off and on for the last 2 ½ years. He is my main translator for Tuesday and Sunday night. He faithfully translated last night without saying anything, but of course he was thinking. So he came about 12:45 and we talked and studied for almost 3 hours! And still have a lot to talk about! Then Gregory and his son, Sasha came over and we went to the church building to get them some new songbooks for the prison from the church building. The Library at the building was locked so we couldn’t get the books out, but made arrangement for later. I came back about 4:30 and quickly made plans and arrangements for our English Club tonight. 1 girl came and I did help her with some English and we had a nice talk and she left about 6:45. I then went out for a salad for supper and went for a walk – it is beautiful outside – about 68 today – with about mid 40’s in the morning. The trees are now all in bud and the bushes are really turning green! Some of the flowering trees are in bloom. I love spring!
Thursday, April 10
Good news! No headache today! Spent time getting ready for 2 classes today with crafts, etc. for the Orphanage in Svetlovodsk. Yulya, Olya and Natasha and I went. We were able to only have 2 classes today and not 4 because they had a concert program an hour after we got there. But we had a good study and then got home around 5 after taking the girls home.
Friday, April 11
Spring is here in full force. Today, I left my house at 6:30am to pick up Natasha and then Oksana and take her to Kiev for her trip to Germany. She leaves tomorrow, but had to be in Kiev today and with her luggage had no other way. After getting lost a bit in Kiev and terrible traffic, we got back to Kremenchuk about 4pm. Then Frisbee at 6 – we had 10 and a great time! But I did a lot of running and oh am I sore! Everyone came over here to eat sandwiches afterwards as they were all hungry! (10 hungry kids can really put the food away!) We had a good time with people leaving around 10. The heat in our city is distributed by the city and it was turned off today because we have had an earlier than normal warm spring – normally the 15th. So no more heat!
I heard of a terrible accident today. A drunken rich man, driving about 110 miles an hour in Kremenchuk at 1:30am hit 3 people walking and killed them all – terribly so. He will get off because he is rich and they are blaming the accident on the walkers because they were not walking in a cross walk!!! Can you believe it? Horrible!
Saturday, April 12
Bible Clubs today were good with 5 and 8 here. After the last one, several came over and went for a walk together. I am still very sore and almost ill from abnormal exercise for me and didn’t go.
Sunday, April 13
We had good attendance today and then our Tea or sort of Potluck afterwards. Also, afterwards I met with people in the church about helping with our VBS day camp. We had 6 ladies and 1 man and 2 of my students come. They will help a lot. We will do this for the first 2 weeks in June from 8 am to 4:30pm. Our 4 American guests the Braynt’s and Gerganus’ were our guests at evening services and Charles B. preached and LT helped with the communion service, too. We had 16 this evening. We went home around 8 but 5 came home with me and we watched the movie about the Twin Towers with Nicholus Cage in it, then I took all home, getting home around 11.
Monday, April 14
I am working on 2 studies right now to make into charts and teaching materials. One is how you come to be in the Church – become a Christian – from a more detailed look than normal and another is “Who is Jesus?” Also I went back to School #10 today and found out that we could get in to the school to teach and we will teach a 6th grade class on Fridays at 2pm. Then at 5pm I picked up Ksusha and Olya and we went to the twins home until about 8 to have tea with them and study the Bible.
Tuesday, April 15
I worked all morning on the Who is Jesus study and chart and finished it after lunch. I had a great walk outside in our spring weather and met one of Kelli’s neighbors and sort of chatted with her for awhile. I worked on my April Newsletter today and sent that out. I used the Who is Jesus study for my devo tonight – we had 14 with 2 new people! Alina came and said she really wanted to come more and it was such good news! We had such a blessed evening together and all left around 9:30.

Doug’s Journal in Kremenchuk

2008-04-01T07:30:00.000+02:00

Thursday, March 20, 2008
Well 2 days after travel and I catch a bit of jet lag today and am pretty tired. My car insurance is due today (I renew it each year on about the date I bought the car). I couldn’t get into the insurance office until the afternoon after 2 and it took about an hour and then I will have to finish it up next Monday – signing papers and all that. I am of course just making it for 4 months this year or until the end up July. I picked up working on a Sermon plan for a year that I had started before I went to England. I think that it is a very good plan, but will try to mold it what a local congregation may want or need in the way of preaching.
Friday, March 21
I continue to work on my year sermon plan. Also I am working and planning for tonight’s Bible Study in 1 John and that took several hours. At about 2, I fixed lunch for Yulya after she finished her University and we had a good couple of hours together. She was up until 4am studying and then got only 3 hours of sleep, so she went home tired. We had 6 for our Bible Study and fun night afterwards.
Saturday, March 22
My Saturdays are pretty much consumed with Bible Clubs, preparations, and lessons. We had 5 for our Adult Bible Club and then only 2 for our evening Teen Bible Club. In between I went to the Church discussion at 4 at the church building and that went well and was enjoyable.
Sunday, March 23
I went birthday shopping before services for Sasha’s gift. After morning worship services, we fixed sandwiches and I cooked for 7 of us. Then, because it is spring break week, we didn’t go to the orphanage and so had a bit of a break. I prepared my evening lesson and picked up people and went to services. We had 11. Afterwards we celebrated Sasha girls 15th birthday and a good evening together.
Monday, March 24
Today Artem is 24, but we won’t celebrate his birthday until Friday. Also today is James and Anya’s 1 year wedding anniversary, so congratulations to them, too! I worked more on my one year sermon plan and began to work on redoing a sermon that I preached recently here. What I am doing with this sermon is to prepare it to be delivered for taping purposes. All my sermons and classes that I do here are with a translator and I am sure stateside churches wouldn’t be interested in hearing a sermon that way! This took up most of my day. Olya and I did go to the twins family and studied and spent about 2 ½ hours with them about 6pm this evening.
Tuesday, March 25
I noticed the first green leaves on some of the bushes and the some of the trees are starting to bud – kind of early. Spent a lot of time in study today with sermon and devotional prep. I have more free time this week than normal because of this being spring break, so no orphanages, no village, etc. We had a nice group for the devo with 11 present. Everybody seemed to be pretty busy and went home early.
Wednesday, March 26
I am making extra effort to try and spend more individual time with people, so was with a few people extra today. As time draws nearer for my departure, it becomes a more urgent time with people. It reminds me that it should always be that way! I spent time preparing for English Club as well as practicing a sermon I want to tape and deliver onto CD. We had 9 for our English Club tonight and that lasted from 6 until about 8. One of the things that I have been thinking about this English Clubs and my English Bible Clubs is that they would be very effective tools to be used in the US to reach out to other language cultures such as Spanish speaking people as an example. I am excited about using them when I move back to work with a Church in the States!
Thursday, March 27
I am involved in a lot of personal Bible Study and prayer for the work here and for my future work in the states that I want to strengthen me and also to use in the building up of the Christians here. I had several of our group in and out today and so that was good. At 5pm, Vika (she is 14 and in Technical School or equivalent to 10th grade) came to me and we went to the Circus together! I had invited all who wanted to go to come, but Vika was the only one who could come, but it was great because we had a good time together and then I took to McDonald’s to eat and it was only the 2nd time in her life that she had eaten at a McDonalds – the first time was in Kiev several years ago. I got home around 9:30pm.
Friday, March 28
As I have mentioned, this has been rather a slow week, because the schools and the orphanages being on spring break. The weather has been beautiful. I prepared for my study tonight on 1 John. At 5pm Ksusha came for the study but no one else. It is frustrating right now that people are so busy, but again as last night with Vika, we had some good quality time together. 9 more people did come by around 6:30pm and we celebrated Artem’s birthday together with him (he has just turned 24). We were together until around 9pm.
Saturday, March 29
A busy morning in the Market and final lesson preparations for Bible Clubs. We had much better attendance today than we have had for awhile with 7 in our Adult/University Club at noon and then 7 in our Teen Club in the evening. In between times, I started a personal Bible Study with Ksusha’s mom. That is something we have been working towards and wanting for a long, long time! Ksusha became a Christian 4 years ago and has been a strong steady influence on many. She has brought her cousin Vika to Christ last May and now Lord willing we will see her Mother added to Christ before long! Her Mom, Nadya has been coming to services and other activities for a long time and has been a host mother to many of our American friends that have come to Ukraine to work with us in summer mission work.
Sunday, March 30
It was a pleasant surprise to have Charles and Margaret Bryan and LT and Jo Ann Gerganus here this morning! They are here to teach at the Bible College for the next 3 weeks. They are such fine people! I thought they weren’t coming until May. Well, after services I took several people home and then went and ate lunch with Zhenya, who had been in Germany for 3 weeks and we had a nice lunch and visit together. I went home and finished working on my lesson for tonight from Isaiah 53. We had 12 for evening services and that went well. Everyone went home around 8.
Monday, March 31
Inna, who is also 23 and one of my first students, was married back in September to a man from Peru who is now living in Spain. She had been in Peru to meet his family and to have a honeymoon that they never had. She came at noon and we ate together and looked at pictures of her travels. At 3 I picked up Olya and we went to our Wal mart type store – Prostor and did some shopping for a birthday present for one of our orphan boys with the Orphan family that we study with and have become very close to. He is 4 years old. We got a couple of presents for him and some food I needed. Then I took Olya home and she wrapped the gifts and I went home for awhile, eating supper and then at 5:40pm I picked her up, then Oksana who we met at the train station, who had just come in from Kiev getting her visa for Germany. Then we went and bought a birthday cake and went to the family and was there until 8:45pm. We Didn’t study tonight, just celebrated Artem and visited and ate! I got home about 9:30.

Family Pictures

2008-03-31T10:35:00.006+02:00

I want you to know my family! So I am going to share some pictures.

My family is my eldest Butch is 32, his wife Erin and their 2 girls Hannah, 5 and Ella 3. Butch is a Chiropractor and Erin is a housewife. Then Ben is 29 and his girl friend is Erica. Ben has been a missionary in Japan for 5 years and has just started on working on His Master's Degree in Missions and Erica works in the Bible Department as a secretary. Jenise is 26 and her husband is Jon and their 1 year old son is Malachi. Jenise is now a housewife after Graduating with a commercial artist degree. Jon is the treasure for a fast growing oil company. My youngest daughter is Janessa and she is 24 and her 3 year old son is Gavin. Janessa is working as a Manager in Day Care.

Janessa, Ben, Erica, Jon, Jenise, Butch and Gavin and Malachi in arms.

Jenise and Jon Grottis on their wedding day!

Erin, Butch, Ella and Hannah

I have tons of more pictures, and would be glad to share them with you if you want!!!

Doug’s Journal in Kremenchuk

2008-03-20T07:15:00.000+02:00

Saturday, March 1, 2008
Good Bible Clubs with 7 in each.
Sunday, March 2
We did sandwiches and went to the Potoki orphanage and then evening service at 6 with 11 people present.
Monday, March 3
Things are getting real crazy for Oksana (she is 19 and has been one of my Christian students for 3 years and one of my most faithful students and translators) as she prepares to go to see her Mother’s wedding at Stoke-On-Trent in England. Back in late January, when her Mom was here, they invited me to this wedding and I said I would like to go. Then I promised I would help Oksana go, if I could. Then this developed into the fact that she needed a Sponsor by the British Embassy for her to be able to go, so I said I would go – her parents would pay me back for Oksana’s flight when I got there. She didn’t get her visa until today at 4:10pm! 3 of did go to the Orphan Family for our weekly Bible Study today at 6.
Tuesday, March 4
I literally spent all day trying to get us last minute tickets to go to the UK. I started at 8 and finally finished up at 4:30pm! At 6 we had our evening devo with 12 present. Then a lot of last minute packing and early to bed for our drive to the airport – we left at 1am to get our early 6:30am flight!
Wednesday, March 5 – Tuesday March 18
I went to Great Britain or as they prefer to call themselves, the United Kingdom - England, Wales and Scotland. It was terribly expensive to go as it was a last minute ticket and everything there was very expensive - basically twice as expensive as the US. But I made a promise to help Oksana get to her mother's wedding and the only way she could get her visa was for me to be her sponsor. Our flight was good and the first 4 days was basically taken up by wedding planning for the family and the wedding on Saturday and family celebration on Sunday. On Monday, Oksana and I went to Manchester, a city close by to tour and it was good and fun. Then on Tuesday and Wednesday we went to London and that was great and great fun! Thursday and Friday we were back with her family - that city is called Stoke-On-Trent and there are many beautiful things to see and do around there. On Friday afternoon I rented a car for 3 days. On Saturday we went to what is called the "Lake District" - a hilly and mountainous region with many beautiful lakes - a national park. That night we ate with a pretty wealthy family from her parent's church in a beautiful 200 year old home. We had a great meal and conversation. On Sunday, I drove to a Church of Christ 38 miles to the south in another large city called Birmingham. It was a 2 year old congregation of about 50 people with a large variety of nationalities and persons. It was a good worship time with them and they had potluck afterwards! On Monday we did some last minute shopping. On Tuesday morning we got up at 3am to get ready to get to our flight that flew out at 7:30am. We arrived back into Kremenchuk at 7:30pm, worshiped and prayed with some of brothers and sisters, took Oksana home and crashed!
Wednesday, March 19
Today was a very busy catch up day, but didn't get everything done as I forgot to take time to buy groceries! We had 9 (we had 2 Christians attend – so that means 7 non-Christians in attendance) for our English Club at 6 and that went well. So I was really scrounging for food tonight after English Club!

Tests of Faith - Who Comes 1st?

2008-03-01T06:29:00.000+02:00

1. Who and what are we to seek first in our lives?
Bible verse(s)_________________________
2. What are the 2 greatest commands?
Bible verse(s)_________________________
3. To come to Jesus, what must we do with the cross?
Bible verse(s)_________________________
4. As a Christian, whom do I belong to?
Bible verse(s)__________________________
5. To love Jesus, who are we to love less?
Bible verse(s)__________________________
6. What does it mean to be crucified with Christ?
Bible verse(s)__________________________
7. What should we consider everything else in comparison to knowing Christ Jesus?
Bible verse(s)__________________________
8. Write the top 5 things of importance in your life.
9. What does it mean to you to put God (Jesus and His Church) first in your life?
10. What price should we be willing to pay so that Jesus would be first in our lives?
Bible verse(s)___________________________

Every 4 Years

2008-03-01T06:27:00.000+02:00

What happens every 4 years? Some ideas from the internet and life.
Ø Of course Leap Year.
Ø The Olympics are held.
Ø The World Cup of Soccer/Football is held.
Ø The United States elects a President.
Ø The internet says you should change all the hoses on your car every 4 years.
Ø Legend says that there is a town, Brigadoon, Scotland that appears for 1 day every 100 years (I double checked on the internet – I thought it was every 4 years!).
Ø General Motors, that makes Chevrolet, will make a new hybrid car every 3 months for the next 4 years.
What are you going to do and become in Christ over the next 4 years? Will you allow God to use you and grow you so that you are becoming the mature and complete child of God that your Father God and Brother Jesus want you to be? They love you and invite you to grow! The Holy Spirit is God’s guarantee that He will help you every step of the way!

Who Is God? Answers from last week Test of Faith

2008-03-01T06:26:00.000+02:00

1. God has always been and He lives in Heaven. Genesis 24:7; Rev.1:8; 22:13
2. God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Genesis 1:1,2; John 1:1-3
3. 6 days. Genesis 1:31
4. God loves everyone. John 3:16
5. We are separated from God. Romans 3:23; 1 Corinthians 6:9
6. Jesus dieing on the cross and being raised to life. Romans 6; Galatians 3:26-29
7. God wants all to be saved. 1 Timothy 2:3,4
8. Prayers of the righteous. 1 Peter 3:12; James 5:16
Prayers of those seeking God. Acts 10:1-6
9. God is not physical and is everyone at once. Joshua 2:11
10. Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Genesis 1:26; John 1:1-5

Steps for Deeper Spiritual Growth!

2008-03-01T06:21:00.002+02:00

1. Faith Partner - James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. One of the things that is important for us to do to continue to grow spiritually and at a deeper level is to have at least one other person involved in our spiritual lives that we can trust them with our deepest struggles and having them pray for us. I need to confess my sins to them and have them pray for me. That person needs to confess their sins to me and I need to pray for them! This is a powerful tool for our continue spiritual growth! I would recommend that you get together at least once a week with this person to confess and pray together.
2. Meditation; Alone Time - Matthew 14:22-23 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,
Luke 5:16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. We need alone time with God, His Word and in prayer. Not just 10 or 15 minutes here or there, but some quality time where we just get alone with God without interruptions or cell phones. You will find that this is a very uplifting, encouraging time that will draw you closer to God.
3. Fasting - Matt 4:1,2 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
Matt 6:17-18 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting , but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Mark 2:19-20 Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. 20 But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast.
Acts 13:2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."
Acts 14:23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.
Fasting is not eating for a period of time. Jesus fasted for 40 days. Often people in the Bible fasted for 1 to 3 days at a time. Jesus fasted to prepare himself to have the spiritual strength to face Satan. Jesus tells that when He is left to go back to Heaven, we would need to fast. When we fast we are to do it not to show off our faith, but rather to grow in our faith with God. Notice that fasting and praying in the New Testament was always including prayer. So when you fast, start slow and be careful of your health. On days of fasting, drink plenty of water. When you get hungry go to the Bible and read it for encouragement and pray to God for strength. Fasting drives us to knees as we realize how much we need God in our daily lives!

TESTS OF FAITH

2008-03-01T06:19:00.001+02:00

Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.
2 Corinthians 2:9 The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything.
2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you — unless, of course, you fail the test?
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
God tells us to test our faith to make sure we are right with Him. We are to test to make sure we are following God’s will for our lives; to see if we are obedient; to see if we are in the faith and that Christ is in us; and to see if we will stand up to the test and trials of life so that we can receive eternal life. So in the next few weeks, I will be putting a test in the this newsletter for you to personally take to see if you are passing the test to live this life in faith and walk right with God and to be sure that you are prepared for eternity.
No one is going to grade you on these tests, but take them for your own growth and development. I will give rewards for good marks of 8-10 correct. Correct Answers will be given in the next newsletter. If you can give a Bible Verse(s) for your correct answers, I will double the reward!

Who Is God?

2008-03-01T06:16:00.001+02:00

(knowledge and faith test)
1. Where did God come from and where does He live? _____________________________
Bible Verse(s) ______________________
2. Who created everything? __________________________________________________
Bible Verse(s) ______________________
3. How many days did creation take? __________________________________________
Bible Verse(s) ______________________
4. How does God feel about all people? ________________________________________
Bible Verse(s) ______________________
5. What happens when we sin against God? _____________________________________
Bible Verse(s) ______________________
6. What is God’s plan to take away our sins? ____________________________________
Bible Verse(s) ______________________
7. What relationship does God want to have with us today?_________________________
Bible Verse(s) ______________________
8. Whose prayers does God hear and answer? ____________________________________
Bible Verse(s) ______________________
9. What does it mean that God is Spirit? ________________________________________
Bible Verse(s) ______________________
10. What other 2 spiritual persons or beings are equal with God? _______________
Bible Verse(s) ______________________

Leap Year Journal of Feb 16-29

2008-03-01T06:04:00.001+02:00

Saturday, February 16, 2008
We had a good day of Bible Clubs with 7 in both clubs.
Sunday, February 17
We had a good worship together and then we made sandwiches. We didn’t have enough workers to go to the orphanage so we didn’t. Everybody was busy! We had 9 for evening worship and fellowshipped afterwards for a couple of hours.
Monday, February 18
Spent much of the late morning and afternoon helping Oksana with some visa needs. Then in the evening went to the Orphan family, had a good Bible Study and was them about 4 hours.
Tuesday, February 19
Just so that it is understood, I spend most of morning in personal and private Bible study in growth and lesson preparations. I usually wake up sometimes between 4 and 5:30 to begin this, with email communications as well. Ksusha and I went to the village and had a Bible Class with the 7th and 8th graders. We only had 5 in class, but it was a beginning to restart these classes again. We had 9 for our devotional at 6 and the last went home at 10.
Wednesday, February 20
I had a bad headache and stomachache most of the day and so kind of just made it through the day. I did take time to prepare for my English Club at 6 and we had 11 in attendance for this. The last went home around 9.
Thursday, February 21
My health struggles continued throughout the day. I did prepare and go to the Svetlovodsk with 4 of our girls to teach 4 classes. While Ksusha, Natasha and I were doing puppets and teaching the 5th and 6th graders, Yulya and Olya were teaching the 4th graders and then as they taught the 9th grade girls, we taught a class of 7th graders. We had about 60 kids in all of our classes. We arrived home about 5:30. I am feeling some better by now. I ate supper and about 6:30 Artem and Ksusha wanted me to take them to McDonalds so we went and Artem ate and Ksusha had some Ice Cream. Then we came back and played cards and talked until about 10.
Friday, February 22
Ksusha and I went to Schools 10 and 11 this morning to try to talk to the Directors there about continuing our classes. Both schools have new directors and it is a big concern that we may not be able to. We were unable to see them today and it was found out that next week with be a Quarantine where they shut the schools down across the city because of illness. It may last just one week or it may be more. So nothing more can be done for now. About 4 I began cooking for tonight. I cooked spaghetti and home made biscuits and we had 13 people that came. Then we had our fun night where we had a card game tournament – Phase 10 that most enjoyed! We finished up around 9:30 and had a nice evening!
Saturday, February 23
Bible Club preparations in the morning and then we had 7 for our Adult Bible Club at noon and then I met Sasha girl and we went shopping for Natalie and Tishik’s birthdays (brother and sister) party after Bible Club tonight. We had 7 for the Teen Bible Club and 9 for the party afterwards. We had a nice evening, even though I am disappointed when more don’t come to these birthday parties – what message does it give to those celebrating the party for? The evening ended around 9:30.
Sunday, February 24
We had a nice worship this morning. Afterwards we met a new young man and invited him to our evening worship. I played taxi for awhile after services and then Sasha girl, Ksusha and I went to McDonalds for lunch! To others it might not mean much, but it is so great having a McDonald’s here in town! I spent part of the afternoon preparing for my evening sermon. We had 15 this evening for our worship – more than usual and it was real nice! Afterwards, I went to Sergie and Oksana’s (husband and wife) home for supper and visit. Then I went home and Alina, her fiancé Kostya and her sister Luda were waiting for me. They were returning some things to me and took the artificial Christmas tree that Kelli gave to me and I took them to Alina’s home, getting home about 10.
Monday, February 25
I had meetings with people all day. All good and encouraging for me and hopefully for them! We got a last minute call and didn’t go to the Orphans family Bible Study tonight – next week probably.
Tuesday, February 26
Worked on my Local Newsletter and Bible lessons in the morning. We went to the village because we called ahead (its 37 miles out there and usually takes 45minutes to an hour to get there from my home in the center). As we were approaching the village, we got a call from one of the girls and she said that they would be 5 minutes late. We waited 30 minutes and no one showed up. We left. We got a SMS (text) an hour later – after we were already back in Kremenchuk saying that they weren’t coming today! Our evening devo went well – we had a split devotional. We sang together and then Yura had a lesson for the guys on how important it was for guys to become Christian leaders and Ksusha had a lesson for the girls. We had 13 here for the evening.
Wednesday, February 27
Finished the Newsletter. Prepared for English club. Went to the bank. I have been walking every day now for exercise and we have had a beautiful week of temperatures in the mid-40s to the low-50s with mostly clear days so it makes for a very nice time to get out! We had our biggest and best English Club tonight with 16 present and 3 new people and some of the older new people from the last few weeks bringing friends. Some of them are now coming to our Bible Club – one of our goals – and a couple more said that they want to come on Saturday to the Bible Club. Great!
Thursday, February 28
I had a bad night and slept 4 hours last night. One of the things that I worked on this morning was preparing for us to teach 4 classes (I teach 2) at the Orphanage in Svetlovodsk. 3 weeks ago, we had 34 in one class, so I prepared for 35 and we had 15! So is life! But the classes went well. For the 2nd week in a row, we had puppet shows for the kids. My 7th grade discussion class with the kids is going really well and a lot of fun. I kept going good today until I got home and ate supper about 6. Afterwards, I was really getting tired, but decided to try and watch a movie. Went to sleep maybe about 6:30 – woke up at 8 and went to bed! Really early!
Friday, February 29
I woke up at 4am, but I was rested and lasted great all day – most sleep I have had in a long time! Maybe I should do that all the time – just kidding! I worked on a lot of studies today, including preparations for my new Friday Night Bible study at 5 on 1 John. Went to the market to buy food for tonight’s Taco night. I actually found taco shells about 3 months ago (Zhenya actually told me where to find them). I went back today to get more and they were no more! So we had tortias night! Oksana came over at about 1pm, stressed because she is trying to get her English visa so she can go to her Mom’s wedding in England on March 8th. We spent most of the afternoon together (it was great, but unplanned – I really try as much as I can to let go of my schedule and be there when people need me. Kind of hard sometimes, but usually well worth it!) The Bible Study had 5 people and the party had 14 people at 6 – Leap Year Party was the name and we had a good time. I hope you have had a great Leap Year Day, too!

Basic Steps for Spiritual Growth

2008-02-16T06:21:00.003+02:00

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!

The Lost Son that Came Home!

2008-02-16T06:18:00.002+02:00

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!

Journal for Feb 1-15

2008-02-16T06:07:00.001+02:00

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!

Journal for January 16-31, 2008

2008-02-02T06:23:00.000+02:00

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!

Doug’s Contact Information

2008-01-30T07:31:00.000+02:00

Cell Phone: 011-380-96-564-4311
Home Phone: 011-380-536-791-737
Internet Number in the USA: 931-442-0937 This number can be called like any other US number and the cost is the same as any long distance call in the USA. If I am not on the internet at the time you call, you can leave a voice mail and I will return your call. I have very good phone rates on this!
Email: doug_berry2001@yahoo.com
Website: www.ukrainemission.com
Blog: www.Kremenchuk.blogspot.com
USA contact: Steve Jefferson: 931-433-0189

Lord willing, what I will do when I leave Ukraine

2008-01-30T07:30:00.000+02:00

Maybe you can help! I would possibly like to live and serve close to some of my children. I am beginning the search process close to where some of my children live in Nebraska (Midwest) and Texas (South central) US. I will be looking for Pulpit ministry, Evangelism ministry or possibly a teacher at a Church of Christ Christian High School. I would hope to find work at a congregation that would allow the plans above to take place!!! I believe that the last 6 years have prepared me to be a very effective minister in the US. This is God’s doing, not mine. If you know of any congregation that might be interested in my working with them, please help us get together!

What is going on now and plans for this summer

2008-01-30T07:28:00.000+02:00

Much of what we have been doing continues to go on! The biggest change is at School 11 where the director has changed and we have lost access to the school that has been our mainstay the whole time we have been here. This has been a hard blow, but the Lord continues to open up other things for us. We still have access to 2 schools in town, 1 internot (live in school for ages 1-9th grades), 1 village school and 3 large orphanages and 1 family in nearby villages. We have several Personal Bible Studies on going at this time. Also we continue with our weekly classes and devotions and worship services. For this summer we will do 2 different things for sure. 1. For children 4th grade - 8th grade. Vacation Bible School from 1 to 4pm for 2 weeks. This would include Bible classes, snacks, devotion and games. This would be for 5 days a week. We would offer 1 excursion at the end of the Bible School for those who have attended 75% of the classes.Following the VBS in the afternoons, we will offer an hour long Teen Bible Class and an Adult Bible Class from 4 to 5pm each day. 2. We will have our 6th Annual Bible Camp for 14 days, probably at the Black Sea or possibly at the Azov Sea, which is on the southeastern border of Ukraine.
(This is an excert from my newsletter. If you do not get this newsletter, but would like to read in it's entirety, you can go to my website at:
www.ukrainemission.com ).

Journal Time again - Dec 2nd - Jan 15 08

2008-01-18T07:43:00.000+02:00

Sunday, December 2, 2007 – January 15, 2008
This is going to be a brief writing of a month and a half!
Dec 2 – We had our fellowship at the church after morning services and said good bye to Kelli for the congregation. Then in the evening we had our goodbyes from our group. It is never easy!!!
Dec 3 - Kelli and I and Olya and Yulya went to Kiev to do souvenir shopping. The girls stayed with a friend and I stayed in the hotel by the airport.
Dec 4 -5 – Kelli and I flew to New York JFK airport together and then I continued on to Cleveland, OH and on to San Angelo, TX on the 5th. I was able to attend Jenise’s Art show. The main reason for this trip was to share in Jenise’s graduation and have at least a short family Christmas together with my 4 children. Jenise is graduating as a commercial artist and she is really very good!
Dec 6-8 – With Jenise, I attended a Bible Seminar at the Minda Street Church of Christ in Abilene, TX that was very interesting and good. I was still suffering from Jet lag, but did pretty good! Ben and his girlfriend, Erica, arrived in Abilene on the 7th. Ben will begin graduate school in Missions on January 7th.
Dec 9, 10 – I spent an extra couple of days in Abilene with Ben and Erica. We had a great time! On evening of the 10th, Jon, Jenise’s husband, came and got me and went back to San Angelo (about 90 miles). It was a good trip and time to talk.
Dec 11-14 – I had the privilege of taking care of delightful 9 month old grandson, Malachi or Mali, as Jenise finished up many projects and exams. Jenise has worked so hard and is so deserving of all the honor she is receiving! I am so proud of her!!!!!!!
Dec 15 – Butch, my oldest son and Janessa my youngest daughter with her son Gavin, had flown into Dallas and met my ex and her husband at the Dallas airport and then they drove to San Angelo in the morning. Ben and Erica came over from Abilene. I fixed a BIG breakfast for everyone and we had a grand reunion! Then in the afternoon we went to Jenise’s graduation at Angelo State University and shared in that great joy! Afterwards we had a celebration at Chili’s restaurant and had a nice supper there. Then back to Jenise and Jon’s apartment for the rest of the evening. GREAT DAY!
Dec 16 – We all worshipped together and then my kids and grandkids that were there (Butch’s wife, Erin and my 2 granddaughters Hannah and Ella were unable to come), had a dinner I had made in the crock pot together and then celebrated Christmas together for 3 hours! It was the first time in 10 years that we had all been together for Christmas! It was wonderful! Then my ex and her husband had Christmas with the kids and later invited me to join them too, which I did. Ben and Erica went home late that evening back to Abilene.
Dec 17-21 - Janessa, Gavin and Butch all left at 10am to fly back to their homes. Our time was good, but so short! The blessing is that I had another week with Jenise and Jon and Malachi! We had a great week together!!! Jon has a new job as a treasure for a company that is growing very fast and I am very proud of him too! Jenise is a wonderful mother and wife and striving to being everything that God wants her to be.
Dec 22-25 – My kids all had plans for regular Christmas, so I flew to AR and had Christmas with some friends there. It was a good time, too.
Dec 26-28 – I had about a day in New York that was a lot of fun, but rainy and caught a cold and then flew back to Ukraine on the evening of the 27th and arriving back to Kremenchuk about 6pm on the 28th. My friends had a nice reception and we had a great time together, even though very tired.
Dec 29-Jan 1 - With much help, we prepared for New Year’s celebration. On the eve of the first, we had a great New Year’s dinner at 11pm at Ksusha’s family home that was delicious and opened some gifts afterwards (this is when Ukrainians give gifts)! Afterwards we went to the center about 12:30am and took pictures in front of the New Year’s tree – Yolka – or our US version of the Christmas tree! Then we had 21 people I think at my house for the New Year’s party that lasted until about 8am when everyone finally went home. In the afternoon, we went out to the Orphan family home and took presents from us and from “His Kids Too!” an orphan organization run by members of the Church that had sent clothes and presents to the kids. It was really great!!! Then home and sleep – can you believe it!?!
Jan 2-6 – Getting caught up on many things, including spending a lot of time with people. We are also preparing for Christmas on the 7th. Yes, Ukrainian Christmas is on the 7th and we will celebrate it my American style. On Sunday the 6th, I preached in the morning (and evening) and we made sandwiches for the boy’s prison today with 6 people helping. On the afternoon of the 6th, I took Ksusha to Poltava to get her ready for 3 weeks at the Univ as she is taking most of her University classes by correspondence. She came back to celebrate Christmas with us tomorrow. We had Christmas eve – light dinner – at her home again at evening services – how nice!
Jan 7 – Christmas in Ukraine! We hung 29 stockings around on my walls of my living room and 25 came to open them. First we stuffed them with gifts that I had for the kids, then each of us drew 5 names and put 5 things in those stockings. Everyone came in and opened their stockings. Before the opening of the stockings, we celebrated Yura’s 20th birthday together. His birthday is today! We started at 4pm and ended around 9. It was a great evening together! Maybe my last New Year’s and Christmas in Ukraine for awhile. Joy and sadness mixed together.
Jan 8 - I took Ksusha back to Poltava (about 60 miles) early in the morning to start her studies, getting back around 10am. We had a great singing with about 13 people present in the evening. We went out and had pizza together afterwards.
Jan 9-11 – Spent a couple of days in Kiev with some friends that was very good. Downtown Kiev is very pretty this time of year! They have an awesome Christmas tree – excuse me – Yolka!
Jan 12 – Started Bible Clubs again and had 6 for older and 7 for teen class. Zhenya went with me to the Church discussion time and translated for me in between Bible Club times.
Jan 13-15 – 13th was Sunday and we had a good worship. Then prepared for Zhenya’s birthday celebration after evening services. We had a good worship, then Zhenya’s party with 16 people. Afterwards I took Zhenya home so she could also celebrate with her family. On the 14th, we celebrated – are you ready for this – Old New Year! Really we didn’t do much, but it is the last of the holiday season holidays in Ukraine. On the 15th we had a good devotional with 14 people at my home.
I know that was fast and brief! But it has been a good 6 weeks with family and many friends. We have shared much joy and had great experiences with one and all! I am very thankful for how God is blessing my life and may He bless yours as much and as well as He does mine!

Speical Thanks to our Translators

2007-12-02T05:56:00.000+02:00

Psalm 8:5 “You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.” This is talking about how God honored us as His children. I believe that it is long over do to give special honor and recognition to our very dedicated and hard working people that have served as translators for us “foreigners” over the years! This work is your work as much as it is “foreigner’s work”! I have always felt that you have been a very important part of the Lord’s work! Without you, the work of teaching, encouraging, reaching the lost would not have gotten done! We are so proud to be considered fellow workers in the Kingdom of God with you!!! You have been our constant friends and companions in all that has been carried on in God’s name over the last 6 years! You have been asked to sacrifice your time and lives and you have given yourselves so freely. We are humbled and honored to have the privilege of serving God with you!
Thank you from all of us English speaking workers
With love, Dougchik

Loving Good Bye to Kelli Himebaugh

2007-12-02T05:55:00.000+02:00

Kelli first came to Kremenchuk the summer of 2002 as MAP worker from York, Nebraska with several other people! She was here for 8 weeks teaching Bible classes at School 11, teaching English at School 10 and also going to her first Bible Camp at the Black Sea. Kelli came her 2nd summer as a MAP student from York as well in 2003.

Kelli moved away from York in the USA but that didn’t stop her from coming and bring other people with her from Oklahoma! She came again in the summers of 2004, 2005 doing the same fine work that she had the first 2 summers she came. Kelli’s heart was truly in Ukraine and it hurt her every time she had to go home and leave us here!

Then Kelli took a giant step and moved to Kremenchuk in May of 2006 to come and work with us through the AIM program out of Lubbock, Texas. Kelli now joined with the AIM team of Frankie, Jared and James that had come in May of 2005! She came with a dedicated heart and a love and passion for the people of Ukraine!

In the 18 months that Kelli has lived and worked among us full time she has blessed our lives with so very much! She has taught so many children,

And blessed us with her sacrifice and dedication. But most of all she has
shown us how a wonderful Christian woman should live! She has been a
Godly example for all of us, but especially for our Christian girls.

Kelli, we thank you from the very depths of our souls! Thank you for your love, your grace, your kindness, your sacrifices and your service to God and to us! We love you and we hope that you will continue to come often to Ukraine!

Journal for Nov 16 - Dec 1 07

2007-12-02T05:52:00.000+02:00

Friday, November 16, 2007 – My 55th Birthday and 6th in Ukraine
I just went back and read what my journal said over the last 2 years. 2 years ago I went to the village as I did this afternoon. This time I made 6 dozen chocolate chip cookies and took about 20 about with me. We had our 4 regular 11th grade girls and 2 of our younger kids came and we shared juice and cookies first and then had a study with the older girls – our last part of our study on the Plan of Salvation. It is so hard to have this kind of study with groups because it is so important to be able to ask the person that you are studying with if they are understanding, what they are thinking, etc. at times like this. However, both Oksana and I felt that the study went well. I came home and had about an hour before my birthday party was to start. We had 30 people come and the brought 4 cakes and many other candies and sweets besides my cookies and donuts that I made yesterday. We played games, ate, opened many wonderful presents and had a wonderful time over all!
Saturday, November 17
We had 2 for our Univ. Bible Club and 5 for our Teen Bible Club. There were 17 (I actually counted today!) at the Church Discussion at 4. Our questions today centered around the church and the Kingdom of God being one and the same.
Sunday, November 18
I woke up ill this morning about 3:30am with a stomach flu and all the yuck that goes with it. I didn’t go to services, but our young people came and got money from me, bought all the needed stuff and made the sandwiches and took care of me through the day. I also didn’t go to evening services tonight.
Monday, November 19
I am better today, but am still very weak and achy. I stayed in and in bed as much as possible all day and we didn’t go to the orphan’s home family for our study tonight. They and us were very disappointed!
Tuesday, November 20
I am getting back on my feet again and had planned to go to the village for our studies out there today, but Oksana had conflicts at her Univ. and couldn’t go, so we didn’t go. I stayed in and studied most of the day. I was supposed to have a 6th grade class at School 11 this morning, but no one came. At our Devo at 6pm, we had 11 come for our singing and Bible study. Afterwards, Kelli and I were invited to go to a private English teacher’s classes (I have gone there several times) to talk to her class conversation style. These were 6th through 8th grade kids – 5 of them. We left there about 9:30pm.
Wednesday, November 21
Today was shopping day for the Thanksgiving Dinner I will prepare for between 25 – 30 people on Friday. I bought 2 turkeys at the market and other things as well. Then I went to our big shopping store and bought the rest, spending about $100 in all for this meal. I also pealed, cleaned, chopped and cooked my pumpkin in preparation for making my pies on Friday morning. At 1:30, we had 10 5th graders at School 11 for a good and fun class! At 6pm, we moved our English Club from the Palace of Culture to my house and we had 9 for our English Club and several of our regulars weren’t able to come – so we had some new people present. The Club was from 6-8pm.
Thursday, November 22 – Happy Thanksgiving!
A Holiday – vacation! I talked to 3 of my kids and my brother and 2 of my sisters this morning and their families and that was fun!!! I did try to make sure that I got most things done before and no cooking today – that’s all tomorrow as we celebrate on Friday night. Kelli had discovered a new restaurant that she said was excellent, so met there about 1pm and ate Thanksgiving Dinner together. This very elegant restaurant and we were the only ones in it! I have no idea how restaurants can continue to exist as so few people go out to eat on a regular basis here in Kremenchuk. That was about the most eventful things that took place today! In the evening I followed the Green Bay Packers beat the Detroit Lions on the Internet! I didn’t watch it, but followed the play by play. Better than nothing! Wow! The Pack and the Cowboys (my 2 favorite teams) are both 10-1 and play each other next Thursday! Who am I going to cheer for? Hmmmmmm as a good friend of mine says! That’s a tough one!
Friday, November 23
The cooking started in earnest at about 7am when I started cooking 4 pumpkin pies from scratch, including the crusts! I do say, I cook a pretty tasty and flaky crust! These were big pies – each 1 ½ times the regular recipe size because my pie pans are so big. While the first of these were cooking, about 9:30am, I went and picked up Zhenya who came and helped me tremendously throughout the day. She said I don’t want to get in the way of your cooking, so I will keep all your dishes washed up and she did a great job! She also helped with several other cooking things, too! Then I made crescent rolls – about 60+ of them. Then we made dressing/stuffing for the first turkey. I cleaned it and prepared it and chopped onions while Zhenya prepared the bread. The first Turkey went into the oven about 1:30 and the 2nd about 3:30. Oksana was also over for awhile this afternoon and help to clean and cut up potatoes for mashed potatoes. I got real tired around 4 and took a short nap (I did get up at 4:30 this morning). My back was really hurting too. This was a lot of cooking energy and stress that I wasn’t used to doing! By 5:30, everything was pretty much done, except cooking the potatoes. Others had come and helped to set the tables, cook the potatoes – Yulya helped to get these finished up. About 6:30 we were ready to set down to eat and only 15 people were here. Everybody brought something like sweets, cookies, salads. We also had black olives to eat – my favorite treat for the holidays. But by 7 we had 29 here! So a lot of late comers and we had enough food plus extra for everyone! About 8pm, we served the pumpkin pie with whipped topping – the spray on variety. Then we cleared the tables away, played some games, and cleaned up. The last person left at 10:10pm. Great evening!
Saturday, November 24
Ups and downs of life. We had 1 person come for the Adult/Univ. Bible Club and 1 person came for the Teen Club. In between, we had 9 of us for the Church discussion time. Also at about 3pm, Artem and Ksusha came over and we had tea and a nice visit. They are both working so many very long hours, we hardly ever see them anymore. Life is hard for Ksusha and her mother. Her mother has a 2nd hand store, but it probably makes very little. Ksusha is working as a server in a pizza place, working 14 hour days and making less that 2 Grievnas (40 cents) an hour. She is having to use this money to help her mother pay for things and for her Univ. studies as well. Very hard!
Sunday, November 25
After worship Kelli needed help with several errands she needed doing and so I helped her out, with Yura’s help too. I spent part of the afternoon working on my evening lesson. We had 11 for evening worship service.
Monday, November 26
It is just a week until I leave for the States and Jenise’s graduation on Dec. 15th. I have tons of stuff to get done, including working on my Newsletter to send to the US as well as my local newsletter, with a special edition honoring Kelli. On Dec. 16th, I will have the opportunity to have a Christmas celebration with all of my children together for the first time in a very long time!!! It will be great! I return to Ukraine on the 28th in time for the New Year Celebration and for our Christmas party on Ukrainian Christmas day of January 7th. In the evening 4 of us went and spent the evening with the Orphan family and had a good Bible Study with them. We found out that the Dad – Victor – his Dad is also dieing of cancer in another city and so he is still under a lot of stress.
Tuesday, November 27 – Kelli H.’s Birthday
I continued working on both newsletters, besides going to the village for our class with 5th – 7th grades. We had 14 today. Then we had 10 for singing and devotional study at 6pm.
Wednesday, November 28
I worked all morning on those newsletters, finishing both of them up. We are also working on a picture calendar and other things for celebration with Olya on Saturday and then her going away “party” on Sunday night. It is so hard to see her go! Today at 1:30 we had 7 5th graders for a class that was lots of fun! What a nice group of kids! We also found out some tragic news! The Director of this school, for as long as I have been coming and living in Ukraine, is going to be leaving this position December 3rd! She has been such a strong, strong supporter of us and our work, I just don’t know what we are going to do!!!! I tried to see her, but she was not in, supposedly “sick”. I would be sick too, I guess! There is no telling what this is going to mean to our work at the schools! At 2:30, I spent the next 1 ½ hours helping Kelli with trying to get things shipped back to the US and finally it was decided that the cheapest way is for her to take it by plane – still it is $100 for each container of 30 Kilograms! Wow! Then at 4 I hurried home to do some straightening up of my place and preparing for our English Club at 6. We had 6 people come and it was good. I invited them all to the upcoming holiday parties that we will have and they sounded like they would like to come! By the time everyone left, I was pretty wiped out!
Thursday, November 29 – Olya’s 18th Birthday
Today was a crazy day of errands, study and preparations for this weekend and for leaving to go to the US. We (I am traveling back to New York with Kelli and then on to TX by myself for Jenise graduation) will leave on Monday to Kiev and then on Tuesday to Fly out, arriving in San Angelo, TX on Wed., the 5th. I will arrive back in Ukraine on the 28th of Dec. There probably won’t be much of a Journal for Dec. because of my travels, even though I will try to give a brief account. Some may not believe that I can do a brief account!
Friday, November 30
There is always so much to do to get ready for a trip! Things to buy, things to prepare for and not leave behind undone. I was already to go to the village for our study with our 4 11th grade girls, when they called and said that they couldn’t meet with us today just before I left. So that was a bit discouraging. Then at 5:30 Kelli called and said that Marina, the young mother of 9 month old Anya, wanted to be baptized! I studied with her before her pregnancy and now Kelli has been studying with her for the last 3 months or so. So we began to make preparations to take her to the Church building and baptize her into Christ! And about 9pm, we welcomed her into the family of God through her faith, obedience and baptism into Christ!!! Marina is our 4th new Christian this year and our 39th addition to the family! Please pray for her and her family! Her brother-in-law, Sasha, was the first to bring her to Bible Studies and Church. Many people have been involved in teaching her about Jesus. About 2 weeks ago, she told us how thankful she was that Sasha had brought her to us! We feel the same way!
Saturday, December 1 – Sasha R. Birthday (preacher in Komsomolsk)
I am going to go ahead and include this in here, too! I woke up at 3:15 this morning! Saturday morning saw a lot more errands and getting ready for a long day. At noon we celebrated Sasha’s birthday with the Bible Club and 5 of us. Then in the afternoon from 2 to 4, I worked on packing, and preparing for Kelli and Olya’s Birthday party at 7 after evening Bible Club. At 4 I went to the Church Discussion and there were 9 of us there, but no translator so I stayed only about ½ an hour for the singing and Tea, but was unable to understand enough to stay for the discussion and left at 4:30. I came home and tried to take a nap – useless! 2 phone calls and 2 people coming to the door – nap didn’t work! Bible Club at 6 saw 9 people present for the class and that was good. Then at 7, people continued to gather for the Birthday party and that was just a lot of fun with 28 people here to celebrate that. The last people left after 10pm. I am very thankful we had this fun and light time as we prepared for Kelli’s good bye tomorrow, which is going to be hard and trying for everyone! She has become such a strength and anchor here, it will be so hard to have her go! To say the least, I was pretty tired at the end of this day.

The Future of the Lord's Work...

2007-11-18T21:54:00.000+02:00

...In Kremenchuk is VERY Glorious IF… We have the Faith to Trust in God!!!
Romans 8:28-39 - 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died — more than that, who was raised to life — is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

PROMISES IN JESUS THAT WE KNOW:
1. When we love God and accept His call, in all things God will work for our good!
2. That God makes us to be like Jesus, our brother.
3. That we are made to be without sin and we stand in God’s glory.
4. God is for us and no one can be against us.
5. God proves this by giving us, in love, His only Son.
6. We know that God will kindly give us all things through Jesus.
7. When are saved and walk in Jesus no one can condemn us.
8. Jesus is in Heaven interceding for us.
9. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.
10. In Everything we are more than victorious in Jesus Christ.

With these promises, we have the guarantee that we can actively live today and tomorrow in faith to carry out God’s work and will in our lives! When we choose Christ and become a Christian, God gives us so much over flowing grace and mercy in our lives that we can be carried along through faith in love and joy!

We cannot live just for people or because of people, for they move in and out of our lives. But when we choose to live for Jesus Christ and His Church, His Kingdom, His Glorious return to this earth and Eternal Life in Heaven with Him, we will have a great future! The future that is this day and the tomorrow that we expect with true promise of hope and life!

Ephesians 3:14-21

2007-11-18T21:53:00.002+02:00

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Promises of God are True!

2007-11-18T21:53:00.001+02:00

Please carefully read and re-read these statements in the Bible about how God’s promises are true and in the New Testament fulfilled in Christ Jesus for us!

Joshua 21:45 Not one of all the LORD's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.

1 Kings 8:56-58 "Praise be to the LORD, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses. 57 May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our fathers; may he never leave us nor forsake us. 58 May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep the commands, decrees and regulations he gave our fathers.

Psalm 119:140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.

Psalm 145:13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.

Romans 15:8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs.

2 Corinthians 1:20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 7:1 Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

2 Peter 1:3-4 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Doug’s Journal for November 1-15, 2007

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Thursday, November 1, 2007
From my last journal, we are in our 2nd day at Hartakov. Our young people wanted to sleep in, so I cooked breakfast as the got up. I cooked French Toast with bringing some of my own ingredients from home and also from buying necessary food items in a grocery store. At 11am, we met Anton and went to the National Historic Museum, the 2nd largest in Ukraine. We had an English speaking Tour Guide that did a pretty good job. We were for 2 hours and then had to leave and go back to Kremenchuk. We arrived back about 5:20pm and went to the church building to rest before evening class began. We had 8 present for this class.
Friday, November 2
The traffic is always heavy on that road to Hartakov and back and it is a very stressful driving so I was pretty tired. When I turned on my laptop computer, it had an error message saying that my windows execute file or something like that had been corrupted and it wouldn’t work. It looks like I will lose everything on that computer! Besides, my internet is set up on that computer, so I don’t have internet again – at least for now. I worked around the house today, did lessons preparations, read and studied and had my evening off.
Saturday, November 3
My busy morning of preparations for Bible Clubs was the same as usual. We had 1 come for the University Bible Club – a couple called and said that they couldn’t come. Then at 4 Kelli, Olya and I went to the Church discussion and we had a good fellowship with the church and a good Bible discussion about the Church. At 6 we had 5 for our evening Bible Club with the Teens. People stayed around until about 8:30pm. One girl came tonight who I hadn’t seen for a long time – Mariana. It was so good to see her again and have her with us!
Sunday, November 4
We had a good worship service today. Then we had our 2nd monthly Tea and Fellowship. Actually it was more of a meal today as the ladies all came early and prepared many sandwiches at 9am for us all to eat. We also had fruits, cookies and candies as well. About ½ way through this time, James Vaughan (who came as an AIM student in May of 2005, got married to one of our Ukrainian girls, Anya, and has stayed on) got up and announced that next Sunday would be his last Sunday in Ukraine working with us!!! It took us all by shock, for he had not said anything about this to prepare us! He will go back to England, get a job and Anya will stay here and finish her last year at the University and then join him in England. He will come back from time to time to be with her as he can. So within a span of 2 weeks, I will be loosing my last 2 workers that have been working with me as Kelli will leave for the States – moving back on Dec. 4th. It will be just me, again. We had 15 for our evening worship and that was good.
Monday, November 5
Mostly a day off and that was good. In the evening Olya, Oksana, Kelli and I went to be with the Orphan family and that was a good study and fellowship time. We usually spend 2 to 3 hours here. The Grandmother Zoya is much worse tonight and they have called the ambulance/Dr. service to come and see her while we were there. She is no longer eating or drinking.
Tuesday, November 6
No one came for our morning 6th grade class. Oksana and I were almost to the village, 37 miles north of Kremenchuk for our weekly Bible Study with our younger kids when we got a call from Inna, the mother of the Orphan home family, telling us that the Grandmother had passed away in the late morning and could we possibly come and help them. So we went into the school in Bugkivka and told them we had an emergency and that we would see them next week and turned around and went back to the eastern part of the Kremenchuk to the village where they live and spent the afternoon helping them out with my car. We then had evening singing with 10 people present. James spoke tonight and will speak Sunday night. After this I will have nearly all the lessons! It is a bit overwhelming to pick up all that he has been doing, then all that Kelli is doing as well as try to keep up with what I am doing. God will provide the way, I know.
Wednesday, November 7
I left the house at 7:30 this morning to go and help the family in preparation for the funeral this afternoon. (Oh, yes, our water is shut off so no shower or shaving today! Wonderful, huh?) Ksusha has gone with me to help me out in translation and to assist the family in any way she can. I returned for about an hour to get cleaned up the best I can without water and return for the funeral. I did a lot of driving people around, assisted in the funeral and took the Orthodox priests home after the funeral and then came back. Finally I got home around 6 and then had English Univ. Club from 6:30 to 8:30pm. I was really all in at the end of the day!
Thursday, November 8
Mostly a day of study for me and catching up. I rested some extra in the morning as I was pretty all in from yesterday. We had our Thursday evening Bible Study at 6 with 8 people present – 3 adults, James, Kelli, I and just 2 Ukrainian students.
Friday, November 9
Studied in preparation for Friday class at the village with our older girls (11th grade). We are studying the plan of salvation with our 4 girls and the class went very well! They are very open and such good students – excited and interested in all we study together. Nothing extra tonight!
Saturday, November 10
As you know if you read this regularly that Saturday mornings are always very full and busy for me. We had 2 for our Univ. Bible Club, about 20 for our Church Discussion, and 4 for our Teen Bible Club. The good part about the Teen one is that 2 of the girls are new!
Sunday, November 11
Morning worship went well and afterwards 5 came home with me and I fixed Spaghetti and we spent the early part of the afternoon together. There was much planning and preparations for James good bye party in the afternoon too. At 6 we had 15 for our evening worship and then we had the party for James good bye and even though it was sad saying good bye to him, we had a good time together. I finished the day and got home around 9. I don’t want to fail to mention that we woke up to the weather giving us a heavy wet snow and it snowed all day and night, leaving us with between 4-6 inches of snow on the ground. Our first real snow, even though we had a couple of days with very light flakes falling earlier.
Monday, November 12
Day off. In the evening we went to the Orphan family with our girls buying a gift for Liza, the oldest true daughter of the family whose birthday was yesterday – she is 16. When we came the family was also involved with a day of remembrance for the Grandmother and had a big meal prepared (I counted at least 15 different dishes prepared!) and we were the guests of honor. We also celebrated Liza’s birthday – strange combination! She is a very sweet and kind girl and so it was good that we could celebrate with her! The driving in the snow covered roads in the village was a real challenge, even though the main roads were all clear. We got home around 9:30pm. Next week we will resume our serious Bible Study with the family again.
Tuesday, November 13
This is always a difficult day for me as it carries a lot of memories. No details, but just prayers, ok? It is also a good day as it is my sister Ida’s birthday and one of our friend’s birthday as well. Again our 6th grade kids didn’t show up for class at School 11. So I had more time and went to market after going to the school today. At 1pm Oksana and I went to the village and 14 for our kids class today. Then I spoke for our devo at 6pm and we had 12 present tonight. One of our girls that are at the Univ. in Hartakov came in this evening at 8:20pm on the train, so several of us went to meet her and I took her home and with some other errands for others ended up getting home around 9.
Wednesday, November 14
I don’t talk about it much, but my day usually starts between 4 and 5:30 in the morning as I wake up then. Study in the morning. I had 10 at 1:30 for my 5th grade Bible Class at School 11. The children are a lot of fun and full of excitement in this class! I had a very hard time finding a translator today, but Nastya who is town from Hartakov translated for me – thank the Lord! At 6:30-8:30 we had our Univ. English Club that went well and was fun. We had 7 for that tonight. Again, my work day ended around 9pm.
Thursday, November 15
That’s today! I had breakfast about 7 this morning, cleaned up my kitchen (major undertaking this morning – been a little lax here lately!). Then I baked 6 dozen home made chocolate chip cookies for my birthday party tomorrow night. That’s a double batch as we never seem to have enough of these delicious cookies! Then I studied on my Hebrew lesson (James had been teaching Hebrews on Thursday night, now I take that over too). I was very pleasantly surprised when Angelina (she moved to Moscow in May) came to my door at 1:30. I went to the train station with her as her and her mother made a very quick trip to Kremenchuk today. I was with them until about 2:45. Then I sat down to catch up on this so I could get it mailed out to you! It is now 4:15pm. I will finish it tomorrow morning and email it out and put it on my blog tomorrow morning! We had our Bible Class tonight with 3 people present. Kind of discouraging, but God always finds ways of lifting us up and I know He will. Kelli and I had pizza out tonight after the class and that was a good time.

Ephesians 3:14-21 - I Am Praying For You!

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Promises of God are True!

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Please carefully read and re-read these statements in the Bible about how God’s promises are true and in the New Testament fulfilled in Christ Jesus for us!

Joshua 21:45 Not one of all the LORD's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.

1 Kings 8:56-58 "Praise be to the LORD, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses. 57 May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our fathers; may he never leave us nor forsake us. 58 May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep the commands, decrees and regulations he gave our fathers.

Psalm 119:140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.

Psalm 145:13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.

Romans 15:8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs.

2 Corinthians 1:20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 7:1 Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

2 Peter 1:3-4 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

The Future of the Lord’s Work in Kremenchuk

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Romans 8:28-39 - 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died — more than that, who was raised to life — is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

PROMISES IN JESUS THAT WE KNOW:
1. When we love God and accept His call, in all things God will work for our good!
2. That God makes us to be like Jesus, our brother.
3. That we are made to be without sin and we stand in God’s glory.
4. God is for us and no one can be against us.
5. God proves this by giving us, in love, His only Son.
6. We know that God will kindly give us all things through Jesus.
7. When are saved and walk in Jesus no one can condemn us.
8. Jesus is in Heaven interceding for us.
9. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.
10. In Everything we are more than victorious in Jesus Christ.

With these promises, we have the guarantee that we can actively live today and tomorrow in faith to carry out God’s work and will in our lives! When we choose Christ and become a Christian, God gives us so much over flowing grace and mercy in our lives that we can be carried along through faith in love and joy!

We cannot live just for people or because of people, for they move in and out of our lives. But when we choose to live for Jesus Christ and His Church, His Kingdom, His Glorious return to this earth and Eternal Life in Heaven with Him, we will have a great future! The future that is this day and the tomorrow that we expect with true promise of hope and life!

How Much Does Your Time Cost?

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Once a man came home late from work tired and worn out and saw his son waiting in the door way.

- “Daddy, can I ask you something?”
- “Sure. What is it?”
- “I just wonder, how much do you earn?”
- “It’s not your business,” the dad said indignantly, “and why do you care?”
- “Just wondering. Please at least tell me how much you earn an hour?”
- “Well I earn 500. Why?”
- “Dad,” the son seriously looked up, “dad could you lend me 300?”
- “You have asked me so that I could give you money for some stupid toy?” – He shouted. “Go to your room and go to bed! How can you be so selfish! I’m working all day long getting very tired and you are acting so silly.”

The kid went to his room and closed the door after himself while his father was still angry because of his son’s request. “How dare he to ask me about my salary in order to ask for money later?” But after some time he calmed down and started thinking logically: “What if he needs to buy something very important. What the heck, he has never asked me for money.” When he came in his son’s room the boy was already in bed.

- “Are you sleeping?” –he asked
- “No, daddy. Just laying here.”
- “I was too rough with you earlier. I’ve just had a hard day and I lost my temper. I’m sorry. Here is the money you’ve asked for. Take it.”

The kid sat up and smiled.
- “Oh, thank you, daddy!”
Then he started searching for something under the pillow and got several carefully folded banknotes. Seeing that the child had already had money the father got angry again. And the kid put all the money together, counted it again and looked at the father.
- “Why did you ask for money of you had it already?” – The father grumbled.
- “Because I didn’t have enough. But now I do. Dad, here is 500. Can I buy one hour of your time? Please, come back earlier tomorrow. I want you to have dinner with us.”

Emotions or Facts?

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Emotions play a big part in all of our lives. Many times we make decisions based upon our emotions rather than based upon facts. Generally when we do that, we get ourselves into something we later find out was not the best for us. Our emotions will always reflect how we are feeling when we make decisions and plans for our lives, but they should not be the foundation of our decisions.
God calls us to choose Him by deciding that He is the one that we want to live for, for all eternity. That’s a big decision. He gives us all the facts in the Bible to make the proper decisions. God loves with a decision kind of love as we see in 1 Corinthians 13. Then the emotional love will come and build the factual love to be stronger than ever! God calls us to build faith in our lives to trust in Him for everything at all times. If that love and faith are just emotional decisions, then they will not last, just as if emotional love is all that builds a marriage, it will not last.
Our loving God is to be with all our mind, heart, soul and body. That’s a fact decision. I choose to do that. Thus my faith in God is a choice that becomes an irrefutable fact that God is true in everything He says and does! When things are hard in my life, I need to choose to keep meeting with my brothers and sisters, choose to keep praying and choose to continue to read God’s Word. These choices will make my emotional ties with God and His people stronger than ever!

Why Go To Church?

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A Church-goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday.
"I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the preachers are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."
This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delightof the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:
"I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals.
But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this. They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!"
When you are DOWN to nothing.... God is UP to something! Faith sees the invisible,
believes the incredible and receives the impossible! Thank God for our physical AND ourspiritual nourishment! "

Journal For October 16-31, 2007

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The Church in Komsomolsk, Ukraine with

3 of our young people on the right.

Younger Class at Bugkivka village School

My 6th Grade boys at School 11 in Kremenchuk

Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Classes at School 11 with the 6th grade was ok with 3 boys. Then we played Frisbee outside with them afterwards and a few other kids came and joined with us, too! Singing tonight had 8 people.
Wednesday, October 17
We had 13 5th graders today at School 11! That was encouraging and fun! Then just 1 8th grade boy showed up for English Club at School 11 and we had 8 for our Univ. English Club in the evening. That was good. I haven’t been writing much about it, but every other Wed. is my deadline to have our in-house youth Newspaper finished called “Living for Jesus.” It’s purpose is to keep everyone updated on what is going on have encouraging articles to help people in their daily lives. I send it by email to Anya and she translates for me and sends it back by Sunday so we can get it out to your young people.
Thursday, October 18
We had another dry run with our village kids – this is getting really frustrating. Some would say quit, but I know God wants us here and Satan does not! We had 9 at our Hebrews study Bible Class at 6pm.
Friday, October 19
We did go for our older class with our 11th grade girls, but 2 were sick and 1 was out of town – so Satan continues to try discourage us. I have decided to take Friday nights off, as it is the only night of the week that I do not have some activity going on.
Saturday, Oct 20
We had 3 in our Adult Bible Club (Univ) and 4 for our Teen one. The Church Discussion went well at the Church building today with maybe 15 present.
Sunday, October 21 – Yulya, Yura, Olya and Oksana went with me to Komsomolsk today for our worship service there and they had a couple of visitors as well. It was a nice fellowship and worship! We came back and made sandwiches for the boys prison, ate together and spent the afternoon together and then we had 17 for our evening worship service.
Monday, October 22
Monday is supposed to be my “day” off, with Friday evening supposed to be my “night” off. We continue to go out and encourage and study with our Orphans home family. Since I have been back (mid-Sept.) it has been mostly encouraging time since the grandmother – Zoya, has been diagnosed with cancer and it is in advanced stages and she is dying with no hope of having the cancer removed because of her age and health. So we have done all that we can to help this family out and encourage them. I usually get home between 9 and 10 pm when we go out there.
Tuesday, October 23
Our 6th grade class at School 11 had 2 today. We decided to try a new day to have classes with the younger kids at the village and today it worked! We 21 5th and 6th graders (that was a bit wild, but it turned out great!) and then we had 7, 7th and 8th graders. It was a very good day at the village and Satan lost today! We had 10 at singing night tonight and Yura talked and it was very good, too.
Wednesday, Oct 24
We had 7 5th graders at School 11 today. Then because we had just the 1 boy at English Club at School 11, we decided to cancel this class/club. Then we had 5 at the Univ. English Club. This English Club is costing us $20 a night that we don’t have budgeted or about $80 a month – but it does give us definitely a new group of people that we never would have had contact with, so that is good! But where is the money coming from? I don’t know!
Thursday, October 25 – Sunday, October 28
I was coming down with a stomach ache and cold on Wed. and by Thursday it was real strong on me – especially the cold. I was down and out for this time, canceled Bible Clubs, didn’t go to worship which really kills me!
Monday, October 29
My cold is better and tried to get some things done. Went to the Orphans home for about an hour to check up on them and encourage them. The grandmother is getting worse. There is no school in any schools this week in Ukraine – Fall Break. The Univ. still have their classes.
Tuesday, October 30
Worked on the “Living For Jesus” Newsletter today. Prepared talk for Devo. We had 15 tonight – the most we have had in quiet awhile and it was encouraging time for all of us. I talked about Fighting the good Fight and not giving up!

Anton and Kelli in Hartakov

Wednesday, October 31
Kelli, Olya, Oksana and I went to Poltava and Hartakov for a couple days of excursion and to see friends in Hartakov and worship with the Church there. We enjoyed the fall colors, the time together. It is normally about 3 to 3 ½ hour trip to Hartakov, but we spent some time in Poltava because Kelli had never seen that city and it was right on the way. One of the things that we did was to visit the Zoo as well. The animals are not well taken care of in this zoo. At 6pm we met with the Church for their mid-week worship service. Afterwards we went to McDonalds to eat and then went walking for about 1 ½ hours before going back to the church building (where we stayed for the night) for snacks and bed.

Adding New Things to this Blog - In House Newsletter Articles

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Off and on over the last couple of years we have done a Newspaper/Newsletter for our young people here in Kremenchuk. I thought that I would start to add some of the articles to this Blog that we have been putting into the Newsletter. We call the Newsletter: "Living For Jesus."

I have not included activities that we do, birthdates, and that type of thing in this blog. If you would like to receive these newsletters in a whole - both in Russian and English as they are translated as we do them every 2 weeks by the fine work of Anya Vaughan. I will be glad to email it to you in that fashion if you want. Right now we are currently on #17 and started again at #14. You will find the articles #14-16 in reverse order in this blog at this time.

May God continue to richly bless you in all that do and say in service to Him!

Love in Christ,
Doug

Articles from Oct 21 In House Newsletter

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Encourage One Another Daily!
“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.”
Hebrews 3:13

As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are to encourage one another daily. That is the focus of a new program we are starting within our group.
Starting Tuesday October 23, we will have a place set up at the church building for you to write encouragement notes to one another. Please take part in this, you don’t have to write a long letter, just a quick note letting that person know that you are thinking of them.
We are also going to start a program called “Today is My Day.” We will have four encouragement teams. Each team will have different people to encourage each day of the month. They can do this by calling the person or sending a text message or writing them a short note. You can even call and say “I love you” in under two seconds so that you won’t be charged. If you would like to be part of an encouragement team, please let Kelli know by Tuesday the 23rd.
You do not have to be in one of these groups to encourage people. Please look around you and see who isn’t here. Who have you not seen in a while? Give them a call. Let them know that they are loved and that you miss them.

GOODNESS
Before you read this grab your Bible and read Psalm 23

Goodness is an uprightness of soul that abhors evil, it also refers to a clean-cut honesty of motive and conduct. It takes total commitment to God and His word for a Christian to dedicated his/her life to goodness. With the help of the Holy Spirit, this fruit of the spirit will enable us to first recognize the works of the flesh, wherein we walk in the past and empower us to resist the devil (Psalm 1:1-3). Let us watch out for the companies we keep today.

All our transactions must be in honesty and good mind. The Bible says that we should do honest business.

Also, we should let our yes be yes, and no be no, anything short of this is deceit (James 4:17). We must do good always, otherwise it is sinful. All we have to do today, is to practice what we have studied, read, and heard.

Philippians 4:8-9 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. …James Vaughan

Prayer for Understanding
Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring the moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love. Matt 5:44

A Rainy Afternoon
One rainy afternoon I was driving along one of the main streets of town, taking those extra precautions necessary when the roads are wet and slick.Suddenly my daughter, Aspen, spoke up from her relaxed position in her seat. "Dad, I'm thinking of something."This announcement usually meant she had been pondering some fact for a while, and was now ready to expound all that her six-year-old mind had discovered. I was eager to hear."What are you thinking?" I asked."The rain!" she began, "is like sin, and the windshield wipers are like God wiping our sins away."After the chill bumps raced up my arms I was able to respond. "That's really good, Aspen."Then my curiosity broke in. How far would this little girl take this revelation? So I asked..."Do you notice how the rain keeps on coming? What does that tell you?"Aspen didn't hesitate one moment with her answer: "We keep on sinning, and God just keeps on forgiving us."I will always remember this whenever I turn my wipers on.

An Eternal Question for 2 reasons:
1. To check your faith and relationship with God.
2. To ask your friends to make them think about eternity.

If you died today, would you go to Heaven?

Article from Oct 7 07 In House Newsletter

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Prayers For Us, God’s Children
As you read Ephesians 3:14-19, you see the Apostle Paul, inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit, writing a prayer from his heart. He is praying for these bothers and sisters that he dearly loves and whom he wants the very best for. Do you know that this prayer is for us? It is, because through the Holy Spirit, God knew that we would need this prayer in our lives as well!
There are several places in the Bible that prayers are offered for faithful followers of Jesus Christ. Jesus prayed for us in John 17:20-21 - "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” Another prayer is in Ephesians 1:15-23 where Paul prays for us to know the wisdom, power and strength that Jesus Christ has waiting for us! In Philemon 6 Paul prayed: “I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.” He prayed for us to be active in sharing our faith so we could understand what good God has for us! John even prayed for health for us in 3 John 2, “I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” God wants us to be in good health, so our souls can be strong to serve Him! Remember these are prayers guided by the Holy Spirit! These are the things that not only these writers wanted for us, but what God wants for us!
Let us end these prayers with the end of Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3: 20,21. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” God wants us to know how much He is ready to work in your lives – if we let Him! Have faith, trust in God to fulfill the promises that He has for our lives and praise Him for His greatness!

...Dougchik

From the Kremenchuk In House Newsletter for Sept 20 07

2007-10-30T08:57:00.000+02:00

Welcome Back To Our Newsletter!
“Living For Jesus” is back by popular demand! Many have said, “Why don’t we have a Newsletter any more?” So we have decided to bring it back.
I have a better question for you. What is going to make “Living for Jesus Newsletter” work?
You need to take it and read it!
You can give it to friends to interest them in what we are doing.
You can write poems and articles for the newsletter. (I happen to know that several of you are very good poets!)
You can give questions to be answered in the Newsletter.
You can encourage those that write for the paper and give them your ideas.
You can donate pictures to be used in the paper.
We want this paper to inform you, encourage you and train you in living the life that God has called us to live.

What Do You Want To Become?
If you are still in school, you may be thinking about what University you want to attend and what area of study you will take. If you are studying in a University, you may be thinking that you will need to get another degree than the one you now have. If you have graduated and are working, you may be thinking, “Is this really what I want to do?”
If you choose to make the decision to become a child of God, the other decisions in life take on a different perspective. You learn to look at life through the eyes of Jesus – the famous saying, “What would Jesus Do?” Remember that Jesus would stay close to God every day. Jesus would think of others before He thinks of Himself. He would serve others always. He would love people even when they don’t deserve it. He would always be ready to forgive them, no matter how many times they hurt him.
So, what will you become in Jesus? …Dougchik

Finding Ways to Grow Through Trials
James 1:2-4 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
We all face trials many times in our lives. Somone has said we will always either be coming out of trial, in a trial or getting ready to enter a trial! God isn’t interested as much in our happiness as He is in our Holiness! God want us to try all the time to become like Him! He is always there to help us through the trials we are facing in our lives. 2 Peter 2:9 says, “the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials.” Remember that this life is a life that prepares us to become like Jesus so that we can spend eternity with Him in Heaven!
For those of us that went to our Black Sea Bible Camp this year, we know that we had some real trials and struggles there. Did you grow from those experiences? Did you trust God through them and become more faithful and stronger in Christ? What good things happened while you were there? What did you learn? What do you need to learn from it? I am going to share some pictures with you from camp. Think about the good times we did have. Think about what we learned at camp through our Bible lessons. Think about how we can become better people, how we can become more Christ like through our 13 days at camp.
…Dougchik

Journal for Oct.1-15 07

2007-10-17T10:56:00.000+02:00

Monday, October 1, 2007
A busy day getting ready for classes and visiting classes. Also we went out to be with the Orphan’s family for a Bible Study, but because the Grandmother is in such poor health, we didn’t study, just talked, had tea and comforted the family. Grandmother has cancer, but it is not yet determined exactly how bad.
Tuesday, October 2 – Ella’s 3rd Birthday (granddaughter) and Alina’s 20th Birthday
I happy for Ella – she is such a darling granddaughter! I miss her so much, but enjoyed my time with her and he family this summer. It is a very sad time for me with Alina, for Alina has not been to services or anything much since camp and I have not seen her since I have been back. She didn’t want to celebrate her birthday with us this year. We started our 6th grade class today with 3 boys at school 11. We were also supposed to start the 7th grade class, because I forgot. You see, I got distracted today when I went outside this morning and found my back window on my car smashed in. Who did it? No way of knowing. After the morning class, I took it to the insurance company and they told me to take it a repair place, pay for it and I would get my money back in a week or so. They pay 100% for any window damages, so that is good. It will be repaired tomorrow. Well, in all that, I forgot the class I set up for the 7th grade. We had 8 for devo tonight. I spoke.
Wednesday, October 3
I got my window repaired in the morning and picked it up after afternoon classes. I traveled by using taxis today! I started my 5th grade class at School 11 with 5 kids. This age is always so much fun! We also tried to start an English Club at School 11 for 8th-11th grades, but 2 girls came and we decided to start next week. We will advertise more. At 6:30pm, we also started a University English Club, invite 3 different Universities in town to come and we had a grand total of 3! We had it and it went okay. We are having to rent a room in one of the Palaces of Culture (community buildings) for $80 a month for 2 hours a week. We don’t have this money in our budget, but Lord willing it will come from somewhere if this succeeds. We will try it for a month and see how it goes. We are doing these English Clubs as a way to get to know more people and let them see that we are okay people. We will then invite them to our Bible Classes in the future as we get to know them better.
Thursday, October 4
My main class today is at the village with 5th-7th graders. We (Oksana my translator for the village work) went out and they were busy with a teacher appreciation day. So a wasted trip. I really like this work out in the village (37 miles away) but it is so frustrating to drive all the way out there and not be able to have the classes that you want to hold. Our Thursday evening Bible Study had 6 in attendance tonight.
Friday, October 5
We were again going to the village for the 8th grade and then 11th grade classes, but they also canceled for other things, this time sending me a text message on my phone saying it wasn’t going to work for us to come. We had fun night with 5 people. Our attendance in the evening weekday classes continues to be way low and frustrating. We are trying to do all we can to encourage the young people to come. More have jobs. More have extra classes at schools and some I just don’t what’s going on – but am trying to find out.
Saturday, October 6
I did my normal Saturday morning marketing, shopping, lesson preparations, etc. for Bible Clubs. We had 5 in attendance today for Univ. Bible Club – for this class, that’s pretty good right now. Then we started the Church Discussions at the Church building at 4 with maybe a dozen and that went well and pleasant. Then we had 7 for our Teen Bible Club which also is good.
Sunday, October 7
Good attendance at services today and a good worship too! I was pretty tired and rested most of the afternoon. I spoke in the evening services and we had 12.
Monday, October 8
I am trying to take this day off, but it is nearly impossible for me to take a day off if I stay in Kremenchuk! I had 3 people calling me for assistance with different things during the day and then we again went to be with Orphan family. We come trying to bring love and encouragement to them. They really do appreciate it and we are really coming to love this family and all the kids!
Tuesday, October 9
1 6th grader showed up but we didn’t have class and he promised to come back next week. No 7th graders came, even after our visiting classes and inviting them. I also visited in the morning a lot of 8th -11 grade English classes and invited them to come to our English Club tomorrow. We had 10 at our Devo tonight and we did a split devo. What that means is that we sing together for about ½ hour and then the girls go to a different room. Kelli led the girls discussion this time and Yura had the boys lessons for us. In the evening, Inna, the mother of the Orphan home family and the daughter of the Grandmother that is struggling with her health called and asked if I would drive them to Poltava to the Dr. and Hospital there for her Mother to possibly have cancer surgery tomorrow. I agreed to do this for them.
Wednesday, October 10
Oksana went with me. I left the house at 5:20am, picked up Oksana and then we went out to their home in the village that they live at, fairly close to Kremenchuk. It is a little over an hour to Poltava and we found the hospital about 7:30am. About 11am Inna came out and told us that they had x-rayed the Grandmother after again draining a lot of excess fluid off of her abdomen and found that her cancer wasn’t as bad as they thought but still bad at stage 3 out of stage 5. They think that they can operate. She was admitted to the hospital. I abhor these hospitals. Poorly heated, dimly lit, 8 old beds to a room that have no bedding, pillows and no towels. They are fed one meal a day by the system (supposed free care!!!). They have to bribe the nurses to take care of the ones staying in because they get paid so little. Enough said. We got back in time for my afternoon classes and I had 9 5th graders and my translator didn’t show up! That was a struggle! We played Frisbee outside after reading the lesson together. One boy came to English club this time. We will see about next week – last chance as far as I am concerned. Then in the evening we had some encouragement with 4 new people! That made for a lot better time together! Our club is lasting 2 hours an evening. As you can see my day was long from 5:20am to 9pm.
Thursday, October 11
We went to the village today again and found out – again – that there was other special events going on. We got out to talk to the kids running races outside and the ones that have been in our classes for 2 and 3 years were as cold as ice! What happened???? It hurt both Oksana and I terribly! We will try to find out what is the matter and what is going on here. They have always been so friendly and welcomed us with friendliness and hugs! Again a disappointing Thursday night class with 6 in attendance. A very difficult day.
Friday, October 12
It is always amazing to me how God brings encouragement in the midst of discouragement! We didn’t see the 8th grade kids at the village today, but we had a wonderful study with our 11th grade girls about the plan of salvation! 3 of the 4 girls were there. They continue to be so open with us! We have canceled our Friday night fun night for lack of interest and I am scheduled with activities 7 nights a week. I need at least 1 night a week that I can have for myself.
Saturday, October 13
University Bible Club had 2. Bible Discussion went well with maybe 20 people. Teen Bible Club had 4. A rather discouraging week. We found out that the Grandmother can’t have surgery because she has a bad heart and bad liver. They went into her by removing her woman’s organs and cutting a piece of the cancer and it is very active cancer. She filled up with fluids again and when they drained it there was pieces of cancer floating in it – the cancer is all over her now. Very sad.
Sunday, October 14
4 of us went to Komsomolsk Church of Christ to encourage them. They continue to work hard, but continue to struggle there as the Orthodox church is very strong in that city of 60,000. They did have one new lady that has started to meet with them. There were 10 us for morning services. Then we went home, bought things for sandwiches and made 112 sandwiches for the boy’s prison. Then after eating (5 of us ate together today) we rested for a while. Then I made croissant roll dough for making sweet rolls tomorrow morning and rolls for dinner tomorrow for lunch. My electricity went off about 3:30 today. Then we had bible club for parents and we had 6 in attendance. And we had 15 for evening worship.
Monday, October 15
I got up 6am and fixed breakfast – sweet caramel rolls – for 2 of our girls who said they wanted to come at 7:30am, but they never showed! I spent much of the rest of the morning preparing dinner (lunch) for 4 Americans that are visiting here for America and teaching at the Bible School. We had a good meal and visit together. They left at 2pm. So I had my “8 hour day” in on my day off by 2pm! But it was a good time spent. Then we went to the Orphans’ home again, picking Inna up at the bus station at 5:30pm as she came back from Poltava and caring for her Mom. I got back home tonight about 8pm. It has been a hard and trying month since I have been back. I would greatly appreciate all of your prayers. I know you do pray for me and the work here. I am very thankful for that!

I'm Back! Sorry I've been gone so long!

2007-10-01T09:07:00.000+02:00

Here is my catching up on my Journal! I am having some problems again with my blog. It's all in Ukrainian langauge and I know very little of Ukrainian and not very good in Russian! So be patient with me please!

Tuesday, September 25, 2007
For the first time in many a year, I have been become very lax as far as my journal is concerned. It is my goal and desires to become regular at this again, for my own record of my life and for those of you who read this. The end of June was really the last time I wrote in my Journal, but now I want to catch up in a general way and then be much more specific from here on out. So we are going to go back in time!
June 28-July 11 – Black Sea Bible Camp
First from my Sept. 17th Newsletter:
Camp was a real struggle and trial this year. A week before camp began, I sprained my ankle very badly (it is much better now, but not yet completely well). At first, the Drs. even thought it was broken and put me in a cast. That was on a Friday and on Monday, we had the x-rays taken to another Dr. and they confirmed it was only a bad sprain, but they wanted me to keep the cast on to immobilize it. Drs. and friends in the states said I should take it off so I could ice it, etc. So we cut it off on Tuesday. I went to camp without crutches on Friday evening.
We took 43 people to camp with us this summer to a “brand new camp.” Well it was brand new and not completely finished and a very dirty place. We got a real bargain on the price – 600 Grievnas or $120 per person for 13 days. The other cheapest place we could have gone was closer to 1000 Grievnas for the same period of time. Another reason that the place was so cheep was because the food was so little and so poor! Everyone lost weight – I guess that is good! Also, the owner/cook of the camp was very much opposed to our Christian teachings and never failed to take the chance to put us and our faith down whenever she could. We had several confrontations with her that were very difficult, to say the least. We were told that we would have a lot of room to play games with our kids. There were some empty fields near by, but they were all filled with thistles and thorns! Then 2 of our oldest campers, one boy and one girl caused us all kind of problems in not following the rules.
So what good came from camp? Really, many things! We had some great Bible lessons and devotionals! We grew together because of the trials and difficulties. We learned that we could depend on others when we had hard times. We very much enjoyed the Black Sea this year. The weather was hot and the sea was a great temperature. We had no baptisms this year at camp, but we have 2 girls that are much more seriously considering this for their lives. God is good! We will learn and grow from this camp! One thing we learned for sure, is that we definitely will not do camp with those same people again!
Second from my Newsletter of September 20th that I write to my young people here in Kremenchuk:
James 1:2-4 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
We all face trials many times in our lives. Someone has said we will always either be coming out of trial, in a trial or getting ready to enter a trial! God isn’t interested as much in our happiness as He is in our Holiness! God want us to try all the time to become like Him! He is always there to help us through the trials we are facing in our lives. 2 Peter 2:9 says, “The Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials.” Remember that this life is a life that prepares us to become like Jesus so that we can spend eternity with Him in Heaven!
For those of us that went to our Black Sea Bible Camp this year, we know that we had some real trials and struggles there. Did you grow from those experiences? Did you trust God through them and become more faithful and stronger in Christ? What good things happened while you were there? What did you learn? What do you need to learn from it? I am going to share some pictures with you from camp. Think about the good times we did have. Think about what we learned at camp through our Bible lessons. Think about how we can become better people, how we can become more Christ like through our 13 days at camp.
PRESENT TIME: Hopefully these writing will help to give a good perspective on what camp was like this summer.
July 21-August 4
These 2 weeks I spent with my daughter Janessa, her husband BJ and my grandson Gavin in Grand Island, NE. Janessa worked about 6 hours a day and BJ worked long hours. I got to take of Gavin (2 yrs. 4months) some. We went to some movies, swimming together, to a company picnic in Omaha, NE and finally on the Friday before I left, Janessa, Gavin and I went to the Omaha zoo. Omaha was the city I flew out of the next day.
August 4-11
I spent this time in Arkansas with some friends. We went to a lake for a couple of days, spent a couple of days in Branson, MO, and saw some great shows.
August 11-25
I spent this time with my oldest daughter Jenise, her husband Jon and I met my newest grandson, Malachi (5 months) in San Angelo, TX. Jenise is working on her internship as commercial artists and so I took care of Malachi each weekday for 2 to 3 hours! I was a bit worried about it, as I hadn’t taken care of baby by myself for a long time! But all worked out great – with just a little stress! Jenise and went down to San Antonio, TX for a couple of days, visited my sister Margaret in Kerrville, TX. While in San Antonio, we had a good time at some good restaurants and on Saturday, we spent time on the beautiful river walk and visited the Alamo.
August 25-Sept 7
I traveled to Puyallup, WA to spend the rest of my time in the states with my oldest son Butch, his wife Erin, and my two oldest grand daughters, Hannah (5) and Ella (almost 3). My son Butch is a Chiropractor and worked most of the time. Erin is home with the girls and we did a lot of fun things together, shopped together and just had a good time. Part of the time when Butch was free, we went Salmon fishing and I caught 9 about 5 pounds each. This was a lot of fun! Also we to Seattle one day on the fairy (sp?), and went one afternoon to the mountains which was absolutely beautiful! I hadn’t been in the big mountains for a long time and it was great!
Through all of this travel, I had such a wonderful time with my family! I enjoyed all the things that we did, but mostly, I thoroughly enjoyed just being with my family! It was such a blessing from God and I am so very thankful for it!!!
September 7-9
My return to Kremenchuk took 3 days; because of the flights across the country to NY City, then to Paris for a 10 hour lay over. Finally on Sunday the 9th at about 5pm, I returned to Kremenchuk and my spiritual family here. It is good to be back home!
September 10-23
This has been a time of catching up on many things. I have been working at getting all our classes and activities started up again at schools, Universities and of course our regular activities. Our Tuesday night devotional and our Thursday Bible study were kept on going by James and a couple of Ukrainian guys, Artem and Yura. These 2 young men have grown a great deal and are taking on a real leadership roll that is really needed here and I am very proud of them! We are in the process of starting something new this fall that we are calling “English Club.” It will be strictly an English practice time for University and school age students. We are using this as a way to get to know more people and let them know us. I believe that when people really come to know and be friends with us, we will have a greater opportunity to teach them the gospel. Please be praying for the success of this new effort. We are teaching in 5 schools again this fall and will be working with 3 orphanages again. There is always the challenge of lining up translators. We now have many good translators, it is just being able to line up there schedules with mine/ours! That’s kind of my life in a nutshell up to this point in time.
Wednesday, September 26
The main event of the day was going to the village and visiting classes and setting up classes to start next week. All of our classes at the village this fall will be on Thursdays and Fridays. There is a new big class of 5th graders this year, so that should be fun!
Thursday, September 27
I am putting the finishing touches on English Clubs for 2 schools: 1 and 11 and then for the University level, which we are trying to cover at least 3 intuitions of higher learning. They all start next Wed. Our Bible Study night had just 6 people at it tonight. We are studying Hebrews and it is a good study, but where are the people? I know that as our kids are getting older they are very busy. Our 11th form kids (3) are all taking Univ. prep classes besides their School classes that are night classes that keeps them busy every night during the week and others are working now. So please pray for our growth and success and for us to keep our spirits up with our weekly numbers are down.
Friday, September 28
We made extra trips to School 11 today to finalize everything with the Director and to visit classes to invite kids to next week classes beginning. Then at 2:10, Oksana and I went to the village to study with our 4 11th grade girls there and it went so well! They are so open and excited about the Gospel and we are so thankful to be studying with them. They got out earlier than they thought they would and waited for us for about 40 minutes! At 6 we had a party planned to encourage our young people to invite friends to come so we could get to know them better, but they didn’t come – well we had 10 and had a good time, but no visitors.
Saturday, September 29
We had our 2nd week of Bible Clubs this day. In the morning I did my normal Sat. with Bible Clubs coming up of cleaning, shopping, studying in the morning. Then we had 5 at our Univ. Bible Club and 5 at our Teen Club at 6. Next week, the Church will start church discussion time at 4pm. I get real frustrated with them some times because they asked me what time I wanted us to have it at and I said 3 or 3:30 and they said fine and then set the time at 4! Go figure!
Sunday, September 30
We had a good worship service this morning, with more people there than the last couple of weeks. Then we made sandwiches at my house with 6 of us doing that. Afterwards I made hot tuna sandwiches for us for our lunch! Everyone loves those and I hadn’t made them in a long time. This past week, the city has closed the only bridge across the river (about 1/3 or more of the city lives on the other side of the river) until Dec. 31st. Several of young people live on the other side and it is a major difficulty. One of our young women that I hadn’t had time to be with since I came back was Zhenya. It was a beautiful day, 70, no wind, clear and trees turning, so I offered to drive Zhenya home through another city. Well, it was 92 kilometers (about 50 miles) round trip, but it was a very beautiful trip and gave us time to catch up on things. It was great to spend some time with her too! At 6 we had 12 at our evening services. We have been having about 20, but this was a low number for us. I got home about 8, ate, tried to watch a movie on TV, but was soon asleep. I finally got up and went to bed about 10:30!

Catching Up

2007-08-21T14:35:00.000+03:00

Much has happened since my last Blog. First, for some reason I was unable to get onto this blog for some time - it just wouldn't let me get on! Then I kind of gave up on it. But now that I am here I will be trying again. I hope that you have lots of patience as I try to catch you up!

June was a month long VBS style day camp at the church building with 4th-7th grade kids. Our camp was from 8am-4:30pm and we averaged 15 kids at this camp. Then at 4:30 we had a Bible Study with older kids and most of the time, we averaged 11 at these classes.

At the end of June from June 28-July 12, we had our 5th annual Black Sea Bible Camp at the Black Sea in southern Ukraine. 43 people went and shared this experience with us. After the camp, I came to US, where I now am, visiting family and friends.

As of now, I am in San Angelo, TX visiting my daughter Jenise, her husband Jon and 5 month old grandson, Malachi! I have been babysitting Malachi every weekday while Jenise goes to her internship for her university classes. She will graduate from the Univ. in Dec. of this year.

Love in Christ,
Doug

Doug's Journal for May 1-15 2007

2007-05-16T12:33:00.000+03:00

Tuesday, May 1, 2007
No Schools again today – holiday until tomorrow. The holiday is like a Veteran’s Day. At 9am I left for Bugkivka to get 4 of our 10th grade girls to come to Kremenchuk and spend the holiday with us. It was a terrible rainy morning with mixed snow in my drive to the village and back. We got back around 11 and went to my house where people began to come, fix food (I cooked sloppy joes for them – I hadn’t fixed this before for most). I end up using over 3 pounds of hamburger to feed 16 people! It was a big hit, along with other good food that others brought. We spent the afternoon together, playing, walking and then at 4:30 5 of us went to Prostor (our Wal-Mart type store) and bought birthday presents for Lera, our 11th grade girl for her birthday party after our devo at 6 at the church building. We had 29 for the devo and most stayed for the party afterwards. As you maybe could imagine, the singing was great and James had a great lesson. Lera, started coming with her mother, Nadya, when she was 5. She is really growing up and is a delight to all of us! I got home about 8:30pm to eat supper.
Wednesday, May 2
Not a lot happening today and it was good because I had a pretty bad sinus headache and cough – yes my cough won’t let go of me! By the afternoon, the headache was gone and I was able to get some studying done for Saturday Bible Clubs and for my Rev. Study tomorrow night.
Thursday, May 3
Again, a strong wind is blowing and my sinuses hurt pretty badly. I know I didn’t mention it before. On Monday of this week, Victor Nikolivna, the preacher for one of the 3 churches of Christ here in Kremenchuk died of a sudden massive stroke. It was a shock to everyone! He was 65 years old and had been a very active and strong preacher. His funeral was today. I went to the funeral. People do it all the time, right? It's never fun. He actually lived longer than the average life span for men in Ukraine which is 63. There was a LOT of people there for a Ukrainian funeral. They meet outside the house (apartment building) where he lives and they bring the body in a wooden casket - very simple - can't afford more I am sure. Everybody gathers around the best they can. Since it was for a member of the Church there is at least no morbid music playing. Several of us from the church sang and then Peter, our preacher, preached a sermon, we sang some more. People were placing flowers on the body as the preaching was going on. Then 4 men put the casket on their shoulders and take him to a large van that is waiting and the immediate family all get into this van with all the wreathes and flowers and take the body to the grave site. The friends that I was with said that the equivalent 1/3 the population of Kremenchuk (250,000) are buried at this cemetery. There is some preaching and praying and then 4 men lower the casket down into the grave after the casket is nailed shut. Then they covered the casket with dirt, with friends and family putting 2 or 3 handfuls of dirt on the casket before leaving. They were to have a dinner, but I didn't stay for that. It was hard. I cried some. Then I went home, ate lunch about 3:30pm, prepared for my evening class and we had 12 for that and 8 stayed after and I fixed hot tuna sandwiches afterwards. We studied Rev. 5 about the Lamb and the throne scene. I made the application of the funeral and having to always be ready to meet our maker! It's now about 9:40 and all have gone home about 30 minutes ago. I just wanted to write about this tonight.
Friday, May 4
I had 4 girls in my 6th grade class at School 1 today and that was good and fun. At 1:15 we went to the village (Oksana, Max and I) and we had 12 in class today. We had 2 boys that were just terrible. There is often little or no discipline in the homes I think and it is seen in the boys more than the girls. We have some good boys in our younger classes at school, but these two! Finally, I was actually getting ready to get the director of the school when they finally settled down some. 8 of us played Frisbee and then 5 came to my house for some snacks, games and a movie until about 9:30.
Saturday, May 5
I had prepared my Bible club materials earlier in the week and James was to teach the Adult – 1 came and thus no class. Artem and Oksana taught my Parent’s Club but just 2 came. I left with Alina and Olya to go to the airport to go and get Kelli, who is returning after being gone for about 6 weeks. She will be here until Dec and then go back home. We got back to Kremenchuk about 3:45 and we had a surprise party planned for Kelli, but she expected it. We had a good time anyway. She and I were both pretty tired and so all were home and gone by 6:30pm.
Sunday, May 6
Worship was good with good attendance today. Afterwards 7 of us made sandwiches for the Boy’s prison work and then fixed and ate spaghetti together. It was good and fun afternoon. Then we watched a movie together, some going home and I worked on my evening lesson. We had 14 for our evening services. I got home about 8 and ate another late supper.
Monday, May 7
I did pretty well about having a day off today until later afternoon when things got busy around my place with different people. In the evening we (Olya, Kelli, Ksusha, and Artem) went to the Bible study at the Orphan’s Home family and I gave them a survey to take about what they believed in God and then we started to discuss it and will work on it more next Monday. I got everybody and me home after 10.
Tuesday, May 8
Had a meeting with James and Kelli about camps from 9-11. At 1:15 Max, Oksana and I went to the village to have our class with the 10th grade girls and that went well. They are so much warmer and friendlier since coming to spend time with us in Kremenchuk! We had a good singing night/devo with 15 people present and the singing and fellowship was good. I got home around 8 for supper.
Wednesday, May 9 – V Day – Victory Day – the End of WWII
Or as they call here, The Great Patriotic War! You would too if your city was completely destroyed except for 6 buildings during WWII, over 95,000 people died during the war from your city and 37,000+ died in a concentration camp right in the rubble of your city. Well there were parades, carnivals, speeches, etc. honoring the vets from this time – there are still quite a few remaining. Mostly just a pretty day to have another holiday for the rest of us – no schools today.
Thursday, May 10
Nadya is Ksusha’s Mom. Her dad was unfaithful to her mom this spring and so they divorced. The income has been very low for them. Nadya started coming to our Parent’s Bible Club as one of our founding students. A few weeks ago, I asked her if she would like to cook for me and of course I would pay her. She said she would love to! (She’s a great cook!) She’s done it for 3 weeks now. Today, through her daughter, I asked to if she would like to have a personal Bible Study and she said yes! So that is my greatest news for today! We went to the orphanage in Svetlovodsk at 3:30 and that went well. We had our Rev. study at 6 with 16 people present and that also went well. People went home after 9:30.
Friday, May 11
Normal study stuff in the morning and errands, etc. At 1:15, Ksusha and I went to the village to have our study with the 5th and 6th grade kids. We had 12. But the exciting part is that several of them are getting really excited about coming to camp with us at the Black Sea! This is such an exciting thing as we have been trying to get them to come with us for 2 years and now finally the parents are trusting us enough for them to come! We got at 4. At our Frisbee tonight only 5 came, but we had a good time.
Saturday, May 12
Today was the last day for our Bible Clubs until fall because of other activities coming up. At 10am, I went out and bought Anya O. (Vaughan – James new wife!) a birthday present, took it over to her and they had a meal fixed at 11 – Max came too! It was nice to celebrate a bit with her. We had 7 for our Adult Bible Club with 2 new people that promised us they would come back in the fall. At 2, I tried for the 3rd time to have an Men’s Leadership Meeting from all the churches in the area and only 2 came. I was terribly disappointed and discouraged. Several told me they would come, but it didn’t happen! At 4pm, we had the first blank with our Parent’s Club – I know some are out of town. At 6pm, we had 9 for our Bible Club and that was good.
Sunday, May 13
Not a great day for me. I was still hurt pretty bad about men not coming to the meeting, so it was hard for me worship. I know that I should have let it go, but I didn’t. I did have lunch with a couple of Missionary couples that are here teaching at the Bible College (they around 70 or so) and they were encouraging to me. We had 12 at our evening service and that helped me some, too.
Monday, May 14
God’s Word and another book I am reading both spoke to what I needed today and it brought me to my knees in repentance for allowing hurt feelings stay in my heart, so I repented, prayed and wrote to some people about being sorry for letting anything like this stand in the way of our relationship to God. Of course today is supposed to be my day off. But from about 10 to 1:30 I worked on a report that I am trying to get ready to send to my Elders. Well, it is my day off and I can do what I want to do on it, right? And I wanted to get this done! At 5:45 we went to the Orphans family again for a Bible Study and it went really well with some really good questions coming up from them! They just found out that the Regional Govt. in charge of their kind of work is going to build them a larger home so that they can reach their goal of 12 orphan home kids! They are doing the blue prints this week and will start immediately to build! That’s so great for them. We were there until nearly 10pm! It was a really nice evening!
Tuesday, May 15
It doesn’t seem like it can be the middle of May! I worked very hard all morning on Black Sea Camp stuff and finished printing it out as I ate lunch. I use old formats, etc. but still you have to figure out who is going to teach what, when and where, who will translate, who will do devo’s etc.! This was just the teaching part! At 1pm, Ksusha, Kelli, Vika and I left for the airport to get Frankie. His flight was supposed to arrive at 4:50 – it did, but he lost a suitcase and he didn’t get out of customs, etc. until 6:30pm! Then we drove home, arriving about 9:50pm and by the time I got everyone home and back again it was 10:45! It’s great having Frankie here again – he worked with us for 20 months with AIM and had returned home in Dec. So, it’s great having him back!

Doug's Journal for April 16-30 2007

2007-05-02T10:47:00.000+03:00

Monday, April 16, 2007
I am feeling better today with a lot more energy! I did make myself take the day of until the early evening, when Olya, Ksusha and I went to the Orphan’s family home for our weekly Bible study that went real well. We started study about the Church in the Bible and being the Church that God wants for today. We had tea and cookies afterwards, like we usually do, and had a great time playing with the kids and visiting! Afterwards I went to Ksusha’s home for a little bit. Her mom, Nadya, is starting to do some cooking for me. I am doing this as much for them (their financial need) as I am in the need of some home cooked food, since I haven’t felt like cooking for me in such a long time, or so it seems. I got home about 8:30 and ate some of my delicious salad and a great bowl of Borsch!
Tuesday, April 17
At 8:30am I picked up the rest of my cooked meal – a delicious chicken dish with lots of vegetables and onions. It proved to be very tasty! I spent the morning studying as I will have tonight’s devo, Sunday’s sermon and Sunday night’s lesson. Olya and I went to the village for a class with 3 of our 10th grade girls that went really well and enjoyable! At 6 we had only 12 for our devo, but it went well and we had a good fellowship. I got home after 8pm, ate supper, watched a little TV and then fell asleep in front of the TV!
Wednesday, April 18
We have been having beautiful spring weather! I started my day, fairly normal about 5am. Much of my study over the last few months have revolved around becoming all that God wants us to be as Christians, with the focus on getting rid of the old self that still lives within us to live a new life filled with life and purpose as we prepare for eternity. It has become a matter of completely taking on God’s purpose for our lives so that we can glorify Him in all that we are and do. I have been studying this from at least 4 different approaches so I am striving to know how to pull it all together so that not only can I best live it but so that I can best teach it! What good is what we learn and study if we can’t live it and teach it to others so that they can benefit from it as well? Another great challenge is in putting it in such words and thoughts that makes it clear and understandable in translation into another language! This has taken up much of my study time the last few days. At 12:20 I had 6 sixth grade girls at school 1 and that was good! We studied, did crafts and played a little bit! I have taught the girls the game rhythm and that is all they want to do, but I said lesson and craft first and they willingly did it! I tried again at School 11 to get an older kids class going and again we had no shows. But at 2:45 as I was getting ready to leave the school, I was invited to a teacher appreciation program for young teachers – mostly young English teachers. It finished at 4:15, so I walked home and left at 4:45 for the internot school with Olya and Yulya where we thought we were going to have a puppet show, but didn’t because they had a concert of some kind for the younger kids, but we did have a class with 6 7th graders. Afterwards Yulya, Olya and I ate pizza together, I took them home and I was home about 7:30pm.
Thursday, April 19
I had another morning of study. I am preparing my Sunday sermon, Sunday night lesson, 3 Bible Clubs, plus trying to be well prepared for the Rev. class I will teach tonight. I left early for School 1 today because I was invited to a concert for the younger kids at school. The kids are just not quiet in things like this – it is not really taught because the older kids and even adults are not respectful of people that are up on the stage speaking or performing – so that is always disturbing to me. Well, I was told that this concert would last from 11:30 to 1:30 after I was in it, so I sent a text message to my translator that she didn’t need to come today at 12:20, the normal time for my class. The concert ended at 12:25 and of course I didn’t have a translator! Then as I prepared to go to the orphanage to do our puppet shows, we only had 1 person that could go – we need at least 2! (As it turned out, it was okay because I had a pretty bad sinus headache developing so I took some meds and slept about 45 minutes and it helped.) As our kids get older, they get busier and busier and it is hard to get people to do the work that we need help for. Nearly everybody would LIKE to do puppets and help, but no time! No Time!! We had 15 for our Rev. Bible Study tonight, with Natasha, our new Christian, bringing 2 of her friends. It was a good class and went well. 2 of our girls, Ksusha and Olya who are studying for Univ. entrance exams and stayed around and studied together until nearly 10pm.
Friday, April 20
My morning again was filled with study! You have study well to teach well. I set up 2 translators for classes today – one at school 1 and at the village. Neither of them came, so I had to cancel both classes! I was so frustrated, angry and disappointed that those kids that SAID they would come to class didn’t have a chance to hear the message of God today!!! One of the translators called to apologize but the other didn’t even call. God please forgive me for not being able to learn this language better! At 5pm, 8 of us gathered to play ultimate Frisbee and that was fun. Then at 6:30 people started to gather at my house to celebrate some more with James and Anya as we looked at wedding pictures and saw a video of their wedding and reception. We ate together and a grand time. There were about 20 people here tonight and the last went home about 9:30pm.
Saturday, April 21
My morning started at 5:10am. I worked on my Bible Club lessons and Sunday morning sermon in the AM. At 12pm we had 7 for our Adult Bible Club, at 4pm we had 8 for our Parents Bible Club and then at 6pm we had 5 for our Teen Bible Club. My day ended about 9pm when the last went home.
Sunday, April 22
I preached on “The Glory of God and Us” in the morning and then in the evening on “Jesus’ Glory from God at the Cross.” After morning services 4 of us made sandwiches for the boy’s prison, finished up my evening sermon preparations and then had a relaxing afternoon with 4 people here.
Monday, April 23
Mostly I had a day off. I had about ½ dozen phone calls and Olya and I went and bought a birthday present for Eloyna (7 year old orphan) at the children’s home where we study with the family on Monday nights. After we had the birthday party, we studied. This night I decided to try and find out how far along each person in the family was with their faith. Inna the mother was the closest (besides the twin 14 year old boys being Christians) with the daughter and dad A LONG WAY to go. Really all the non Christians have a long way to go! I was pretty discouraged, but it is better to know where they are so we can know where to help them. It was late when I got home.
Tuesday, April 24
Studied in the morning – well at least most of it! Oksana can’t go today, so Ksusha went with me to translate for our 10th grade class with the girls. They will come and be with us next week during the holidays (Big holidays on May 1st and 9th and basically everything in between!). Our devo numbers were down to about 12 this week.
Wednesday, April 25
No class today because of lack of translator at School 1. We would have had 2 girls. No classes at the internot school today because of concerts!
Thursday, April 26
1 girl in class at school 1. We had 15 for our Thursday night Bible Study.
Friday, April 27 – congratulations to Jenise and Jon Grottis – my daughter and son-in-law’s 1st yr of marriage!
At the class at School 1 today, we again had 1 person – class conflicts I was told. At the Village today we had 5 kids in class. Again class conflicts! At 5 Artem and I met with a “travel agency” and talked about excursions for our day camp in June and also for our Black Sea Bible Camp. We arranged for 3 excursions and possibly a better camp and price than earlier thought. 6 came for Frisbee and then they cleaned on the beach and came over to my house for chocolate chip cookies afterwards.
Saturday, April 28
Bad attendance continued today for 2 of our 3 Bible Clubs. 2 came for 2 of them. 7 came for our Parent Bible Club. This was a really bad week for attendance in most cases for most things. Rather discouraging.
Sunday, April 29 – Happy birthday to my oldest son, Butch!
4 of us went after Church services to a village called Gradisk where an orphanage is and did puppet shows for over 100 kids and a story afterwards. It was great! Then came home and rested and relaxed in the afternoon from about 3:30 to 5:30 and then evening worship with 14.
Monday, April 30
Because the twin family had illness (I’m not glad they did) we didn’t have that Bible Study and I had a full day off!

April 1-15 Journal

2007-04-24T06:07:00.000+02:00

Lera is now 11 and has been coming to us, with her Mom for 5 years!

She is with my cat Zhenya!

Sasha is a delightful 8th grader who has been a Christian for almost 2 years! We just celebrated her 14th birthday with her. She has a beautiful singing voice, too!
Vika is one of our newest girls. She also is 14 and loves all that we do. She is Ksusha's cousin.
Ksusha is with 3 year old Artem. Every week Ksusha teaches the three orphans in this home while I study with the parents and 3 teens in this family.
One of first Tuesday night singing nights at the church building in our newly remodled room! This is just some of the people that were there that night.

Sunday, April 1, 2007
This morning before services began our new Natasha came to me and said she wanted to be baptized. I was really surprised! There is usually some literature on salvation at the Church building and at my home. On some of the walls at the building is the plan of salvation, spelled out pretty well. She read it all and the Bible we gave to her, too. She had brought clothes along to be able to be baptized – even a hair dryer! I was very surprised (as it doesn’t usually happen like that here!) and asked her some questions to see if she knew what she was doing and if she knew what baptism was for. She assured me she knew, even though she realizes she needs much study to be able to grow up in Christ. She assured me that she realizes that this was a very important step in her life and that she was giving her life to Jesus Christ! So after services, we baptized her into Christ!!! After services this morning, Max, Anya’s Mom and I went to the airport in Borispil, 3 ½ hours away to pick up our new married couple in James and Anya Vaughan. There flight was a bit late getting in and we left the airport about 5:30pm, getting back to Kremenchuk about 9.
Monday, April 2
Today turned out to mostly a day off. We did make a trip out to the Orphan family for our Bible Study, but they weren’t there. They had to take care of some business and forgot to call us.
Tuesday, April 3
I worked on lessons and studies in the morning and did some shopping. After being gone most of last week to Kiev and having kids here part of the time at my house, my refrigerator was pretty bare! No surprise there. Do you have teenagers at home? Well I have over 20 that circulate through my house on a regular basis and a lot of times when they come in, they are hungry. Often they don’t eat lunch because the school system really doesn’t give them enough of a break and by the time classes are finished at the school or university they are hungry! The longest break at schools during the day is 15 minutes. We went to Bugkivka in the afternoon, but because of miscommunication, no one was there and a wasted trip. We had our first devotional/singing night at the church building with 20 people and then we celebrated James and Anya’s wedding afterwards and that was fun.
Wednesday, April 4
At 12:20pm I had a 2 5th and 6th grade girls for class at School #1 where Kelli usually teaches. Sasha, older guy and preacher at Komsomolsk translated for me. Then I went to School #11 where I am trying to restart some classes that have been dormant since December when Jared and Frankie left – not enough time or translators to take care of it all. We wanted to have an older class of 8th – 11th grades today, but no one came – 7 said they would and all failed to show! I went and was going to go to the Internot school but I had a bad headache and my cough was bad, so I and we didn’t go.
Thursday, April 5
Yulya and I went to see the Dr. for my cough at the far north part of Kremenchuk and the Dr. wasn’t in! So we made arrangements to go tomorrow. Yulya translating for me at School #1 had 3 kids for class. I spent the rest of the afternoon finishing my preparations of study for Rev. Then at 6 we had 12 for our Thursday night Bible Study and started studying the 2nd chapter of Revelation. Still not feeling well and coughing more than I want!
Friday, April 6
Yulya went with me again to the Clinic on the north of the city, but with Ivanna’s mother’s help (the mother, Sveta, works there) we saw a ear, noses and throat specialists, with x-rays again and it was clearly determined that I have a sinus infection and may have had it for these last 3+ months. This may have been causing my problems all along! Well, I got a handful of meds and headed home. I am feeling better today, maybe it is just knowing what is wrong. We played ultimate Frisbee for an hour on an outdoor basketball court for our fun night at 6 and then I went home to rest. One of the mothers said she didn’t know where I got all the energy I had to keep up with this younger set. Sometimes I wonder about it too!
Saturday, April 7
I spent the morning in preparations for class with writing 3 lessons, buying drinks and snacks, cleaning up around the place, setting up tables, chairs, books, etc. At 12 we had 5 for our Adult Bible Club. At 4 we had 7 for our Parent’s Bible Club and at 6 we had 9 for our Teen Bible Club. After the Teen Club, we had 17 here to celebrate Vika’s birthday. She turned 14 today. This was the first time Vika had celebrated her birthday with us and she was really happy and pleased to do so!
Sunday, April 8 – Easter both in Ukraine and US at the same time – first time since I have been here!
We really had nothing special today. We were supposed to make sandwiches for the boy’s prison, but everything was closed and we couldn’t get the things we needed to do this. 6 ate lunch with me and then I had 4 to 6 people around all afternoon. Really it was very relaxed and pleasant! Our evening service went with 18 in attendance.
Monday, April 9
I woke up to an allergic reaction on my thumb – the same way that the rash I had a few weeks ago started. The only thing that was the same is anti-biotic that was taking is the same. So I quit the anti-biotic. I would rather have the sinus infection and the cough than that terrible rash! I am still taking my other meds. It was a busy day with people in and out. Sasha guy, student from Hartakov (it’s hard trying to distinguish the different Sasha’s we have, especially since girls and guys all this same name!) and Artem went with Ksusha, Alina and I to the Orphan’s family study. We went late, because the Dad, Victor, didn’t finish working until 8pm. We had another good study and then Ksusha and Alina did a puppet show for the whole family. Sasha and Artem held the blanket for the show! I got around 10:30pm.
Tuesday, April 10
I was going to rest this morning since yesterday was so busy. I had even got back to bed at 9am for a nap! Yea, right! I forgot that I had made an appointment with our Komsomolsk preachers Sasha and Valery at 9 to discuss the work that I forgot. Well they came, I got up and we had a good discussion. Then I got a call about camp from Artem, who is trying to find us a place that we can go to and afford this year at the Black Sea for our July camp. So I ended up working on finance planning the rest of the morning until 12. Then I cleaned up, fixed lunch and went and picked up Ksusha. We went to Bugkivka at 1:30 for our 2:15 study. There were 2 girls waiting for us and we had a good study on how to choose God. As we were starting to leave the school it started to rain really hard, so we took the 2 girls home and saved them a drenching! I am really exhausted today, so got in a ½ hour nap before our Devotional tonight. We had it at 6 at the church building with 15 people present. I got home about 8pm and fixed summer, read a bit and went to bed!
Wednesday, April 11
I had 6 for my 6th grade class at school 1 and we had a good time together today! Then we went to the internot school at 5 and taught 4 classes there. We would have had more, but some of the teachers were ill. The teachers live there with them, too, at least part of the time.
Thursday, April 12
I studied in the morning. I had another 6th grade class at school 1 today, but only one girl. She is reading the Gospels on her own and is a remarkable young girl! I had a quick lunch and then Olya went with me back to the Dr. I had more x-rays of my sinus and I am still infected – I could have told them that! I have had this lingering infection/cough/sore throat etc. for almost 4 months! Well we are working on it. Most of the time, I haven’t been down and out, but some times I just don’t feel good. This afternoon was one of those times I didn’t feel good with a bad headache. We had 11 for our evening Bible Study. People went home about 8:30pm.
Friday, April 13
So what is special about today? The date? How do you look at it? This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it! We didn’t go to the village today, because they had a special project going on. I hate to keep saying this, but I’m not feeling good to day with a bad headache and sinus pressure. I am doing all I can to work on this thing. I did go to play ultimate Frisbee with the kids today, but came home early. Later some of the kids came over – about 6:30 and we ate and played some cards together for awhile and they left early, realizing my health needs. About 8, I went to a person that I know that works with natural health products and I got several to start using. I got home about 10.
Saturday, April 14 – Happy Birthday Jared Kendall!
As usual, I spent the morning getting ready for the rest of the day. By 12:15 no one had come for the adult Bible Club and I figured we wouldn’t have class. By 12:30, we had 4 and by 1 we had 2 more! So we got a late start, but it was fine. The 2 that came late were old and new. One was one that used to come to me all the time, maybe 2 years ago. He is from a denomination and by his own admittance he has been away from God and is trying to find the way back. The other young man, is minister in the same church where he goes, but has had a lot of influence from the Church in an other city. Well we talked for about 1 ½ hours and I felt that it was very good and open conversation and study. At 4pm, in the Parent Bible Club, we had 6, with 2 new people and 2 regulars were not there. At 6pm, we had 6.
Sunday, April 15
Unfortunately to say, I am still not doing well. Same conditions. I went to worship and then came home, ate and rested for the afternoon. By evening I was feeling better and went to evening services. I was going to speak, but James spoke for me because I hadn’t been feeling good earlier in the day. He did a good job. We had 20 for our evening services.

New Journal for March 1-15 07

2007-03-21T06:46:00.000+02:00

Dear Friends and Family,
This blog sight would not allow me on for a long time - couldn't even sign on for some reason - but now I'm back! If you are a regular reader here, I'm starting with my regular journal. Thank you for being patient with me and Google!
In Christ,
Doug

Thursday, March 1, 2007
I was getting pretty discouraged about my health until I got 2 emails telling me about missionaries in other parts of the world, one an old college friend – Sharla Sikes Markum, that were really ill – dangerously ill. Of course I started praying for them, but it made me realize how fortunate I am. I have this lingering cough and my itching to remind me how much I need the Lord! I said all that to say that I stayed in once again, trying to get well. We did have class here with 13. I did get some pretty exciting news today! 2 of our Moms of our girls want to come to Bible Club! Their English is pretty poor, so I am thinking about starting a VERY simple Bible Club for Moms! I think that I have at least 2 other Moms that will come, too, including 1 Christian Mom! I am very excited about this, because one of the things that we have always wanted to do was to be able to reach parents through our young people! Patience is a virtue!
Friday, March 2
Oksana and I went to the village today and had a class with 4 7th grade girls. Again, the 5th and 6th grades had long gone! The girls were good, but we got to get our timing down better as we are missing so many of our kids. About 30 minutes after we got back, 4 of us (2 students, Kelli and I) headed for the orphanage in Svetlovodsk, about 25 Kilometers the other way. We met Sasha and Valery (preachers from Komsomolsk) there and went and talked to the Assistant director about setting up classes to teach. The Assistant Director was very helpful and we will start on March 15th with a puppet show and then classes for at least most ages in the school of 1st grade through 12th grade. There are about 110 kids in this school. Lord willing, we will be able to use this as a launching grounds to reach out to the city. We got home about 7:30pm. After traveling about 230 miles in rainy weather, I was pretty tired and went sleep about 8:30pm!
Saturday, March 3
I had a very busy morning of preparations for Bible Clubs. Then we had just 2 in our Adult Club. For now, we are combing our 2 and 6pm clubs because of poor attendance at 6pm. I went to the church discussion at 3:30. We had 6 for our evening Bible Club. We did get more good news today! A single individual has agreed to donate money for our Bible Camp this summer that will make it possible for that camp to happen! Isn’t it amazing how God is always at work in His Church and for the lost?!
Sunday, March 4
Everybody gets down from time to time. I didn’t really realize it, but I had been allowing a lot of things to pile up in my life. Well, my daughter Jenise called me early this morning and she did an incredible job of sharing her faith with me and encouraging me in many different ways. After we talked, I fell on my knees in prayer. A part of that prayer was just pouring all my cares out to God and asking Him to take my burdens because I knew He could carry them and I couldn’t! Well, He took them right away and got up from knees to have one of the best days that I had in several months! God is such a powerful and wonderful God, if we will just let Him work in our lives! We had a great worship service and a beautiful day. A young English teacher that I hadn’t seen in a year, Natalie (not the one that moved to the US) brought a friend and met us at the Church building. Her friend is a 3rd year Univ. student that has just transferred to Kremenchuk and wants to come and be apart of our group! I was so excited to see her and them!! We had 13 for our evening service.
Monday, March 5
James left early for the airport to fly to Lubbock, TX for the AIM graduation. On the 15th he will fly to England for his and Anya’s wedding on the 24th and back to Ukraine on April 1st. Another great day! Oh, everything didn’t go like I wanted it to – we didn’t make our trip to the village, but I spent the afternoon with Max and that was good. Then at 4:30 Yulya (she hadn’t eaten all day, been at the Univ. and was starved so I fed her before we went) came to translate for me in a Bible Study with the Orphan Home family and we picked up Ksusha to teach the younger children at 5pm. Again, God was really with us and is working in the hearts of this family. We had a good study on the first part of the Plan of Salvation and then talked about the Church. They asked if they could come to the Church on Sunday. They were afraid that they had to be baptized before they could come to the Church! The misconceptions that people get!!! But the whole family, minus the little kids (2,4,6) will stay home with the grandmother (no room in the small car for all of them). The mother – Inna, father – Victor and three Teens, Liza, Andrey and Alexey will come! The boys were baptized at camp this past summer. Please continue to pray for this family and their souls’ salvation. They are a great family!
Tuesday, March 6
Today was mostly a day off today until our 4pm when I went to a concert for School #11’s woman’s day. Then at 6 I came home to our singing/devotional. We had 16 and a nice evening.
Wednesday, March 7
There were schools today, but because tomorrow is International Woman’s Day (even though most Americans don’t know about this, it is like having Christmas, birthdays and Valentines day all wrapped into one!), they are too busy for us to have classes in any of the schools. So I studied a lot and worked on things around the house.
Thursday, March 8 – Woman’s Day
This is a day to celebrate all females of all ages. It is much cheaper to celebrate Mother’s Day! Of course everybody was busy, the schools and Universities (rarely do they close the Universities) are closed for today and tomorrow. I did take Kelli and Yulya to a movie and fixed dinner for them. We tried to have a Bible Study, but there were only 4 of us guys here, so we did some. Our celebration with and for the girls is tomorrow evening.
Friday, March 9
I went to bed at 11 and woke up at 3. Went to the bathroom and back to bed, but got up at 3:30 - couldn't go back to sleep. Actually it is too hot in my room - about 80 - we have no way of regulating the heat - it comes through the pipes and is a battery - hot water. So when the weather warms up like this, the temp stays the same and the house gets hot. It's too cold outside at night, 32, to leave the window open, as the window is right by my bed. Fun dilemma! I walked to our market in the morning - about 1/2 mile away and bought 2 large sacks of food for our Woman's Day Dinner Celebration! We made 4 LARGE pizzas - all from scratch - (I really do have a good Betty Crocker pizza crust recipe!). At 3pm, 5 of our guys came and helped. We had ham & pineapple pizza, ham, red (not hot) peppers, mushroom pizza, hamburger and pineapple pizza, and hamburger, pepper, mushroom pizza all topped with lots of great cheese! Then the guys also cut up into medium size bowls grapes, oranges, apples, bananas and kiwis. After the pizza was eaten, we served this fruit on ice cream. The ice cream is really good here - tastes a lot like homemade. We served 27 people tonight. Also, we/I bought flowers for all the girls! They guys thought we can't celebrate Woman's Day without giving the girls flowers!!! I told you they go all for this day of celebration! A NOTE: Katya came back to us tonight – she was baptized at camp and we hadn’t seen her for a long time. We were all full of joy! About 8pm there were still 15 people here, so we got the song books out and sang together for about an hour. It was great! They the last people left at 10:30pm! I was all in and thought I would sleep really well, but I didn't!
Saturday, March 10
Normal preparation for Bible Clubs, but we had 2 for the Adult and 6 for the Teen Bible Clubs. But one of the people that came was Natasha, that came new to Church services last Sunday. It was just one of those days!
Sunday, March 11
Today was a great day – see I told you they would get better! Natasha was again at Church services today as well as many of our other young people and good attendance. Also, Victor and Inna came to services for the first time!!! We that know them were all so excited to see them! The older kids that were going to come couldn’t, but they will come in the future! 4 of us made sandwiches for the boy’s prison today. Then at 3, 4 of us went to the bigger orphanage in Patoki – I don’t think I ever told you the name of this village before. Personally, I had been making excuses for not going – I am not sure why – but it was so good to go and be with the kids to teach them, play with them and to love them. They need all of it soooo much! At our 6pm service, people came in slowly and it didn’t look like we were going to have many, but ended up with 19, including a new lady and her 6 year old daughter. So God blessed us with a GREAT day!
Monday, March 12
I never have a complete day off unless I leave the city and give someone else some of my responsibilities. Today, I went to a class at School 10 that Kelli is teaching, as she is leaving next Tuesday for about 6 weeks in the US. I met the girls there and then left so Kelli to teach her class. Then at 8pm (we waited this late, so Victor could be home from work) and actually started our study about 8:30pm. Again we had a great study with Victor, Inna and there 3 teenage kids on the plan of salvation. We will study Baptism in detail, Lord willing, next week. The 3 little orphans were absolutely adorable tonight. We, Ksusha, Alina and I, just love them to pieces and they feel the same about us!
Tuesday, March 13
I studied early and hard until about 9am, when I took Max to a village about 45 kilometers away to get some paper work done. Then at 1:15 Max and I picked up Oksana and went to the village Bugkivka where we have a lesson with 10th grade girls. There were 4 girls there today and we had a great study with them! They are so nice and seem like sponges that just soak up the truth. At 6pm, we had 19 for our singing/devo. Natasha came to her first singing tonight. We did a split devo. First we sing for about a ½ hour and tonight, Kelli taught the girls and Artem taught us guys. Our study went great and I understand that the girls did too! The girls went over to Kelli’s for a bridal shower for Anya O. who is getting married to James in England on the 24th, but leaves for England on the 15th. They had a lot of fun! The guys stayed at my place until after 9.
Wednesday, March 14
Well, the Bible College FINALLY moved out of the church building and into their new building about a week ago. We thought that they were going to do this last Sept.!!! So, Max was out of school again today and so we went shopping for things we want for the church building to make it more of a Learning Center/Family Center during the week when it is not being used for other things. We spent nearly all day shopping and buying a carpet for the family room and a davenport and 2 arm chairs and waiting for the furniture to be delivered. We also cleaned out and up the room where all this is going to take place. Squeezed around this was lunch at a pizza place, visiting school #1 where I will teach while Kelli is gone to the US for 6 weeks and going to the internot school in the evening. I was sooooo exhausted! A lot of lifting and I hurt my low back again. I don’t know if I mentioned in this journal or not, but we are starting a Bible Club for Mom’s (really older adults) that will be much more a beginner’s beginner’s Bible Club. But it is a dream come true, because 3 Mom’s for sure have said that they would come – Mom’s of our kids. We have long had as one of our main goals was to reach families through the kids! Now the Lord’s blessings and patience is paying dividends. We will start this on this coming Sunday. Please pray for it’s success!
Thursday, March 15
I was supposed to meet the guy who would put our new furniture together (it came in parts!) at the church building at 10am. In a very Ukrainian way, he got there at 10:45. Patience, Doug, patience! Isn’t it amazing how I can be patience for souls but little things like this is very frustrating for me!? He finished about 12, but not completely, so I have to meet him at 7:30 in the evening. I went home and ate a quick lunch. I am digging to find kids to come and do the puppets show for the orphanage today in Svetlovodsk. I found Zhenya and Ksusha. Zhenya needed some running around before we left, so I did that for about 45 minutes. Then as the girls were reading the scripts in the car, we just got the translated scripts yesterday afternoon, they found out we needed some props. So we went to 3 stores before we found a flashlight and a toy gun for the play. We were 30 minutes late getting to the Orphanage, but no one seemed to mind. I think that 90%+ things start late in this country and I’m still not used to it! Well, we had about 40 kids for our show and Bible Studies afterwards. It was a good beginning and the kids were all excited about our coming back next week! We then went back home and in about an hour we had our Bible Study with only 11 people tonight – where is everybody??? But then I had to leave early to SUPPOSEDLY meet the man at the Church building to finish the couch. Of course he came at 7:45 and so I didn’t get back home and to my supper until after 8:30. So it is with life in Ukraine! Many, many god things, but with a few frustration thrown in to keep me humble and realizing that I have to totally rely upon the Lord for everything!

Journal for Feb 16-28, 2007

2007-03-01T14:46:00.000+02:00

Friday, February 16, 2007
For those of you that read this all the time, I will write here what I try to do every day. I try to study the Word, pray, read from a sound scriptural book, listen to encouraging tapes/cds, study Russian, and exercise. So I won’t write that kind of stuff everyday. I will try to write more of the highlights of the day. Like we are still under quarantine today in the schools (not Univ.) and just found out that it will be all next week, too. So no school for another week! We did go to the village for our class and had 8 students and a lot of fun! We had our fun night with 12 kids here and it was a lot of fun.
Saturday, February 17
Every Sat. mornings I go buy groceries for the Bible Clubs, clean up around the house, get set up, work on lessons for the day, etc. We had 7 for our Adult Club, 2 for our Beginners and none for our Teen. There are a lot of circumstances that are causing us to be short here, but we will combine our 2 afternoon Bible Clubs as one – at least for awhile. At 3:30 several of us met with Buddy Baker and Mike (sorry I don’t know his last name) about helping to teach orphans with puppets. That went well and we will go some next week with Buddy to some of the 8 orphanages that they work with in our area.
Sunday, February 18
Max, Ksusha and I went to Komsomolsk to worship with them and I preached. They were glad to have us and we had 9 people all together. We came back and spent the afternoon together, along with some others that came to my house. We had 16 for our evening worship service, with Buddy and Mike attending. They both really liked our service and singing.
Monday, February 19
This day’s activities planned fell flat. We were supposed to go the village to teach my class with my 10th grade girls, but shortly before we left, we got a message saying that their school had been closed for quarantine too. Schools all over central Ukraine are closing. Then the personal Bible study we were supposed to have with the family didn’t work out. When Ksusha and I got there, they were not there because the parents and some of the kids had gone to try and get the money owed them from the Govt. for the last 2 months. They had received no money for 2 months!
Tuesday, February 20
I left the house to pick up 4 of our kids to go with me to go with Buddy, Mike, Nickoli (driver) and Anya (translator) to orphanages in Svetlovodsk, 20 miles from Kremenchuk. We left at 9 and we went to an Orphanage/school for the visually handicapped children from the ages of 1st grade through the 12th. There are about 110 children in this school. They were very happy to receive us and were also welcoming us to come and teach Bible in their school. So Sasha and Valery from Komsomolsk will teach weekly here and we will at least a couple of times a month to teach as well – maybe more. The kids and I left them and got back to Kremenchuk about 12:30 and went out to each pizza together. Then we went to my house for a bit and then picked up Kelli at 2:50 to go another place where Buddy goes to serve. It was a children’s rehabilitation center for handicapped children. It was very touching what they do to help children at this school. It is not an orphanage, but a great place to serve and reach out to children. The director agreed to go to Church with us this coming Sunday and I will go and pick her up and take her! We had 23 for evening devo/singing and Buddy spoke for us. Then he invited all to come and eat pizza with him! 17 of us actually went to eat. We went to a different pizza place than where we went for noon. We all had a wonderful time together!
Wednesday, February 21
This was kind of a catch up on things day. I was pretty tired and didn’t sleep well. I tried to take a nap to no avail as the phone kept ringing and people kept coming by. I gave up spent the day with people – that’s why I am here – for people!
Thursday, February 22
At 11 Kelli and I had lunch with Buddy and Mike before they left. It was good having them here. We saw them off about 1:30pm. At 6, for our Bible Class on Hebrews, we had 14 people present. We had some good fellowship and people left around 9.
Friday, February 23
One of main events is going to the village to teach on Fridays, but no school still, so not so much going on today. I am still not up to par on my bronchitis, so maybe it is not to bad for me. We had hour fun night with 12 people and we had a good time.
Saturday, February 24
We had 2 Bible Clubs today. For the Adult/Univ. Club we had 4, with some regulars not present. I decided to combine our Beginners and Teens for both have been poorly attended at 6. But at 2pm we had our first ever Congregational Leaders meeting with 12 present to talk about the work in an area wide perspective and we can be more effective in outreach and greater fellowship with each other. The meeting went for about an hour and then we decided to meet every last Saturday of the month at 2pm. I felt it was a big success! Then at 6pm, we had 7 present at our Bible Club – nearly all beginner students!
Sunday, February 25
I had a bad coughing bought today during services, and I am worried about my bronchitis. We made our 112 sandwiches today for the boy’s prison work and I fixed apple pancakes for those that wanted it – about 6 people. Because of the flu epidemic, it was decided not to go to the orphans home to teach today. At 6 we had 12 for our evening service.
Monday, February 26
The schools started again today, except for the village and it starts tomorrow. I did a lot of errands in the morning and stopped by the store where Zhenya (our oldest student and Christian of our group, being baptized the summer of 2003) works and invited her for lunch at a restaurant next to where she works. We hadn’t had any time together for a long time, so this was nice. In the evening I started itching real bad and first thought it was dry skin. But it was not.
Tuesday, February 27
I woke up at 1am and 3:30 with bad coughing and terrible itching! I was at a loss to know what to do for it. Finally some foot spray reduced some of the itch, but only a small amount. I had planned to go to the Dr. today for the bronchitis, but now it became imperative to go for the itch and strange rash. At noon, Yulya went with me, translated and helped with the Drs. I got a ton of meds, a shot for the itch – they said it was something I ate on Monday – and went home. A very difficult day. We did have singing/devo at 6 and had 19 people. Then about 8:15pm, I went to health specialist until about 10:30 – boy was that long with translation and all. I bought some things there, too. It was also an expensive day!
Wednesday, February 28
By Drs. orders, mostly a rest day. I did have to make a trip back to the Dr. by bus, for I can’t drive today because of the meds I am on. Just a check up on the allergy reaction. He can speak English pretty good, so we did fine. I stayed in almost all day. I had to go for water and a few other things about 6:30. I am sick and tired of being sick! I am trying to get well and healthy again. Thank you for your prayers!

Orphan work blooming in Central Ukraine

2007-02-26T18:20:00.000+02:00

We visited a new orphanage for us - for those visual handicaps in a near by town of Svetlavoldsk.

Above is Sasha, Olya and Ksusha getting ready to hand out some candy that was bought by Buddy Baker (An American) who helps these kids all the time.
Same girls as above, me and Max behind me at the home. Smile Max!
On our way home from Svetlavoldsk we stopped at this Kosak monument to take some fun pictures!
Later in the day, we went to a rehabilitian center that Buddy also helps out. It was a really touching place to be and see the great work that they are doing!

I had more pictures here, of the orphans, but then I remembered that we were asked by the orphanages, NOT to put pictures on the internet of them, because unscrupulous people use the pictures in a wrong way! Terrible, right?

Last week on Tuesday, Feb.20th, we visited the above places. Buddy Baker has been helping orphans and children in Ukraine for at least 6 years. There are 8 facilities that he serves in a 30 mile radius of Kremenchuk. Locally, the work is done through the Church of Christ that I attend. So we visited a couple of these homes with him. There are over 1400 kids in these 8 facilities. 6 years ago, none of them would let Bible be taught in them and now 6 are open to allowing the Bible to be taught because of the love and sharing that has been brought to them by this great brother and his work! We were already working with one of the orphanages and now will take part in teaching in a second one - the one in Svetlavoldsk. Our young people are very excited about having the opportunity to teach these kids and share with them the gospel of Christ! The 4 that are pictured above are just a few of our young people that love to teach others and I am sure we will have a very successful ministry here!

Journal for Feb 1-15 2007 and some pictures

2007-02-16T12:37:00.000+02:00

Tishik's 10th Birthday - Natalie's 16th birthday below.
Brother and sister!

Last night, Feb. 15, I put my had through this window as I was trying to close it! I just one cut on my wrist and not too bad!

Thursday, February 1, 2007
I picked up Anya D. at her house at 8:30am and went to the clinic for exam about my coughing. We spent until 12 there seeing 3 Drs., ekg and getting 2 x-rays. Then we went and bought meds. Yes, I have bronchitis again – I had it this time of year 3 years ago. Everything cost me about $32. In the US without insurance this would have cost maybe $700 plus. Here it cost about ¼ months income for the average worker. I was told I may be contagious so I need to stay in, rest and not have anyone around me for 4 days at least. Great! Canceling and moving classes again!! The Thursday Bible study was held at Kelli’s house tonight and James started teaching on Hebrews.
Friday, February 2 – Sunday, February 4 – Janessa’s (my youngest daughter) Birthday!
Stayed in and tried to get well – pretty sick Friday and Saturday. Sunday I was feeling better. Called Janessa a couple of times and wished her happy birthday! My internet is used up and I haven’t been able to put money on it – frustrating! People have brought me food and cooked for me. I am well loved and cared for! I worked on things like newsletters, Bible studies – personal studies, etc. But it has been hard to do a lot of deep thinking – I just don’t feel good. By Sunday evening I decided to go out to evening services. We had 14 for this service. Afterwards Kelli and I went out and ate together. Overall, I felt I did pretty good, but when I got home, I had nearly a continuous coughing spell and didn’t get to sleep until almost midnight.
Monday, February 05
I woke up at 4am coughing. I got some hot tea and that helped, but couldn’t go back to sleep. I am writing this journal now and will try to work on a Bible study today for my class in the village. I don’t know if I should go or not. Oh, I need to go! But physically, I just don’t know!?!?! I continued to cough badly, so canceled the classes again today. I just know that if I was the teachers, parents, etc. I would not want someone coming to my child’s class and coughing like I am. I studied all morning and rested much of the rest of the day. I am tired or resting – I want to be well! Is there any impatience in that? Yes, I am afraid so. Kelli and Gregory ran some errands for me today of which I am VERY thankful for!
Tuesday, February 6
Personal study, reading, studying, trying to be still and recover. People did come here for singing and we had 19. We did a split devo tonight with Alina leading the girl’s study and I the guys. We sang for about a ½ and studied for about ½ hour. After singing we had meeting about reviewing what we are doing and planning for the future. That lasted until about 8:30pm.
Wed. and Thurs. 7 & 8
Mostly just trying to get well. We did have our Thursday night study with 11 people and James led it. We studied Heb. 1:2,3 and James did a real good job. I am feeling better and I am going to get out tomorrow! I am going stir crazy!
Friday, February 9
I spent much of the morning in study and preparation for the village and other things. Artem went with Oksana and I to the village for our class with the 5-7th graders. Again, the classes were out really early at 12 and we got there at 2:30 – our scheduled time! Still 8 kids waited for us and we had a good class! We had a good study and a lot of fun! At 6 back in Kremenchuk it was our Fun Night and we had 2 come plus me! We have several ill and 6 went to Kiev for the weekend. But still, more should have come!
Saturday, February 10
Bible Clubs again today – we missed last week because I was ill. We had 8 for our Adult/Univ. Bible Club. Then the other 2 were pitiful as far as numbers are concerned. We had 1 for our Beginners Club, but that allowed Angelina, 9th grade, and I to start again our personal Bible study. We are studying the plan of salvation for her life. Then I went to the Church discussion and back to the last Bible Club at 6pm. Just 2 girls came, both long time comers, but not Christians, even though 1 thinks she is. We talked a lot and then played a couple of card games together. It was time well spent!
Sunday, February 11
Attendance at church was ok, but only a few of our young people. We had only 5 help us make sandwiches afterwards. Again, several were ill and out of town. Then I fixed hot tuna sandwiches, which even Kelli liked – she doesn’t normally like fish of any kind! We had 14 for our evening service at the Church building. I spoke on the Blood of Christ and what’s purpose is and what it does for us.
Monday, February 12
In the morning we (Yulya to translate) went once more to school #9 to talk to the Director. No change, so we got our books, talked to the 9th graders and 6th graders. We asked the 6th graders if we could find a room at the Palace of Culture, would they come. About 10 said that they would. So we went to the Palace of Culture in that part of town (there are about 5 of them in Kremenchuk) and talked to their director and we can rent a fair sized room for 2 hours, 2 days a week for 250 Grievnas a month. Then I tried to write an sms to a brother at the church that can help me get the necessary papers to finish this up and it wouldn’t go through. Oksana is ill and I couldn’t get a translator, so we postponed going to the village until Wed. We were going to go to school 11 today to visit classes, but it was too late and we didn’t get to go. Ksusha, Alina and I went to study with the Orphan family and had a really good study and we got home around 9pm.
Tuesday, February 13
We found out last night at the Bible Study that all schools in Kremenchuk have been put under quarantine through the rest of this week and no school at classes until maybe next Monday. They might extend it more next week. They do that often. We had 16 for singing/devo tonight and then we celebrated Natalie and her brother Tishik’s birthday tonight. Their birthdays were both last week, but this was the first time we had to come and celebrate them.
Wednesday, February 14
The main highlight of this day is that Serge and I (Oksana is still ill, but better) went to the village in the afternoon and had a real good study with all 5 of our girls there. They seem so interested and it is fun to be with them and they seem to think that this is mutual. We studied about how to make a choice between God and the world/Satan. It is the 2nd of such studies and they really seemed to appreciate it. It is a good study to prepare and will be useful for studying with others in the future. I got home a little after 5 and spent the rest of this day of love by myself.
Thursday, February 15
I did a lot of personal study and some shopping. I am really enjoying reading an excellent book called, “God’s Love Bank” by Dr. Tony Roach, a preacher in the Church. It takes a lot of thought, but is well written, well scriptural documented and a wonderful approach of how we as Christians should leave our old selves of sin and walk and live in the new self that Jesus intended for us to do. I bought a new headset for the computer that has a mike on it that makes it a lot easier to hear on the computer when talking by phone/internet. I tried it yesterday and it was a big help. We had a good Bible Study in Hebrews in the evening with 14 there and 10 stayed to share in our valentine’s party afterwards. It was a nice evening! I should take a moment to note that my bronchitis is better, but I am still coughing some – more than I want, but I do believe I am improving. Thank you for those of you that had been praying for me!

Journal Time!

2007-02-04T07:00:00.000+02:00

Making Sandwiches for the boy's prion work in my kitchen.
All wrapped and ready to go!
The hard workers this Sunday afternoon!

There has been problems with this blog sight - I couldn't get on, but now that I can, here is my latest journal for the 2nd half of January. Also, I have bronchitis right now and ask for your prayers. Thanks!

Saturday, January 13, 2007 – Zhenya’s 22 birthday!
We started our Bible Clubs up again and they went real well. People were excited to be back again and studying again – and that is pretty good when you think about kids – they are not always excited about studying! The Church discussion went well and we had a good fellowship too! We had a good time celebrating Zhenya’s birthday today.
Sunday, January 14 – Old Ukrainian New Year
Actually this is the last of the holiday season’s celebration. This went by the old Orthodox calendar and is when their new year used to be centuries ago. We made sandwiches for the boy’s prison today. We still haven’t started back to the Orphanages yet as most of the kids aren’t back. Some stay, of course, all the time. We had 8 on our Sunday evening service. Yura’s 19th birthday was last Thursday, but we celebrated it tonight.
Monday, January 15
We will start back to the village next Monday. It’s a rainy day, but Gregory and I had planned this day to go and look at villages for the possibility of buying land cheep to build our own Bible Camp closer to home. Kelli, Max and Olya went with us too. We did go one village about 25 miles away and looked at a little land. We could buy a house (old and small probably) and land – about 1 ½ acres or so for about $500 to $600. If we did this, we would want to try and buy 2 – 4 such places that would be side by side. Then later in the day, Max told us that his family has a place in another village. So we went and looked at this. It was a 3 story house in not a bad location. We wouldn’t buy this one, just clean it up, furnish it and use it for 5 to 7 years, rent free. There would still be some money in fixing it up. I don’t think we would want to use as summer camp, but it would be good for retreats – maybe even year around! By the end of the day, we were all real tired!
Tuesday, January 16
When we went to School 9 today, we were told we couldn’t have classes and that we needed to talk to the new Director tomorrow. We had 17 for singing tonight. We celebrated the twins birthday tonight after singing. They were 14 last Dec. 30th, but we didn’t know about it, so we wanted to celebrate with them today.
Wednesday, January 17
Veronika and I went to talk to the Director at #9. Basically she told us, politely, that we couldn’t teach there any more. She told us that we had to go and get permission through the school board. I went to our Director and long time supporter at #11 for advice. She told us that if went to the school board we would probably not be allowed in any schools, because they would ask us for a teaching certificate, which of course we don’t have. She said that we can stay at her school and others that allow us by exchange type programs, but not teaching. It was good advice, but really hard to take because we had been at school #9 for over 3 years! Later in the day we went to the private school at 5pm and taught a couple of classes. They WANT us to come!
Thursday, January 18
I’m not really talking about much the other classes at schools that we have going on that I personally am not teaching. Kelli is getting her 5-7th grade classes going again at School #1 and #10 and of course doing a great job! Kelli is also doing a good job of working with our young women and building some strong ties with them. We started our evening Bible classes again tonight and had 22 present! We also celebrated Veronika’s 19th birthday tonight which was on the 10th, but she had no time to celebrate it earlier. Many birthdays this month!
Friday, January 19
We started our classes in Bugkivka with the younger kids today and had 4. The 5th and 6th grades got really early today and waited for us for 2 hours, but finally went home. We were scheduled to come at 2:30, which we did and found only 4 7th grade girls waiting for us, so we had a class with them. We had a good fun night. James Vaughn returned to Kremenchuk tonight with his fiancé Anya. Anya had left on the 5th to go and be with James in England the last 2 weeks before he returned. They will get married in England on March 24th!
Saturday, January 20
Bible Clubs continue to go well and we had 25 in our 3 Clubs today. James and Anya are resting up and we are looking forward to seeing them tomorrow at church services!
Sunday, January 21
Attendance was good today. I preached. 7 of us had breakfast burritos at my house for lunch time as I had gotten some burritos from Patty from West Fayetteville in a package. Thanks Patty! I also got a package this week from Ben and Erica! Thanks to you 2, too! We had 22 at our evening worship service tonight.
Monday, January 22
Finally we got to go to our older class at the village and we had 3 girls – ½ of what is normal. Yulya also went with us. We studied on making choices. The girls said that they didn’t have enough information about how to make a choice for God we will study in more detail next week.
Tuesday, January 23
It was a hard day as this is the day we usually have classes at #9. I did compensate in a physical way by having a new bookcase delivered and set up today! With the help of Max, we had ordered the bookcase a week ago – we had it made to what we wanted. We had 17 at singing tonight.
Wednesday, January 24
Had a real good meeting with James and Kelli this morning on the future plans of the work including the present classes at schools, at home, at church. About the future of moving all classes to the church building, about a month long VBS in June and summer camp the first 2 weeks in July at the Sea. We realize that taking kids to the Black Sea is a real draw for us. It has always created a great way to teach and reach kids that we would never have had to the chance to do any other way! It does look like the Bible College will be moving into their new facilities in Feb. and we will be able to incorporate all our classes and work more directly through the work of the local church. Our classes will be more specifically a work of the Church. They always have been, but now more directly since we won’t be working very much out of an apartment.
Thursday, January 25
I had most of the day off. I spent the afternoon in study and preparations for the evening class. We had 14 for our class tonight. The weather started turning colder today. Down below the freezing line for the first time in a long time. We had a new student brought to us by her father. She is in the 5th grade. He speaks some English, too. They both like our class tonight. Her name is Sasha and his is Oleg.
Friday, January 26
We were all set to go to the village this afternoon, but we were called and told that no kids would be there because they are practicing for a program they will have in the evening. We had our fun night with 10. Sasha and Oleg were with us again. I started coming down with cold and am fighting it!
Saturday, January 27
My Mom would have had her birthday today. She has been gone almost 2 years. I miss her a lot! Well we had good clubs again today – 27 all together and a good church discussion. It was hard for me, though because my cold has greatly worsened and I didn’t sleep much last night. By 8 or 8:30 I was really crashing! Sasha and Oleg were in our classes again today.
Sunday, January 28
I stayed in all day – first time I have missed services in a long time. Ksusha and Sasha guy came, got money and went and bought stuff for sandwiches. 7 came and made sandwiches. I mostly closed myself off in the living room and let them have the rest of the house. It is really a lot colder today and snowing. 4 of young friends brought me communion and shared with me after the Sunday evening services. I am pretty sick today, with a cough developing in my chest – I fear bronchitis that I had 3 years ago.
Monday, January 29
I am still quiet ill with the cough worse. Kelli brought me some of her movies and that helped pass the time. I talked and chatted with my son Ben, from Japan, for awhile in the evening. He called and then we chatted on the Yahoo Messenger. I had a really bad headache all day.
Tuesday, January 30
I woke up early feeling some better. Ben and I made an appointment at 7:30am to chat again on Yahoo. No headache today and I spent time catching up on this journal. It is now 8:45 and I am pretty tired and weak and starting to cough again, so I think I will stop for awhile. I need to work on my Feb. newsletter, but I don’t think that I am up to it right now. My health continues to be questionable right now. I am still taking it pretty easy. We did have singing night here with 17, but I couldn’t really sing. When I tried to sing, I would start coughing.
Wednesday, January 31
I am supposed to be well today, but I am not! I am coughing more and when I try to sleep (slept 4 hours last night) the wheeze and rattle in my chest keeps me awake. I did finish my bi-monthly newsletter and emailed it out and finished up my local weekly newsletter as well. In the afternoon, I got hold of a friend, one of my former students, and she helped me get a Dr.’s appointment tomorrow morning at 9 at a good clinic here in town. I did go to the internot private school today and teach 2 classes with Nastya translating. Olya and Kelli also taught 2 classes. We had pizza afterwards. By the time I got home, I was all in. It is really hard to get the things done that you want to do when you are ill! I know you will pray for me. Thanks!

The Greatest Contest on Earth!

2007-01-21T05:31:00.000+02:00

The date was September 1, 1999. On November 28, the conestants had to be chosen and to meet for the final selection. On December 1, the contest would begin and had to be concluded by January 1, 2000.The call went out all across the world! Every country had to select their champions. Everyone was invited to participate: young, old, man or woman. The Challenge? They had to select what they thought were the 3 most important books ever written.The countries greatest scholars would determine who the winner in their country would be. The Expense? All must realize that no expense must be spared to fulfill this mission, the completion of this contest. Each contestant must be willing to sacrifice all that they had and all that they are to fulfill this mission. The Reason for the contest? The saving of only one life and the very existence of this one precious soul. Obviously, there was a matter of great urgency about this contest. So within 30 days of the announcement the champions had to be selected. They all met in the capital in the center of the world where all could come. What was considered the greatest minds of all the world were asked to be the judges. They were asked to select 3 people with their three books. They had just 3 days to do it. At the end their was a young man who was 25, a middle age woman who was 41 and an aged man who 74. There were some that feared that this would be an unfair advantage to the young man because he would have greater strength. Some feared that the woman would have the advantage because she would understand life from a woman's point of few and know that her books were best. Finally others felt that the aged man would have the greatest adavantage because of his great wisdom and his experiences in life. However, the contest demanded that they all travel together from beginning to end and more rules would be given them as they proceeded.

The contest began. As many people as could afford to come along were invited. So family and friends, scholars, intillectuals and just interested hangers on traveled with the group. But they had to keep up. They had to pay their own way. They couldn't help the contestants in any way. They couldn't cheer or support by any actions or they would be asked to leave. The only thing they could do was to watch!

Right away the three contestants were amazed that they were asked to work together to figure out where they were going, how they were going to get there and what they should do to save this person that needed them so desperately. They were given 10 days to figure out what country they should travel to. They were told that maybe some of their books should help them to find the way. They traveled to many countries and asking many questions to see if they were on the right track. At the end of the first 10 days, they were told that each of them had to throw away one book. They were told that they were in the right country.

Now they must continue their search and find the city they were to find. They frantically worked together searching for the endanagered person. At the end of the second 10 days, they were told that they were in the right city. Now they were each told to throw away another book, but they could help each other in these choices. Now they must find where the person lived and save this person at all costs. The search became desperate! They worked side by side, hour after hour, day after day.

Finally there was one day left. They had found the right street that the person lived on. Now they had to decide which book to save, to save this person's life, his or her very soul. The book that they chose? The Bible. They had to choose now one person to finally save this lost soul. The three contestants were all exhausted. They finally chose amongst themselves and chose the young man, for he was the only one with enough strength to go on. So on this last day, he began the frantic search from house to house to find the peron that needed to be saved. Finally, he found the 16 year old girl, dieing on her bed. She was given just one hour to live. The young man staggared into her, with the Bible in hand, crying out, "how can I help you?" The girl said that for you to save me, you must answer me but one question, but you must answer me from the Bible so that I can know for sure that my soul will be saved forever. The young man pleaded with her: "Please ask your question!" She looked into his eyes and said, "What must I do to be saved?" The young man fell on his face and burst into tears because he did not know the answer! The one who was controlling the contest, turned to the woman and the old man and asked them to answer the question. They too fell down weeping for they did not know the answer! Then the contestant manager turned to the throng of people for the answer. No one seemed to know. Then the contest manager took off his cloak and his gloves. Everyone gasped! He had holes in His hands and a whole in His side. To everyone that knew the story of the Bible, they realized that this was Jesus Christ who died for the world and had been raised to life, never to die again! Jesus turned to the young woman and said, "For God so loved the world that He sent me into the world save everyone who believes in me." (John 3:16). That you must believe and be baptized to be saved. (Mark 16:16). That when you repent and are baptized into me, your sins will be forgiven and I will give you the Holy Spirit to live in you. (Acts 2:38). Then you will have died to all your sins and have them buried with me as I was buried after my death. I will raise you to walk in new life, just as I was raised from the dead. (Romans 6:1-7). You will live with me for eternity! (John 14:1-6).

Do you have many quesitons about the contest? Where did it start? In your country, in your city! Who were the contestants? Any one in all the world. Where did they go? They went into all the world, seeking the lost. What books did they take? They took all the wisdom and religon of the world with them. Why did they choose the Bible? It was the only answer for all people for all time. Who was the dieing girl? She was you and me, for we are all dieing eternally without Jesus Christ.

Now, some questions for you.
1. Would you know what to do and how to answer the question: "What must I do to be saved?"
2. Would you know where to find the Bible answers for this question and NOT what man has told you they were?
3. Would you be willing to set out on this contest knowing that it could cost you everything that you had, everything that you are so one lost and desperate soul could be saved?
4. If you knew that their were BILLONS of souls in need like this, what would you do? Where would you be willing to go? What time would you give? How much money would you spend? What sacrifices would you make?
5. Jesus Christ made all these sacrifices for you. Will you make them for Him and for the lost?

Journal Updates

2007-01-15T07:08:00.000+02:00

4 year old Katya, 2 yr old Artem and older sister Liza - part of the family opening gifts.
Katya and older family brother, Alexy in the back ground.
6 yr. old Eloyna in the back ground, Liza and the twins, Alexey and Andrey with new jackets!
The kids and Momma Inna helping them out! She said that they never had so many New Year's (Ukrainian way of Christmas gifts) before!

2 boxes of Christmas presents were sent to us from "His Kids Too" for the orphan home family that we work with. Here I am with little 2 year old Artem.

Some of this you have seen some of this before if you have read this blog, but this is more detail. I have sent it out as my journal. The last section from Jan.7th should be new to all!

Thursday, December 14, 2006 – January 12, 2007
Thursday morning Ksusha and her mother picked me up at my house at 5:40am to go to the mini-bus to take me to the airport in Borispil, near Kiev. Ivanna came too. Ksusha also came all the way to the airport with me and saw me off. My flight was 2 ½ hours late taking off – an omen of things to come! When we got to NY, JFK airport, the flights to go on were delayed and then canceled. I had to stay the night in NY and got to Janessa’s 24 hours later than expected. I had a God blessed stay with Janessa, BJ and Gavin. Being there for her at this difficult time in her life, seemed to be really good for her. As well as for BJ as well. I know that I was greatly blessed to be able to spend 8 days with them. The last day, the 23rd, we celebrated Christmas together.
Dec.24th
From there on the 24th, I took a 15 hour bus ride to Pierre, SD and spent about 2 days with my sister, Ida and some of lovely family. Of course we spent the 25th, my 2nd Christmas together. It was very gracious of them to allow me to come and spend some time with them. On the 26th, my cousin Paul drove me to Rapid City, SD where I spent the evening with my cousin Randy (Paul’s son) and his wife.
Dec.27th
They took me to the airport the next morning and I flew out to Seattle, WA. This was the first transportation where I had no problems – the only one! About 35 minutes after I arrived there, I met my oldest Butch, Erin and their girls Hannah and Ella at the airport as they flew in from Iowa. We went to their home in Puyallup, WA, where we had 3 full, but wonderful days together. We celebrated Christmas together (my 3rd). We also has a wonderful, laugh filled time with some of Butch and Erin’s Christian friends! That was a really good time!
Dec.31st
Here we spent my 3rd Christmas together and again had a great time! On the 31st, I flew to San Angelo, TX by the way of DFW airport in Dallas. I got to spend an extra 2 ½ hours (magical number!) in this airport than planned. I got to San Angelo at 7:30pm and since it was Sunday and since it was New Year’s Eve, I went with Jenise and Jon to worship – a long one until midnight with a few extra’s like food thrown in! Jon spoke and did a wonderful job. Jenise is now 31 weeks pregnant and doing well. I got to go with her and Jon to see Jenise’s sonogram see the baby boy! It was so cool to see and hear the baby! I spent another 3 full days with them. I am so truly blessed to have wonderful Christian children that love and serve the Lord in such a dedicated way!! I am so proud of Jenise and Jon and their new Christian family together!!! We celebrated Christmas together, (my 4th!) and then left for Ukraine, or so I thought on Jan. 4th!
Jan.4th
I got to Dallas and on to Charlotte, NC just fine and no problems with connections. But the plane we were going to take from there was 2 ½ hours late getting to Charlotte. When we got to NY we sat on the runway for 45 minutes and I missed my plane to Ukraine! So, I got the privilege of staying in the same expensive hotel by the JFK airport again! With many trials and yet blessings, I got the next flight to Ukraine 24 hours later and got into Borispil and then Kremenchuk just fine. I arrived on January 6th to my house at 7pm and was met by 6 of my friends! This was special, because it is Christmas eve for Ukrainians (their Christmas is Jan.7th) and so most were with their families.
Jan.7th

We had a great worship on Sunday morning and then I went shopping to replace my empty house with food and prepare for our Christmas party (yes you are counting right – the 5th) at my house at 4:30! We cooked food, we hung 35 stockings (29 came) and had a wonderful American Christmas on Ukrainian Christmas day. Basically on Monday I rested. Oksana’s Mom has been in England for 2 months, so she and her brother asked me to go to the airport and pick her up – they paid for the gas. We left at 1pm and got back at 9. On Wednesday (2 big boxes for the Orphan’s home family had come while I was gone) we took these things out to them at 9:30 and got back around 1pm. I am still very tired at this point. I spent much of Wednesday and Thursday cleaning my bedroom/office and unpacking. On Thursday at 11am, Max came over and helped to measure and go and order a new bookcase for my house that is VERY badly needed. It will cost me about $120 to have made as I want it. Then we went looking for me a new bed. I have been waking up every morning with excruciating back pain. I have been sleeping on this very soft double mattress of mine for 3 years and it is enough! So we shopped for about 4 hours and finally settled on a bed/divan for a little less than $400. I have now slept on it 2 nights and I believe that it is going to be pretty good. It is much firmer than the other, but I believe it will be better! We had our devotional on Thursday night with 17 people here. I really missed this time together, so it was a real blessing to be sharing this time together. We had 6 people here on Friday night for our fun night. I talked a lot about special my time was with my physical family in the US (who are also my spiritual family – thank God!). But it is really great to be back in Ukraine with Christian family here and with the work that I am doing here. I am so blessed to have this work and these Christians and non-Christians to be working with in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ! I am so thankful that God has given me this very valuable and important work to do!

Christmas Pictures from Jan 7 Ukrainian Christmas!

2007-01-10T06:49:00.000+02:00

We in Ukraine were going to celebrate American Christmas on Dec. 25th, but because I was called to the US on the 14th, my friends in Ukraine waited for me to celebrate with them when I got back! So on Sunday afternoon, I hung 35 stockings and did some of my own stuffing of American and Ukrainian candies and started preparing food shortly after morning Church services. At 4:30pm we met to first exchange 1 gift from each other (presents were bought for cost under $2 and names were drawn to see who would go first). Then we ate our Christmas supper. Following that we had our evening worship service at my house. Following that, each person drew 5 names and put 5 small gifts in 5 different stockings. Then we came into the living room and everybody found their stocking and opened them up! (We actually had 29 present for the party.) It was a wonderful evening with a lot of fun! I wish you could have been here to share it with us!

Back in Ukraine!

2007-01-09T08:10:00.000+02:00

My daughters Janessa, Jenise and Jenise's husband Jon's, sister Janice
Ella and Gavin: 2 of my Grandchildren
Gavin and Jenise

After traveling for 23 days, missed flights, long delayed flights and wonderful times with family I am back to my beloved Ukraine! I had a truly blessed time with family in 4 different states. It took 8 days of travel all together, but it was worth it. I love my family very, very much and it was hard to leave them again! But now I am HOME with my wonderful Christian family here in Ukraine and I am back to my work that means the world to me as I share the Gospel with people here that need it so badly!

Traveling

2006-12-29T16:27:00.000+02:00

As you know, if you read this blog, I am traveling in the US right now to visit family. I was with Janessa, my youngest daughter from Dec. 16 to the 23rd. Real early on the 24th, I left and went to Pierre, SD on a 15 hour bus trip, arriving there at 5:10am. We celebrated Christmas eve dinner with family and then Christmas day and had a wonderful time. On the 26th, I traveled to Rapid City, SD and stayed with a cousin, who the next morning took me to the airport and I flew out to Seatle, WA to be with my oldest son Butch, Erin and graddaughters Hannah and Ella. I have now been here a little over 1 day and it has been very good so far! We also celebrated Christmas last night. So, I have had 3 Christmas celebrations and will have 2 more to go! I will explain more later. Make your life a great day!

Here's a quote for you that I just read: “Even with language training, Russian is so difficult,” he said. “There’s a local saying, ‘Russian will be the only language spoken in heaven because it takes an eternity to understand it.’”

New Pictures with new stories

2006-12-22T15:04:00.000+02:00

Nicoli and Ksusha at the church building on Dec. 10th.

The first 6 or 7 rows at the church services are nearly always taken up by these sisters in Christ.

Artem, Oksana, Jared, Kelli and Ksusha Lunch at my house Sunday after services.

I am away from my Ukrainian family right now to be with my physical family for about 3 weeks in the US. But I am never really away from either my family or Ukrainian Christian family at any time! They are always in my heart!!!

Set backs can lead to further growth we don't expect!

2006-12-19T20:18:00.000+02:00

When I think about all the great things that have happened in this ministry over the last 4 1/3 years, it seems strange to talk about set backs. But starting back in October they began to hit us. First James Vaughan's mother passed away in mid October and James has left to be with his family until mid-January. About the first of Dec. I heard that we would not receive a M.A.P. team from the East Hill Church of Christ in York, NE and York College for the first time in maybe 12 years! On Dec. 9, I heard that my daughter had miscarried her baby at 16 weeks and I decided that I would need to go and be with her, Brandon and Gavin. (I am writing this from her computer in the USA.) Then Frankie and Jared departed from us on Dec. 12, to move back to the US after 19 months of service. On the 14th, I left for the US. On the 16th, we got word that we would not be receiving another AIM team! This was a shocker, for we were so sure we would! Well, I don't want to ask what else can happen!

Then I realized that God is in control. That God will bring blessings out of our weaknesses. I just finished talking with 13 of my young Christian friends back in Kremenchuk by internet Skype phone and that was so good and encouraging!!! They are such a great group of Christian young people and I am so proud of them! As I have recently read 2 Cor. 1:8-10 and of course Romans 8:28 ff I know that God is in control and that Satan has no lasting power over us. I pray, "Please help me trust in You, Lord, knowing that You will work Your will in our lives to Your great glory!" I can't see, but God can. That is faith - I want more of it in much greater detail. If God is for me, who can be against me? NO ONE! We look forward to better and greater things through these set backs for it causes us to let go and trust God more!

Make it a great day, for God is working His will in your life!

Doug's Journal for December 1-13, 2006

2006-12-13T07:51:00.000+02:00

Before I give you my journal I would let you know that my family has suffered a tragedy. My duaghter Janessa has had a miscarriage after her 16 week of pregnacy. So I have been quiet here for awhile. I am going to the states to be with her and other family on the 14th of Dec. and returning to Kremenchuk on January 5th, Lord willing. Please pray for all of my family. Here now is my journal.

Friday, December 1, 2006 – Monday, December 4
In the morning I got ready to take my first days off since August – literally. About 11am, I left for Kiev to spend 3 days there. I rested. I read. I ate at TGI Fridays twice – very expensive, but very good and very American! I went to my first Russian speaking movie without a translator. I worshipped with a church of Christ there, had a late afternoon dinner with friends and visited with them until 9pm. On Monday morning I got up early and traveled back to Kremenchuk – about 4 hours. Then I turned around and went to the village for my afternoon class at 3pm where we had our 5 regular girls. By the time the day was done, I was pretty tired. However it was good to get away and get a break!
Tuesday, December 5
We had our last AIM meeting with Jared and Frankie as they will leave next Monday to move back to the States. Classes and all went well today. We had 27 for singing and then we celebrated Sasha’s birthday, preacher from Komsomolsk. We had our last singing night with Jared and Frankie. a lot of lasts this week.
Wednesday, December 6
Again we had a good day of classes. We had 9 girls in our younger classes. They want to have more classes a week. Then at the private school we had maybe 30 kids all together in our classes there.
Thursday, December 7
We went to the village today instead of Friday for our younger class because they couldn’t have in on Friday. We had 17 kids in class! This is such a great class!
Friday, December 8
Today was a day of lesson preparations, shopping, etc. that I haven’t done in a long time. We had our Fun Night with 15 people and good evening.
Saturday, December 9
Tragedy struck! I checked my email about 6am and there was a message from my oldest daughter Jenise telling me that my youngest daughter Janessa’s baby had died within her for unknown reasons, except that the heart stopped beating. I called both daughters and talked to them. They will use medication to induce labor. Janessa is in the hospital and in shock, even more than the rest of us. I broke down. I sent out some messages by cell phone and several responded to me and came to me and helped me through the day. I was in contact with Janessa and BJ several times through the day – but because of the time difference, I couldn’t be a lot until after 5pm our time – 9am, central time. Janessa will probably be in the hospital for 2 days. All Bible Clubs were canceled today – I couldn’t have taught anything. I couldn’t even think straight.
Sunday, December 10
When I called BJ in their evening, my early morning, he said that Janessa and he really wanted me to come to them, so I began to make flight arrangements and plans to come. When I called again around 5pm, Janessa was delivering the baby in great mental as well as physical pain. I have my flight plans together to leave on Thursday, December 15 and arrive in Omaha, NE at 11:30pm where BJ will pick me up. We had 37 at our evening worship and afterwards we had our good by for Frankie and Jared. It was very hard for all of us. Many tears were shed. They have really become a strong part of our lives and now they are leaving. They have blessed us greatly and we will miss them beyond measure! We love you guys!
Monday, December 11
I loaded up Frankie and Jared at 7:30am and headed for our hotel at Borispil, where the Kiev airport is. Kelli, Olya, Yulya and Alina took the train up. We spent the afternoon and evening together in Kiev. I went to bed about 8pm.
Tuesday, December 12
I got up at 2am to get Frankie off and to the airport where his flight left at 4am. The girls stayed with friends in Kiev and met us at the airport at 3:30am. Actually his flight didn’t leave until 4:40am, so we had more time together. HARD time! It was so hard to say good by! Then we all went back to the hotel for an hour and then returned to see Jared off at 7am. This was really hard too, maybe harder because it was the last one and it was all really final. Then we flew back to Kremenchuk – in my car – to get Alina back in time to take a 10:40am exam. We also got word today that Igor’s grandfather died. This was another hard blow for our family here. I got a haircut, did some errands, got an hour sleep, taught my class at School 9 with 7 kids and one new boy! Then to the bank, home again and people waiting for me. So I had no rest and no alone time. I had to finish preparing for the evening devotional and my talk. We had 19 this evening. Afterwards we went to the boys flat and finished clearing it out of a LOT of stuff they left. I got about 10:30 and went to bed!
Wednesday, December 13
This morning I caught up on this journal, made more travel plans on the internet and will email it out to you. I don’t know when I will write in it again, as I will leave early tomorrow morning and come back on January 5th. Please pray for my safe travels. It is really hard to leave my Christian family here with they having just had the trauma of having Jared and Frankie leave and not being able to celebrate the New Year with them – the biggest holiday of the year. But I am needed more in the States right now. I will travel much. Thank you for your love, prayers and support.

Frustrated!

2006-12-08T05:48:00.000+02:00

Have you ever been frustrated with physical things, like computers!? Computers are the most useful tools but can be so very frustrating! Like today, I am trying to add pictures to my blog, but I keep getting a “run time error” that asks to debug. When I go to the debug site, I have no real idea of what I am doing there! So, I click on no, I don’t want to debug and hope it keeps working. Sometimes it keeps working and sometimes it doesn’t. Well I am trying to get you more pictures on this site. Please pray for my success and for the better working of my computer!

I'm Back!

2006-12-07T08:06:00.000+02:00

Sorry for being gone for a week - my internet has been giving me problems, but hopefully all is going to be well. You are going to be hearing from me again real soon. Hopefully with some great pictures as well! Thank you for your patience!
In Christ,
Doug

About My Journal

2006-12-01T05:01:00.000+02:00

I started writing my journal when I came here to Ukraine as a daily record of my life and the ministry that goes on here. Some of my family, friends and supporters like to get this "extra" information. If you don't want to read it you can just "skip it!" I will put it on here about every 2 weeks. I will try to add some pictures from time to time so you can see some of the things that I am talking about, too. Again, one of the reasons that I am writing this blog is so that you can comment on what is being done here in Ukraine - so we can be in better communications together. Have a great December!

Doug's Journal for November 16-30, 2006

2006-12-01T04:53:00.000+02:00

Thursday, November 16 – My 54th birthday

I made the mistake of leaving my cell phone on and I received 2 sms (text messages on the cell phone) around midnight! Everyone wants to be first to send birthday wishes. Through out the day, I received a total of 20 sms good wishes for my birthday. My real morning started at 1:15am when I woke up from going to bed so early. I was up for a couple of hours, checked email and went back to bed. I woke again at 4:40am. Jenise called me on the internet at 5am – internet phone. Janessa at 5:30 and we had a conference call with the 3 of us until 6:30am and then Butch, my oldest son, called at 7am by regular phone! I made myself Mexican egg/breakfast tortias for breakfast and that was really tasty. At 9am a guy came and said that my electricity hadn’t been paid for several months and they were getting ready to cut off my electricity! With Zhenya’s help, I got that paid before they shut it off. My owner of my apartment had been paying it and then I was paying her. I guess she just decided she didn’t want to do it like that anymore, but failed to tell me! I had to pay for 4 months back utilities!! It was pretty shocking! So my living expenses have just jumped another $45 a month or so. We will see what winter utility costs will be. When I first started renting this flat 3+ years ago, it was costing me about $50 a month for rent and utilities. Now it is about $145 a month – nearly tripled! I know by American standard that isn’t much, but the $45 a month increase is about 1/10th of the work fund and the $145 is more than ¼ of my work fund. We had a great personal study with the twins family today, mother Inna, and 3 teenage kids. However they are going out of town for a month, so we probably won’t be starting up again until after the first of the year. We had 25 for our Bible Study tonight and 30 for Nadya’s (Nadya is a mother and wife of 30 who has been coming to our lessons and activities for almost 4 years. Her husband refuses to allow her to become a Christian, but is a little more open than he used to be. Her sister Lyuba is a Christian because of her!) and my birthday party afterwards. Both of us received many wonderful and useful presents. We had some good salads, cakes (any idea how much cake and salads that takes for each to get just a little?) and juices. I took a carload of females home (guys think that the girls should have rides and the girls think so, too!) across the river and got home about 10pm. A really good day!
Friday, November 17
The day after! The days have continued to be pretty warm for this time of year – around 50 during the day. I had a lot study catch up to do, so I did that. At 1:45, Jared, Oksana, Artem and I went to Bugkivka. We normally go on Fridays for class, but today we went to see a concert of sorts. They were actually going to have a fall disco and this concert was for the 5th-7th grades. But to start this, they had a contest between 3 boys from each class to see who would be the king of the fall disco. This is were the concert came in and several of our kids participated in this, especially since we have about 20 of these kids actively involved in our classes and many more that have at some time come to our classes. It was very enjoyable. We returned to Kremenchuk about 5:30pm after a fun day. Then we had our fun night with 10 people – eventually – they kind of came in piece by piece. We did have a good time until after 10pm.
Saturday, November 18
I worked on my Sat. Bible club lessons in the morning, went and bought juices and cookies, got my house ready before 11. At 11, Alyona, a 5th year Univ. student came and we had our first personal Bible Study. We had a good study, but I can see she is going to be a real challenge. She says that she has no faith and that she is just made up of a collection of chemicals. She is very nice and is no means rude about it and is open to searching. We are reading the book of John together, besides answering her questions. At 12 we had 5 for our Adult/Univ. class, at 2 we had 5 for our Beginners club and at 6 we had 6. The numbers weren’t really great today, but it was a good day of study. Several of our older, regular Christians and young people no longer come to the clubs on a regular basis as the clubs are more designed to introduce God and English and they have accomplished this. So most of those that are still coming are not Christians yet or young Christians, so the clubs are still doing what we want them to do – reach out!
Sunday, November 19
The temps stayed down around 32 all day with a brisk wind. Today was Valery and Zoë’s last day of worship with the Central Church of Christ as they are moving to the USA – CA on a flight tomorrow! It was a very hard day for many of us to see them go as they have been a valuable part of our friendship and Christian family! Valery has been a very faithful minister and servant of the Lord and Word and he will be desperately missed! He plans to start a Russian speaking congregation of the church of Christ in CA among that large population in the area into which he is moving! We made sandwiches today and took them to Gregory. PLEASE pray for Gregory if you are not already! His infected foot is a result of his liver not working properly because of the medicine that he takes for his asthma!!! He needs our prayers VERY much! At 3, 4 of our kids went to the Orphans home and had a good afternoon with them. At 6:15 we had 21 for our evening worship service. Valery brought torts, drinks and tea and we had a good fellowship afterwards until about 8:30pm. After that, I went to a local restaurant and had some salad and then came home. I watched a Disney movie Jared had loaned me. I haven’t been able to use the internet the last 2 ½ days because all my money is used up on it and the company is not open until Monday, so I wait to use it. I miss the communication that I have from it!
Monday, November 20
I woke up at 5:15 and since I couldn’t get on the internet, I started working on this journal and have been writing now for about an hour. I began my plans for Thanksgiving. We went to the village for our older class today and had 4 girls in class – 2 girls have remained the same and 2 different. We had a good class and got home about 5:30. We were supposed to have a dinner at Kelli’s but that fell through.
Tuesday, November 21
I went to the market this morning to buy pumpkin and apples plus several other things. I shopped for turkeys to see if I could find any. I found 2, but it is too soon to buy them! My Thanksgiving cooking and preparations has started! We also had a 2 hour AIM meeting squeezed into my preparations! I prepared from scratch and cooked 2 large pumpkin pies! Fortunately my balcony is enclosed now and the temperature is cold enough outside for my balcony to be a 2nd refrigerator or I would not have enough places to put all the food. I had a good class of 8 kids at School #9. Veronika (17 years old and first year Univ. student who has been coming to us since the 9th grade) and I had a good personal Bible study. She is really growing a lot closer to the Lord and being obedient to His will for her life! Our singing/devo in the evening was well attended with 21 people. We found out tonight that we are expecting 42 for Thanksgiving dinner! I am a bit overwhelmed about the number!
Wednesday, November 22
Today Frankie left for France for an AIM retreat with AIM students in Europe that could come. My cooking continues with the cooking of 2 large apple pies – 6 large apples per pie, pealed, and thinly sliced with double crusts. Well that was very time consuming! I got my crusts a little thick, but they turned out okay! I also bought turkey today – but cut up Turkey. I bought 14 pounds of boneless turkey breast and 10 pounds of boneless dark meat cut from legs and thighs – so about 24 pounds of boneless turkey. Do you think that should feed 42 people??? Jared, Olya and Kelli helped prepare the dressing for the turkeys and making of a double batch of crescent roll doe. We got into a fun but messy flour fight afterwards! We had 1 girl in our English/Bible class for the older kids (9-11 grades) at School #9 today. The good thing is that she came, even though she knew she would probably be alone. We went to the private school and taught 3 classes of a total of 45 kids from the 4th – 7th grades. Afterwards we ate pizza together and then I went home and made a batch of cinnamon rolls for tomorrow’s breakfast. It was another good but exhausting day.

Thursday, November 23 – Thanksgiving Day!
Happy Thanksgiving! I know you will get this later than Thanksgiving, but I want to give you good wishes again! I started my cooking at 8:30 with the cinnamon rolls. While they were cooking I got my first of 3 batches of turkey and stuffing ready to cook. So when the rolls came out at 9am, three pans of turkey and stuffing went in! I have a good meat thermometer that does a good job of telling me when the turkey is done. It took about 2 ½ hours to cook. Kelli and Jared were supposed to come over for rolls at 9, but Kelli had a migraine headache and couldn’t come. But Olya did. We had a big pan, so we had plenty for Kelli and others later in the day. I rolled out the crescent roll doe and made 3 pans of rolls. I cooked, cleaned and prepared all day long! About 4pm, people began to arrive to help finish the cooking. People brought more deserts, lots of wonderful salads and different kinds of pickles, fresh fruit – we had 2 large fruit salads and tons of food! We used 2 and ½ folding tables (1 table is a ½ because the supports for the wings of the table broke a long time ago, but we supported 1 end of the table by stacking 2 foot stools together and putting a pillow on top of that!) end to end. We actually were able to get 42 medium sized plastic plates around this table. We sat down close to 6:30pm to eat with 37 people (10 more than last year and several didn’t come that said they would)! I was NOT disappointed that we didn’t have 42! We had a wonderful meal and fellowship together! Everyone helped out so much at the end and I am so thankful because I had completely run out of steam! Everyone left about 10:30pm.
Friday, November 24
The morning after! Wow, I slept a lot more than my usual 5 or 6 hours – thankfully!!! People came at 11am to see me, but I had turn them away as I was cleaning up. I usually don’t turn people away for any reason! Our village class in the afternoon had 14 – the school had let out early and still we had that many! We had just 5th and 7th graders. No 6th graders at all – very unusual as they are usually the ones that are always there, but still we had a good class. This class has been running about 20 kids each week. When we got back home at 4:30, I was going to rest before our fun night at 6, but no doing as I was interrupted 4 times by 5pm and gave up the rest idea! We had 14 people come and share our leftovers and play games together. We had good evening.
Saturday, November 25
As usual I was busy preparing lessons, shopping and food preparations in the morning. We had 6 for our Adult Bible club, 4 for our Beginners at 2pm and 6 for our Teen Club. At the church discussion at 4pm, 2 of my kids went with me and we had some good Bible discussions.
Sunday, November 26
Service was good and I preached today. There were 5 of us that went shopping at our big department store at Prostor and then we ate together. At 3pm, 7 of us went to the Orphanage. At 6pm we had 23 for our evening services. This is the most we have ever had for this service, I believe! Afterwards we went to my house and then at 9pm we went to the train station to pick up Kelli and some friends who had been in Kiev for the weekend and got home about 10pm.
Monday, November 27 – Kelli’s 25th Birthday!
I worked a lot on my next weekly newsletter: “Living For Christ.” I have taken on several new “writing” tools that take time. If you were to read all of them, then you would of course get some overlap. What I am trying to do is to reach more people with the Gospel of Christ and to keep my friends, family and supporters better informed about my life. In the afternoon, we went to the village and had a class with 5 10th graders. It was a good class I believe – the girls are very active and are doing a good job of participating. I have invited them to our Christmas party on Dec. 25th. I hope they come! When we got back in the evening, we went to Kelli’s for supper that Jared did most of the cooking. That was great and a lot of fun. Kelli had invited some friends from Kiev down that are staying in Kremenchuk for a few days. It was good to have them here, too. I went home about 9:30pm.
Tuesday, November 28 – Anya D’s Birthday!
A normal day of study, classes, lessons, etc. We had 6 delightful 6th grade girls from school #9 today in class. In the evening we had a really good devo/singing night with 24 people there. Yura, one of our young men led the devotional tonight and did a great job! Afterwards we celebrated Kelli’s birthday. She received a lot of kitchen things that she needed and wanted and really seemed to enjoy her party! Kelli made chicken enchiladas for everyone that was REALLY good! Plus there were great torts for everyone to have some of, too!
Wednesday, November 29 – Olya’s Birthday!
I would like to just make mention that we celebrate birthday 2 different ways. We celebrate spiritual birthdays – the date when someone becomes a Christian and then physical birthdays as well. Jenise, my oldest daughter, called this morning on the Skype internet phone and we had a nice visit. She is encouraging me to get the Pimsler (sp?) language CDs to help me improve my language skills – which I want to do and need to do! I think that I am going to call them and ask them about shipping costs, etc. It could be a bit expensive, but I really do want to get much better if I am going to stay here and I am going to stay here! In the afternoon, we had 2 girls from the 9th form (grade) in class at school 9. They really do seem to enjoy our Bible/language class – I just wish more would come! At 5, we went to our private, live in school and taught 2 classes to about 30 kids.
Thursday, November 30
I have almost decided to take most of this weekend off while I still have Jared and Frankie to teach the weekend classes for me. After this, it may be a long time until I can do this again. I don’t know where I will go or what I will do yet. But I really need to get away for a little while. I will either leave on Friday night or Saturday morning. I may leave by train or I may drive. The only 2 places I know to go are to Kiev or Hartakov. I studied all morning from the time I got up at 3:50am till 10am. Then I cleaned up, etc. At a little after 10, Anya, a Christian translator called for Buddy Baker and asked us to meet. Buddy had 3 other Americans with him and we ate lunch together. Buddy and others now work with 8 orphanages in and around Kremenchuk – probably a 30 mile radius. They do a lot of tremendous work in these homes and for reaching them for Christ. They have recently spent $400.00 on puppets and puppet books. They want us to develop a puppet team and have a portable puppet stage built so we can go and teach with puppets at the orphanages. We can and will also use this in teaching at the schools – I have always felt that it would be a tremendous tool to use here. We then went to a show at the orphanage that we work at each Sunday. These Americans had hired a song and dance troop to perform at the different homes. Then they gave out Christmas presents to everyone of the kids! (They gave these gifts to every child in all 8 orphan homes – over 1,200 children!) We were able to assist in giving out these gifts. It was a lot of fun. At 6, we had our evening Bible Class with 17 present and then we celebrated Olya’s birthday afterwards. All was done about 10pm.

Growth Over the Years!

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51 months ago (4 years and 3 months!) when we started this compared today is truly like black and white. 1 Church compared to working with 4 Churches now. Our Church attendance has grown from maybe 60 to around 85. I alone and working now with 3 native preachers and 4 AIM workers (reduced by 2 soon, but will probably get another team in May of 2007). Started working in 1 school with 2 classes a week compared to today working in 6 schools and 23 classes a week. Started with nothing in my home and now we have 9 classes every week in my home and in the church building. There very few youth in the church and now we have had 28 baptisms, 24 of which are still active and faithful (86%). We are studying with several others right now.
Many of our young people are of course growing up. We have 7 that are in other cities going to Universities. We have 12 of our young people (not all Christians yet) that are going to Universities, Institutes and Technical Schools here in Kremenchuk. We also now have 4 Christian couples (all are Christians!) that are dating and 1 couple that have just announced their engagement to be married!
Yet with all that are away from us in other cities, we continue to grow. We had 24 for singing last Tuesday night and have averaged around 20 all fall. Now we do definitely have our ups and downs. Some classes are stronger than others. We have things that we have to work on all the time. That is a part of growth! But God is truly working among us. Thank you for being a part of this work. With you, we can continue to grow!

Mission Website - More updated information

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Celebrating birthdays in Oct. and Nov. in the village!

I want to send you to my website for this work. It will give you more information and the background for what we are doing here. Then from now on, I can hopefully just give you updates.

It is: www.ukrainemission.com.

Have a God blessed day!

MORE ABOUT OUR WORK

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For those of you who are reading about our mission work for the first time, it is a bit daunting to try to tell you about everything that has happened over the last 4 years. We started from scratch. I was worshipping and working with one Church - the Central Church of Christ. We started this mission work to reach out to children as we taught the Bible in 1 school in the city of Kremenchuk, Ukraine. We are now teaching the Bible before or after school time in 6 schools in Kremenchuk and surrounding towns and villages. We are presently teaching 23 classes each week in these schools. We are working in 2 orphanages and one boy's prison on a regular basis. We are working with 5 churches of Christ in 4 towns. We presently have 3 native preachers working with me in this work. We also have 10 classes and activities in my home and at the church building of the Central Church of Christ each week. I have had 2 AIM - Adventures in Missions - teams of young people working with me the last 19 months. We have also had 2 campaign teams come from the West Fayetteville Church of Christ in Fayetteville, TN and one come from Lubbock, TX as well. We each summer have a summer workers come from York, NE and the Easthill Church of Christ. These workers work under the guidance of the MAP program - Master Apprentice Program. We have had many baptisms in our youth work, in the churches and in the prison ministry. God is truly blessing this work. It is through His love and power that we continue this work.

How do I know how to put God first in my life?

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There are so many promises that go along with Jesus telling us to put God first in our life. In Matthew 7:33 for example: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Take your Bible and read from Matthew 7:19-32 and see all that God promises us! Every time that Jesus tells us to put God first or to deny ourselves, He gives us such awesome promises!!

God has done His part in sending Jesus to us. He will do His future part by fulfilling all of His promises to us. The first answer to how we put God first is simple. We put our faith in Him. We trust Him. Do we believe that God is true and that He cannot lie? So let us let go, trust God and do what He says. God will not fail us or let us down. We may have (probably will have) trials from people in the world when we do this, but Jesus will never forsake us! Let us let go of our worries and fears and let us completely put God, His Church, His people, and His works being done in our city and beyond first in our lives!

Next comes the choices that we will make to put God first. Remember that faith includes both believing God is true and ACTING on those beliefs! Trust is the action of faith. Can we say that we are putting God first in our lives if we are letting other things have priority in our lives? Take a piece of paper right now and write down a list of all the things that you are doing in your life. Think about your time and how you are doing these things. How does God, His Church, Bible study, prayer and His works fit into that list? Do we need to make some changes in our lives? God will bless us greatly when we do!
Doug Berry