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
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Lord willing, what I will do when I leave Ukraine
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
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 ).
(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 ).
Friday, January 18, 2008
Journal Time again - Dec 2nd - Jan 15 08
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!
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!
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Speical Thanks to our Translators
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
Thank you from all of us English speaking workers
With love, Dougchik
Loving Good Bye to Kelli Himebaugh
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!
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
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.
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.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
The Future of the Lord's Work...
...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!
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
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.
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!
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.
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.
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