28 May 2009

The Great Race


That's the name of a group of amazing young women that came to Ukraine on the last leg of their 11 month world mission tour. They traveled to many continents and lived in many conditions as they helped in different mission situations. We were blessed to have them pitch in for one day at the Village of Hope. That is the Christian home for street kids that used to be on old Soviet Pioneer camp where children were indoctrinated into soviet ideology.

This is Leah, our daughter, who worked with and translated for the girls the day they were here.

This is Misha the administrator of our camp and one of the girls. Misha has done a great job of restoring the old dormitories and overseeing the clean up of the many acres of grounds. I also included this picture so you could see the beauty of the forest we live in.

12 May 2009

Summer Activities

This shall prove to be our busiest summer yet. It is exciting the things that are going to happen. In June Jeff will travel with a Volunteer Student Mission (VSM) team to western Ukraine to do camp. In July will be a team doing a basketball camp in Russia. From there Jeff goes to Georgia for a medical mission. Then he comes home to another VSM team doing two camps 'til the end of the month. In August we will have the Jaime Jorge evangelism tour. Jaime is a violinist, "superb," who toured western Ukraine last year. Lastly in August Jeff will travel to Armenia to work with our friends from the underground churches of a no-access country. Your prayers for all of this would be greatly coveted.
The Lord is gracious and full of compassion,
Slow to anger and great in mercy.
The Lord is good to all,
And His tender mercies are over all His works. Ps 145:8-9

07 May 2009

Children's Choir


When we came to Bucha from the Crimea twelve years ago, Leah, then age 10, joined the children's choir and Sarah was in the youth choir. Leah essentially grew up in the children's and then the youth choir. Like all churches, the choirs have gone through changes. For a time not long ago we did not even have a children's or youth choir. But God, in his abundant provision, sent people to restart these works. We are all so happy to once again see the children singing and performing in the church. "I will give thanks to the Lord according to His righteousness, And will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High." Ps.7:17

05 May 2009

Sasha Back in Church


After a stroke and many months at home in recovery Sasha returned to church this past Sunday. It was so good to see him although he had great difficulty walking and was using a cane plus the assistance of another person. Thank you for those who have prayed for him. He still has a long ways to go and sadly, there is not much in the way of physical therapy here. But the God in heaven knows his needs and your prayers can petition his mercy.

03 May 2009

Jeff, Pasha and Tanya

It is beautiful where they are, and sad for the people who are lost in a sea of unbelief. There is a definite need, but it will not be without it's risks. Jeff said they are all fine. Went to church services today. That in itself can be risky, but they are wanting to find out many details and that is the place where they can.

01 May 2009

Exploring a "Limited-Access" Country

Jeff flew out yesterday with Pasha and Tanya. I wrote about them earlier. We would appreciate your prayers for them that the Lord would keep them safe and aid them in finding out what they need to know in order for Pasha and Tanya to move there and live with their three boys. They will be looking into apartments and schooling for the boys along with many other questions.

Over sixteen years ago Jeff and I came to the Ukraine to do the same thing. It was so helpful for me to see what life was like here and how I needed to prepare. I am ever thankful to our home church Southgate Baptist Church of Moore, Oklahoma for sending us so we could do that.
Romans 15:13 NIV, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him..."