Harvest Day in Koresten, Ukraine

Last week I wrote about "Another Kind of Ministry" when we went as a choir to sing in a distant church. It was their 120 year anniversary as a church and it was also the holiday called "Harvest Day." That is the day when they give thanks for the year's harvest along with everything the Lord has provided. Not so different from our Thanksgiving, though they do not have a set day and thus pastors do it anytime in September or October. The decorations in the church were so marvelous I had to share them with you. A holiday service is usually a long one. We sat for over three hours and 8 preachers. Usually our services are two hours and three preachers. We had a feast of a lunch afterward in only the style that Ukrainians can do. Again, much like Thanksgiving, but with much more variety. It was not a day to be on a diet and everyone enjoyed themselves.

Crafts in the Church

This is a picture of Oxana, Liza and Leah. This was a time of our doing crafts together. I am so thankful that the Lord gives me opportunities to minister to some of the young people of our church, to be an influence of his love. These three girls are leading a pre-teen choir so they also have influence to pass on. Soon we will be meeting with these pre-teens for crafts as well. Some do not understand the value of doing crafts with kids/youth, but it is a concentrated period of time when you have the ear of these young people, you can be an example, be a friend and share God's love. I have the greatest job in the world.

Jeff and Missions in Yablonka, Ukraine

Jeff was asked to be the speaker at a missions breakfast today in Yablonka. He is speaking to young people hoping to inspire them to consider missions. For many years we did not understand why God sent us to Ukraine instead of Russia for mission work, given that Jeff was trained in Russian. In more recent years we have come to see clearly the wisdom of the Lord in sending us here. Of all the former Soviet countries, Ukraine has had the most growth in churches and is the greatest sending country of missionaries of the former Soviet Union. We have been so blessed in our 15 years of living here and seeing the desire of the people to know the Lord and share his Word. We have learned much from these people and we thank the Lord for the experience.

New Missionaries in Turkey

Tomorrow Jeff returns home from his visit with our new BMA missionaries, Pasha and Tanya. They have their three little boys with them ages 2-9. Tanya is homeschooling them with her Ukrainian text books while she and Pasha are getting settled and looking into language school. Please pray for their adaptation and Jeff's safe flight home.

BMA Missionaries in Ukraine

These are our good friends and BMA missionaries who we invited over for breakfast not long ago. From left to right: Jeff Franks, Nick Dikterenko, his wife Lena and the short one is me, Coleen. Nick was for many years discipled by Jeff and both say they were saved under his ministry in the church. They have two daughters, one which is still in school and one which works in ministry. They are active in several surrounding areas developing ministry that they hope to make into churches. We have helped them with camp in the last two summers with a team from Antioch Baptist Church in Conway, Arkansas. Pray for this family that God would encourage and keep them in His loving grace.

A Different Kind of Ministry

Today our choir is going to help celebrate the 120th anniversary of a church in the town of Korosten, which will be about an hour and a half drive west from here. Jeff and I have been singing with the adult choir for about a year now which sings in both Russian and Ukrainian languages. It is a fair size choir so sometimes we travel to other churches. We enjoy the blessing of being led by the top music director in all of Ukraine so he actually makes us sound pretty good. Jeff has prepared to preach as that is just part of bringing well-rounded ministry to another church and is expected. Afterward, churches generally give us lunch so it becomes an all day affair. We ask your prayers on our choir and for travel safety. May the Lord use us to bless others.

Bucha, Ukraine Summer Camp Video

I am so excited that I just got hold of this video of our kid's camp to share with you. It was done by one of our talented church members, Edward Malashkin. I had left the church early today and then felt the urge to return so I could give out some books. It was then that I had a conversation with Edward and found out the video was on YouTube. I'm sure that was the real reason the Lord brought me back to the church. Please pray about the possibility of the church having it's own website (another topic we touched on). We are always grateful for your willingness to hold us and the church up in prayer.
Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej3rcb71n2Q

Camp in Bucha, Ukraine

I am so excited that I just got hold of this video of our kid's camp to share with you. It was done by one of our talented church members, Edward Malashkin. I had left the church early today and then felt the urge to return so I could give out some books. It was then that I had a conversation with Edward and found out the video was on YouTube. I'm sure that was the real reason the Lord brought me back to the church. Please pray about the possibility of the church having it's own website (another topic we touched on). We are always grateful for your willingness to hold us and the church up in prayer.
Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej3rcb71n2Q

Istandbul, Turkey

I haven't been able to connect with Jeff for the last couple days, but he wrote and said class was going well and that he is thankful for the prayers. Today was his last day so I haven't yet heard the outcome, though he said that yesterday's class went very well and God was blessing. Please continue to pray for Jeff's safety until he returns home on Monday. He will be home for 5 days before he leaves again.

"Angels and Demons" Illuminated

Check out this video for yourself and see the truth: http://www.worldslastchance.com/view-video/238/angels-demons-illuminated.html

2008 Georgia/Russia Conflict

Russia flexing muscle over Georgia still continues with great tension as Russia has essentially taken over South Ossetia and Abhazia. It would be like Mexico coming in and occupying Texas and the southwest states and California. Yes, we would still call them American states, but you couldn't go there freely and you would be cut off from any relatives you still have there. Read what "Time" has to say on a recent article: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1927033,00.html

Istanbul, Turkey Mosque

Spoke to Jeff, my husband, by phone last night on Skype. For those of you who do not know what Skype is, I will say that it allows us to talk through our computers over the internet without cost. Which is great because with all the traveling he does it helps us to stay connected over the absence of sometimes weeks.

Yesterday the Bible Conference participants arrived and Jeff was able to have dinner with them. Today is the first of three days of "Worship" seminar. Please be in prayer for these people (some of whom have already been imprisoned and tortured for their faith) who are hungry for Bible teaching and cannot freely gather in their own country. Please also pray for Jeff as he leads this conference that God would give him what they most need to take back and continue to grow the underground church where they live.