The Franks in Ukraine & CIS

Ukrainian Pastor Dies from Flu and Pneumonia

noreply@blogger.com (Coleen Franks) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:41:00 +0000

Please pray for Pastor Victor's widow and children in Fastiv, Ukraine. He passed away yesterday after a diagnosis of flu and pneumonia, which got out of control. His brother Stepan is deathly ill, and may follow Victor to join those awaiting in heaven. Pastor Victor was the brother of Nadia, a member of our church in Bucha. Nadia is very active in the children's EE ministry. She is in Fastiv now with her grieving relatives.

Bucha Church in the Cold

noreply@blogger.com (Coleen Franks) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:28:00 +0000

Dear Friends of Bucha Church,
I'm writing this to ask you to pray for our church. We no longer have an operating heating system and thus we are worshiping in coats, gloves and scarves. Sometimes it is even colder in the church than outside. The church has been in need of a new heating system for several years, but without the funding. It is estimated that they need about $5000 to replace the current system. In addition, we have 48 old wooden windows that are in need of changing to modern energy efficient models. Those windows run $300 each. Maybe your Sunday school class would like to sponsor a window or give to the furnace need. Our furnace really is our priority as we need the heat. We have a mighty God who is capable of taking care of this need in no time with your loving prayers of petition. Please join us in calling on Him.
Jeff and Coleen Franks

Communion Sunday in Ukraine

noreply@blogger.com (Coleen Franks) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:24:00 +0000

In Ukraine they celebrate communion on the first Sunday of every month. The church is always more full on that day. Sadly, some come to get their monthly fix like a good luck charm and wouldn't miss it for anything. Then they don't come the rest of the month. Several years ago when we first came to Bucha a communal cup was passed around. That tradition stopped when there was a tuberculosis epidemic in Ukraine about five or six years ago. We now have the little cups, but there are those traditionalist that still want to drink from the cup. Fortunate for them there are not many.

Bucha Church Fall Break Camp, Ukraine

noreply@blogger.com (Coleen Franks) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:11:00 +0000

Bible time and movie time.

noreply@blogger.com (Coleen Franks) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:08:00 +0000

Recharging with a bit of lunch.

noreply@blogger.com (Coleen Franks) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:45:00 +0000

This little elf is holding his CD Mini-Book the kids did with the theme "You Are Special." Each child made one.

noreply@blogger.com (Coleen Franks) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:43:00 +0000

Some of our youth leaders. Even they had a great time.

noreply@blogger.com (Coleen Franks) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:38:00 +0000

Hand painted in preparation for poster print.

noreply@blogger.com (Coleen Franks) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:34:00 +0000

First group, the big kids.

noreply@blogger.com (Coleen Franks) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:05:00 +0000

Second group, the little ones. See story just below.

Bucha Camp Story

noreply@blogger.com (Coleen Franks) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:41:00 +0000

Kids were on school break last week so at the end of the week, Friday, Saturday and Sunday they did a short camp. The leaders asked me to do crafts for the camp on the theme of "You Are Special." We had 20 kids, most of which were children from our Village of Hope orphanage. Our daughter Leah, along with about 7 other young people led this camp and did a terrific job with the kids. They did sports, songs, bible lessons and crafts. We made a CD mini-book covering old CDs with pretty scrapbook papers and their individual picture plus group shots. Theme of the book was also "You are Special" with their picture right on the front. I think these little orphans went home feeling real good about themselves after three days on that theme.

Harvest Day in Koresten, Ukraine

noreply@blogger.com (Coleen Franks) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 14:05:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (Coleen Franks) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 13:55:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Coleen Franks) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 13:16:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Coleen Franks) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 06:55:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Coleen Franks) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:16:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Coleen Franks) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:35:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Coleen Franks) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 03:18:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Coleen Franks) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:20:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Coleen Franks) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 19:14:00 +0000

Istandbul, Turkey

noreply@blogger.com (Coleen Franks) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 17:29:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Coleen Franks) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 10:27:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Coleen Franks) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:35:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Coleen Franks) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:52:00 +0000

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.