ART & ART MINISTRY BLOG

Greetings from sunny Ukraine.  This is just a reminder that there is another blog you might enjoy.  It is my art ministry I do with ladies and children.  You can find it on the side of this blog or you can access it here:  www.vintageterrace2.blogspot.com.  It would be an honor if you chose to follow there.  Blessings, Coleen

#SUNDAY SCHOOL IN #UKRAINE

This is crafts with the eight to ten year olds.  They love doing crafts.  I wish it were a better picture, but kids this age are moving all the time.  At this age they don't understand the politics of the country they live in, but we do all we can to keep things normal for them.  Despite the prospect of war, life goes on.  Would appreciate your prayers for Ukraine that we can continue to minister to these dear people.

CRAFTING IN UKRAINE ~ ALTERED BOOKS CLASS

 I'm a bit behind in blogging, but this is one of the classes from September.  Crafting are L-R, Lyuda, Ericka, Liza (back right) and Valentina.

 Each Saturday we do a craft that they can include in their altered books.  Here Ericka was feeling the part of Indian princess with her new feathers in her hair.

 We also did "Twinchies."  Twinchies are mini pieces of art on 2x2" pieces of paper.  Perfect for including in a book.

I have to say that I love teaching and have come to just love these girls.  This class is being done in English (not my usual class) and came about as a result of our English camp this past summer.  It really is another form of small group ministry but simply around the form of arts and crafts.  My thanks go out to all who have sent supplies to serve this ministry.  It is a blessing.

KID'S KAMP AT BETHANY CHURCH ~ UKRAINE

I must admit, I'm biased.  This is my favorite group.  I love these little ones.

The oldest group really enjoyed doing these boxes.

This is Vlad.  A bit shy, but he let me take his picture anyway.

The teachers are Natasha(sitting) and Masha. That little doll on the front is Vica.

The scrapbook paper, the flowers, buttons and ephemera were all sent from the states. So grateful.

The round disks are CDs that are covered in scrapbook paper joined with a jump ring to make a mini-album.  Each day we will post the verse of the day in the their mini-album along with pictures and lovely ephemera sent by many from the U.S. and elsewhere.  The star boxes and beads for the necklaces were also sent from the U.S.  I so appreciate those of you who have contributed to making our kid's camp experience a real success.  These are pictures from our first two days.  Check my other blog for more pictures: www.vintageterrace2.blogspot.com or just click on the link on the right of this page.  And we'd be so happy if you "followed on our blogs.

LAST DAY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL, BUCHA, UKRAINE

 Last Sunday was the ending session of our Sunday school season.  The excitement of the kids was palpable as they anticipated the fun.

 Such a coquettish age.  Aren't they cute.  I couldn't resist showing you.

 And as you can see, we have very little ones too.   And sometimes tears....over a balloon.

 Each child got a gift bag of toys and Christian books.

 Cousins investigating what they each got.  This is Matthew, Dasha and Angelina.  I love doing crafts with all the kids, but this is my favorite group.

 Ending prayers and group picture below.  Please be in prayer for our upcoming kid's camp that will be held the 17th of June.  I'm already preparing crafts.  We shall do mini-albums with old CD disks as the base plus a variety of other crafts, one of which are decorating miniature gourds sent by friends in the U.S.  Thanks to those who send things.  I love doing crafts with the kids.  And they call this a job?

YOUTH IN UKRAINE

This shot is one of the youth in our church, Bethany in Bucha.  I caught them while they were waiting on the Sunday school teacher to come open the door.  They weren't real happy about me taking their picture, but I convinced them and thus the goofy smiles.  For those of you who have followed this blog for years, the tallest one in the middle, Andre, was the child who got hit by a car in Kyiv when he was about 8 years old.  He suffered some head trauma. I asked him one time if he felt like he made a full recovery.  He said he wonders about his memory sometimes.  Otherwise he seems to function pretty well and gets a long with all.  Please pray for this group and those who lead them.  This is the future of every church and we want this group to grow.  Your prayers are highly coveted.

UKRAINIAN LITTLE ONES

Three cousins sitting together in Sunday school. 

Just wanted to share these darling little kids I do crafts with every Sunday.  Am I blessed or what?  For those of you who send craft supplies just look in their eyes and know you are doing a good thing.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I couldn't do it without your loving and generous hearts.  I love these little ones, but I know God loves them even more than I.

SUNDAY SCHOOL IN UKRAINE

Sunday school in Ukraine.  Ministering to the little ones.  They sing and learn to pray, but mostly they learn about love.

Two of the cute little ones learning about God's love.

The very youngest Sunday school making crafts, their favorite thing to do.

Some sweet little girls showing off the craft they will take home to mom.  Don't you just love that smile?

GIVING YOUR CHILDREN AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE

There is so much we want to pass onto our children, but maybe one of the most important things after salvation is there understanding that this is not our home.  This is not where we'll be forever and we shouldn't get too comfortable.  Too often even we ourselves get too "at home" in this life.  Enjoy this article for an "eternal view."  http://thechuppies.com/2011/04/i-dont-want-our-kids-to-feel-at-home/

HANDMADE FANS

This is a sampling of some fans that went to a group of Texas ladies.  One of the ladies had seen what we did with the kids this summer and thought it would be a nice idea for her group.  So 25 of these pretties flew off to Texas not long ago.  I know it seems late for fans, but things stay hot in Texas a lot longer than in most other places.  They all have Bible verses on both sides so they will be a nice witness.  And another benefit is that they really work well to blow  the heat off your brow.

MISSIONS TO RUSSIA

 Pavel (Paul) and Tanya Gerashenko are Ukrainian friends of ours who became missionaries and are now living in Russia working in an enclave of Turkish (Muslim) people.  Below is Tanya's letter.

 She has started a children's club. I"m sending her craft materials to work with the kids.  So happy to be a part in helping this mission effort get started.  Please pray for them and their 3 boys.  The littlest is there at the table.

Hi sister!
I want to share that today was the first day of the home club for the girls, there were five girls. We have made ​​some very interesting crafts: jewelery made ​​from beads and a rose and candy. I bought gifts for all the colored balls are in the waters swell and become big beautiful balls, and we were talking about a rainbow and how it all started. Noah and God's promise. They first heard the story of Noah. Of course, thank you for some of the parcels, they are very helpful for the club (do crafts). And if you still want to tell you that it for this ministry, I would be very grateful, as there is still a need. Also, please send ideas. I want to carry out twice a week for girls, and twice for the boys. Therefore, ideas and different ornamental material very much needed.
Thank you for your prayers and support.
With love your sister Tanya.
Sending photos.

BETHANY BAPTIST CHURCH KID'S CAMP

 Isn't she a cutie.  She liked getting her picture taken.

 Beautiful butterflies. Each craft goes home with a Bible verse on it.

 Our craft team helpers. Some Americans and some Ukrainians. I thank God for helpers.

The older kids making their CD case craft with a verse and pictures. We had so much fun.
Please pray for our camp this week.

TENT CAMP IN MORSHUNE, UKRAINE

This week is fun for families at the Belichi Bible Church tent camp.  They are located in a beautiful thick pine forest just north of a small lake about an hour away from the capital, Kiev.  Dan and Cindy Williams (first pic) of Antioch Baptist Church, Conway, Arkansas, have come from Conway as they do every summer to teach Bible and English.  They are such a blessing to the camp and we are so grateful for all the people that help make it possible for them to come.  The next picture is my sweet husband, Jeff who goes out and participates with the camp each year too.  That's his quarters for camping.  The last picture is the mess tent, sewn by one of the Ukrainian ladies.  This is not only where they eat, but where they view evangelical films each night.  Please be in prayer this week for those who will trust in God for salvation.

GIVEAWAY FOR NEW FOLLOWERS

We are American missionaries living in Ukraine. We've been here for 17 years. My husband travels many surrounding countries training pastors and missionaries in how to start new churches in new places. I work with children and ladies in an arts ministry. It's a lot of fun. I'm hoping for some new followers on my blog so I've done a little giveaway that will be open for only 7 days until April 5th. Being only a week gives you a good chance to win this pretty little vintage tag I made. Just follow on my blog to be entered. And if you want two chances to win, follow on my artsy blog as well: www.vintageterrace2.blogspot.com. Be sure to leave a message so I know you saw this posting. Blessings, Coleen

BABY BOOKS FOR BUCHA

For a number of years now our church has engaged in the western tradition of baby showers. Several years back when I was first invited to these showers I saw that each lady would write out their congratulations on a piece of paper. Then they would go around the room speaking these and eventually give the pieces of paper to the expectant mom as a keepsake. It didn't take me long to realize those little flimsy pieces of paper would end up in the back of a drawer and eventually be thrown out. So, what you see below is an example of the little keepsake I make for each one now. Mind you I am not a "scrapbooker," but I am preserving a memory for these ladies. Just another one of the fun ministry things I do.