WAR IN UKRAINE, CHRISTIAN RESPONSE

HOLIDAYS BRING OUT SO MANY FEELINGS

"I Am Not There, I Am Here"

On this Thanksgiving holiday I am thankful for many things including living and working in Ukraine. I must admit, though, our hearts sometimes ache over being so far from loved ones and family, from our culture and familiarity of it.  I post this from another missionary.  It is encouraging and I hope helps others to understand our being so far. 

I am not there.

          I am here.

The miles are long. Their days are my nights. My days are their nights.

I am not there. I am here.


She looks so beautiful, dressed in white. She walks the aisle, and he meets her at the front. The “I do’s” are said and tears of joy are shed. I do not see it. I only have pictures. I am not there. I am here.


The tree is put up and decorated. The lights glisten and glow. Sipping hot chocolate after a family dinner. Presents exchanged. But I am not there. I am here.

Tears are shed. Flowers fill the chapel. A casket is closed. Hearts are broken. Goodbyes are spoken. Comforting hugs. Reminiscing over happy memories. But I am not there. I am here.

A family hurting. Children crying. Parents aching. And someone leaves. A broken home. Phone calls and emails are all I have. My heart wants to hold them, to cry with them. I want to wipe away the tears. But I am not there. I am here.

Bad news comes. Health is failing. Surgeries. Treatments. Doctor’s appointments. I cannot help. I cannot drive for them or cook a meal or clean. I am not there. I am here.

A beautiful pregnant belly. The gender announced. Before long, the labor starts. The baby’s first cry. Happy parents. But I do not get to hold the baby. I do not hear the cry. I am not there. I am here.

Birthdays come and go. Trials faced. But I am not there…

Sometimes my heart wants to cry out, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first see her wedding. Let me first see the baby born. Let me make sure everyone will be o.k. while I am gone. Let me first… me first…”

              Me first…

I am not the first to think it. I am not the first to feel the pull… the tug.

Luke 9:57-62 “And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.  And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Following is not without sacrifice. I don’t want to look back. I want to keep my hand to the plough. I want to plough straight and deep.

My heart wants to cry, “Me first!” So I remind my heart about what belongs first.

Matthew 6:33  “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

If I put Him first, He will supply me need… comfort when I ache inside… comfort when I miss family and friends… comfort when the tears flow.

Why am I here when I am missing out on things there?

 I remember why I am here. I remember Who brought me here.

Romans 10:13-15 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”

I am not there.

              By God’s grace, I am here.

              So today, I lay “there” on the altar again.

I am here.   (Author unknown, surely a missionary)

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

BETHANY CHURCH YOUNG MARRIEDS GROUP

In 1994 we came to Ukraine as missionaries for the Baptist Missionary Association of America (BMMA).  We lived a bit more than three years in the Crimea region of Ukraine in the very south of the country before we realized we needed to be closer to an airport for Jeff's work in other countries.  In 1997 we moved to Bucha, located just outside the capital.  We joined the Bethany Church and this lovely group of young people at that time were all young kids.   It's been our joy to watch them grow up for the last 17 years that we've been in this church.  This was a recent meeting (September) that they do monthly.  Jeff spoke to them that night about conflict, a topic of importance for all people.  As we approach our 20th year (2014) we don't know how long God has planned for us here, but we do know that we are so privileged to be a part of the lives of this group.  This is the future of the church and I know they will make a great future for Bethany Church.

WILL TIME "BE NO LONGER" IN HEAVEN? By Jeff Franks

I used to think that in heaven we would be "beyond time" because of the wording of one

verse in the KJV "that there should be time no longer" (Rev 10:6). However, many

years ago I heard a sermon based solely on this phrase, wherein the preacher, having

meditated at length, concluded that the absence of time demanded the absence of

everything linear. Since thoughts are linear, so is all communication, and so is all

movement. His heretical conclusion was that all prayer, all songs, all worship, and all

fellowship will end as our souls will know only joy in perfect unity with the Godhead.

Since I knew many depictions of heaven in the Bible where people praise, worship,

communicate, hold their silence for half an hour, etc., I knew he was wrong. I

discovered that the phrase in Rev 10:6 could legitimately be translated "there will be no

more delay" as in the NKJV, the ISV, the ESV, and many other translations.

Surely one day our eyes will be opened to other dimensions of which we know nothing

now except by faith. But faith, like a true portal to the "great beyond", comes by hearing

and hearing by the Word of God, which shows us not only joy and bliss, but also great

activity in praise, worship, feasting, and servanthood all of which is linear in nature.

When Christ appeared to the disciples in his risen body he spoke and ate with them in

the humblest way, giving us joy and hope that heaven will not mean the loss of time

(blending with godhead), but rather the full enjoyment of it as redeemed souls with real

risen bodies.

ANTIOCH BAPTIST CHURCH CAMP TEAM

This picture was taken over the weekend in Kiev, overlooking the Dneiper River and the city in the background.  The camp team is now with a bunch of campers in southern Ukraine.  L-R, Addison Williams, Shawn Hammontree and Justin Berg.

Rebecca Haley is so excited as are all the camp participants.

Dan and Cindy Williams of Conway, Arkansas have been doing these camps for years.  They are the team leaders.

They were blessed to do a little touring yesterday.  Crimea has some old ruins from centuries passed.

Addison, the youngest in the group admiring the ruins.  Please pray for all these people and  more importantly for the Ukrainians attending who do not know God.  Your prayers would be coveted.

#KIEV, #UKRAINE TIME-LAPSE

Kiev, the capitol of Ukraine is truly a study in contrasts.  It is an old city breaking out of the mold of it's ancient past.  We live outside the city about half an hour.  I think you'll enjoy these views.  A well-done video.

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?

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/

THE ATTITUDE OF COMMUNISM

This was a very interesting post a fellow American missionary in Ukraine posted on Facebook recently.  It speaks about the past of this former Soviet country and the way some still think today:

"Spent time listening to a government official explaining how "community" has fallen apart in Ukraine. Under Soviet days, everyone was watched out for and kept in various forms of community. There were workers unions, the Communist Party, Consomols Party (teenage Communist Party) and Pioneers (grade school equivalent of Boy Scouts). Everyone fit into a part of the community that created the Soviet Union. Today, with no parties or unions, people are left to themselves, lonely, hopeless and generally drunk. With no party or club to tell them what to believe in, there is nothing that unites the people."

When you hear such things it helps me to understand how badly this nation still needs to know Christ.  Pray for us as we minister here.

 

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.

"THE DINER"

JOSH GROBAN AND THE AFRICAN CHILDREN'S CHOIR

EUROPE, OUR MISSION CONTINENT

LITIN, UKRAINE TRAINING

Pastors and missionaries gather for training and a prayer retreat with the topic of starting new churches in new places. Jeff Franks led the group teaching the program from Dynamic Church Planting International. Concurrently I worked with the ladies which you can view by going here: www.vintageterrace2.blogspot.com or clicking on it to the right. Our deep thanks to all who help make these conferences happen with your prayers and support.

CHRISTY NOCKLES, "HEALING IS IN YOUR HAND"

SEEING THROUGH GOD'S EYES

BRAVE GIRLS CLUB

We all have problems in this life, yet we walk around like everything is fine and we look like our life is all put together. The fact is, behind that mask often is great hurt, some tragic event or some challenge we think will engulf us. So, I've left here a link for you to read. It's not long, but will take you a few minutes. Believe me, it is worth the time: http://bravegirlsclub.com/archives/5832

Go there, you'll be glad you did and you'll look at people differently.

Blessings, Coleen

AMAZING ISRAEL 2011

In June of this year I was able to accompany Jeff on one of his trips. In 17 years I've rarely gone on any of his trips because we had children at home and for reason of the extra cost. Besides, I like being at home in my art studio and I have an active ministry here. In our 8 days in Israel we were able to tour for a couple days and we got a lot in. This shot is overlooking the city of Tel Aviv and the Mediterranean Sea.




A beautiful church. So much great architecture. This is Tel Aviv.




Church steeple and some pretty amazing vegetation in Tel Aviv.


Church of the Nativity looking heavenward. So much beautiful architecture.




Overlooking Israel from our hotel in Bethlehem. Notice the water tanks on the roof below. It was a very desert-like place.




Dynamic Church Planters Internations (DCPI) group shot. A wonderful native meal.


Stained glass window in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.




Colleen (Centeio) and Coleen (Franks) doing the tourist thing in Israel. Colleen came from California. For us it was only 3 hours from Ukraine. Not an expensive flight and no jet-lag. Yay!




Bethlehem in the evening taken from our third floor hotel balcony.




Two steeples, one Islamic in the foreground and one Christian down the road behind. They are located in the Bethlehem not far from where we stayed.