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.

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/

Youth Gathering

This group was led by one of our BMA Missionaries in Ukraine named Alyosha Pivovar. Alyosha has been leading youth since the late 90's. Jeff discipled him for many years and he has been working on his own for years now. He also married last year and is expecting his first child this spring. We are proud to see God using this former drug addict in his work for His Kingdom.

Assel ’s Great Grandfather Loved Orphan Children

This is a story passed on from a friend in Kazakhstan who works with college students and collects their stories. This one truly is an expression of the love of God. I really think she should write a book one day.


I want to tell about my great-grandfather from my father’s side. His name was Karim and he lived in western Kazakhstan. I heard about him when I was a child because my grandmother always told me stories about her father. Before the Second World War he worked on a farm and he had three children including my grandmother. When the war had begun, he was one of the first who had gone off to war. In the war he had lost one foot and so he returned back home. When he went back home he analyzed that most of the adults had died in the war. Then he decided to collect all the children who had lost their parents.

Even though he was injured in the war, he raised and supported these children by hunting without one foot by riding on a camel. My grandmother tells me a lot of stories about how my great-grandfather hunted. Also they ate some rabbits and a couple of camels. My grandmother said that when she was a child they would eat camel’s meat and the camel’s hump tasted like gum. And all children liked the hump because they chewed it like gum.

My grandmother always said we lived not rich but we always loved and respected our parents. And my father said that he was very kind and funny man, he always smiled and he loved children especially his own grandsons and grand daughter. I think that may be they lived in poverty but they had a big together family.

He was a wonderful man. I do not remember all the stories about my great-grandfather, but I really know that he was a hero.

Evangelism of Youth Girls

Last Saturday night, December 13, 2008 we had a great group of girls attend "The Meaning of Christmas." There were speakers, music, songs to sing, a time to express artistically and of course, food. Laura Kanaykina asked me to do a craft with the girls and we all had a great time. It was evident they loved the whole evening because when we were all finished no one wanted to leave. For more pictures on this event you can view my art blog at http://teaontheterrace.blogspot.com/

Laura Kanaykina

Laura spoke to the girls and encouraged them. She works a lot with this age group.

The Creative Process

The girls loved doing a craft as part of the whole experience. They made picture frames from foam hearts that Laura had left over from a camp. They turned out so beautiful using glitter and sequins. They will be a good memory of the night and of course we gave each girl a verse to put on their frame.

Girls Evangelism

A lovely girl proud of her beautiful piece of art.

Youth Girls Evangelism

On Saturday we are expecting 75 girls for evangelism about "The Meaning of Christmas." Girls from the Irpen Bible Church are inviting their friends to come for this fun Christmas time event. After the presentation there will be a craft event. Laura Kanaykina asked me to come and help with this part of it. The girls will be making and decorating picture frames. And as always, they will have a verse on them. That is my "trademark" you might say. No craft goes home without a verse on it. I'm always thinking about that sphere of influence surrounding the child or person who's done the craft. Please pray for these girls that the Lord would touch their hearts with his love and kindness through all they come in contact with that night. That they might see the light of Jesus in all of us and know he is something they want..