A Godly Heritage - SCRAP-BOOKING -  A Tool!

     Four years ago, a good friend of mine (Missionary Coleen Franks) came down from northern Ukraine to teach our ladies how to make a Heritage of Faith Album.  I was able to purchase some simple notebooks which we decorated.  The first album told a story of their Christian life and then each month we focused on a different theme.  The first month was their salvation and baptism.  They each wrote a testimony of how they were saved and what it meant to them.  The following months the themes centered around blessings, prayer request, missionaries our church supports, special church events in their lives, etc.   I started collecting scrapbook papers, punches and stickers via the internet and through trips abroad - as these items were not available here in Ukraine. 

     The ladies had so much fun, that they asked to continue scrap-booking the next year and then again another year.  So now we meet monthly.  We have so much fun bonding, laughing, fellow-shipping, crafting, sharing, and even eating.    The last two years, I have been able to order large plastic binders from a local printer using a heavier stock of paper.   Some churches have donated special paper and stickers.  A special thanks to Cheyenne Baptist Temple - where one lady that used to own a scrap-booking store donated literally 1000's of stickers - all neatly wrapped in rolls.  

   These scrap-books are a tremendous tool in witnessing.  One aspect of Russian culture that I would like to share is that when you enter a home, people love to get out their old photo albums and show you their heritage. Now these ladies are showing these scrap-books to family, friends, and beyond.  Some of the ladies take their scrap-books to work on at lunchtime and they have given reports of how people have oooohhh-ed and ahhhhh-ed around their books.  

     Last week I went with one of the ladies to the nursing home.  In the first room we visited, Tamara dug into her bag and brought out the scrap-book that she is working on this year.  She sat with each elderly lady and showed them page by page her book.  The old people would touch the pages and caress the flowers, ribbons and photos.  I sat back and watched their faces.  The picture below is one that I took - I have to admit I was so touched by each lady, that I forgot to take photos.  

     This past Tuesday, two young ladies came over to work on their scrap-books (as they were gone on a mission's trip during our normal scrap-booking time).   I believe these scrap-books do more than just tell a story - they builds character, creativity, and a heritage!

Tamara sharing her scrap-book.

Mrs. Coleen Franks teaching how to make cards.

   

Deaf Camp 2012

DEAF CAMP 2012

    Deaf Camp was July 2 - 6.  It was an action packed, spiritual up-lifting week.  In previous years we had deaf camp for teens but this year we decided on a family camp.  This was new to them but boy, did it ever catch on.  Everyone is planning on coming back next year and the excitement will grow!
There were 45 campers this year -- five of the campers were children under 5 years of age which sent us scrambling to find teachers and activities to keep them busy.  Their running around the auditorium didn't bother the deaf as much as it did us hearing ones.
   Many decision were made this week -- three deaf men were gloriously saved  Successful week? You bet -- Absolutely!
    Bro. Jim Bracelin from Silent Word Ministries came from America to assist with deaf camp once again.  He brought his right-hand helper (his lovely wife Terry) and two single young men with him.  Together with Pastor Slava and the workers from deaf church - the camp was well organized and well-staffed.   
Enjoy these pictures that give a {not-so-brief} glimpse into a week given to the Lord.  The first is Andrean and he is from our deaf church.  He is 12 years old.  Every night he came into Pastor Bob's room to read the Bible, pray and even preach.  Pray for this bright young boy.

THREE DEAF MEN THAT WERE SAVED!  PRAISE THE LORD!

16 Years and Counting

    On May 13th, our church celebrated their 16th anniversary.  It seems like only yesterday that we arrived in Simferopol -- I can remember every detail as we stepped off the train.  There were about a dozen deaf that met us at the train station and asked if we were going to stay and start a deaf church. You should have seen their faces when we answered "YES!"  

     As we rode on a trolley through town, I couldn’t take my eyes off the hopelessness expression of the people walking down the street.  There was no joking, no smiling.  I thought, “Oh Lord, how do we reach these people?”

Deaf Church - 10:00 every Sunday

  Through these years, we have seen hundreds of souls saved, lives changed, marriages re-united, alcohol abuse abated; and what’s even better - we have experienced a family fashioned to love and serve together.  A WORK THAT ONLY GOD CAN DO. 

     Last month, I flew to the states for two weeks to visit my mother.  While I was in the Chicago airport, I had a conversation with a Christian man and his wife (they said they were Baptist).  He told me that he and his wife were called to Azerbaijan in 2001.  He said they sold their house and car and were ready to depart when 9/11 happened.  He said they changed their mind and decided to stay.  He said at that time, their two daughters had recently married.  He said that he was thankful for the 11 years that he did NOT go because God had bless them with 11 wonderful years with his grandchildren. 

   I was speechless.  I didn’t know what to say.  I wanted to ask, “Were the 11 years with grandchildren worth the 11 years worth of souls that were not evangelized? What about the lives that could have been changed had you only gone?”   All I could do was shake my head and walk away.  I will have to confess (because I am a mother and a grandmother) that I did cry later.  I cried for the 16 years that I have not had the opportunity to be there for my children and grandchildren.  But I would not have traded places with this man - nor would I go back and do anything different.  I know that we are right where God wants us.   

   I can’t begin to fathomed how missionaries many years ago handled the separation of family and friends where there was no internet - no phones.   I know that back in the early years of mission work, missionaries would ship their belongings in wooden caskets because they knew they would not be returning.   BUT I praise the Lord I have a phone, the internet and I have SKYPE - so that I can talk with my children and grandchildren and see their beautiful faces.

     Thank you Lord for allowing me to serve you here in Ukraine.  Thank you Lord for the 16 years that you have given to us.  To God be the glory for all He has done!

Hearing Church - 3:00 pm every Sunday

Act 26:18   

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins.

MOTHER'S DAY 

A tribute to my Mom

   Mother’s Day is coming and I wanted to tell you about the unique mom I have.  

 Proverbs 31:28  Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

      On April 16th I flew to America to spend some special time with my mom.  She has been such an inspiration in my life.  My father began to pastor when I was only 14 years old - but before that he was also a deacon and a Sunday School teacher.  He worked hard and he worked many hours.  My mother was always by his side through thick and thin -- so supportive and this has molded my life. 

     When I was young, my mother would take simple jobs in order for me and my sisters to take piano lessons.  She was busy in the church: from keeping the nursery and cleaning - to teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible Schools. My mother was concerned for our soul.  She made sure that we understood the importance of salvation.  You see my mother for many years thought she had been saved at an early age but she had been blinded by Satan.  It wasn't until she was in her 30's that she accepted Christ as her Savior.  And now, she eagerly tells everyone her testimony - on how Christ saved her.

      My mom loves the Lord and she loves her Bible.  When my father died nine years ago, my mother continued to do what she has always done.  Every week, mom teaches a Bible Study for women in her home (a low income apartment building complex).   Last week I was privileged to teach the 10 women that faithfully attend.  Every other week, my mother also teaches a Bible Study at a Women’s Prison there in Mississippi.  Last week, she came home so excited because she had been privileged to lead a young mother to the Lord there at the prison.

    My mom loves her church and her pastor.  Even at almost 81, she is still very faithful and active in her church - Goodman Road Baptist Church.  Plus, she teaches a monthly Bible Study there. 

Jan, Jackie, Me & Mom - taken last year at Mom's 80th birthday.

  My mother, although she is almost totally blinded by macular degeneration, reads her Bible through at least once a year.  I believe she has read her Bible through over 45 times.  Every day she gets out her LARGE PRINT KJV Bible and a large, lighted magnifying glass to read God's Word.  She continues memorizing verses (which puts me to shame).  She is currently memorizing another chapter of the Bible. 

     Thank you Mom for your faithfulness in helping to mold my life and for giving me a godly pattern to follow.  I love my mom and my sisters!

UKRAINIAN EASTER 

"PASHKA"

   Tomorrow here in Ukraine, we will celebrate Easter (April 15).  In the old days, no festival was awaited with so much enthusiasm and impatience as Easter.  As with most holidays in Russian and Ukraine, much emphasis is placed on food and drink.  Easter food traditions are very strong - that even despite the government's discontinuation of religious celebrations after the Revolution, state stores still carried a wide range of traditional Easter foods.

   One of the most popular treats at Easter is Pashka Bread - or Kulich - a spectacular Easter coffee cake.  It is both rich and light.  To achieve this difficult combination, the Easter cook, might use up to 30 eggs, a pound of butter and as many as three risings for the flavorful yeast dough.  Once the kulich is tucked away in the oven, all door-slamming, sneezing and loud chatter in the vicinity is strictly forbidden - for fear of a collapsed cake and a ruined Easter.   After the bread is cooled, a light glaze is spread on top and bright color sprinkles are added.

   Late on Saturday afternoon or evening, the orthodox congregation heads off to the local church.  Even if you are not a regular church goer, Easter was the one service everyone attends.  Along the way, people greet each other with "Khristos Voskres"  (Christ has risen) -- and the reply, "Voistinu Voskres!" (Indeed He has!).    After the bread is blessed, it is back home to a beautifully set table with flowers and garland.  The painted eggs add bright splashes of color.  In the middle of the table sits the kulich.

   This afternoon, Bob and I were downtown for a teachers meeting at the local pizza parlor.  This happened to be right next door to one of the larger Orthodox churches in Simferopol.  For the two hours as we sat there talking, discussing SS and eating pizza, literally hundreds of people walked past our window - on their way to the Orthodox church so that the priest could bless their bread.  They carried their basket full of breads.   This bread usually replaces all bread that is eaten for the week.
   One of the girls and I wandered over to where all the people were headed.  There were many long rows -- people lined up down the street waiting for their turn to have their kulich blessed.  The priest came by - sprinkling water (with a broom) on the bread and people.  Behind him was a young boy who accepted donations. I thought you would be interested in the pictures and video. (I found out later that there is usually militia around which forbids picture taking).

   In the minds of these dear people, the emphasis is on the religious ritual and not on the fact or the truth of the resurrection.  They have no clue on how this relates to them personally.  Too bad that these rituals and traditions have replaced a real relationship with a Risen Savior!

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SPRING CLEAN-UP

Every year, people in Ukraine put great emphasis on 

SPRING CLEANING.  

Everywhere - people are out in the street painting the curbs and tree trunks white.  Sweepers are cleaning the dirt left over from the sand trucks.  Houses are being painted, yards are being cleaned up and flowers are being planted.  You see, we have just come through a very long, hard winter.  Things have been gloomy, dirty and dark.  The sun used to set low in the sky but now the sky is blue and the sun is shinning brightly.  Our temperatures have finally warmed-up enough so that we can shed the layers of clothing, sweaters, coats and boots. 

   Even the people in our church wanted to get the house of God ready for Spring.  Over twenty people came out last Saturday to clean, paint, plant and wash.  People toted curtains home to be washed.  Cushions were shook out.  They were so happy in their work.

 

Here Oleg, Vitia, and Ivan are painting. 
Below are pictures of some washing windows, cleaning fake flowers and radiators.

 

    Sometimes we need to have "Spring Cleaning" in our own spiritual lives.  We need to re-examine our heart and lives and  spruce things up -- Spring Cleaning.  Sometimes, we need a good strong scrubbing - a spiritual freshening up.  We need to remember that our our bodies are the Temple of the Holy Ghost (I Cor. 6:19). 

     In Colossians 3:8-10.  The Bible tells us some of the things we should put off. Many times, it is our hearts that really require some cleaning.  We must be in the habit of looking deep into ourselves to rid our hearts of any feelings, habits or emotions that are making them dingy and dull; envy, strife, jealousy, hatred, discontentment, impatience, unkindness, revenge. When these things reside in our hearts, they often manifest themselves in our tongues.

     When we make the effort to bring our hearts to God asking Him to do what only He can do, He will forgive our sinful attitudes and resulting actions and make our hearts new again. Then maybe we’ll be able to unearth some cherished treasures we thought were long lost; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self control.

      Usually when we finish our spring cleaning, we look around and say that we'll never let things get so bad as that again and we determine not to let it happen. We should do the same for our spiritual house. Determine not to let it get dirty again. The only way to accomplish this is to keep it up daily by feasting on God's Word and being sensitive to the Holy Spirit to work in our lives. 

 We need to keep our lamps trimmed -- 

so that our light will shine in a dark dreary world.

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Faithful Men

     Last week our church hosted our 6th annual "Faithful Men Conference".  Thirty men from around Ukraine attended.  The speakers were Pastor Mark Priem, Missionary John Spillman,  Pastor Igor Solod, Pastor Dema Pischanetsky, Missionary David Sloan, and Pastor Bob Van Sant.

   The purpose of the conference is to build strong leaders/nationals within our churches.  But as always, the focus is also on salvation.  There were two men in attendance that were not saved.  One man accepted Christ as his Savior and the other man was in our church this past Sunday.  He promised to be back next week and he wants to continue discussing his need of the Savior.

Faithful Men 2012 - Sevastopol Ukraine

     This year the men watched the video "COURAGEOUS".  We were so excited that the video had been translated into Russian.    I have seen the video a couple of times and I asked my husband if any of the men cried.  He said men don't look around to see if other men are crying. :-)   However, the film touched hearts beyond measure.  We were able to translate "The Resolution" into Russian on certificate paper - it looked really nice.  Leaders from each church received copies for them to discuss with their men later.

    Bro. Igor Solod is pictured above - and here he is preaching at the conference. Igor & Sveta are one of the missionaries our church supports.  They have six children (yes, he looks so young).  He is doing a wonderful job in a village just south of Kiev.  He preached in our church the Wednesday before the conference. We are glad to have a part in this young man's work!

   Many important decisions were made and we look forward to seeing the results.