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I have so many words to say that I often don’t know where to begin!  It has been a good summer. The team had been blessed with projects across Ukraine.  They have worked with youth in Odessa, taught English in Western Ukraine, worked with women in Kharkiv, etc.  One of the highlights was time working with 38 participants in an International World Changers event in Kiev.  We worked with other imb missionaries to share in the Chernobyl region, and across Kiev.  Ministry included park evangelism, prayer walking, beach clean-up, digging a trench, setting up an out-house, painting, and a host of other projects.  Even now, our team is preparing for teaching English and conducting evangelism with friends near L’viv in western Ukraine!

And as we continue thoughts toward His Kingdom, we are also faced with all things related to completing our term and going to the States for six months!  That in itself is a process to behold.  What makes it especially hard is that our team will end, and as we return from stateside an opportunity exists for us to serve in another location.  Pray for us as we seek Him in finding a place where He will be most glorified, and where we can see His Kingdom grow.  It is a joy to serve!

I am often challenged to consider what it means for His “Kingdom to come on earth as it is in Heaven.”  When I see people on the streets, in the markets, at the airport, or even as guests in our home, I long for each to know Him and His provision. 

This week, we have a group of 38 coming to share Christ in Kiev through International World Changers.  The group will be working with churches, church planters, missionaries, nationals, and others who have a desire for the world to know Him.  We have projects scheduled for places just outside of Kiev, and even a trip to the Chernobyl zone where little hope may still be found.  Each day is a time when we can share about Christ through sports, helping others, sharing words, and sharing life.  Yet all of this is without any joy, except that God direct our steps, empower us by His Spirit, and that Jesus be glorified. 

Left:  Our team gathers with others to share about the upcoming week of ministry in and near Kiev.

Last night, June 9, we gathered to share in fellowship, and to share the vision that Christ be lifted up.  We decided to do this at the time that we usually have scheduled for others to visit our home.  It was Friday night, which usually means Pizza.  As a result, we had others who are not believers come to our home, some for the first time.  I was amazed at how people simply began to talk with one another, and how relationships began forming.  We shared openly about church, our desire to see others know Christ, and about life.  No one ran from the room screaming!  And one person for whom we pray asked to be a part of our team in the coming week.  She even wants to join us for worship on Sunday.  It is God Who draws others to Himself!   

Pray for us to be faithful in the tasks He gives, that we all clearly hear as His Spirit speaks, and that He will be glorified in all that we do.

We are well into Spring here in Ukraine.  And, it is a joy to finally be outside much more, have the sun shine much longer, and to join others in preparing gardens. 

One of the opportunities that we have is to use a tiller to help in the soil preparation for gardens.  That opportunity often extends to helping plant the gardens, at least helping to plant potatoes.  So, for  the past couple of weeks, Jim (a friend visiting from the States), and I have gone to several places working with nationals to till the soil.  In  the   process, we are able to share stories of His love, and to be a witness in the communities where we work.  One of the best experiences was in villages near Kalinovka, Ukraine, where a pastor invited us to come out and work.

The pastor also gathered some men to help in this project.  Those men were from a Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Center.  Their lives had been changed from depending on cocaine, heroin and/or other drugs, to depending on God and His provision.  Working alongside of these men, one would have never thought that their lives had once been filled with such things as abuse, hatred, murder, prison and more.  I was challenged to consider again the new life that we are meant to have in Christ, and to consider His Redemption…the exchange of our old life for a new life.  Indeed He does give life change to those who would choose to follow Him.

Five men take a rest from digging while in a village near Kalinovka, Ukraine.  Along with the tiller, much work was done by hand using shovels.  The pastor is seen standing on the top left.

Our friend works a tiller for the first time as he prepares a garden in Milkie, Ukraine.  The gratitude expressed by him and his wife was humbling.

Sarah, one of our team members, works the tiller as we level land for church use in the village of Noviya Zaleciya, Ukraine

Jim works in the field.  Here, near Kanlinovka, Ukraine, we worked to prepare the soil for an invalid who would not be able to do so on his own.  Those who live near him came out to see what we were doing, and the pastor shared our Reasons why.

Things are finally beginning to warm up in Kiev.  Though the snow/ice covers most of the ground, it is a joy to see the sun. This week our team was out in Ivano Frankivsk, located in Western Ukraine, to lead an English Conversation time.  I was delighted to see how well our team prepared, and led the groups.  Pray for us as we continue to seek opportunities to be Christ’s Ambassadors among the Ukrainian people.

For many years now, I have enjoyed making, serving and eating Red Beans and Rice.  This has been the menu for many BSU luncheons in Missouri and in Texas.  We have even shared this recipe with people in Belarus and Ukraine.  And it is a great way to enjoy an evening with family, and with friends.  I am well aware that not everyone would enjoy this meal, however some have asked for the recipe, and so I wanted to share it here. 

Red

Bean’s

& Rice

One package of smoked sausage, about a pound, or more if you desire

One or two green (or yellow, or red) bell peppers

Medium to large onion (or as much as you want)

Bay leaves (about three)

Tony Chachere’s Creole seasoning, http://www.tonychachere.com

Four cans of red beans for the easy version, or a package of dry red-beans cleaned and soaked overnight. (Either canned or dried Pinto beans can be substituted if desired or if red beans aren’t available in places like Kiev, Ukraine).

Dice peppers and onions, and cut sausage into bite size pieces.  Sautee the peppers, onions, and sausage (add a little water to help the process (about 3 oz)) and add Creole seasoning.  You can sauté the mixture in a skillet or in the pot to which you will add beans – the choice is yours.

When the peppers and onions are tender, the sausages are already tasty, and the smell wonderfully tantalizing, go ahead and move to a pot to which you will add the beans.  Add beans, and bring to a simmer (you may also need to add water at this point).  Add more Tony Chachere’s and bay leaves (about 3, and you can take them out before serving if you like).  Continue simmering for about 45 minutes.  You can eat it before then, but the longer you simmer, the better the taste.  You must stir often, being careful to not let anything sit on the bottom too long or it will burn.  I like to cook the beans “to pieces” and have them make a kind of sauce, but this will be the choice of the cook.

Of course you are going to need the rice cooked as well. 

Finally, call some friend(s) to come over and bring the cornbread and/or sweet tea!

Remember that you can change any of the ingredients to an amount that you would prefer, i.e.: more meat, or more beans, etc.  Prepare to your taste, and expect it to be even better the next day.  Let me know what you think, or if you have questions.

Well, here is one last chance to put a post out before 2010 begins.  So, we are here in Kiev, and it is about an hour before the sounds of fireworks will begin just outside our windows to announce the arrival of the new year.  We had friends over to our home to celebrate the past year, and to celebrate a birthday as well.  And, just for fun, we made a pizza that included toppings of black-eyed peas, ham, sausage, and onion.  It was pretty good!  Not everyone tried it, but those who did were not disappointed.  

I feel blessed to have such a great family.  We are blessed to be together, to serve in Kiev, and to have others who care so much for us.  We think of our family in the States, and our friends as well during these holidays, and we are blessed. 

The past year has not always been easy, however the reality is that God continues to be with us in all circumstances.  That is on what we must always focus.  I pray that I will be found faithful to do that in the coming year, and that each of you will be so as well. 

Blessings to each of you as you enter into a new year.  May it be one of freedom…both in giving and receiving.  May you be free to grow as God desires, to follow as He commands, and to become all that He has planned.

Here are some of the friends who gathered with us on
New Years Eve.  Blessings!

It’s Christmas time!  As I consider the blessings that our Lord has given over the past year, I am reminded that He continues to teach me.  My prayer is that I am always willing to learn from the Master.  One such lesson came recently as He revealed to me that sometimes we cling to things that are broken.  Here are some examples:

At my desk, I have a chair in which I sit to do office work.  You know the kind of chair that has wheels on a base, in this case the base was like a five-pointed star.  Well, one of the wheels broke, and off came part of one of the “arms” of the base.  The chair was still good (except for a slight defect where the chair seemed to tilt slightly to one side - I had gotten used to that).  I thought that I may be able to fix the chair, but there was no way.  I even tried to take all the wheels off, but even then it wobbled like a cheap table at an all you can eat for $4.99 restaurant.  So, I resolved to go buy a new chair.  But even then, I thought that I could just keep this chair as well.  Kimberly wouldn’t let me.  One of the conditions of buying the new chair was to get rid of the old one.  But then came a blessing… 

If you were to come to our apartment building, and then to our entrance, you would be met by one of the three (or four) women who work as gatekeepers for those coming to visit.  These are often middle aged women who have enough courage to confront anyone who may seem to bring trouble, and they keep the snow swept away from the steps.  Mostly, they remain in the booth/room where they spend their shift watching people come and go.  So it was as I carried out the old chair that the one who worked that night asked me what I was doing with the chair.  I told her that I was throwing it away.  For her, this just wouldn’t do, and so she asked if she could have the chair.  I was delighted to give it to her!  And remember that I had taken off the rollers?  Well, I had thought I could keep them, but I told the lady that I would bring her the rollers down as well.  It was an almost new chair - less than three months old!  I know that she will use the chair, and that it was of value to her, and therein lies the blessing that came as I chose to “get rid” of something that I no longer needed.

Another example:  A couple of weeks ago we had guests come to our home.  We like to have guests and see this as a ministry to those with whom we serve.  A family of five came to visit, and one of the children was about two years old.  As we are eating, the two year old goes over to take a toy truck from the shelf.  Just in front of the shelf, and near the Christmas tree, we have set up a ceramic nativity set.  As she took the truck from the shelf, the truck fell to the floor, and in so doing, a lonely ceramic shepherd was shattered.  “Oh, that’s okay,” was the immediate reply from Kimberly.  I agreed, because that is just what happens in life - sometimes things get broken.  So I gathered up the broken shepherd and place the pieces on the shelf.  I thought I would just get some glue and put the shepherd back together…kind of like Humpty Dumpty.  Well, those pieces set there on the shelf for 10 days!  After becoming tired of looking at them, I simply threw the pieces away.  It didn’t hurt, and I haven’t missed the shepherd at all.   You probably can’t even tell he is missing.  After all, the real message of the nativity is that our Savior has come! 

And so, I am reminded that we, or at least I, sometimes hold onto things that are broken, or even things that just keep us from being who God has called us to be.  And at the same time, I am challenged to think that there are things in our lives that are broken, and shouldn’t be.  Perhaps a relationship with someone, even with God Himself, is broken, and pride keeps us from seeking forgiveness.  Whatever the case, Paul says it best:

Philippians 3:13-14
No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven. (NLT)

What a great verse!  And like the nativity set, it is not all the peripheral “things” that matter, but the One Who should be in the center of each of our lives. 

If you made it this far, thanks for reading as I share my thoughts regarding things which our Father is teaching me.  May you have a blessed season in Celebrating the Birth of our Savior!

Two weeks ago, we attended service at Transformation Church.  That was the day that the church celebrated Zhatva, or Harvest Day.  It was a day of acknowledging God’s blessings through the harvest, and a celebration of His Goodness and provision. 

Churches throughout Ukraine, and much of the former Soviet Union, will have such services usually in October.  I am reminded of our own day of Thanksgiving, and rejoice that in a time of economic crisis, there remains much for which I am thankful.  Regardless of where we live, we all have the opportunity to be grateful, or choose to be distraught by circumstances in which we live. 

Be encouraged!  Be Thankful!  In this season, and in the ones to come, let our hearts be focused on our Saviour, and the blessings which He has given.

It seems as though time is passing quickly.  Already our girls have completed two full weeks of school! Since last I blogged, we have had teams come serve with us in Kiev, traveled to Budapest for medical and vacation, and experienced life in many different ways.  Sometimes it was with difficulty, yet always with God’s blessings!  Ask our children, and they would say that one of the highlights is the addition of a puppy to our home.  Kimberly would say that same.  Me?  Well…

This weekend, I had the privilege of going on a retreat with leadership from a church in Kiev.  It was a great time, and provided an opportunity for understanding the vision and hear to the leadership for this church.  The pastor shared how he desires to see small groups as the building blocks for church.  Others spent time envisioning, dreaming, and - most importantly - praying for the coming year.  It is obvious that those in leadership desire for God’s plans to be followed as this church seeks to plant other churches and see God’s Kingdom here on earth.

And today was teh first day of Sunday School.  The children have a summer break just like the would in regular school, and so today was a celebration for a new beginning.  Two people were called upon to pray, and I was reminded again of something I think remarkable.  As Vladimir prayed, he used the following words transliterated, “spasebas d’la etot Voskrseniya ootra” which translated to English is, “thank you for this resurrection morning.”

If one would say the days of the week in Russia, the day called Voskresnya is Sunday.  Voskresnya is a word that also means resurrection!  What a delight to know that in a world where many speak Russian, and many would also choose not to believe in Christ, every week brings an opportunity for people to believe in the resurrection of a Savior!  It is as though God has allowed a mark that will cause others to think of Him.

What things exist in your life that point others to Christ?  I would hope that each of us would follow Him, and choose to allow others to see Him in our lives.

It is a joy to serve!  Pray that we will be faithful to the task, not be discouraged, and to be fruitful for His Kingdom.

Here I am again.  Almost four months since the last post!  As often as I have thought about what to share, I have failed to make it happen.

So where have we been?  It has already been a busy summer.  From March, we have been to Budapest to obtain visas for ministry in Ukraine.  While there, we had several medical/dental issues resolved.  Then we were back in Ukraine.  Our team was busy with English camps and other ministry through April.  We had a meeting in Prague during the first part of May.  Our return from Prague took us through Krakow, Poland.  We made a stop at Auschwitz.  In teaching our daughters about life, it is often hard to acknowledge the evil that some display toward others.  Our intent was to make a quick stop to show the buildings, but not to go into great details. It is enough to not forget.

The entrance to the camp over which is written “Work brings Freedom.”  I think that too often, work also enslaves many. 

There was a group of people filming near the entrance to the concentration camp.  Kimberly heard English, and said that I should go over and introduce ourselves.  Hearing English, spoken with a US accent, is a pleasant thing when so far from the States.  I finally go over, and ask where they are from. One man replied, “the United States.”  I asked what part, and he stated that they were from Washington, D.C.  I said we were from Missouri, gave our name, and asked who they were.  Another gentleman in a suit shook my hand, said that he was Newt Gingrich.  They were filming a documentary to be released in November.  It was interesting to tell of our work among Ukrainians as Ambassadors for Christ with someone so well known in the political world.  I was encouraged that both he and Mrs. Gingrich gave words of support for the greater mission that each of us have in life.  

Our family with the Mr. & Mrs. Newt Gingrich.  The photo was taken just outside the fenced area of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp.

Two days after returning from Prague, we had a couple of teams arrive to help us in ministry.  One team, a family from Tennessee, helped us in park ministry.  Each afternoon we went to a park not far from our home to give away balloons, Scripture, and do face painting.  We had many conversations about religion, hope, life, traditions and Christ.  We also shared at a local kindergarten, just presenting a time of caring.  The administration was skeptical as to why we were there, and asked what they needed to pay us for being there!  I do so want to live in such a way as to cause others to see Christ within me. 

Some of our team tie balloons for children at the Poznyaki Park near our home.

A second team, from Michigan State University, worked with us to minister among the Farsi population living in Kiev.  Our time with both teams was a delight, and we saw the Father working to bring others to Himself.   

Today, I am just thinking.  We continue to work with our team to help other imb missionaries and national church planters.  We are preparing for teams to come help from the States, and to do ministry in and near Kiev.  Pray for us to be faithful in the task.  The spiritual battle rages about us, and the evil one desires to take away victories already won by our Savior.  Indeed it is Christ Who is the Solid Rock upon which we can fully trust.

What a beautiful day it has been here in Kiev.  The temps are warm, and the sun has been shining.  It has been a wonderful day for a birthday.  We asked Kimberly what she wanted, and she decided that it would be great fun to have Sbarro’s pizza, and then go ice skating.  So, after morning duties, I came home so that we could drive out to a western-styled mall for pizza and skating.  I thought that I would just be able to watch from a table near the rink, but, alas, that would not be. 

We drove out past the large statue affectionately called “metal momma” on our way out the the rink. We arrived at the mall, Caravan, and went to the food court.  Kimberly got pizza and a salad, three of us went to McDonald’s, and Arianna had a baked potato.  All was well indeed.

We sat next to the rink, and the girls were excited about ice skating again.  Finally, Kimberly says, “You’re going too, aren’t you?”  With that, I simply said yes.

We get our skates, and finally get all the girls laced up.  Fortunately for me, our youngest child, Sophia, was slow, and she liked being near the rail.  I couldn’t have been happier!  I went to Sophia, whom Kimberly was helping, and told Kimberly to go ahead and skate, I would help her.  And thus began my experience of skating once again.  I didn’t do to bad, only falling once, but grasping onto the rail for most of the time that I was on the ice.  Sophia got better each time we went around, thankfully she continued to hold onto the rail.  Abigail and Arianna would take turns with mom, as I appeared to sacrifice any fun on the ice and instead help Sophia. 

The one who had the worst fall happened to be Arianna.  She had a fall as she was going around the edge, and got several cuts on her hand.  Kimberly went to get a band-aid, and when she asked, they sent her to the doctor who apparently works there.  By the time I made it to Arianna, the doctor was already helping Arianna.  I told Kimberly to go back to the rink before our time was up, so she, Abigail and Sophia continued to skate.  The doctor bandaged Arianna’s cut fingers, and she and I waited for the rest to finish. 

So today had been busy.  Kimberly had pizza, we went ice skating, Arianna survived a fall on the ice, and we know that we are blessed.  God is gracious to us in so many ways.  I am grateful for the family that God has given, for the opportunity to share about Christ with those who are around me, and for friends both near and far who pray for us.  May your day be one that brings great blessings from our Father.