I guess it was just last week, that I really had that feeling of being honored to be her mother. Our translator, Artyom, that lives with us, has been praying for his family to know Christ. Well, just last week, his twin brother, Maxim, called and asked Artyom to pray with him over the phone. Maxim repented, and there was not only joy in heaven, but also here in our home. We were praising the Lord for the "lost coming into the fold", when I saw that Jessica was crying. I went over to her and gave her a hug and then I realized that she was not crying for joy. I sensed that something was wrong. I tried to get her to talk. She was happy that Maxim had repented and was a Chrisian now. But what she said hit me hard. She said, " Artyom has been a Christian only a few months and he has already led someone to the Lord. I have been a Christian for a long time,(she was 7yrs old when she became a Christian) but I haven't led any one to Jesus yet." Then I understood. Yes, she was happy for Artyom and his brother, but she so badly wanted to lead someone to Christ. Her passion for Christ and for leading others to Him, humbled me. I thought "How worried am I about leading people to Jesus" Maybe we all should ask ourselves, when was the last time we cried because we hadn't led more souls to Jesus. Something to think about.Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Honored to be her mom
I know this post is bragging, but please allow me to explain why I am so glad that God gave me Jessica as my daughter. And why I feel honored to be her mother. Jessica has been a great kid from day one. Seriously, I thought something was wrong with her when she didn't wake me up at night to be fed. But she was just one of those baby's that sleep through the night from the first week on. At a very young age, she showed an interest in spiritual things, and of course we did our best to encourage her to " love Jesus with all her heart." She has been more that just a missionary kid ( MK) being dragged along from ministry to ministry. She wanted to go on ministry trips and wanted to help others and wanted kids to know about God. She has been involved in, not only the work of the ministry but also praying for those we minister to. It is amazing sometimes the questions she comes up with in the Bible study on Tues. nights. One time she told me, "Mom, I want to really know how to pray. Not just say words, but really, really pray."
I guess it was just last week, that I really had that feeling of being honored to be her mother. Our translator, Artyom, that lives with us, has been praying for his family to know Christ. Well, just last week, his twin brother, Maxim, called and asked Artyom to pray with him over the phone. Maxim repented, and there was not only joy in heaven, but also here in our home. We were praising the Lord for the "lost coming into the fold", when I saw that Jessica was crying. I went over to her and gave her a hug and then I realized that she was not crying for joy. I sensed that something was wrong. I tried to get her to talk. She was happy that Maxim had repented and was a Chrisian now. But what she said hit me hard. She said, " Artyom has been a Christian only a few months and he has already led someone to the Lord. I have been a Christian for a long time,(she was 7yrs old when she became a Christian) but I haven't led any one to Jesus yet." Then I understood. Yes, she was happy for Artyom and his brother, but she so badly wanted to lead someone to Christ. Her passion for Christ and for leading others to Him, humbled me. I thought "How worried am I about leading people to Jesus" Maybe we all should ask ourselves, when was the last time we cried because we hadn't led more souls to Jesus. Something to think about.
I guess it was just last week, that I really had that feeling of being honored to be her mother. Our translator, Artyom, that lives with us, has been praying for his family to know Christ. Well, just last week, his twin brother, Maxim, called and asked Artyom to pray with him over the phone. Maxim repented, and there was not only joy in heaven, but also here in our home. We were praising the Lord for the "lost coming into the fold", when I saw that Jessica was crying. I went over to her and gave her a hug and then I realized that she was not crying for joy. I sensed that something was wrong. I tried to get her to talk. She was happy that Maxim had repented and was a Chrisian now. But what she said hit me hard. She said, " Artyom has been a Christian only a few months and he has already led someone to the Lord. I have been a Christian for a long time,(she was 7yrs old when she became a Christian) but I haven't led any one to Jesus yet." Then I understood. Yes, she was happy for Artyom and his brother, but she so badly wanted to lead someone to Christ. Her passion for Christ and for leading others to Him, humbled me. I thought "How worried am I about leading people to Jesus" Maybe we all should ask ourselves, when was the last time we cried because we hadn't led more souls to Jesus. Something to think about.
So much to be Thankful for!!!!
Thanksgiving is almost here and I wanted to sit down and list a "few" things that I have to be thankful for. God is so good and I want to give Him thanks.
I am THANKFUL .......
1. We are privileged to serve God as missionaries to Ukraine
2. I have a wonderful husband, Jason, and that he still puts up with me and my craziness
3. Josh is reading!!!!! ( he was just reading what I was typing)
4. Jessica has a heart to follow God, and wants to be the best Christian that she can be
5.We have heat in our home( I hate to be cold!!!!)
6. The parents in our village are starting to trust us-- a little
7. We have enough food to share with all our visitors (sometimes up to 10 people at a meal)
8. Our old van is still running and God has helped Jason is find parts or helped him make parts when needed
9. We have Internet and can stay connected with friends and family back home
10. We have so many people praying for us and they even let us know that they are
11. Jason and I both have godly parents that raised us to follow God where ever He leads
12. I have wonderful friends here in Ukraine, that I can work along side of as we minister
13.We all have warm clothes and are ready for the coming snow
14. Our translator's brother repented last week. We are so excited!!!!!
15. Jason is almost done remolding our bathroom. I am looking forward to my first bath in over a year (well if you don't count the sea and river baths this summer)
16.I have friends that not only pray for me, but also with me when I am really down and need God's help
17. My husband has a passion to spread God's Word to those that have never heard
18. My health is better and I can feel that God is helping me
19. We live in a village where my children have friends that live on our street
20.That Jesus died on the cross for my sin, and I can know the joy of forgiveness
What do you have to be thankful for?
I am THANKFUL .......
1. We are privileged to serve God as missionaries to Ukraine
2. I have a wonderful husband, Jason, and that he still puts up with me and my craziness
3. Josh is reading!!!!! ( he was just reading what I was typing)
4. Jessica has a heart to follow God, and wants to be the best Christian that she can be
5.We have heat in our home( I hate to be cold!!!!)
6. The parents in our village are starting to trust us-- a little
7. We have enough food to share with all our visitors (sometimes up to 10 people at a meal)
8. Our old van is still running and God has helped Jason is find parts or helped him make parts when needed
9. We have Internet and can stay connected with friends and family back home
10. We have so many people praying for us and they even let us know that they are
11. Jason and I both have godly parents that raised us to follow God where ever He leads
12. I have wonderful friends here in Ukraine, that I can work along side of as we minister
13.We all have warm clothes and are ready for the coming snow
14. Our translator's brother repented last week. We are so excited!!!!!
15. Jason is almost done remolding our bathroom. I am looking forward to my first bath in over a year (well if you don't count the sea and river baths this summer)
16.I have friends that not only pray for me, but also with me when I am really down and need God's help
17. My husband has a passion to spread God's Word to those that have never heard
18. My health is better and I can feel that God is helping me
19. We live in a village where my children have friends that live on our street
20.That Jesus died on the cross for my sin, and I can know the joy of forgiveness
What do you have to be thankful for?
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Friday Night- Youth Night
Since his graduation from high school, in June, Artyom has been living with us and helping with our ministry. He works as a translator, and does great with the children. This summer he received a lot of help spiritually at youth camp. When we were missionaries in Nova Odessa, he used to be a kid who came to our Kid's Club. The Drummonds have been working with him and after graduation we invited him to come and work with us. Since our children's ministry has slowed down a bit in the winter months, Artyom really wanted to do something with the teenagers here in Osikova. He felt like God was putting it on his heart to start a youth group. God has really blessed his efforts and we have between 10 -12 teenagers in our living room every Friday night. Of course I fix them some kind of snacks and they have a time of singing and and playing games.
But the main part of the meeting is the devotional. Sometimes Artyom takes two days in preparation, and planning. He has grown and learned a lot himself with he was preparing his youth night materials. Please keep praying for Artyom as he does his best to lead the youth. Also pray that God will give him the right ideas and that he won't be discouraged. Right now he is on the phone explaining to his family, who are not believers, what he learned in Bible study last night. I know God has plans for this young man. Just pray that we will give him the support that he needs as he grown in Christ.
But the main part of the meeting is the devotional. Sometimes Artyom takes two days in preparation, and planning. He has grown and learned a lot himself with he was preparing his youth night materials. Please keep praying for Artyom as he does his best to lead the youth. Also pray that God will give him the right ideas and that he won't be discouraged. Right now he is on the phone explaining to his family, who are not believers, what he learned in Bible study last night. I know God has plans for this young man. Just pray that we will give him the support that he needs as he grown in Christ.
Big Help from the Mission Helps Team!!!!
Pastor Roman has worked very hard on the church in Kanyazachee. It used to be a log church. But then 9 years ago it was hit by lighting and burned to the ground. Roman and his dear wife Nodiea started all over again and and with the help of family and other Christians, they have built this beautiful church. Once again God's people have stepped up and given much needed help.
I go over to Kanyazachee every Thur. evening and help lead a weekly Kid's Club. Well, we have been in need of Sunday school room and somewhere to work with the kids. We have between 10- 18 kids, in this village,. When the weather is nice, we can do games and crafts outside. But now that we are in the winter months it is getting dark at 4;30pm. and much too cold to do activities outside.
God blessed in a special way and the money came in so we could finish the basement for a fellowship hall and Sunday school room, and a place to children's ministry. Jason loves to work with his hands, and Roman also helps where he can. But a Mission Helps team said that they would love to come and help. And we were thrilled, and so was Roman. The six men, were fast and hard workers and such a blessing. They were able to get done in two weeks, what might have taken Roman and Jason a whole year to do. Thank you guys for coming!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for coming and working so hard.L.to R. Jonathan Lucas, Jeffery Albertson, Jon MacVey, Jarrod Davis, Dave Holderbaum, and Dave Weaver.
They did stuccoing, hanging drywall, electrical, pouring cement, laying tile and more.
Josh even helped one day. I hope he learned a lot by watching,and helping.
Jeffery is helping Jon work on the walls. Jon MacVey came even though he had just hurt his ankle and leg. He did a good job and the leg didn't slow him down too much. Thank the Lord!
I go over to Kanyazachee every Thur. evening and help lead a weekly Kid's Club. Well, we have been in need of Sunday school room and somewhere to work with the kids. We have between 10- 18 kids, in this village,. When the weather is nice, we can do games and crafts outside. But now that we are in the winter months it is getting dark at 4;30pm. and much too cold to do activities outside.
God blessed in a special way and the money came in so we could finish the basement for a fellowship hall and Sunday school room, and a place to children's ministry. Jason loves to work with his hands, and Roman also helps where he can. But a Mission Helps team said that they would love to come and help. And we were thrilled, and so was Roman. The six men, were fast and hard workers and such a blessing. They were able to get done in two weeks, what might have taken Roman and Jason a whole year to do. Thank you guys for coming!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for coming and working so hard.L.to R. Jonathan Lucas, Jeffery Albertson, Jon MacVey, Jarrod Davis, Dave Holderbaum, and Dave Weaver.
They did stuccoing, hanging drywall, electrical, pouring cement, laying tile and more.
Josh even helped one day. I hope he learned a lot by watching,and helping.
Jeffery is helping Jon work on the walls. Jon MacVey came even though he had just hurt his ankle and leg. He did a good job and the leg didn't slow him down too much. Thank the Lord!This is what the basement looked like before they started. It was pretty much a mess and only usable as a storage place. The men in the church are encouraged with all the help from the team. And are working hard along side Roman to finish it. The rooms should be ready for ministry soon. Nodiea, Roman's wife, was thanking the Lord today in church for all that had been done. It will be a blessing to her as well, because all the cooking for the church dinners has to be done in her small kitchen. She was just glowing with excitement as she thanked the Lord for the team coming and the church men that have picked up where they left off. Jason was the one who coordinated everything and ran for supplies, and did all the buying. A lot was done in a short time. When we get finished pictures we will post those as well. They are painting and putting up lights and such. Please for the church as the work goes forward.
Trip to the zoo
Over the summer, even though we were gone doing ministry all over Ukraine, we made it a point to be back to Osikova on Sundays to do Sunday school. It was not always easy, but we felt it was worth it to stay connected with the kids and teens here at home. We were learning about the Ten Commandments which takes at least ten weeks. And we gave the kids a challenge to memorize all ten and we would take them to the Zoo. Here is the group of kids and teens that memorized all of the Ten Commandments. It was a cool fall day, but a very fun day. Afterwards we had a picnic in the park. I think the kids thought it was worth it. Kiev has a pretty good zoo if you are ever in the area.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Quick trip
We had to leave the country in Sept. to keep our passports legal. So we had a crazy, fun family trip. We visited three countries and traveled by train, car, bus and taxi van. It was an adventure. We were able to get to Austria, Slovakia, and Czech and back home in 6 days. I love this picture that Jess took of Jason and I. We were row boating on a little lake and found this island. That night we were able to stay in a little tiny cabin by this lake. It was fun to feed the ducks and read stories to the kids.
Here is our globe trotting family. We had to wait for the bus. So we found a little street cafe, and ordered appetiser and some pop. Then I read a book to the kids. So many memories and so thankful that we could do it as a family.
Here is our globe trotting family. We had to wait for the bus. So we found a little street cafe, and ordered appetiser and some pop. Then I read a book to the kids. So many memories and so thankful that we could do it as a family.
Harvest Sunday
Here in Ukraine, they celebrate thanksgiving in a different way. Each church has what they call Harvest Sunday and they thank God for the good harvest. It is not just a pretty thing to do. It is serious, when most of these people really do get most of what they eat from their gardens. Jason was one of the four men who preached that Sunday. We celebrated this special day with Roman's church in Kanyazachee. Jason's sermon was so good. The best I have ever heard him speak. God really helped. I don't know why he says that he can't preach.
The children had memorized poems and songs for the day.
The fruit and vegetables were grown in the gardens of the local church people. It was a beautiful display, and a great day to give thanks to God.
The children had memorized poems and songs for the day.
The fruit and vegetables were grown in the gardens of the local church people. It was a beautiful display, and a great day to give thanks to God.
Taking time for Fall with a busy schedual
Yes, I am fine(if anyone was wondering). I'm sorry to have neglected my blogging friends for so long. Jason and Jessica were gone for almost 3 weeks at the end of Sept and first of Oct. So I was left without a computer. I kept very busy and was ready for them to come back. Just was soon as they returned Jason was busy getting things ready for the Missions Helps building team. The team was here for two weeks and they left last Friday. So that's the brief run down on where I have been and why I haven't been blogging faithfully ( ok, ok no laughing). I just wanted to share a few great pictures that my daughter, Jessica, took while we were on a walk in the forest. Even though we have been soooooooo busy, there are times that I think I will go crazy if I don't get out of the house and take a walk. We had a great time just walking and listening to the leaves crunch under our foot steps. I'll post the other pictures later about our busy month, but for now, just enjoy the fall beauty. Breath in the crisp fall air, and try not to think about the laundry that needs to be folded back home.
Jessica got a camera for her birthday. She used it a lot this summer taking pictures of our ministry. It was fun to watch her taking pictures just for the fun of it. Let me know what you think, but I think the girl has an eye for beauty.
It was raining lightly when we left the house to go walking. But I really needed to get out of the house, so I just brought the umbrella along. Jessica took this picture of me when we were deep in the forest. We started singing and it was great singing in harmony, in two different languages. What fun to hear music go echoing through the woods.
Hope you are enjoying fall where ever you are!!!
Jessica got a camera for her birthday. She used it a lot this summer taking pictures of our ministry. It was fun to watch her taking pictures just for the fun of it. Let me know what you think, but I think the girl has an eye for beauty.
It was raining lightly when we left the house to go walking. But I really needed to get out of the house, so I just brought the umbrella along. Jessica took this picture of me when we were deep in the forest. We started singing and it was great singing in harmony, in two different languages. What fun to hear music go echoing through the woods.
Hope you are enjoying fall where ever you are!!!Thursday, September 24, 2009
Last VBS !!! mountain camp-western Ukraine
I can't believe that I am posting this picture, but I guess I am. I must be slipping. Jason and I have this joke between us about how many pictures he takes of just roads. Well, they usually are pretty cool roads, as in rocky, bumpy, or ones with rivers runny through them. I have joked that he has enough pictures of roads that he could fill a full book of them( I really don't think that is stretching it too far). But back to the reason that I decided to put this picture on my blog, we did spend a lot of time on the road this summer. Thank God that not all of them looked like this one, but some of them did. After working with the Gypsies we went to another mountain range far back in the Carpathian mountains of western Ukraine. We were near the Romanian boarder. Any way, we were glad that it had not rained in a while because we would have had to hike up this road in the mud. Even our 4 wheel drive could get to the top if it was wet. We were headed to our final VBS of the summer. Just a little tired but glad that we, with God's help, had made it this far.
Once again we camped out on the mountain top and enjoyed the cows coming through our camp every morning, noon, and night headed to the watering hole. The Appling girls didn't know what to think of the cows.
We had the joy of cooking over a campfire three times a day, and washing our clothes in the river, and finding a bush if nature called. It wasn't all that bad. Josh actually liked bathing in the river. But physically we were slowing down. Thank you for praying for us. God really did help us in this camp.
Here is the camp medic, or doctor. Bandaging burns and fixing everyone up. Josh got a pretty bad burn and Dr. Jason is making it all better. What do you know, he even has his duck tape out again. Good job Daddy!!!
The children that came to the mountain VBS for the most part were shy and backward. Some of them couldn't read, while others were very quick. Only one family were believers and they wanted to reach out to their neighbors and their children. Several children came who did not go to church or have other ways to hear about God. We set up our VBS in the orchard and invited the children in. Once again, we shared how God loved us and He created all things. The animals were created in a special way and we were made special too.
Here we are singing and teaching the children songs. Our theme song all summer long was " God has a plan for my life". Artyom and Vita did a very good job leading the children in the singing.
At night we had some fellowship with the teenagers, and one night we even showed the "Jesus" movie in Russian. On the last day that we were there we had a picnic for the children and their parents. We played some games......(look at those mountains in the distance)
... ate some good food...
...and Jason gave out Bibles to the children who came. Pray that God's Word will go into all these homes and will bear much fruit.
It was a hard "good bye" for Jessica and all her new-found friends. She made some good friends that she will remember for a long time.
They begged us to come back. Some of them even had tears in their eyes. We left very tired after a long summer, and headed back home to Osikova, 14 hours away. God gave us help and strength and we want to say thank you to everyone who prayed for us. I will have to say, every VBS, hour of work, and mile we traveled will be worth it if even one child makes it to heaven because we came.
Once again we camped out on the mountain top and enjoyed the cows coming through our camp every morning, noon, and night headed to the watering hole. The Appling girls didn't know what to think of the cows.
We had the joy of cooking over a campfire three times a day, and washing our clothes in the river, and finding a bush if nature called. It wasn't all that bad. Josh actually liked bathing in the river. But physically we were slowing down. Thank you for praying for us. God really did help us in this camp.
Here is the camp medic, or doctor. Bandaging burns and fixing everyone up. Josh got a pretty bad burn and Dr. Jason is making it all better. What do you know, he even has his duck tape out again. Good job Daddy!!!
The children that came to the mountain VBS for the most part were shy and backward. Some of them couldn't read, while others were very quick. Only one family were believers and they wanted to reach out to their neighbors and their children. Several children came who did not go to church or have other ways to hear about God. We set up our VBS in the orchard and invited the children in. Once again, we shared how God loved us and He created all things. The animals were created in a special way and we were made special too.
Here we are singing and teaching the children songs. Our theme song all summer long was " God has a plan for my life". Artyom and Vita did a very good job leading the children in the singing.
At night we had some fellowship with the teenagers, and one night we even showed the "Jesus" movie in Russian. On the last day that we were there we had a picnic for the children and their parents. We played some games......(look at those mountains in the distance)
... ate some good food...
...and Jason gave out Bibles to the children who came. Pray that God's Word will go into all these homes and will bear much fruit.
It was a hard "good bye" for Jessica and all her new-found friends. She made some good friends that she will remember for a long time.
They begged us to come back. Some of them even had tears in their eyes. We left very tired after a long summer, and headed back home to Osikova, 14 hours away. God gave us help and strength and we want to say thank you to everyone who prayed for us. I will have to say, every VBS, hour of work, and mile we traveled will be worth it if even one child makes it to heaven because we came.All the children are showing you the craft that they made. Good bye western Ukraine and so ended our summer ministry.
Thank you
Here is one more picture that I forgot to add to my last post. It is the team we worked with them most this summer and our host, Vita's parents, and their daughter. We are in front of their lovely home. We camped out just up the mountain from their home. Vita's mother was a wonderful cook and did a great job feeding all of us. Thank you for all you did to make our stay comfortable. 
from L to R last row; Artyom, Vita and Stepon (our translators) Vita's father and mother,Vasya and Maria.
from L to R last row; Artyom, Vita and Stepon (our translators) Vita's father and mother,Vasya and Maria.front row; Jeff and Stephannie, Seth, Shelby and Gracie Appling, Masha (Vita's little sister), Jessica, Joshua, Joanna (that's me) and Jason (that's my man)
Gypsy VBS western Ukraine
I know I am doing the unpardonable sin by putting a sunset picture at the beginning of my post. But will you please forgive me. By this time in our summer ministry, we were all so tired that we didn't know if we were going or coming, if it was a sunset or a sunrise. Any way it was beautiful. I loved the mountains in western Ukraine. We miss our mountains in Colorado so it was great camping out under the stars and listening to the crickets . Don't get me wrong it wasn't a vacation, just a beautiful location to serve.
We camped on top of the mountain and went to bed watching sunsets like the one above. We were staying on Vita's parents farm.
It was so nice to get some good Ukrainian food. Vita's mother even cooked us some food from the Carpathian mountains. I loved her cook shack. It was so quaint. There was a big, wood burning cook stove in the corner and then cabinets and a little work table. Why would you want to heat up you house in the summer time with cooking, when you have a great place like this. You should have seen the tomatoes growing right outside the door.
When I say that this trip was no vacation, I'm not kidding. Working with the gypsy kids was WORK!!! I have never done children's ministry with kids like these gypsy kids. You can't help but love them, but man are they Wild! Most of them have never been to school so they can't read. Not only that, they can't sit still, or be quite. You just have to talk over them, and them reward the one that was the best behaved.
We tried to play games with them but that didn't keep their interest very long.
We did feed them every day after telling them a Bible story, and singing with them. We tried to make crafts with them and some of them kept eating the craft supplies.
Our time was split between being with the children and cooking for them.
Of course when you are serving food all the moms come too. Artyom was helping serve the gypsies here. I was so proud of him and the way he loved the kids. He is a very, VERY clean person, and gypsies are... well not. At least the ones we were with. The paster required the children to wash their faces before they could come to VBS. One little guy had no pants but he got his butt cleaned as well as his face. But Artyom would hug those little kids even if they smelled bad and had lice. I prayed the we would see the little people that needed to see God's love not just the dirt.
They all just found a place in the shade and chowed down.
After they were done eating , what do you know, they had a new hat. Who said that one person's trash is another's treasure? Any way they could be pretty funny.
One thing for sure, they really loved the watermelon. I think one little guy even used it for hair gel. Hey why not? They make fruit smelling hair spry, don't they? The kids had not been taught a lot of manners, and we had a hard time getting them to say "please" or "thank you" for anything. But when I had a big bowl of watermelon and I would only give a piece to the ones who would say "please", they learn real quick.
Even though we were all worn down by this time and it was the hardest VBS of the summer it was so worth it when you saw the smiles on their faces, the twinkle in the eyes and....
... the group that came forward to pray. We showed them how to pray and ask God to forgive their sins. Then we knelt down and prayed together. It was one of the hardest things we did this summer, but Oh, so rewarding. If you can't tell, I kinda like being a missionary and teaching kids about God.
We camped on top of the mountain and went to bed watching sunsets like the one above. We were staying on Vita's parents farm.
It was so nice to get some good Ukrainian food. Vita's mother even cooked us some food from the Carpathian mountains. I loved her cook shack. It was so quaint. There was a big, wood burning cook stove in the corner and then cabinets and a little work table. Why would you want to heat up you house in the summer time with cooking, when you have a great place like this. You should have seen the tomatoes growing right outside the door.
When I say that this trip was no vacation, I'm not kidding. Working with the gypsy kids was WORK!!! I have never done children's ministry with kids like these gypsy kids. You can't help but love them, but man are they Wild! Most of them have never been to school so they can't read. Not only that, they can't sit still, or be quite. You just have to talk over them, and them reward the one that was the best behaved.
We tried to play games with them but that didn't keep their interest very long.
We did feed them every day after telling them a Bible story, and singing with them. We tried to make crafts with them and some of them kept eating the craft supplies.
Our time was split between being with the children and cooking for them.
Of course when you are serving food all the moms come too. Artyom was helping serve the gypsies here. I was so proud of him and the way he loved the kids. He is a very, VERY clean person, and gypsies are... well not. At least the ones we were with. The paster required the children to wash their faces before they could come to VBS. One little guy had no pants but he got his butt cleaned as well as his face. But Artyom would hug those little kids even if they smelled bad and had lice. I prayed the we would see the little people that needed to see God's love not just the dirt.
They all just found a place in the shade and chowed down.
After they were done eating , what do you know, they had a new hat. Who said that one person's trash is another's treasure? Any way they could be pretty funny.
One thing for sure, they really loved the watermelon. I think one little guy even used it for hair gel. Hey why not? They make fruit smelling hair spry, don't they? The kids had not been taught a lot of manners, and we had a hard time getting them to say "please" or "thank you" for anything. But when I had a big bowl of watermelon and I would only give a piece to the ones who would say "please", they learn real quick.
Even though we were all worn down by this time and it was the hardest VBS of the summer it was so worth it when you saw the smiles on their faces, the twinkle in the eyes and....
... the group that came forward to pray. We showed them how to pray and ask God to forgive their sins. Then we knelt down and prayed together. It was one of the hardest things we did this summer, but Oh, so rewarding. If you can't tell, I kinda like being a missionary and teaching kids about God.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Youth Camp O9
I am finally getting back to blogging and letting you all see what we did this summer. I promised you that I would share some pictures about Youth Camp so here they are, in three parts. Our youth camp here in Ukraine was by the Black Sea this year. It was a wonderful time and we had a great camp with the Lord's help. We all missed Katrina very much, as she was supposed to lead camp this year, but had to be in the States getting a broken leg fixed. Here is the whole group by the sea, with the team flags.
Slavic came to camp for the first time this year. He is from our village and from the looks of it he is enjoying camp so far.
We set up our tent in the trees along the beach and set up camp. We all slept in tents, bathed in the sea, ate food cooked over the fire and used the bathroom in outhouses. The weather was nice, no rain. It was cool in the mornings and evening and pretty warm during the day, but not unbearably hot. We thank the Lord for a great location. Here you can see our church set up. Workers tents are on the one side and behind the cross was the boy's tents. Looking the other way was the kitchen, more worker's tents and then the girl's tents.
Here we are all unloading and getting ready for the week.
We had 25 campers this year and we split them up into two teams. Our team leaders for this first team, Light of God, was Jeff and Tonya Duddek. Their helper and translator was Vita. They were a great team. Their team learned the most Bible verses. Thanks Jeff and Tonya for all your work!!!
The next team was the Seraphims. Jeff and Stephannie Appling were their leaders and Stepon as helper and translator. They did a wonderful job leading their team. The teens really learned to work together and won with the best time in the morning obstacle course several times. Good job Applings!!!
Nodiea and Roman led the singing for us in the services. The teens really liked to sing and Roman did a good job leading them.
Not only were the Applings and Duddeks leaders they acted out skits every night before the evening preaching.
It was a great way to get some spiritual truths through to the teenagers. The teens caught on to the idea and they even came up with some great skits of there own. Here is one that they shared in the night service about sharing God's love with the needy. It was a great idea.
Every day we gave the teenagers time for them to have personal time with God, reading their Bibles and praying. I am so glad that we did this. One boy told me that he couldn't wait until this time every day. He would run to his own quite place on the beach so not to waste even one minute of his alone time. How many of us are that serious about our prayer time?
We had a ticket system at camp where the teens could earn tickets for memorizing verses, taking part in the evening services, and extra work. Then they turned them in at the "store" for snack food. Some of the teens really got into earning tickets. Faith ran our store for us. Thanks Faith!!!
We had so much fun this year. Our theme was "On the trail with Jesus". Every day we learned something new about staying on the path to Heaven. Many of the teens said that it was the best youth camp yet. Thanks to all who prayed and gave.
Slavic came to camp for the first time this year. He is from our village and from the looks of it he is enjoying camp so far.
We set up our tent in the trees along the beach and set up camp. We all slept in tents, bathed in the sea, ate food cooked over the fire and used the bathroom in outhouses. The weather was nice, no rain. It was cool in the mornings and evening and pretty warm during the day, but not unbearably hot. We thank the Lord for a great location. Here you can see our church set up. Workers tents are on the one side and behind the cross was the boy's tents. Looking the other way was the kitchen, more worker's tents and then the girl's tents.
Here we are all unloading and getting ready for the week.
We had 25 campers this year and we split them up into two teams. Our team leaders for this first team, Light of God, was Jeff and Tonya Duddek. Their helper and translator was Vita. They were a great team. Their team learned the most Bible verses. Thanks Jeff and Tonya for all your work!!!
The next team was the Seraphims. Jeff and Stephannie Appling were their leaders and Stepon as helper and translator. They did a wonderful job leading their team. The teens really learned to work together and won with the best time in the morning obstacle course several times. Good job Applings!!!
Nodiea and Roman led the singing for us in the services. The teens really liked to sing and Roman did a good job leading them.
Not only were the Applings and Duddeks leaders they acted out skits every night before the evening preaching.It was a great way to get some spiritual truths through to the teenagers. The teens caught on to the idea and they even came up with some great skits of there own. Here is one that they shared in the night service about sharing God's love with the needy. It was a great idea.
Every day we gave the teenagers time for them to have personal time with God, reading their Bibles and praying. I am so glad that we did this. One boy told me that he couldn't wait until this time every day. He would run to his own quite place on the beach so not to waste even one minute of his alone time. How many of us are that serious about our prayer time?
We had a ticket system at camp where the teens could earn tickets for memorizing verses, taking part in the evening services, and extra work. Then they turned them in at the "store" for snack food. Some of the teens really got into earning tickets. Faith ran our store for us. Thanks Faith!!!
We had so much fun this year. Our theme was "On the trail with Jesus". Every day we learned something new about staying on the path to Heaven. Many of the teens said that it was the best youth camp yet. Thanks to all who prayed and gave.Youth Camp #2
Every morning our two teams lined up a 7:45 to do the Obstacle Course. Here Jeff A. and Stephannie are trying to get their team awake and ready to win with the best time on the obstacle course. The team with the best time received tickets for each member. But one day the team with the best attitude also received tickets. Also in the night service the camper, for each team, with the best attitude received 10 tickets!
Here we have started off and swinging across on the rope swing. Then on to the .....
team skies. Artyom had such long legs and took big steps that his team kept falling down. There were other things they had to do like fill a bucket with water from the sea by passing a pop bottle down the line of people, and walking across a board, Oh and crawling through a tunnel.
One day they had to climb the rope to the top.
I think the best part of the obstacle course was lining up the words for John 3:16 (in Ukrainian) on a board and then carrying until you crossed the line. If they hurried too much and dumped it they had to start all over again.
It was a great way to start the day and it really helped with team spirit. I think it really brought the teens together and taught them how to work together. Not a bad thing for anybody to learn.
Here we have started off and swinging across on the rope swing. Then on to the .....
team skies. Artyom had such long legs and took big steps that his team kept falling down. There were other things they had to do like fill a bucket with water from the sea by passing a pop bottle down the line of people, and walking across a board, Oh and crawling through a tunnel.
One day they had to climb the rope to the top.
I think the best part of the obstacle course was lining up the words for John 3:16 (in Ukrainian) on a board and then carrying until you crossed the line. If they hurried too much and dumped it they had to start all over again.
It was a great way to start the day and it really helped with team spirit. I think it really brought the teens together and taught them how to work together. Not a bad thing for anybody to learn.Youth camp #3
At youth camp this year there are a few things that stand out in my mind. You could call them the "highlights of the week" or "my favorite memories". But without a doubt the Wed. night service was a highlight for me and many others. God came in such a special way in the skit and then Vita gave her testimony. There was a special prayer time after the service and 16 teens came forward to repent. One young man came to pray later in the night, so that makes 17 young people getting help at camp. God was so close that night!!! It made it worth all the planning and work just for that one night. These pictures are pretty dark because it was evening.
Here is another picture of that wonderful night. Thank you for everyone who prayed for this camp and the teens.
Another great service was the last service, Fri. night. We had the teens come forward and nail their sins ( written on a paper) to the cross. We told them that they didn't need to take all their sins back home with them. God had forgiven them. It was a very serious time, and some of the teen really meant what they were doing.
After they all had a chance to nail their sins to the cross, we took them all down and burned them in the camp fire. Praise the Lord we don't have to carry those sins with us any more.
Yes, the skits were great and the night services were a highlight for me. But there were other times in the week that we all felt God's presence near. Like the early morning worker's prayer meeting. We had prayer together before the teens were allowed out of their tents. Seriously this prayer meetings gave me the help I needed to make it through the day!
Another thing that was really great was to see the kids try so hard. One of those that did his best was Vasea. He was the only teen from his village. His Dad didn't give his permission until the very last day, so we didn't know for sure if he would be able to come. But we are so glad that he did. Whenever there wasn't anything else going on, you would find him studying Bible verses or reading his Bible. We were all happy when he received "Camper of the Year" award (it was a new back pack).
So many memories, and so many things I could tell you about. Like singing around the campfire after the evening service...
The jokes the teens played on each other. The girls took the boys shoes and buried them on the beach. As you can see they were very happy when they finally found them.
Another joke that one camper found when he climbed out in the morning.
I love the memory of the teens on the beach having their quite time with God. Please pray that God's Word will impact their lives.
One thing that most of the workers and teens both agreed on was that everyone like the food. Nodiea and Aunt Valya did a great job. It was so good that some of the teens said it was like restaurant food. Cooking over a campfire in the heat is not an easy job, but they worked hard. Thanks for all your work!!!! ( and the good food)
Over all youth camp 09 was just pretty good. Perfect no, but good and lots of good memories to have for a life time. Thank God for a good youth camp and for you praying for us.
Here is another picture of that wonderful night. Thank you for everyone who prayed for this camp and the teens.
Another great service was the last service, Fri. night. We had the teens come forward and nail their sins ( written on a paper) to the cross. We told them that they didn't need to take all their sins back home with them. God had forgiven them. It was a very serious time, and some of the teen really meant what they were doing.
After they all had a chance to nail their sins to the cross, we took them all down and burned them in the camp fire. Praise the Lord we don't have to carry those sins with us any more.
Yes, the skits were great and the night services were a highlight for me. But there were other times in the week that we all felt God's presence near. Like the early morning worker's prayer meeting. We had prayer together before the teens were allowed out of their tents. Seriously this prayer meetings gave me the help I needed to make it through the day!
Another thing that was really great was to see the kids try so hard. One of those that did his best was Vasea. He was the only teen from his village. His Dad didn't give his permission until the very last day, so we didn't know for sure if he would be able to come. But we are so glad that he did. Whenever there wasn't anything else going on, you would find him studying Bible verses or reading his Bible. We were all happy when he received "Camper of the Year" award (it was a new back pack).
So many memories, and so many things I could tell you about. Like singing around the campfire after the evening service...
The jokes the teens played on each other. The girls took the boys shoes and buried them on the beach. As you can see they were very happy when they finally found them.
Another joke that one camper found when he climbed out in the morning.
I love the memory of the teens on the beach having their quite time with God. Please pray that God's Word will impact their lives.
One thing that most of the workers and teens both agreed on was that everyone like the food. Nodiea and Aunt Valya did a great job. It was so good that some of the teens said it was like restaurant food. Cooking over a campfire in the heat is not an easy job, but they worked hard. Thanks for all your work!!!! ( and the good food)
Over all youth camp 09 was just pretty good. Perfect no, but good and lots of good memories to have for a life time. Thank God for a good youth camp and for you praying for us.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
The end of our summer ministry
You have not heard from us in a while. So I wanted to try and catch you up on what we have been doing and where in the world we have been. Yes, we are still in Ukraine. But we have been traveling all over as we finished up our summer ministry. My pictures are in backward but here is the run down of what happened in Aug. The last week of Aug 24-28 we were in the mountains in Western Ukraine doing our last VBS for the summer( number five for our team out of seven total). I will share more pictures later and tell some stories, but we camped out in a Christian families back yard. We did ministry with the teens in the evening and VBS in the afternoon. In this mountain range only one family are believers and it was encourageing to see friendships being built with neighbors. It was a neat camp.
The week before that we were camping on a different mountain range and working with gypsies. That was the most challenging VBS of the summer. It was hard, but I am so glad that we did it. When thirteen children come forward to pray, you know that it is worth everything you put in to it! We also fed the children at this camp. Here they are enjoying the watermelon.
Then the 10-15 of Aug we had our youth camp by the Black Sea in southern Ukraine. It was a great camp even though were missed Katrina who was in the US getting her leg fixed. I have a lot of pictures to share with you as soon as i get them all organized. So you can look forward to hearing all about it. Here is one picture for you though. We had 25 campers and two teams. This is just one of the teams. Jeff and Stephannie Appling were the team leaders and Stepon was the translator. Jeff and Tonya Duddek were the leaders of the other team.
We want to thank everyone who has been praying for us this summer. God gave us help and protection all along the way. A week ago we got back home to Osikiva and started right into home school. Here in Ukraine, school always starts on Sept 1st. So we have one week of school done. But things haven't slowed down very much for us yet. Tomorrow we have to get on a train and leave the country to keep our visas legal. If you think about it say a prayer for us. God is helping. We are encouraged, but very tired. So I will catch you up in more detail when I return.
The week before that we were camping on a different mountain range and working with gypsies. That was the most challenging VBS of the summer. It was hard, but I am so glad that we did it. When thirteen children come forward to pray, you know that it is worth everything you put in to it! We also fed the children at this camp. Here they are enjoying the watermelon.
Then the 10-15 of Aug we had our youth camp by the Black Sea in southern Ukraine. It was a great camp even though were missed Katrina who was in the US getting her leg fixed. I have a lot of pictures to share with you as soon as i get them all organized. So you can look forward to hearing all about it. Here is one picture for you though. We had 25 campers and two teams. This is just one of the teams. Jeff and Stephannie Appling were the team leaders and Stepon was the translator. Jeff and Tonya Duddek were the leaders of the other team.
We want to thank everyone who has been praying for us this summer. God gave us help and protection all along the way. A week ago we got back home to Osikiva and started right into home school. Here in Ukraine, school always starts on Sept 1st. So we have one week of school done. But things haven't slowed down very much for us yet. Tomorrow we have to get on a train and leave the country to keep our visas legal. If you think about it say a prayer for us. God is helping. We are encouraged, but very tired. So I will catch you up in more detail when I return.
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