I walk past this flower market daily... I love it!
Summer was filled with a lot of ministry activity. We hosted the 2nd annual Worship Conference in July attended by 60 musicians from all over Ukraine. Our guest speakers were Mike Payne, the worship leader at Calvary Chapel Budapest, Hungary, and Pete Nelson, pastor of White Fields Community Church, Colorado and former member of the band The Kry. We were blessed with incredible teaching through their wisdom and experience. We are planning to host the 3rd annual conference next summer. As a person obsessed with good service, based on my background in the restaurant business, it was my job to make sure everyone was served and fed with as few problems as possible. With the skill of Dima, our amazing cook from Youth with a Mission, the help of Janice from CC Lviv and Vanessa from CC Boryakonka, along with our brothers and sisters from the church in Ternopil, everyone was fed and happy. The Lord provided abundant help through our family in Christ, and the food was delicious.
Our next big venture in faith was to begin a Missions Training Program. It is a 12 week program designed to train and equip those with a heart to go out into the world to preach the gospel. Classes began August 29th with 5 students, Ludmila, Vova, Kristina, Roma and Tanya. We've had terrific guest speakers come to teach the students. Regular classes are Tuesday through Friday with outreaches each week to the cities of Lutsk and Vinnitsia, and children's festivals each Saturday morning here in Ternopil. The students Tanya and Ludmila are living with me, so this is a great opportunity to spend time with them and hopefully be an encouragement in their desire to serve the Lord.
Sasha Andrieshnya teaching the Missions Training Program
Tim and Sasha leading the children in songs at the Children's Festival
At the end of summer we had our church service followed by a picnic. It was such a huge success we are going to have another one Oct. 2. I'm sure this will be the last one of the year, since the weather's getting cold. I invited the English Club and it seems that many will be coming. Hopefully they will come early to hear the church service.
Church Picnic
The Sisters Bible study is continuing. It's so good to have the girls back who were gone for the summer. We're continuing our study on the Holy Spirit. The girls have a heart to study the Word and my prayer is to see all of us grow in our love and faith in the Lord. Each year I have to say good-by to one or two of the girls who have graduated and are returning to their home countries. This year we said good by to Tolu who was such a blessing to our fellowship. Please pray for Tolu, that she gets the teaching, fellowship and study of the Word she longs for in Nigeria. She has discovered Calvary Chapel radio and I'm blessed knowing that she is listening to the Bible studies so she can get good solid teaching.
Sisters Bible Study. We miss you Tolu!
Prayer for Ternopil
- The Missions Training Program: for the students to be filled with the Spirit and to step out in faith to serve the Lord where ever He may lead them.
- The children's festivals to be fuitful. The school where the festivals are held have opened up their facilities to use during the winter. They are also going to allow classes on drug and alcohol abuse given by Zhenya from our church.
- The church picnic Oct. 2nd: Please pray that the group from English Club comes with their families and will hear the message. Please pray for their salvation
- The Sisters Bible Study: to grow in our love and faith in the Lord. For the Holy Spirit to fill us to overflowing!
- I have two English classes at the high school starting this week, Please pray that I will be a good witness for the Lord and will be used to draw people to him. I've also been asked to start a class at the Technical College. Please pray this will work out only if it's God's will.
- Please pray for my health. If it's not one thing it's another. The Lord is teaching me patience and humility in dealing with hypothyroid disease. I took a blood glucose test and I'm pre diabetic. This is actually a blessing because it's forcing me to eat better and that also helps with the thyroid issue. I actually feel better now than I have in three years, but I do get really tired when I push myself.
- Please pray for financial provision. As with all of you, things are a little tight right now. But I know the Lord is faithful. "When God guides, He provides"
Praise
- The Lord has sustained me for almost 19 years on the mission field. I praise Him for His love, grace and faithfulness to reach out to the lost and hurting.
Thank you all for your prayers and support. You are equally a part of this work here in Ternopil. The Lord bless you! Marilyn
Calvary Chapel Ternopil, Ukraine
