Tanya, Vita, Nadya and Marilyn- Easter morning
We're experiencing a lot of changes right now in our ministry team. The
Pomeroys have returned to the states for the birth of their fifth
child. Please lift them up in prayer for a safe and healthy delivery.
Please also pray for God's will and provision for their return to
Ukraine. The Bible studies in Lutsk will resume in the fall and
hopefully the Pomeroys will return to continue with the church plant
there.
Another big change is the church plant in Vinnitsya. Tim and Christina Emerson and their two little ones, Leah and Caleb have joined with Daniel and Janette Carter and their two children, to plant the Calvary Chapel in Vinnitsya. It is so exciting to see the Lord answering prayer and putting a team together for Vinnitsya, but it is also sad because I have been so blessed to serve here in Ternopil with the Emersons. But such is the life of a pilgrim. We see many of our coworkers come and go, but one day we will all rejoice together in heaven. Until then, I will have to make a point to visit Vinnitsya. Please pray for the new church plant, wisdom for Daniel as the pastor, and for their team to be Spirit- filled and unified.
For the past month Jon and Stephanie have been in Hungary working on their new visas. So, with the Pomeroys, Emersons and half of the Markeys gone, our team is much smaller than usual. Many in our church are also gone for the summer. One group went to pick strawberries in Finland to earn support, and most of the students have either gone back to their home countries or are traveling to other cities and countries during the summer months. Because of the Euro 2012, the students were encouraged to leave the country. I miss them already and am looking forward to September when everyone will return. I am very happy to say that Euro 2012 is over and it seemed there were few problems, for which I am very thankful.
Me with some of the girls at the National Conference
In May we had the Ukrainian National Conference in Kiev. In June, I was able to to attend the Foundations Conference in Vajta, Hungary. Both conferences were such a huge blessing. Often when making preparations to go, it can be challenging with changing my ministry schedules, traveling on the trains, finances, crossing the borders and praying there won't be problems, but this is my battle: trying to hang on to my comfort zone. But when I get to these conferences and I am with all of my brothers and sisters who I've been growing up with spiritually over the years, it is such a time of joy. We were so blessed at both conferences to be taught by Phil Metzger, Phil Twente, John Chubik and Pam Markey. Wow! Such great teaching and needed encouragement. In Vajta we were also blessed with the teaching of Jim Gallagher, Rich Chaffin and their wives. It was one of the most amazing conferences I have ever been to on Leadership in the Church. You can listen to it online if you'd like at www.ccbce.com
For one of the women's sessions I was asked to share a short encouragement with the ladies and my heart was filled with memories and awe of what the Lord has done in Europe over the last 20 years. To look back and think of the small group of missionaries who were preaching on the streets of Hungary, Romania and Yugoslavia with their guitars and a heart to share the gospel, it's truly a miracle to see all that is happening now. Many of the youth who were saved 20 years ago are now pastors and leaders in their churches. What is also amazing is to be a part of the work in Ukraine that was started at the same time and to see how the Lord has brought us all together as a family. That's why it's so good for us to come together and encourage one another. It opens our hearts to renew the Lord's vision for the work He's called us to. It's such a privilege to be a child of God. I'm looking forward to what He's going to do next!
Our group from CC Ternopil at the National Conference
Fellow Bible college students from the Castle in Austria 1993
Zsuzsa & Snowy are now serving in Serbia
Silvana- serving in Romania and Isabella- serving in Hungary
July 23rd to 27th CC Ternopil will be hosting the 3rd annual Ukrainian Worship Conference. This will consume my time for the next few weeks as I will be helping with the preparations, housing and menus. Please pray for wisdom and clarity of mind.
Worship at a Church Picnic in May
English club will continue through the summer on Wednesday nights. We have become very close to several of the people. Please pray for their salvation. Some have come to our church picnics and are asking when the next one will be since they had such a great time. I just pray they would want to come to church. Our picnics do combine the church service with a barbecue, so praise God they are hearing the message. I pray that one day soon they will become a part of God's family.
I've started doing tea time again with a children's summer English camp. I go in for 30 minutes and we have tea together and speak in English. It's a flexible schedule so I can go when I have time. I enjoy it. The kids are so cute and I've met new people, mostly teachers. Please pray for opportunities to be a light for Jesus at the school.
Thank you for your prayers and support. God bless you!
Marilyn
Please pray for the Lord's provision, healing and strength
Please pray for Jon Markey and myself as we make preparations for the worship conference July 23rd- 27th. We need God's wisdom, vision and provision!
Please pray for God's will and provision for the Pomeroy family to return to Ukraine and pastor the church plant in Lutsk. Please also pray for a healthy birth of their 5th child.
Please pray for the Carters and the Emersons as they are planting a CC in Vinnitsya. For God's wisdom for Daniel as the new pastor and for unity of their team.
Please pray for English Club that it will be fruitful and we will see people get saved.
Please pray for our students who are scattered all over the world this summer. That they will be in fellowship and be witnesses for Jesus.
Please pray for new opportunities for outreach and ministry in Ternopil.
