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| Wearing our Ukrainian shirts: Luda, Tanya (my roommate), Me and Tanya |
After 7 wonderful years in Ternopil Ukraine, it is time to move on. At the end of June I will be joining a Calvary Chapel church planting team in Mukachevo, Ukraine. The city is located in the Southwestern part of the country near the Carpathian Mountains. It is close to the borders of Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Romania. Pastor Joel Brown and his wife Katya moved there a year ago to plant a Calvary Chapel. When I visited them last November, I started praying that the Lord would bring them a team, not knowing that I would be one of them. The city has a lot of character as it is influenced by the different countries close by, a significant Roma community and a rich and tragic Jewish history. The church recently acquired an office in the center on the walking street for the church Bible studies and meetings, which is a great location. In addition to Sunday services, the church is involved in orphanage and gypsy outreach as well as English ministries. I'm not exactly sure what I will be doing there, but the Lord usually makes an ash heap of my plans and leads me into His. There are many ministry opportunities and, of course, the importance of meeting people and sharing the gospel and inviting them to church. "A man's heart plans his ways, but the Lord directs his steps" Prov. 16:9
When I went to scout out the city, I was able to secure an apartment in the center, just a 5 minute walk from the church office which will be available at the end of the month. The landlord has a room downstairs from my apartment that he has offered to us rent free if we do the repairs. So, of course, we hope to take care of that as soon as possible. It would be a great room for guests and teams that come to do outreach.
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| Palonok Castle in Mukachevo |
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| Overlooking Mukachevo |
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| In the city |
Saying Good bye to Ternopil
This is the hard part. The Sisters Bible study will come to an end June 16th when my girls graduate from Medical University. I am so blessed to have studied the Bible with them for the past six years, and I feel like my children are going away. Please pray as they begin their new lives as doctors and for their return to Nigeria and Uganda. The girls have decided they will come to Mukachevo to stay with me the week before they return to their home countries. I'm so blessed! I hope it works out that they will be able to come.
The church ministries have all been handed over except for Kicha, the Bible study and food distribution to the elderly and invalids. There are people helping to minister, but no one wants to lead it. I'm trusting the Lord will take care of that, as He has so clearly taken care of everything else. Please pray for the finances to continue supporting bread and grains for this ministry and for a compassionate servant to step forward to lead the organization of the meetings.
On Wednesday we met with English Club and I announced that I am leaving. Again, this was very difficult, but I know Megan and Joanne from YWAM (Youth with a Mission) will continue the meetings. We have become a very close group of friends over the years, and some have received the Lord and some have attended my class on the Gospel of John where we had some great discussions. Please pray for those who are trusting in their religion and traditions, that they would desire an active and personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Last week I said good bye to the high school where I have been giving English classes for the last six years. The principal awarded me with a certificate of thanks for my service there. All of the classes I have taught over the years have been as a volunteer. I always considered this a gift to Ukraine and a way to meet people outside the church. I have been so blessed by Gymnasium No. 1, and for my friend Oksana, the English teacher I worked with.
The Vice-principal, Me, Oksana and the Principal of Gymnasia
Tomorrow the new president will be sworn in. The East of the country is basically at war in the Donetsk and Lugansk. Please pray for peace and that Ukraine will stay united. It is heartbreaking to witness what is happening. Please pray the Ukrainian nation will continue to look to God for wisdom and that the new leadership will lead the nation to a new beginning that is Christ-centered and righteous. Yes, we're praying for a miracle!
Please pray for my move. First of all, Ternopil has been a home to me, more than any other place in my 21 year ministry journey. My heart is going to break leaving here, but I know I am in God's will, so He will walk me through this. Please also pray, as my blood pressure is a bit out of sorts ( I think the Ukrainian political situation and preparing to move is playing a big part in this, so please pray that I would walk in the Lord's peace that surpasses all understanding. Also, the logistics of clearing out and cleaning one apartment and moving to another city and setting up that apartment is a bit challenging. Please pray for the finances to make the move and for the remodeling of the room in the new apartment building. The brick wall needs to be covered and painted. I would also appreciate prayer for my 15 year old cat, Sasha, as moving will be a little hard on her too. It's a 6 hour drive to Mukachevo from Ternopil. The road between Ternopil and Lviv (2 hours) is one the worst roads I've ever seen. I was once quoted as saying, "The road looks like a Clingon's forehead," and it does! God bless Ukraine!
My desire is for the team in Mukachevo to be united and centered on Jesus as the leader of the church. As I said, there are many ministry opportunities, but I want to do what the Lord has chosen for me. May my heart be eager and ready to receive direction form the Lord so that I will be a blessing to the team and to Mukachevo. Praise the Lord for what He has already done and for what He is going to do!
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| I will miss them so much: Calvary Chapel Ternopil Prayer Requests |
For the church ministries in Ternopil that have been handed over. For leaders to serve with a servant's heart and for more people to step into ministry and leadership.
For the Kicha ministry, that the Lord would raise up a Spirit- filled compassionate leader to minister to the elderly and invalids. Please also pray for God's provision to provide food and grains for them to take home.
For the many ministry opportunities in Mukachevo, that I would be sensitive for the Lord's leading. For unity on the new team and fresh vision to serve together and be fruitful. That my heart would be eager and ready to receive wisdom from the Lord so that I will be a blessing to the team and to the city of Mukachevo.
For the Sisters Bible study group. The girls are graduating and hey are now doctors! They will be retuning to their native countries of Nigeria and Uganda. Please pray they will increase in their love for the Lord and that they will use their medical skills to glorify God wherever He may lead them.
For the finances to move and set up the new apartment, and for the repair to the room the landlord has offered rent free. We can use it for guests and outreach teams.
For healing of my blood pressure and thyroid issues.
For my 15 year old cat, Sasha, to survive the move.
