We still have electricity and heat in Mykachevo! Unfortunately, some other cities are experiencing power cuts. We're praying it doesn't happen here in Mykachevo. My gas heater is powered by electricity, so it will be an even colder winter if the electricity gets rationed. But so far, the weather is much warmer here along the Hungarian border than it has been in the other Ukrainian cities I've lived in. It's hard to believe I was once a California beach girl!
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| West Ukrainian Conference |
In October, I attended the first Calvary Chapel West Ukrainian Conference. The Calvary Chapels from Lviv, Ternopil, Vinitsya and Mykachevo came together for some fabulous teaching through the book of Colossians. I left so encouraged and refreshed.
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| Gypsy children in Domboki |
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| Domboki Gypsy Village |
Our monthly visits to the Gypsy Camp in Domboki, a village about 30 minutes from Mykachevo, has been a big blessing. The Baron of the village is also a Pastor, and I really see God's influence over this Gyspy Village. Last month we were able to distribute 41 winter coats for the children. Unfortunately, we found out there are 47 more children that still need coats. They just hadn't attended the Children's Ministry programs that we have been giving, so we hadn't met them before. So now we are asking for donations for the remaining coats that are needed. We are purchasing them at 2nd hand stores at an average of $5 per coat. We have found found warm coats in good condition. We hope to give them out in the next few weeks.
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| Children's Program at Domboki Gypsy Camp with Daniela and Natasha |
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| New Coat! |
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| Coats purchased from 2nd Hand for the Children |
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| Ready for winter with a new snow suit! |
Tomorrow a medical team from Ternopil, led by Victor, a doctor from the Calvary Chapel in Ternopil will be arriving. We will be doing a medical outreach on Friday and Saturday at the Gypsy Village in Domboki led by four doctors and lots of helpers. Please pray for blessings in the name of Jesus to cover this outreach. Please pray for healing for the people and wisdom for the doctors as to how to best minister to the people. Praise the Lord for his provision for medications for the outreach.
Natasha, a Ukrainian girl we serve with from Kiev, is ministering to gypsies full time in our region. She has also let me join her on weekly visits to another Gypsy Village named Pavshyno. We sing children's songs in Hungarian, Ukrainian and English. Natasha tells them a Bible story and we do crafts and play games. The last couple of weeks we found out the children start showing up at 10am for the Bible study that starts at 4pm. God bless them. We meet outside around a picnic table in freezing temperatures with about 30 kids crammed around it. There's a roof, but most of it is missing and Natasha and I stand in what I would describe as potty field for the many dogs. It is such a blessing though. I can't even describe the joy I get when I'm there with those kids. Hopefully, we'll be able to help them get some winter coats too. As the Lord provides!
When I first came to Mykachevo, the desire of my heart was to minister to young women in this West Ukrainian region, not just in our church, but in other churches as well. My first opportunity just came today when I received a phone call. Natasha and I will be doing a women's conference on Dec. 13th. The pastor requested this. What an answer to prayer. Please pray for me as I will be teaching the Bible study, that the Lord will speak through me. What's really amazing in the way God works, is that this morning during my devotions, the Lord put a Bible study on my heart from Proverbs 4: 23- 27, "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it springs the issues of life." I had already prepared the outlines, knowing that it was for me, but also desiring to share this Word from the Lord. God is so faithful!
I"m continuing to help with worship every week in the church, playing flute. It is so wonderful to be playing regularly again. I missed playing so much. I also hope to incorporate more with the keyboard. Please pray that I will be able to use the church keyboard on a regular basis to practice.
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| Worship at Youth Group |
We had an incredible Thanksgiving feast last week. The Calvary Chapel in Beregova, Ukraine, a Hungarian speaking city about 30 minutes from here, joined us for a baptism and feast. Along with our church and youth group we had a baptism for 9 people ( 8 from Beregova), and over 50 people for Thanksgiving dinner at Pastor Joel's house!
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| Zhenya's Baptism on Thanksgiving |
On a personal note, there are two things I would like to share. First, I would like to ask for prayer for the spiritual warfare that has been so intense. As you can read, there are incredible blessings in the ministry here. But as so often happens amidst the blessings, there have been some incredibly difficult and challenging situations for me and it is very wearing on me spiritually, physically and emotionally. God speaking to me through His Word is getting me through each day, but I also fail each day, so keeping my heart in all diligence is a loving reminder from the Lord. Please pray for unity on our team and for wisdom as the Lord plows through my heart, knowing that dying to self brings healing and peace. I want to come forth as gold, but I'm not there yet!
The other thing is that I haven't been to the states in four years, since my mom passed away. I haven't been able to afford a trip home. By faith, I signed up for the Calvary Chapel Missions Conference in Murrietta in January. I still haven't purchased a ticket because I'm waiting for confirmation. Please pray for wisdom from the Lord as to whether I should go ahead and purchase plane tickets or wait for another time that the Lord chooses. I know that when God guides, God provides!
God bless you all who are reading this blog and those of you who are helping me through prayer and finances. As we don't receive the names of our financial supporters through CC Costa Mesa, I want to thank you here. You know who you are, and most of all the Lord knows! Hallelujah!
