End of Summer in Mykachevo

Friday Night Cafe with Flavored Syrups for Coffee and Homemade Desserts

In the last week, the weather has begun to turn cold. Amidst new laws of rationing electricity this winter, we are preparing for the possibility of having our electricity turned off two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening. That in itself isn’t such a big deal to me, but it does present many challenges to our ministry and our dependence on  modern technology. The electric keyboard and sound system will be off during church services. Our Friday night cafe will be without electricity. But this is an opportunity to use our God given imaginations and be creative. It’s also a way for us to just go back to the basics, if necessary. In the mean time, Pastor Joel figured out how to make homemade kerosene lamps using canning jars. He gave each of our team members two, plus a store bought oil lamp, so we are ready. My biggest concern about all this is that my heating is run on an electrically powered gas heating system and the temperatures will drop well below zero this winter. Please pray that I will be able to endure the cold spells. I have a down sleeping bag and lots of blankets, so I should be fine if I lose heating in my apartment. And I have oil lamps! I don’t want to sound like a lightweight because I have endured freezing winters with very little heat in the past. It was hard, but it also showed me Gods faithfulness in difficult situations. I’m trusting that the Lord brought me to this place and will be with me every step of the way. 

I have now been in Mykachevo for three months. We had an outreach team come this summer and we went out on the streets asking people, “If you were to die today, where would you go?” Then we would ask, “ How do you know this for sure?” As you can imagine there were some very good conversations and there were people who prayed to receive the Lord. We also got to know a group of youth who play volleyball near the river and starting with them we began a Friday night cafe, called “Friday Night” (English pronunciation). The teenagers have been coming faithfully every week to play games and watch videos. I am in charge of the coffee, so I have the blessing of being in the room where people sit and talk. It’s a great opportunity to get to know the youth better and share the love of Christ through our witness. My prayer is that as the weather gets colder, more youth will see this as a safe, loving place to come on Friday nights. Please pray that the word will spread and many more youth will come, not only to the cafe, but to Jesus. We are hoping to have different Christian musicians come once a month to play at the cafe. We also hope to offer different venues each week, like karaoke and movies. 

Friday Night Cafe with Live Music and "UNO"

The Sunday night youth group is going really well. They are a group from a local church that Pastor Joel was asked to teach for the year while their youth pastor will be in the states. Each week, we take turns teaching them how to cook something tasty to serve after the Bible study. Currently, the youth have decided they want to teach us some of their favorite dishes so now we are learning how to prepare Ukrainian cakes and treats. It’s working out really well. We are going through the Book of Mark for the Bible study and each week one of our team members leads the study. I love this as we each get to share from the Word. Please pray that the youth will apply God’s truth to their lives and that we will be a good example for them.

Sunday Night Youth Group and Bible Study

At the moment I am in Ternopil for a few days. I came for a wedding and then I will stay until Wednesday to teach at the first meeting of Kicha for this year. For those of you who may not remember, this is a ministry at Calvary Chapel Ternopil for the pensioners who receive about $100 a month to live on. With the fall of the Ukrainian currency, the Hrivna, and the rise in prices, this year will be even more difficult for them. They come weekly for Bible study and we have also been able to give out bread, grains or pasta for them to take home each week. I wanted to be at the first meeting this year since my move to Mykachevo, to encourage them that the meetings will continue as before. Kicha takes a break for summer since most families have vegetable gardens and it is easier for them to get around in the summer. But winters are very difficult for the elderly as the sidewalks are covered with ice and they are more dependent on the food we give out to them. There are 87 people on the list to come on Wednesday. I will be teaching on “Jehovah- raah, The Lord Our Shepherd.” As the psalm says “ The Lord is My Shepherd, I shall not want.” He is everything we need for what is truly important and valuable. Please pray that the pensioners’ hearts will be at peace with the Lord and the hope of heaven will get them through these difficult years. 

Thank you for your love, prayers and support. May God bless you and shower you with His grace!

Prayer requests:

Please continue to lift Ukraine up in your prayers. Please pray for peace and unity in this wonderful country and for truth to be revealed. Pray that the citizens of Ukraine will look to the Lord as their King and that true hope lies in having our citizenship in heaven.

Please pray for unity on our team and protection from the lies of Satan who wants to divide and destroy us. Please pray for our flesh to be yielded to the work of God’s Holy Spirit. We have had many personal challenges and attacks, but I am trusting that we will come forth as gold and glorify God.

Please pray for the Gypsy Camp Children’s Outreach Oct. 4th, that Jesus will be their Lord and Savior. Please pray for our monthly outreaches to the camp, wisdom in distributing clothing and other helps, and for a possible medical outreach to the camp.

Please pray for me as I have been playing keyboard in church for worship. Please pray for God’s anointing and for healing for my vocal chords. I have had problems for many years. 

Please pray for “Friday Night” Cafe that more youth will come and they will give their hearts to the Lord.

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Getting Started in Mykachevo

Hello from Mykachevo, Ukriane! 

Here is a short team video with a personal update from me. 

If you are not able to watch the video, here is a summary of my prayer requests.

For truth and peace in Ukraine. Please pray for an end to the war in the east of the country and for absolute truth to prevail. That people will put their faith and trust in God and not government. 

I inured my knee yesterday. It’s not serious, but please pray that it will not cause any problems as the church in Ternopil blessed me with a bicycle as a going away gift and I have been riding almost every day, getting to know the city and the people. I will be very sad if my knee develops any serious problems and I won’t be able to ride.

Gypsy Camp Outreach at the end of August. Please pray for planning and provision for children’s ministry worker’s, food to prepare a lunch each of the four days, and ministry to the adults. Please also pray for wisdom for future ministry in the camp for children, adults and medical ministry. The children also need coats and shoes for winter if you would like to help, please contact me. 

Mykachevo Living Water Outreach Aug 5- 10. Please pray for the Americans coming to do street evangelism and for preparation for a coffee house, concert featuring Josh Pratt from Lviv, Ukraine, and for two Question and Answer Nights , “Interrogate the Americans” and "Interrogate the Pastor”  Please pray that all we do will lead people to Jesus Christ.

Worship Team. Our worship leader is leaving for an unknown amount of time, and those of us here on the team will be stepping in the lead worship. Please pray for me as I am learning keyboard and guitar to help out. I do play these instruments, but have never lead worship, so it is a big challenge as I only have a few weeks to prepare. Please also pray for others on our team as we will all be helping out in this new venture in faith. 

Thank you so much for your love, prayers and support. I would not be able to be here without you. God bless you all!

Marilyn

I'm Moving to Mukachevo! June 2014 Update

Wearing our Ukrainian shirts: Luda, Tanya (my roommate), Me and Tanya

I'm moving!
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.

Palonok Castle in Mukachevo

Overlooking Mukachevo

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

Please continue to pray for Ukraine.
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!

I will miss them so much: Calvary Chapel Ternopil 

Prayer Requests

For peace in Ukraine. For the new president and leadership to seek God for wisdom. For truth and righteousness to prevail in this country.

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.

March Update

Kiev is a memorial to those who lost their lives in the protests

First of all, I want to thank all of you who have been praying for Ukraine. It's been an emotional time, as well as a time of uncertainty. Every morning, when I first awake, I check the news to find out if Ukraine has been invaded by Russia. I never would have thought I would be in a situation like this. How can I pray and what needs to be done is based on the daily situation. Ternopil is in Western Ukraine, so those of you who have been concerned about our safety, please know that we are far from areas currently under threat, and feel quite safe at this time. The protests have been peaceful and the city gathers together for prayer, as is happening all over the country. I have purposely chosen not to focus on politics and to pray for truth to be revealed. My mission is to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ and the hope we have in Him. The current situation has caused people to pray and gives us many opportunities to share the love of God. 

In February I had the privilege of traveling to Kiev to help out at the prayer tent that Calvary Chapel Kiev, together with other churches in the city, have put up to minister to the protesters and anyone who comes to Maidon (the square in Kiev where the protests and killings took place). When I saw the city center of Kiev torn apart and covered with flowers and pictures of those who died in the protests, it broke my heart. It was definitely a privilege to serve tea and coffee to those who are living in tents and to share God's love with them. Many are hurting and affected by what they witnessed during the violence. I'm so thankful to our brothers and sisters in Kiev who are counseling and praying with them continuously. The second day I was there, I handed out Bibles in Ukrainian and Russian, whichever language the people preferred. So many were very thankful for the gift of God's Word.

Along this walkway is where many of the protesters were shot and killed.

Many have committed to staying on Maidon in Kiev until the presidential election on May 25th

March 8th is International Women's Day in Ukraine, as in many parts of the world. This year I was invited to teach at the celebration with Calvary Chapel Vinnytsya.  The theme was "Cast your Burdens Upon the Lord" It was very appropriate during this time of uncertainty, and I really sensed the Lord's encouragement that only He can truly bring peace into our hearts, no matter what we are going through.  We had a wonderful time of Bible study followed by fellowship with food prepared by the men in the church. Now that was a blessing! I also had the extra blessing of being able to play flute with the worship team Sunday morning there. It was a reunion for all of us, since I had served on the ministry team with Daniel Carter in Poltava, Ukraine and Tim and Christina Emerson in Ternopil, Ukraine. I also want to thank Janette Carter for taking such good care of me at their home. It was a much needed time of encouragement. As usual, as I went there to serve, I was the one feeling the most blessed. 

Sharing at the Women's Day Celebration at CC Vinnytsya

The men in the church made traditional Ukrainian salads and sandwiches for the ladies

The construction on the new church building is on break until the weather warms up a bit more, but we now have two children's ministry rooms, a kitchen, bathroom and a large hall that we are able to use. It is so amazing to see how the Lord has provided and all the work that has been done in such a short time.  Please pray for finances to complete the work and for the construction and remodeling to be completed before next winter. 

The main hall in the new church building

After being in Kiev, Pastor George had the vision to set up an Interdenominational prayer tent in our city square in Ternopil. Volunteers are there daily between 4 and 7:30pm. to talk and pray with people and also to hand out Bibles and other Christian resources. At 7pm we gather for group prayer at the tent. It has been a great opportunity to share with people in the city as well as some of the protesters who have their own tent in the center. 

Roma and Pastor George next to the sign for the Prayer Tent

The prayer tent, right after we set it up. Yes, there were people there :)

As with every mission, the goal is to hand over the ministries to the nationals in the church and move on, if necessary. I have found myself once again in a place of watching my purpose of being in Ternopil changing. I am still busy with the "Kicha" study which ministers and provides bread and grains to pensioners.  The Friday night Sisters Bible study continues, but it is in it's last year, as the girls will be graduating from Medical University in June. One of the projects I am still working on is the church library which I hope to be finishing up soon. Pastor George has asked me to step aside from the hospitality ministry and the organizing that I have been doing in the church in the hopes that people will see the need and step up to serve. Please pray for leaders to be raised up and servants to come forward with a joyful and ministering heart. Please pray for me that I would hear the Lord clearly as to my next step in ministry. I could stay in Ternopil, as there is still much to do in teaching Bible studies,mercy ministries, and English ministries, or the Lord may move me to another city.  My heart is open to wherever the Lord would lead. I believe it is good to lay this out before Him and to trust that He will have me in His perfect place in His perfect timing. 

Khristina and I working on the church library.

Thank you again for your prayers and financial support. Both are much needed and deeply appreciated. I am so blessed that you read my updates and pray for my personal prayer requests, along with the needs for Ukraine. We will rejoice together in the Lord's presence for all of the mighty works He has done.

God bless you!!!!!!!
Marilyn

Prayer Requests:

In regards to the current political situation in Ukraine, please pray for truth to be revealed and for the people of Ukraine, that they would put their faith and hope in Jesus Christ.   

For the prayer tent in Ternopil, that we would have opportunities to share and truly minister to the people of Ternopil during this time of uncertainty. 

For the new church building. Praise God for all He has done and provided for. Please continue to pray for the finances to continue the building and remodeling and for the church to be completed before next winter.

For the Sisters Bible study, that it will bear much fruit in the lives of the girls. In June, they will graduate from Medical University and return to their home countries. Please pray they will use their medical skills to glorify God.

As we are seeking to hand over ministries to the nationals in the church, please pray for me that I would hear the Lord clearly as to my next step in ministry. I could stay in Ternopil, as there is still much to do in teaching Bible studies, mercy ministries, and English ministries, or the Lord may move me to another city.  My heart is open to wherever the Lord would lead. I believe it is good to lay this out before Him and to trust that He will have me in His perfect place in His perfect timing. 

Please pray for good health and financial provision to meet all of my needs. The Lord is so faithful and I trust that whatever He calls me to He will provide in His extraordinary ways. 

December 2013

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

As many of you in the West have just celebrated the birth of our Lord Jesus, we will be celebrating Christmas in Ukraine on January 7th. As an American in Ukraine it is not unusual for us to celebrate both. But, as 2013 is coming to a close, I want to share with you some highlights of the last few months of our ministry here in Ternopil. I am so blessed to be serving here as our church continues to be an example of God's love and grace. I hope you will be blessed.

CCBCE TEAM In late October, we hosted a team from the Calvary Chapel Bible College in Vajta, Hungary. Our vision was for them to reach out to the International students. They were able to visit the dorms at the medical university and share the gospel with students from Africa and the Middle East. Praise God, they were welcomed and able to share. We also hosted a game night for the students to come to the church office and spend time with the team. We used this opportunity to establish relationships with the students and provide a night of fun and relaxation for them, as the medical students sometimes just need a break. I was so blessed to see how much the students enjoyed their time with us. Please pray that those who know the Lord will stay strong in their faith. Please pray for those that don't know the Lord and that the conversations the team had with them will be remembered and draw them to Him. Please pray for more opportunities to minister to the students and to study God's Word with them.  

CCBCE Team

 Sawsen, Tabitha, Me, Austin, Kelsey and Loren

DEMONSTRATIONS As many of you are aware, Ukraine has been having political demonstrations against the president and recent decisions regarding Ukraine's trade agreements with the European Union and Russia. There have been acts of violence that only intensified the protests, but in Ternopil, the demonstrations have been very peaceful. Please pray for Ukraine. Jesus Christ is on the only one who can bring true peace on earth and good will toward men. Let's pray that Ukraine will experience revival in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Demonstrators stood in the cold for several 

weeks in the main square of Ternopil. 

Now Sundays are a designated day for protests. 

CHURCH BUILDING

The crew is working hard to get the new building ready for us to begin using within the next two months. We moved out of our church offices on Sunday and will meet in four different Home Fellowships until the new building is ready. As soon as the roof, heating and bathroom are completed, we will be able to move in for Sunday services. It is exciting to think that we will soon be meeting in our own church building! Please pray for the finances to complete the project and that we will be able to move in by February. The whole church wants to come together again as soon as possible. I'm very privileged that my apartment will be one of the home fellowships. We will be watching George's preaching on live stream so that we will all receive the same Sunday teaching. Technology really adds a new flavor to church meetings! 

This will be the main hall for the church

View from the street. The roof is almost completed!

Kicha  The ministry for the pensioners and invalids has been going well over all, but there are some issues with a few of the ladies not getting along. Please pray for God's leading for myself, Tanya and Aleksiy as we serve this special group of people. There have been some heated arguments and many accusations flying around. The issue is mainly over who deserves to receive bread. It is really sad, because we don't make any requirements other than being on our list to receive help. But as is so often the case, some people want to prove their worth and justify themselves as being more deserving. It's such a great example of the grace that God has poured out on us. We don't deserve His gift of salvation, yet He gives to all who come and are willing to receive. I continue to share this example with the people and I pray the message will take root in their hearts. I want so much for peace and joy to prevail over these meetings. I have asked those involved with the conflict to commit to praying for this situation and am seeking to teach them to deal with these issues in a Biblical way. They are from many different churches and have experienced different kinds of leadership and teaching. We are pointing them to the Bible. Please pray for us to have wisdom, grace and patience in order to glorify God. Please also pray for provision to continue to provide bread, grains and pasta for them to take home. Praise God! We were able to give them extra this last week, as we will not be able to meet again until the church building is ready. 

Kicha Fellowship, as the food donations were being handed out.

 The picture isn't clear because the room was cold and my lens fogged up. 

There are 103 people on our list. 40 to 50 people come to the Bible study every week.                                                

Children's Christmas Outreach

On Saturday our church hosted a Christmas outreach for the children of people who are on the Kicha List. These are parents of young children who are struggling with providing for their families while living on a pension fund. What a blessing that the church wanted to reach out to them. Individuals from the church provided gift bags for each of the invited children. The children from our church performed the Christmas story and the church choir sang. I spoke to several of the mothers afterward and they were so thankful and blessed. Please pray for these families, that they will put their faith, hope and trust in the Lord for salvation and provision for their families.

Mary and Joseph

CC Ternopil Choir with some very cute angels

I pray you have a wonderful, joyful New Year in the Name of our Lord Jesus! I want to thank all of you who have so faithfully lifted me and the ministry in Ternopil up in prayer, and for your financial help that has enabled me to live and serve here. Thank you for being a part of Calvary Chapel Ternopil, Ukraine. God bless you and keep you, and may His face shine upon you and give you peace.

In Jesus love,
Marilyn

September 2013

Greetings again from a very cold fall day in Ternopil!

Sewing at home...that's my assistant Sasha on the left

Hallelujah! As of August, I am now a temporary resident of Ukraine. I can stay in the country for an entire year without having to cross the border. In the past I had to leave the country every 3 months in order to stay legal under my old visa. But what is even more exciting for me, is that Calvary Chapel Ternopil is officially registered, as well as our new property and we have an organization, Skela "The Rock" that we are also able to use for Humanitarian Aid work.  So now that we're all registered and legal, please pray for laborers to come into the the fields for harvest. There is work to be done, but the laborers are few. We have leaders being raised up in the church, but we need more, plus servants to minister in the work of discipleship, evangelism, outreach to International students and Ukrainian students, as well as our ongoing church ministries, like hospitality, books, cleaning, child care, worship...........Please pray. 

CCBCE TEAM: We are looking forward to a team from the Calvary Chapel Bible College in Vajta, Hungary. They will be here Oct. 18- 27.  Please pray for the team of six who will be coming to evangelize at the University dorms and reach out to the International students. We realized that most of the students we have been teaching and discipling have already graduated or will be this year. We want to reach the new students, as we are aware that many are afraid to leave their dorms since they are foreigners in Ukraine. Please pray for divine appointments and opportunities to meet with African and Middle Eastern students. We are hoping to have a coffee house or outreach where the students can gather for fun and conversation, so that we can establish relationships with them.

English Ministries: Now that September is here, English Club is meeting again at the YWAM base.  I hope to begin the Intermediate English Class in the Gospel of John in the next couple of weeks. On Tuesday I was asked to be an official judge at a High school English Competition. I didn't realize what a big deal it was until someone told me they saw it on the news. Praise God for the opportunity to meet more students and administrators in the city. My classes at the high school and Technical College will begin in a few weeks. I'm preparing to get really busy. Please pray for opportunities to glorify God and draw people to Him.

New Church Building: The guys have torn apart most of the old building except the bathroom and the kitchen. They have completed one room which will be part of the bottom floor. The room is now functional and we used it last Wednesday for the Bible study for the Pensioners. This is exciting to have our own room for Bible study. 

Current Church Building: Because of the already cold temperatures, we made a decision to stop meeting in the hall we are currently renting. It's like an icebox in there even after we installed heaters. It would reach a high of  7 degrees C (44 F) with the heat on. The new owners of the hall won't let us use our heaters because of construction they are doing, so we're going to move out the furniture in our church office and pack as many chairs as we can in order to meet in the fellowship room. Hopefully, the new church building will be ready before next summer. With some creativity, we will continue have 3 children's ministry areas in our meeting rooms, and a place for hot tea and cookies. I also have a sandwich and coffee ministry after church for those who need a little extra. We'll probably put that out in the hallway. Next week will be our first time meeting like this. Blessed are the flexible!

Kicha/ Bible study Kicha is the name we have given our food center ministry for the elderly who are living on pensions. We discovered that they use this word as a slang for the English word "Kitchen." We liked the sound of it, so now it's the official name. Last Wednesday we started up the Kicha Bible study and food distribution after our summer break. Pastor George taught and Slava from our church sang worship songs. I am so thankful for a team from YWAM on outreach from Scotland who helped with distributing reading glasses that were donated to us. Joanne from YWAM gave us a crash course in reading eye charts. We are so blessed to have these glasses to help the elderly. Many were blessed. I still have a lot of glasses left over, so I'm hoping to distribute them around the neighborhood, as there are a lot of elderly living in my building.   Please pray for funds to help with food for Kicha. We have promised them a loaf of bread each week, but would also like to give pasta and grains for each of them to take home and cook. Please also pray for me, as I will be teaching the weekly Bible study. 

Pastor George teaching the Bible study at Kicha

Reading eye charts and distributing glasses

 Sisters: Friday night Sisters Bible study has started up again. We are going through the Names of God, which I love to teach. This study is life changing for me every time I go through it. I pray that it will be life changing for the girls as we dig deep into the Word and see the Lord's amazing promises of love, grace and faithfulness towards each and every one of us. 

 Sisters good bye party for Pamela, Remi and Kemi who all graduated and returned home this summer

 Saying good by to Pamela at the train station

Temi and Precious- Temi will graduate this year. Precious is a new student. 

 End of summer BBQ with our master chefs Sasha, Aleksiy and Slava

 Worship at the BBQ- George, Tanya (my roommate) and Jonny

God bless you all! I love you so much and am so thankful to you for your prayers, encouragement and support. In Jesus mighty Name,

Marilyn

June 2013 in Ternopil

TESOL

On June 14th I graduated with a certificate from TESOL 

(Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)

After several years of participating in English ministries and leading English classes in local schools, I am now official :) The YWAM base in Ternopil sponsored a 3 week intensive TESOL course led by Doug Sadler who teaches TESOL all over the world to equip missionaries. We had the most amazing class, including four students from the Calvary Chapel Bible College in Vajta, Hungary and missionary Vanessa McElroy, a Calvary Chapel missionary from Lviv, Ukraine. Doug has provided us with the foundations of TESOL and invaluable resources. The best part of the course was that it was centered on Jesus. I am looking forward to the next school year, as I know I can help the students even more in their English skills and know that I am encouraging them in the Name of Jesus. Please pray for future English classes that I will use my new skills and knowledge for the glory of God, also knowing that English can not only change people's lives, but also allow me the opportunity to minister in the love of Jesus. 

 The Food Center

 

The Food Center is taking a break until September. The meetings had been at the new property which is now under construction. The garage where the food center meetings were conducted has been torn down as it was unsafe after the heavy snows last winter. Paul and Gayla Hurley, who had led this ministry for 14 years, always took a break in the summer. In the warmer months, the pensioners are able to get around much easier and have food from their gardens. I was so blessed by so many who came to the Bible Study, as it's not required for them to receive bread and any other food we are able to give. This summer we will be preparing for next year, finding the best places to purchase food, grow food and package it for distribution. Aleksiy will be in charge of the food distribution and I will be leading the Bible studies. Please pray for us to be faithful servants to the elderly. Please also pray for finances to support this ministry in order to really help the pensioners, both spiritually and physically.

Summer Months

Foundations Conference in Vajta, Hungary: Next week I will be going to Vajta for the annual Foundations Conference. I love this week, as this is where I see so many of the missionaries and brothers and sisters I've served with in Eastern Europe over the past twenty years. This is always such an encouraging time for me to witness first hand the incredible work God has done and is doing in this area of the world. Please pray for safe travels, provision and a fruitful conference. 

Visa: While I am in Hungary I will be applying for a new visa. This is a big one, as it will give me registration in Ukraine for an entire year. Up to this point, even though I have had a five year, multiple entry visa to Ukraine, I am still required to leave the country every 3 months or I face a fine. This can be inconvenient and pricey, but this is how we have existed. Please pray that the Lord will give me grace, mercy and wisdom in dealing with all of the papers, consulate, local officials and lawyers. Also please pray for provision to pay for all of this. I know that the Lord has called me to Ukraine, so I trust that He will provide a way. 

Worship Conference: July 29- Aug. 2 will be our annual Worship Conference in Ternopil led by Jonathan Markey. We are blessed to have Mike Payne and some of the worship team members from CC Budapest come to teach and conduct seminars. In the past, I have been very involved in the organization of this conference. This year, we are passing a lot of the responsibilities to Ukrainian leaders in the church. Please pray for the details of the conference and that leaders will rise up and take steps of faith to make this an encouraging and fruitful time. 

Church Picnic: On July 7th we will be having a church picnic. This is bittersweet, as the African students who are graduating and leaving Ukraine will be cooking for the picnic. They wanted to offer this as a gift to us as they are heading out to a new chapter in their lives. Pamela, Ralph, Naa, Richard, Lillian, Robert and Victor are all graduating. All but Victor will be leaving the country. After six years of having them as part of our church fellowship, they will be deeply missed. Please pray that they will glorify God as they serve Him as doctors. My prayer is also that the love and teaching that they have received from CC Ternopil will bear everlasting fruit for the Kingdom God!

Summer Outreach: A children's Superbook Club began last Sunday and many kids showed up. Emily and Byron led a baseball Camp last week and are hoping to start a youth ministry with the kids who attended. We are praying for more opportunities to do evangelism and reach out to youth in Ternopil this summer. Please pray for all of these outreaches and for a fresh vision to reach out to the city.

Ternopil Walking Street

Thank you for all of your love, prayers and financial support. You are so special to me.

God bless you all!!!!!