End of Summer Update

Kisvigany Gypsy Village- Children wearing their new dresses made by CCCM Sewing klatch

Hello from Mykachevo, Ukraine! Once again, it's that time of year when I am preparing for winter to come. I had my throw rugs cleaned today and turned on my heat last night for the first time this fall. People are stocking up on potatoes and getting their houses in order for another winter. It's become such a way of life for me. It's hard to believe I was once a California girl :)

I praise God for the amazing things He has done in the last three months. As usual, time flew by. This summer there was a lot of traveling, with bouts of minor colds. In spite of my weakness, in God's strength I was able to teach women's Bible studies regularly in three different Gyspy villages and help Notika with the children's programs in five different villages. Most of all, I am amazed at the surprises and blessings the Lord allowed me to witness and be a part of. As of this week, I have also been invited to the Gypsy Camp in Mykachevo to take a tour with one of the pastors and talk about ministry opportunities. I am praying for God's will. This is a huge camp, but there are other ministries serving there. I want to go where there is a need. As of this month I will be teaching a Bible study in Kyklya, which is part of  Calvary Chapel in Beregova. This is in the Hungarian region of Ukraine which is about 40 minutes from Mykachevo. It's a long, windy, bumpy dirt road up to the village of Kyklya where this precious group meets to study the Bible.

In July, we were able to distribute most of the dresses and shorts that were made by the Sewing Klatch at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. We are so thankful for this blessing. The clothing went to three different gypsy camps and a Muslim family at a refugee camp here in Mykachevo. We still have a few dresses left over, which was surprising, but we will distribute them next spring when the weather warms up again.

Pavshyno Gypsy Village- New dresses. Photos by Esther Brown

In August, I had an amazing gift from the Lord. I was asked by Mike and Theresa Howard from Calvary Chapel Harrogate, England to help at Creation Fest in the UK. It has been a dream of mine to go to the Festival. I had the privilege of serving in the Pavilion, and since they were in need of helpers, I got a 2 minute training on filming with professional cameras and spent the entire week filming seminars. I was blessed!!!! The teaching, evangelism, worship, concerts, youth ministries and fellowship were all so encouraging for me. The Lord knew what I needed to get a fresh fire started in my heart by witnessing all that He was doing in the UK. I am so thankful for having been able to go and serve there. What a privilege!

After Creation Fest, I was able to spend a few days in Pocklington, England with my dear friends Toni and Debbie Iordache. Debbie and I were missionaries/ roommates in Romania 20 years ago and spent many hours together changing orphan babies' diapers in the state hospital. Toni had been a student from Romania at the Bible school in Austria when I served in 1993-1994. This was also another huge gift from the Lord to be able to spend time with such special friends. 

Our AV team at the Creation Fest Pavilion- Max, Terry, Me, Theresa and Mike

Afternoon Tea- that's Debbie on the right

When I returned to Budapest from the UK (that's the best airport for me to fly out of) , it was time to apply for my new temporary residency to Ukraine. I spent several days in Budapest going through the visa process, but then I was also able to stop in Debrecen on my way back to Ukraine, and visit Pastor Bodi and his family. Their church does ministry in Ukraine with a Gypsy Village and we talked about opportunities for me to be involved in the future. This is really exciting for me and I hope it will work out according to God's will. 

Before returning to Ukraine I was also able to make the final payment on the van I put a deposit on, and get all of the documents in order. Pastor Jozsi from Calvary Chapel Beregova and his wife Daniela, helped me with all of the details and paperwork. Praise God! I was able to return to Ukraine in my very own van! Thank you Jesus! It has been such a huge blessing in the short time I've had it. Getting to and from the villages is so much easier now and our schedules are much more flexible. The van still needs a little work, but that will be taken care of this week. The roads here are really bad. I mean...really, really bad. I am having the shocks replaced so they will be up for the task. Thank you to all of you who prayed and helped me financially in purchasing this van. It was a big decision for me to take on this responsibility, but it is definitely a need at this point in time.

In August we had our Calvary Chapel West Ukrainian Conference in Lviv. It was such a special time. It was much more intimate than most conferences usually are, and the Lord spoke to our hearts. He gave us the verses from Habakkuk 3: 17- 19  and it was a great encouragement for me and many others. Following the conference, I needed to go to Ternopil to pick up my new 1 year temporary residency. This was also a huge blessing, as I was able to visit my friends from CC Ternopil where I served for 7 years. I was asked to give my testimony as a missionary at the Missions Training Program and also to share at the Women's Bible study. At the Women's study, I spoke on the verses from Habakkuk. No matter what our disappointments, distractions or shattered dreams, the Lord will always be our strength and our joy.

"Though the fig tree may not blossom,

Nor fruit be on the vines;

though the labor of the olive may fail, 

and the fields yield no food;

Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,

And there be no herd in the stalls-

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,

I will joy in the God of my salvation.

The LORD God is my strength;

He will make my feet like deer's feet, 

And He will make me walk on my high hills." 

Habakkuk 3: 17- 19

Missions Training Program

Women's Bible Study CC Ternopil

Praise the Lord, my brother Dana's eye surgery went really well. We are still waiting for a CT scan to reveal if any cancer has spread, but he is recovering well. Thank you so much for your prayers!

Please pray for the Women's  Bible studies in the Gypsy villages and for the Bible study in Kyklya. That I would be sensitive to the Holy Spirit in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 

Please pray for ministry opportunities with CC Beregova and CC Debrecen. I want to be available to help when there is a need. Please also pray for wisdom about ministry opportunities in the Mykachevo Gypsy Camp. 

Please pray for Notika, who I serve with in the Gypsy villages, for financial provision and a new apartment, as she has to move this winter.

Please pray for peace in Ukraine and that many will come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior!

June Update

Janice and I waiting for the train in Vajta, Hungary

Praise God!  Thank you to all who prayed and helped financially for me to get a vehicle. I still don't have one, but I will soon. I almost bought a van yesterday, but the seller raised the price, so I am trying not to be discouraged. I'm now seeking other opportunities to find a good, solid, inexpensive vehicle that can hold up in Ukrainian villages. I know the Lord has one for me.

The Women's studies in Pavshyna, Lychki, and Strabychovo have been a great encouragement
to the women who attend. We have studied Philemon, Psalm 37, Mary and Martha and the Parable of the 10 Virgins. We are creating a circuit of studies and hope to include more villages as time goes on. However, now that it is summer, Notika is leading Gypsy Children's Camps, so we won't be able to return to a regular schedule with the women until fall. I will have opportunities to go out to the villages during the children's camps to visit. While Notika brings teams to live at the villages during the 5 day camps, I have been more of a behind the scenes person, driving and bringing food and supplies. But when I'm in the camp, I will be able to help with children's ministry.

Back in March, I was also able teach at a Bible study in Kylkla that is part of the Calvary Chapel in Beregova, but because of the location, I have been unable to return. It is in the hills through treacherous roads, but once there, it is beautiful. It's such a sweet gathering of believers who meet weekly and I would love to be able to be a part of it. I was asked several months ago to come teach there regularly, so please pray that door remains open while I work out schedule and transportation issues. So far it hasn't come together.

Crafts with Gyspy children in Pavshyna

Women's Bible Study in Pavshyna

Children's Ministry in Zapszon

The Lord has also opened doors to help with a couple of medical issues in the Gypsy Camps. First, there was a little baby with a horrible scabies condition and then, a Pastor's wife who was incorrectly diagnosed with a heart condition. Praise the Lord, they are healed! I praise God and ask for continued wisdom and provision as these issues arise. It is such a blessing to be able to help in the name of Jesus!

Two weeks ago, I was able to go to the Foundations Conference in Vajta, Hungary. Once again, it was a time of incredible refreshment through Bible studies and fellowship. After the conference, I was able to spend a few days at Lake Balaton with my friends Jim and Marietta Mills. They blessed me so much, and even though the weather was cold and rainy, it was such a great time to spend with my dear friends. I also passed though Budapest on my way in and out of Hungary, and was able to stay with my old friends from Bible school, Norbi and Rachel Lakatos. We hadn't seen each other for many years, but it didn't seem like it. Good friends pick up where they left off. They led Notika and I on a whirlwind tour of Budapest, complete with Hungarian pastries and Mexican food! 

Budapest: Norbi, Rachel, Notika and I with the photographer's dog :) 

Now that I'm back in Mykachevo, I'm praying and sorting out my next steps. There are some new ministry opportunities that have been given to me that I am praying about. It is basically more opportunities in more camps in the region and also over the border into Hungary. I would really appreciate prayer for wisdom and guidance as to what and where I should be involved. I praise God for these opportunities and I look forward to what God is going to do. 

Please pray for the 300 plus dresses and shorts donated by the Sewing Klatch at CC Costa Mesa. We will begin distributing the clothing to 3 different Gyspy villages next week. The children are going to be so blessed. The clothes are amazing!

Gypsy Village Children's Ministry in Strabychovo

Little cuties in Strabychovo

Notika and I will also be hosting a team from New Horizons in Lviv, Ukraine and Morningstar Christian Chapel in CA, on July 25th. They will be leading a Vacation Bible School at one of our regular  Gypsy villages. Please pray for travel mercies, traveling to and from the gypsy village and for the children to really see and desire the love of Jesus in their hearts. 

I also want to take this opportunity to introduce you to my new roommates, Nacho and Lacy. ( I'm not sure if Lacy will be permanent) They are the two in the back. The two others moved out today to the Brown Family where they will have 10 children to play with.

God bless you all so much for your prayers and support. You have been serving with me for many years now, and I am very, very, very blessed. Thank you, and may God richly bless you!

Summary of prayer requests:

1.Please pray for the right car or van to purchase. Praise God for the provided finances. Now I need to find a good, solid, inexpensive vehicle that can hold up in Ukrainian villages. I know the Lord has one for me!

2. Please pray for the women's studies in the gypsy villages. We are taking a break for the summer because of the Children's summer Camps, but I am hoping we will be able to meet at least a couple times this summer.

3. Please pray for the Bible study in Kylkla. I have been given the opportunity to teach there regularly, but it is a very difficult place to get to because it is outside another city and up treacherous village roads. Please pray for God's will. 

4. Please pray about the new ministry opportunities I have been given in more gypsy villages and in Hungary. I am so blessed to have been asked. Now I'm praying for God's direction in all of this.

5. Please pray for the Vacation Bible School in the Gyspy Village with New Horizons Lviv and Morningstar Christian Chapel on July 25th. Please pray for travel mercies, traveling to and from the gypsy village and for the children to really see and desire the love of Jesus in their hearts. 

6. Please pray for the clothing distribution of the wonderful children's clothing from CC Costa Mesa Sewing Klatch. Please pray for wisdom and peace during the distribution, and that every child will receive a new clothing item at each of the camps we go to. Pray that Jesus will be glorified!

7. Praise God that every good and perfect gift is from above and that He is the same yesterday, today and forever!!!!

Update for Gypsy Pastors' Seminar

Hello again,

This is an update for the portion of my prayer request for the Gypsy Pastor’s Seminar. Unfortunately, politics have disrupted this amazing opportunity. The leader of the Gypsy pastors in the region had agreed to support the seminar, but has changed his mind. He has also arranged for the pastors to attend another meeting. This is so sad and discouraging, as the seminar is only meant for encouragement and solid doctrinal teaching, as several of the pastors are very hungry for. Please pray with me for unity among the Gypsy pastors. I really believe the head pastor is afraid someone is trying to take away his leadership and that is far from the truth. Our ministries here are only meant to encourage and build up. Fortunately, this doesn’t affect my Bible studies in the different villages with the women, and Notika’s ministries to the children. Please pray that this will be resolved and that we will be able to hold the seminar soon. 

I’m still praying for a vehicle :)

Prayer Request for Gypsy Pastors' Seminar and for a Vehicle

Gypsy village Szapszony

This Saturday, May 16, Pastor Dennis Janisse will be teaching a seminar on Biblical Doctrine for the Gyspy Pastors in our region. Please pray that many will come and yield to the Holy Spirit for wisdom, understanding and Spiritual growth. Please pray for me as I will be cooking and serving the food for the seminar.

 I would also like to ask if you would pray for me concerning purchasing a vehicle. In all the years I've served overseas, I have never needed one and have been thankful since they are a great responsibility and expense. However, my ministry is now taking me out to different villages, many that are difficult to get to and the roads are bad. I am also finding that I am not able to take advantage of many ministry opportunities because of transportation. I am currently using public transport, taxis or borrowing a friend's car. The church van can't handle the roads, but my schedule also conflicts with those of the church. I would need a vehicle to use at least 4 or 5 days a week to go out to the villages.  Please pray with me about this because I believe it is time to get my own vehicle, so that I can go out to the different villages and not be restricted as to how long I can minister there. We are often asked to visit families or help in different ways. Because I don't have my own vehicle, we often have to leave before we would like to and that is difficult for me. It would also be extremely helpful as we also bring Humanitarian out to the villages. The Lord knows our needs and I am trusting that if this is His will, He will provide not only for the vehicle, but also for the fuel and maintenance. I thank you for your prayers. 

I'm back in Mykachevo!

First of all, I want to thank all of you who blessed me so much during my time in the states.  It was amazing!!!! Since I hadn't been home in almost 5 years, I was in great need of encouragement and I received more encouragement and blessings than I could have ever imagined. 

While I was in the states Pastor Brian Broderson interviewed me before the church. If you would like to watch the interview, here is the link. It is the video from January 18, 2015 with Dave Shirley. 

 http://www.calvarychapelcostamesa.com/teaching/acts242/

I returned to Ukraine with a fresh zeal to serve the Lord and a clear direction for my next steps in ministry. Unfortunately, when I first walked in the door, exhausted from traveling, my cat Sasha was extremely ill with kidney failure. It was such a difficult week, especially when I had to say good by to the best kitty I've ever known and bury her in the garden outside my apartment. 

Sasha loved watching and listening to Pastor Chuck. She was an amazing cat!

Just a few days later, I was so thankful that the Lord had provided for me to go to England to attend the UK Ladies Retreat. When the arrangements were originally made, I kept thinking how crazy to plan a trip just a week after arriving from the states, but it was a timely blessing. I left England even more encouraged from the wonderful teaching and fellowship with the ladies in the UK. 

Since the day after I returned from England two weeks ago, new ministry opportunities have opened up. I am so blessed to be used by the Lord and so excited about what He is doing. I am now focusing on two different ministries in the Zacarpatskaya region of Ukraine where I live. 

The first ministry is to the Gypsies. I am helping Notika, a Ukrainian girl I've mentioned before, with ministries to the Gyspy Camps in the region. We are doing Ladies Conferences, Children's programs and practical help as the Lord provides. We have done two Ladies' Conferences in the last two weeks. I am so thankful to be able to share God's Word with these women. Also, because of donations received in the states to help the gypsy children, we have been able to purchase 257 pairs of plastic boots with lining for the kids. They are warm and are also quite practical for the deep muddy roads in the gypsy camps. I speak from experience. I'm now wearing plastic boots to the camps, and yesterday we had to hose our boots off they were so thick in mud.  The boots will be a huge blessing for the children. We will distribute them at two different camps this week. Please pray for the Ladies' Conferences. They are inviting us back for more teaching so we will begin the circuit through the camps again. Please also pray for provision to meet the needs of the Gyspy children, especially in the basics of shoes and warm winter clothing. 

Getting 257 Boots ready to distribute to Gypsy Children

Ladies' Conference at Strabychovo Gypsy Camp

Notika during Children's Program at Kisvigany Gypsy Camp

The second ministry is to the women in this region. There is a Hungarian speaking city near us, Beregova, where Notika and I will be sharing with teenage girls at a children's center on March 3rd. I am really excited about this, as they are interested in having me teach on a regular basis and hopefully help out in different ways. There are youth living there who have problems with their parents, but the center is also open in the afternoons for youth to come and receive help with their homework or have a loving place to come to. The Bible studies will be part of the program if all goes well. Please pray for this open door as these young people need to know there is a Heavenly Father who loves them and will never leave or forsake them.

On March 11th I will be teaching at a Women's Day event in a village near Beregova. I have been asked to share with ladies who, from what I've been told, have a lot of family problems and difficulties. I am feeling very inadequate for this, but I know God is sufficient for all of our needs. 

So to sum up this new chapter in my life and ministry, the door is wide open to minister to women in this region. The need is great, and I believe the Lord has shown me to make myself available. I have now stepped away from the ministries I was involved with before in order to be available to teach Women's studies and help Notika with the Gyspy ministries. I really need prayer for God's wisdom, anointing and grace to teach all of these Bible studies. My prayer is to minister to the women of all ages in the region so that they would grow in grace and the knowledge of God's Word. I pray they will be godly examples for the Kingdom of heaven. I also need prayer for my health as I am traveling into the villages several times a week and need to be up for it.  

I thank you so much for your prayers and financial support. I would not be here without you. If you have any questions about the ministry or how you can help, please email me.  I am so thankful for all of you! God bless you! 

Here is an adorable video of the Gyspy children at Pavshyna Gypsy Camp. They wanted to sing a song for us. Enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Praise the Lord! I will be flying to California for the Missions Conference. Thank you for your prayers and financial support to get me there. I am really looking forward to the conference for great teaching and spiritual refreshment. I hope I will see many of you while I am there.

I will be in CA from Dec. 27 to Jan. 26. If you would like, I would love to come and share at your church or Bible study. You can contact me by email.

God bless you as you celebrate the birth of our Lord! 

Living Water and Gypsy Ministries

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!

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.

Gypsy children in Domboki

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.

Children's Program at Domboki Gypsy Camp with Daniela and Natasha 

New Coat!

Coats purchased from 2nd Hand for the Children

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.

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!

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!