In The Clouds

After dinner tonight we decided to lay in the grass and look at the clouds. The kids saw all kinds of stuff in them. It's not getting dark here in Ukraine till after 10 on these summer nights. We are enjoying them while they are here!

Party at Valya's

Valya, what a Party! Thank you!

Hanging With The Fournier's

The Fournier family came up for the afternoon to celebrate Kaylee's 5th birthday. We were really thankful for the visit because we won't have many more of these times together. You see, Paul and Gretchen Fournier planted a church about 7 years ago in a city called Nezhyn, about an hour drive from us. The Lord has really blessed those past 7 year and the church is ready to stand on its own. The Lord has raised up a group of faithful men that has been leading the church for quite awhile now. Paul Fournier see's that it is time for God to move them on and they are headed back to the states in about a month. They are not exactly sure what God has next for them, but they are thinking about moving to Alabama. If they do, Paul promised to take us noodling when we come visit them. After eight years of precious memories with this family it will be tough to say goodbye. Please pray for all the kids during the next few weeks.

These guys are noodling... I can't wait!

Poster Wars

It's every poster for its self out there. This week it has been all about getting the poster up for Voice and the children's festival. This is a cut throat business. As soon as you get them up they get covered with "mail order brides wanted" posters or signs for the next big club party this weekend. I'm really enjoying covering those up! A bunch of us went out last night and kept the battle going.
It all starts in a little more than a week. Please be praying for both these events. May many children and adults receive Jesus through them.

Lemon-aide Stand

So, it was a good day at the Lemon-aide stand. Emma had a great time serving it up and raking in the big dough! She's talking about saving up and buying a kiosk in the market. It won't be long till she can either! Who knew Grandma was such a big tipper?! The service was o.k. I guess and it could have been a little sweeter...(:

Don't worry. I didn't let her keep the fifty... I told her I had to take taxes!

The Tepee

Beaming With Joy

Grandma's here and we have two very happy children! Yesterday Kathy flew in from CA. She is still feeling the jet-lag today, but already the projects have started. At this very moment Grandma is sewing together a tepee for her two little Indians. We are so thankful to God for allowing her to come and be with us!

Ingenuity

My VOICE Is Back

July is almost here and our church is getting ready for "Voice". Voice is our week long intensive english course. It will be happening at School #1, the public school located in the heart of our city. (Some might even say it's the best school in the city!) We've been given permission to use the entire school from July 7th-11th. We will be having a kids camp every morning and Voice will take place in the evening. Last year 150 people came to Voice and this year we are hoping to have twice as many people. We have a great group of people coming from F.I.T.P. to help us this year. Koren's brother Curtis will be one of the guys leading the team.
Please be praying for this week of outreach. That lives would be saved by the hearing and accepting of the gospel!
Here are some pictures of school # 1 and the posters that just went up all over the city.
I also added a short video so that you can see how busy the streets are here in Chernigov. This is the same block the school is on. It's originally a 5 minute video.

Time To Shave

I don't like to shave. I probably shave 4 times a week on average. It's definitely in style not to shave. I'm thankful for that trend. But, something happened the other day that has caused me to shave more. I was out with a few others in the neighborhoods around our church inviting kids to an upcoming children's festival. Well, I came upon a bunch of kids playing football (soccer) in the street. I started talking with one of them and a bunch of them came over to see what was going on. All of a sudden a Babushka (grandma, but that word just doesn't do her justice) comes out and gives me the meanest look you could ever imagine! Then one of the kids ran up to her and showed her the invitation that I had given him. When she saw the invitation, I could see the relief come over her face! I went over to her and she told me that she was very glad that I was just giving out invitations and not drugs. She then told me that she was sure I was a drug dealer/user when she first saw me. So that's why I'm shaving more these days... Oh, and Babushka did bring her grandson to church the next day.

Jesus & The Word Of God

This is a great word, not only to pastor's but anyone that wants to be used by God. I love the simple encouragement to bring Jesus and the Word of God to the people in our lives. I hope this encourages you to do so!

Shawn thanks for posting it first and again great post!

Festival #1

Summer's here and the kids are out of school! This weekend we held our first Children's festival of the summer. It was the first of many we will put on to reach the kids of Chernigov with the gospel. We had a blast! The cool thing was that most of them came to church the next day! We had 19 new kids in our Sunday school. Please be praying for our summer as we show these little ones know how much God loves them and what His Son has done for them.

Summer = Tired Children

Podusivka

A few weeks ago Gavin and I were able to spend some time with the kids at Podusivka boarding school/orphanage. I haven't been able to visit them much lately between teaching on Sundays and being sick. I am thankful for the group that goes in faithfully every week from our church and seeks to show these little children God's love and teach them His word.