Please excuse the two pictures below. I don't know how I managed to get even one onto the blog!
I was experimenting trying to load one and gave up. I thought I would check to see if I had any comments and voila! two pictures.
I wanted to show you one picture of some of the people who meet in the Meeting room in Ivano, these are about half who have been meeting with us. Many of these people are Christians and we feel very responsible to keep contact with them and continue teaching the Word of God.
Thank you for you interest and patience.
Malcolm
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
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Real Problems in Ukraine
Dear Friends
Most of you will know about the Russia/Ukraine natural gas war that waged from January 1st when Russia turned off the gas to Ukraine. Fortunately, Ukraine had enough in storage that the gas was not shut off to the consumers.
A very fragile agreement has been signed between Russia and Ukraine for this year, but we will have to see how long it lasts without more problems .
Both Flo and I have heard of several of the Christians who have lost jobs and work being reduced to others because of the economy. Rampant rises in the price of staples and gas and oil, in spite of the lower prices of oil in the West, their gas has risen even more. Of course this affects all areas of the infrastructure.
One of the concerns of those who go to Ivano Frankivsk is the rent on the Meeting Room where meetings are held and boxes of aid are stored and distributed. The location is an excellent one but the building is owned by a bank and, of course, they are hurting and want more from their rented property. We presently pay $400 US per month and they now want $430 US per month.
We are wondering if this may be the straw that breaks the camels back, and whether we should close it and look for somewhere else.
We mention this situation as many of you pray for the work in that country and have asked to be kept up to date with regard to needs. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
I want to also mention Flo's apartment in Lviv. The situation is similar with her as the owner is more than likely to expect more rent but at the same time does nothing to improve the condition of the apartment. She is in need of a new fridge and the windows are very much in need of replacement. The apartment is very drafty and cold in the cold weather. I only mention this to show that landlords do very little to the apartments they own, and so much is left for the tennant to do.
Finally, if it were not for the people who regularly attend the meetings, both saved and baptized as well as those not yet saved, in both Lviv and Ivano Frankisk, a person could be discouraged and tempted to not return. I believe that each person who has been to Ukraine has a real love for these dear people who struggle daily to make a living and yet will travel in rain, hail or shine to hear the word of God taught.
Pray that God will exercise young couples to be led to the work in Ukraine. We need some who will will commit to living among these people.
I trust that this blog is not too depressing but I think you want to know the truth and the things that face those who go to help in the work of spreading the gospel and teaching the scriptures.
I believe that Flo is planning to return in March as well as another brother from the USA. I will not mention his name as he may not be sure yet.
God bless you all and please pray that God will will give clear direction in these matters.
Malcolm Stanley.
Personal e-mail
Most of you will know about the Russia/Ukraine natural gas war that waged from January 1st when Russia turned off the gas to Ukraine. Fortunately, Ukraine had enough in storage that the gas was not shut off to the consumers.
A very fragile agreement has been signed between Russia and Ukraine for this year, but we will have to see how long it lasts without more problems .
Both Flo and I have heard of several of the Christians who have lost jobs and work being reduced to others because of the economy. Rampant rises in the price of staples and gas and oil, in spite of the lower prices of oil in the West, their gas has risen even more. Of course this affects all areas of the infrastructure.
One of the concerns of those who go to Ivano Frankivsk is the rent on the Meeting Room where meetings are held and boxes of aid are stored and distributed. The location is an excellent one but the building is owned by a bank and, of course, they are hurting and want more from their rented property. We presently pay $400 US per month and they now want $430 US per month.
We are wondering if this may be the straw that breaks the camels back, and whether we should close it and look for somewhere else.
We mention this situation as many of you pray for the work in that country and have asked to be kept up to date with regard to needs. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
I want to also mention Flo's apartment in Lviv. The situation is similar with her as the owner is more than likely to expect more rent but at the same time does nothing to improve the condition of the apartment. She is in need of a new fridge and the windows are very much in need of replacement. The apartment is very drafty and cold in the cold weather. I only mention this to show that landlords do very little to the apartments they own, and so much is left for the tennant to do.
Finally, if it were not for the people who regularly attend the meetings, both saved and baptized as well as those not yet saved, in both Lviv and Ivano Frankisk, a person could be discouraged and tempted to not return. I believe that each person who has been to Ukraine has a real love for these dear people who struggle daily to make a living and yet will travel in rain, hail or shine to hear the word of God taught.
Pray that God will exercise young couples to be led to the work in Ukraine. We need some who will will commit to living among these people.
I trust that this blog is not too depressing but I think you want to know the truth and the things that face those who go to help in the work of spreading the gospel and teaching the scriptures.
I believe that Flo is planning to return in March as well as another brother from the USA. I will not mention his name as he may not be sure yet.
God bless you all and please pray that God will will give clear direction in these matters.
Malcolm Stanley.
Personal e-mail
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