Thursday, December 15, 2011

Dan's Reports: #5

Wednesday, December 07, 2011

Sunday had our meeting here in Ivano, 16 were out including Vadym and his Wife and daughter. Nice to see some out who haven’t been out for a while. After the meeting had dinner with Vadym and his family, it was good to see them all together as a family!
Monday called to confirm our appointment with the Mayor and Priest but they could not make it being out of the village so we reschedule for Tuesday. We then called a few of those who come to the meetings and signed up to receive clothes and then headed out to a village called Hgrushka. We were told that we would be in the Village Hall to speak to the people but instead we were taken to a small cold office room and spoke to about ten people, I do not know if this is what they meant by a village hall? Though small the meeting went quite well, they listened very carefully and afterwards were very thankful for what they heard! The Mayor said they will be having a special event and would like for us to come and speak then, she well call us, we’ll see?
Tuesday left in the morning to a village called Nigzniv to meet with the Mayor and Priest. As we arrived to the Mayor’s office no one was there so we called him and of course he was out of the village again but said the Priest will meet with us but where is he, we couldn’t find him, so we waited and when he arrived we were finally able to talk. Though we did talk it was clear by his body language and facial expression and the tone of his voice that we were not welcome by him in this village!! After a little while in talking to the man it was disturbing to see how he was using the Word of God for his own agenda and for controlling the people, truthfully it was quite disgusting to see and even to shake this man’s hand! But God is true and just and he will have to answer to Him one day soon,  hope this man turn’s from his ways and turn to the one who is The Way!

Had our evening meeting, about 11 out and listened well!
Wednesday had an appointment with the principal in school 22. We talked about having regular meetings with the Christian ethic class. He said he would like to continue to have us come but got some negative feedback from their Board of Education, he had us come without their consent. It had nothing to do with what was said but with not knowing who we our. The principal suggested that we should write a letter explaining who we are and our purpose here in Ukraine, he believes the Board will accept us into their school system and then he would like for us to come back, plan to give them a letter soon. Then later this evening I received a call from Tarrus, he came with me to talk to the Director of the prison. He was calling me to say he hasn’t heard from them yet and after some talk we hung up, less than five minutes later Tarrus called me back and said the person from the prison called him and approve our request to visit the prisoners, we will go next week to plan the dates.

Thank you for all your prayers! Please continue, need prayers in all these meetings and the Lord’s protection and guidance !!
In Christ our Lord!
Dan

Dan's Reports: #4

Thursday, 27 of November
Made plans to go to the Bible Society in Lviv to pick up New Testaments, only one problem, I didn’t know how to get there. With Ruslan (who normally picks the Bibles up) away working in Vohkovena adding two washrooms to a large school building, I had no one to guide me there. Left later than planned but with the help of Google maps and Svetlana, was able to print out directions but then had another problem, it’s in Ukrainian! Did not let that stop me and so I left alone for Lviv. As I got near I then had another problem, they have no street names anywhere, why? Ukraine!  Well, after tipping a taxi driver he led me to the Bible Society. A round trip that took about five plus hours, felt like a long day!
 Friday had scheduled a meeting at a village called Nizheniv to speak at the village hall. Called to verify and they said it was ok. Once we got there though the lady who we thought was the Mayor was second in command and said the Mayor did not like this idea and would like to talk before we have the meeting, it had to be a phone conversation for he was away at the time. He was very hostile over the phone and was not welcoming at all. He is a new Mayor and wants to play it right by the priest. We ended up making another appointment with the Mayor and the Greek Catholic Priest, whatever the priest says goes. We will meet with them on Monday, when we also have plans to speak at another village hall nearby that same afternoon. I pray God’s protection and guidance!
 Saturday left early to the children’s meeting to invite any kids I see around the school. Still not many out but more are hearing about these meetings, I sometimes think God is giving me what I can handle, still in the learning process! Thanks to Ruth Perkins for sending me direction to some games to play with the kids! If anyone has ideas or knows a game to play with the kids, let me know! Did some sweeping and mopping in the van, well over due and then tried to find a carwash but seems like everyone in town had the same idea but got her done and she looks squeaky clean!
Pray for these meetings on Monday and for our meetings here in Ivano- Frankivsk!! Thank You!!
In Christ our Lord!
Dan

Dan's Reports: #3

Saturday, 26 of November
Had our children’s meeting, five were out for the first time. We started with a game that was all inclusive and worked out quite well, they really enjoyed it. After the message the two girls stayed talking with Svetlana while I played with the three rowdy boys. After the meeting I drove two of the kids’ home, these two were also coming out to the summer meetings but did not know about the gym meetings. Svetlana also seemed to enjoy talking to the girls, she just may grow a heart for children (I don’t think she likes them).
Sunday had our meeting here in Ivano, went well about 12 were out. This was the first Sunday with the new time and as can be expected two more came at the old time after the meeting. I announced at the meeting we will be distributing the clothes a little different, instead of having them call one person for the clothes we will be calling them. Not sure how this will all work out with the language barrier but it is in God’s hands and will be praying for his help!
Monday we visited three villages and talked with two of the Mayors and one with the Mayor's assistant. We were able to make two appointments, one on Wednesday with the school and the other on Friday; we will speak at the Village hall. We will visit the other village next week to speak at their hall.
Tuesday went to pick up the hymn books that we had printed but found out that there was a miss print in the title and will have to wait till they call me. I also had the six tracts proof read, found errors and retuned them for printing,  I hope to have both by the end of the week? Had our meeting, about ten out and was good to see Andre out again, if it works out I’m hoping to have dinner with him some time this week.
 Wednesday we left Ivano early morning to the school in a village called Olesha. Two classes were planned one for younger kids and one for the teens but after the first class they asked us if they can add a third class to the schedule, we of course said yes! Each class had about 40 students and was 45 minutes long. All of the classes went very well and the staff were very polite and welcomed us to come again soon. Each of the kids received a Bible text, a New Testament and some treats,  2 boxes of clothes were also given to the coordinator. This extra class cause Svetlana to miss her own class at school and she said she stayed up late to finish her homework, but said it was worth missing. She is going for her masters in economics.
Please pray for the meeting on Friday at the village hall and for our local meetings and clothes distribution. And for Svetlana, that she may also receive the message she’s interpreting!!
In Christ our Lord!
Dan

Dan's Reports: #2

Now that Louie and Malcolm and Howard had come and gone the feel and mood here has change, it’s no longer quite the same! God has truly used these men here in this little town! They along with Eric and others who have come have had a big impact on the lives of the people here. Many do not read their own Bible or understand the Word of God or the Love of God or how to love God and live a Christian life. This is where these men had the greatest impact in teaching them both by word and by deeds!  May God bless these men and may others step forward so to be used by God as these men have!  A big Thank You for their example!
Thursday the 18 was students’ day. There was a dj in the center square and in many of the fast food places and students walking all through the town at the same time, it did seem a little odd until I found out what was going on.
We are no longer having a Thursday meeting since the men have left. If the time comes when a Thursday meeting is desired then we will start again  when visitors come.
On Friday we had our meeting with the Director of the prison. The meeting went well but very strict and went by the book (it always helps if you have connections, we didn’t). They will send our documents along with a copy of my passport to Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. If they approve, it will only give us a two week period in December and we will have a chance to visit four prisons, all this work just for two weeks, pray God will bless this time!!
Saturday not many were out for the children’s meeting. We had a big whopping three and this is including us, but still took advantage of an open and empty gym! Earlier this week I had posted invitations on nearby apartment buildings for the meetings, then after the meeting I went back and most of the invites were already taken down, most likely the day after they were put up.
On Sunday we stayed in Ivano and had our meeting, the time will change since lviv changed their time from 12 to 10, ours will change from 4:30 to 3:00. Lighter than usual since some are sick but was still a good meeting and nice to see Michalo out again. He will be going into the hospital for two weeks to check for problems he has been having since his eye surgery.
Had a good meeting on Wednesday about 10 and was very glad to see Andre out (Vadym’s Father In-law). His daughter got married this past weekend and said he will like to make it to the meetings more often and will try to come next week, do hope to see him again!
Pray that the Lord will protect this little gathering here in Ivano and the outreach to the schools and orphanages and prisons and for the people to people relationships that are still developing. All are in great need of prayer and God’s intervention!!
In Christ our Lord
dan