Dan's Reports: #19

Monday the 19 of March 2012 #46

 Left in the morning to a village over the mountains called Verhovina; a 2 and a half hour drive one way. We visited a school with more than 400 kids; many are orphans and live there. At the school the Director showed us the washrooms that were built in the main part of the school, all expenses paid for by fellow Christians with a care for the children in Ukraine.  Thank you to them for their help! The ground is still frozen, so they are unable to connect to the main sewage pipe in town but hope to have the washrooms working by the begging of the school year. The director said that they have received the most help from us and not from the government or businesses and was very thankful! We then spoke to about 150-200 kids; then gave them a few boxes of clothing.

Tuesday visited a man in the hospital name Ivan; he came to a number of meetings always asked good questions but we haven’t seen him in months. As we talked with him in the hospital once again he had questions, one was about baptism another was about if he will go to heaven. He said he will come to the meeting once he gets better; it would be nice to see him coming again.

Had our meeting and 18 were out and listened well. After the meeting had a late dinner with a woman named Arisa who we often call the “rabbit lady”, though she also has chicken and goats. But when the visiting brethren come it is the rabbit that is prepared for dinner, hence her nick name and yes there was rabbit for dinner (I did not eat the poor thing).

Wednesday we visited and Orphanage for mentally ill girls in a town called Colamia.  We met with the Director then spoke to the kids with the best understanding and a number of teachers. The Director told us that much of their help comes from businesses and wealthy families, little help from the government. Though these kids are mentally ill they listened very well and there is no doubt that the Word of God can speak to them in ways we are not about to, it was good to have this opportunity to speak to them! While in Colamia we picked up a part that we needed for the van. The roads in town were terrible and could only hope the van continues to hold up! Then came back to Ivano and tried to visit with a few families from a list of names that the hospital gave, Tania who works there came with us and was our interpreter. Most were not at home and will try again on another day.

Thursday met with Edmond, Agnes and Ruslan for dinner before our meeting, both Ruslan and Edmond spoke. It was very good that Ruslan shared his testimony, was the first time we heard it.  It is also important for Ukrainians to hear a Ukrainian testimony and to know it can even happen to them! 25 total out and listened well!

  We plan to speak at a gipsy camp on Monday would ask for your prayers once again, Thank you for all your prayers!!

In Christ our Lord!

Louie, Dan

Dan's Reports: #18

Thursday the 15 of March  #45

Headed out early morning to a town called Dolenna, we should have been there at 8:30 as the plan was to speak to 5 classes but as we were leaving I noticed the van was tipping to one side so I got out to take a look, it was a flat tire. It must of happened on our way back from Lviv last night, was very thankful to the Lord that kept if from going flat till the morning where there was light which made it much easier to change!

We missed our first class but had three others, the last class wanted to stay so we had them twice. The Christian Ethic’s teacher said all the students we spoke to would like us to come again, this was very good to hear! All the students received an N/T, bible text and a gospel tract and before leaving we gave a few boxes of clothes for the poor. Dolenna has over 10,000 people, it’s about an hour away from Ivano and we hope to continue good relations with this school and speak in other areas of the town.

We then had our evening meeting, about 17 out and listened well!

Friday  we went to a village called Olesha, where we were planning to speak to three classes but they forgot we were coming. They still gathered up about 50 teens plus 2 teachers and the principal all in one class room. After our messages and after the bell rang they continued to sit and wanted us to continue speaking, so we spoke for more than an hour and they all listened well. Having been there recently they have already received N/T and text, we gave a few boxes of clothes and were asked to come again, this is good!

Saturday we had another day of practicing new hymns, 5 came out and are slowly picking them up. Then we met with Oleg and Ola for dinner. Louie and I invited Tania to come with us (she works at the hospital and the bible is all new to her). We had a good time together and had a brief but good talk about salvation.

Sunday we met with a family from Hgrushka for lunch at their house. Uri (the husband) talked about some of his struggles. Louie and I were showing scriptures on knowing God’s salvation is sure and certain once you receive it you have it forever, you can never lose it!

We then brought him and his wife to our meeting, 18 were out. Louie spoke on the miracles of Christ and I on “Never man spoke like this man.” On the way back to his house one of the things Uri said was that the meeting was about Jesus, not about our lives. Not sure what he meant by it but am glad that what he could see was that Jesus was the focus of our meeting!

Pray for this family and for Tania and for all our visits! Continue to pray for Svetlana our interpreter and her husband for their Salvation, Thank You!

In Christ our Lord

Louie and Dan

Dan's Reports: #17

Monday the 12 of March  #44

Headed out to a village called Hgrushka were we spoke at the village hall on Sunday but will be speaking at the school today. As we arrived we spoke to the vice principal that got things ready for us but had to wait, they were having a play and reading poems in honor of their famous poet name Shevchenko. When they were finished we spoke to about 100 students and the teachers. For a large group of kids they listened very well and were very well behaved! They all received a N/T, bible text and a gospel tract. As we went to say goodbye to the Mayor, she asked if we could talk to a family in the village that was having some problems, we said of course!

As we got near the house the wife was waiting on the road to meet us and lead us to their house. There was the husband (Yuri) and wife (Oksana) and her little sister and their mother, with an 8 month old boy and a 3 year old girl. We talked for about an hour and a half, Yuri shared with us how he received Christ while in prison. They were very willing to talk and we hope to talk to them again and bring them to the meeting.

Tuesday went to a village called Sari Lissets where Luba’s mother in law lives, (we call it Luba’s village, it’s easier to remember.) As we came into the village we met with Luba’s mother in-law, she is an 83 year old lady who still walks her cows to the pasture every day. Louie and I talked with her a little about knowing Christ as her Savior, not sure if she understood much but she did smile.

At the school we spoke to about 60 to 70 kids. We received a very warm welcome and were asked to come back, we were also asked if we can speak at their summer camp for two weeks in June, a huge open door!! 

We came back and had lunch with Yaroslav and his wife (Halia). Made it back for our meeting, 20 in total and one younger woman for the first time name Tania (she works at one of the hospitals we visited). We were then invited by one of the ladies (Maria) for dinner with her son, Paul at their home. By the time we came back to the apartment we were filled with food to over flowing, made it difficult for sleeping, good food but a little late to eat.

We went to Lviv on Wednesday afternoon, where we met with Vladimir and then had dinner before the Lviv meeting. At the meeting Josh and Steven, the two American young men, spoke; they will be going back to the States on Friday, it was good to see them again before they left. After the meeting we picked up the New Testaments we had ordered from Ruslan. We then headed back to Ivano. With the Lord’s protection we made it back safely in one piece, though late!

Pray for Tania; as much or all of what she heard was new to her. and for the Lord’s continual help with each and every meeting!!

In Christ our Lord

Louie, Dan

Dan's Reports: #16

Thursday the 8 of March

Met with a woman name Maria, she has some disease that keeps her from walking. She has been visited for years by the Christians who come to Ukraine. She said she would like to come to the meetings and ask if I could pick her up one day, I said no problem! (When she was able to walk she came to the meetings but not since I have been here) We also had a good talk as she asked about Marry having other children. Louie gave her a few verse showing Jesus step brothers being mention, this was helpful to her and new to Svetlana our interpreter. Then had plans to meet with one woman that lives in the apartment building where we have the meetings but no one was home. We then had our meeting, 17 in total.

Friday took Louie to a pool in the morning where he went swimming, down one of the slides, whirl pool and sauna. I think it did him good, he came out looking 10 years younger! Then invited those at the meeting to come and practice singing some new hymns, about 5 came (no one called the police on us for public disturbance which was good!).

Saturday got ready to distribute clothing to those that come to the meetings, about 16 came, though it got a little crowded and stuffy it went well! Then met with Oleg and had a good talk over dinner at a pizza place about understanding Bible verse on marriage. He then invited us over his house for dessert and then continue talking about the Bible. There is a real thirst that can be seen in Oleg in wanting to understand the Bible and grow in his relationship with the Lord, we pray it continues!

Sunday, we were invited to speak at a town called Hgrushka. We spoke to the people after their special event. It was in a village hall with no heat, during their event some were coming and others started to leave because of the cold. We waited longer than expected; they were singing songs about one of their famous poet’s and reading their own poems. By the time we spoke there were about 50 in the hall. We then gave to all N/T bible text and a gospel tract; some had questions about what we teach and said they would like to hear more. The mayor asked if we can have coffee but we had to get back to Ivano for our meeting. We rushed back barely made it on time but there were still some waiting, about 23 in total and after the meeting had a nice talk with Yaroslav.

Thank You all for your prayers!! Continue to pray for all the meetings here in Ivano that we would see fruits in salvation and spiritual growth, and in all our visitations! We are also waiting permission to visit the prisons while Louie and Malcolm are here in Ukraine.

In Christ our Lord

Louie, Dan

Dan's Reports: #15

Sunday, the 4 of March #42

We headed up to Lviv early this morning with 3 from Ivano, one of them was coming
for the first time.
We had a good time with the Lords people. Two young men are visiting from the
States, Steven and Josh. Would be nice to see even more interest from a younger
group of people with a heart to reach the people of Ukraine!
With the roads as bad as they are, we cannot stay too long so left soon after the
breaking of bread. We made it back to Ivano in time for our meeting with a total of
21 people out. After the meeting we had cake and ice cream to welcome Louis back
to Ivano!
Monday made a few calls to some schools but because of the holiday later in the
week they recommended to call the following Monday to plan our visits. The holiday
is called, Women’s Day, all government buildings are closed on this day (anything for
a day off!).
Tuesday we met with the man to get permission to have meetings at the prisons
while Louie and Malcolm are here; then came back to the apartment and revised the
document needed.
We then met for dinner with those coming from Lviv to help in the meeting. It’s
always great for the people here to hear a new voice; Josh and Steven and then
Edmond spoke at the meeting. Afterwards had cake and ice cream to welcome these
visitors to Ivano and was great to see Flo from Canada out too, she just arrived on
Monday. There were 23 in total at the meeting.
Wednesday we had our first visit of the day with a woman name Oksana. She has
been in the hospital for the last 2 months, I think for some kind of mental problems
she has had for years. Later her father came and had a good talk with us both. He
share a little with us how he got his first Bible during communism; it was nice to hear
them both and it seems that they both know the Lord.
Then visited a woman name Antilina at the hospital who was coming to the
meetings. The Bible is very new to her and it was good that Louis gave a breakdown
of how to read and understand the Bible. As Louis prayed before we were leaving
there was a young girl in the room and I notice she bowed her head also, later I ask
her if she speaks English, she said she did and that she was a Christian and knows
Jesus Christ as her Savior. This was great to hear and a rare find here in Ukraine.
Then visited with a women name Natalie who has M.S., though she is severely
handicapped, she is a very pleasant person. Her mother is a music teacher and
played for us a Ukrainian song on the accordion.

We would value prayers for meetings we plan to have at a village on Sunday and
Monday and for our meetings here in Ivano. Also for the home visits, that in all there
would be blessings of salvation for these dear people! Thank You!

In Christ our Lord!
Louie, dan

Dan's Reports: #14

Monday the 27 of February

We got up early morning, Vladimir, Tarras and I, and went to the mountains for a day
of skiing. Have been trying to plan trips like this to build relationships but with
the life being so busy it does not always work and though we started off with 7
possibly going it ended up with the 3 of us. Very good condition for skiing and a great
time spent together! And no broken bones, God did bless!!

Tuesday Vladimir and I woke up quite sore, he more than I. Then got ready for the
meeting, it was great that Vladimir was willing to speak after me. For some in our
meeting this would have been the first time hearing a gospel message in Ukrainian
and by a Ukrainian with no interruptions (interpreting). This was Vladimir’s First time
speaking here in Ivano and they were all very attentive. It was good that the people
here heard a gospel message by a Ukrainian and for them to know this is not a
message by foreigners. The best way to reach the Ukrainian people is by using
Ukrainian people! Then after the meeting we went ice skating and once again God
blessed it, no broken bones!!

Thursday took Vladimir to the bus station as he headed back to Lviv, a sad day!

While he was here we met a number of people and had nice talks; most of them
were in the twenty something generation and both of us can see great opportunities
in reaching this group of people. But yet he is leaving to go back to Lviv and my time
is coming to an end shortly, here in Ukraine but all is in God’s hands and He holds the
future!

Then I called Svetlana and bought some prescriptions and visited with a lady name
Antelina. She was coming to the meetings but is now sick, she said she would like to
be there. I told her we can meet at her home and read the Bible together if she likes?
The Bible is very new to her; most of her life was lived under communism. It would
be good to spend some time sharing and showing God’s Plan of Salvation to her!!

On Friday, Louis Smith arrived safe in Lviv and I will be bringing him to Ivano on
Sunday.

Continue to pray for God’s protection and blessings while Louis is here and for
guidance and wisdom in where to go and with whom to meet! Thank You!!

In Christ our Lord.

Dan.

Monday the 20 of February,

Met with the people at Board of Education, apparently they sent me a letter that I
never received, well; my request was denied but was thankful for the time they
spent and for taking the time to talk with me.

Tuesday went early morning to a sanatorium in a town called Yassen. Luba and her
son and one of the mothers came with as we were picking up 4 girls and bringing
them back home to Ivano. In the sanatorium we had a meeting with about 50 kids,
all listened well and seem to enjoy the time. All the kids received a N/T, bible text
and a gospel tract and this time no clothes were ask for but table games so bought
some for them. The Director sat in for the entire message then invited us for some
lunch before we left.

Just as we were leaving a girl about 7 or 8 ran out in a panic because she did not
receive a N/T, as I move the van in the direction to leave, she looked will horror
thinking she would not have a N/T but I stopped and gave her one and a text.

She cried as I think she really thought she wouldn’t receive one.

We left with a full van load for a 2 hour trip though the “minefields” of potholes,
back to Ivano. We then had our evening meeting with about 8 out, several now are
sick. Afterwards had a nice talk with Yaroslav, he too is not feeling well but said he
felt good enough to come to the meeting.

Thursday spent the afternoon looking for parts for the van; was thankful to have
Tarras with me to help with the communication plus it helps having a native with you
to keep the prices fair!

Sunday got ready for the meeting here in Ivano, for the second time Sasha
interpreted for me. Svetlana had plans but they were canceled and so it was good to
see her too at the meeting and she was also able to help some.

Then had dinner with Oleg and Ola and once again had a good talk about the church
and its function. Ola is now asking about and commenting on what is said in these
last few discussions, this is very good! Later that evening Vladimir came from Lviv
and will stay for a few days here in Ivano.

Thank you all for your prayers and support!

In Christ our Lord, Dan.

Dan's Reports: #13

Monday the 13 of February #39

I had a Ukrainian lesson today then had dinner with Tarras in the evening. Had a good talk mostly about making God the center of our lives and in the decisions  we make in life. He listened well and then said I should have my own radio station, not sure if that’s good?

Tuesday had our evening meeting about 10 out and listened well! It looks like most enjoy the snacks and the time to talk after the meeting, this is good!

Wednesday had another Ukrainian lesson then met with a women name Tania, she has shown some interest in wanting to speak English and with the work we do here in Ukraine. I have invited her and her friend to the meetings, they would like to come they say but haven’t yet, hope they will soon!

Thursday had a visit with the Mayor in a Village called Petrilliv. Had a good talk with her; as she shared a story of a friend that was ill and took the advice of her priest and started to pray, the illness somehow went away. I told her that God does heal but God wants to do more than heal our bodies from disease God wants to cleanse our soul from sins! She is a very nice woman and listens well. Before leaving to visit the school I gave a few boxes of clothing and bedding. I then spoke to the kids at the school. Afterwards the principal told me of a little girl about 6yr. with Down syndrome  who needs help to get tests and paper work done in order for her to get small ( but better than nothing) support from the government, I do plan on helping.

Friday went to Lviv for the weekend and stayed with Edmond and Agnes from Ireland, looked for needed parts for the van with Vladimir. Saturday Edmond, Vladimir and I spent most of the day working on making a tract for the Euro 2012 in Lviv this summer(soccer games). Thousands  are expected to come mostly from Western Europe.

Then we headed out to get something to eat and Vladimir’s mother joined us. After dropping them off I hit a pothole and flattened a front tire, got the spare on and made it back safe to Edmund’s, what a way to end a long day!

Sunday morning had the tire fixed before the meeting. Was good to be with the Lord’s people on the Lord’s Day remembering the Lord! (It’s all about Him isn’t it?). My first time speaking at the new hall, it looks good!

I then left right after the meeting to make it in time for the meeting in Ivano.  With the snow now melting there are new potholes everywhere, it looks like a minefield. This took a lot of time along with the two stops from the police, (thankful for Vladimir’s help over the phone!).

Sorry to say I did not make it on time but there were still some waiting, about 12 out including three men, after the meeting spent some time with Sasha Oleg’s son.

Louie Smith and Flo Kancir are planning to arrive in March, pray for their safety and blessings while they are here in Ukraine!

Please continue to pray for this small little gathering and for the relationships that are developing that all may be to the honor and glory of our great God! Thank You Much for all your prayers!!!

Dan.