September 19, 2012
#53
Wednesday) Left early morning to a town called Vinnitsa, it is a larger town than
Ivano-Frankivsk but smaller than Lviv. It took five hours to get there and I stayed for a few days.
I was invited to a conference that was being held there that deals with Emmaus Bible study
materials for adults and children in the Eastern European countries. Half of the group were
from Ukraine the other half were from Moldova, Belarus and Russia. The key speaker was from
Russia and spoke on the development and difficulties of the evangelical movement in Russia
and Ukraine. They told me there would be someone there to interpret the messages for me but
when I got there they were hard pressed to find someone who was not too embarrass to make
a few mistakes with their English grammar. In spite of this language barrier the time there went
very well!!
Sunday was the first day back from Vinnitsa and got ready for the afternoon meeting.
It was good to see the two young girls out at the meeting, Maria and Tania. There was some
talk that started before the meeting about voting. It is also voting season here and I was asked
if is it right for Christians to vote, well I just gave them the two points of view and let them
answer this question for themselves. Though some were tired at the meeting and one fell
asleep, the others listened very well I thought. One lady even thanked me on the way out and
said it was a good topic, which was nice.
After the meeting Oleg and Olah invited me to their home to help in making dinner. Oleg and I
made chicken with rice and carrots with some raisins. I thought it came out very good, though
took longer than I would like. We ate late, we talked till late in the evening and it was a late
night but a very good time!!
Monday) In the morning Meest came with some boxes that came from New Harbour
Canada. A big thank you to them for their care!! Then made some appointments to visit some
school this week; after dinner I started the sorting process with the boxes.
I then got a call back from Tarras, he said he was busy early at the time I called him and he
asked if we can go to the park and exercise, so we did. As we were walking back to our homes
we talked a little more about salvation, he is still interested and still searching, I hope this
continue to grow!!
Tuesday) sorted more of the boxes and had to get the apartment ready for meeting
tonight. Had to stick some of the boxes in the kitchen for lack of space in the bedroom where
most of the boxes are. It is a small apartment and does create a problem. This is a good
problem to have, that people from the other side of the world would care so much as to send
these boxes and help in this way; as well as in other ways. It is a great blessing to many people
here!
We had a good meeting, the people listened well and I found out that some want to start again
the Saturdays singing, where we got together to learn and practice new hymns. We’ll see what
happens when the others arrive.
Do plan on visiting some places this week and some new places, would ask for prayer with this
visits and for Tarras! Thank You!
IN CHRIST OUR LORD!
Dan
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Friday, September 21, 2012
Dan Update - Sept 14
September 14, 2012
Friday - Good to be back in Ivano, came back last night and had a good night’s rest! Started
the day with washing clothes in a old Soviet style washing machine at the apartment that has
seven cycles for cotton and as far as I know all but one washes for three hours. I am thankful for
the one which is only one hour, I did three loads which already took a long time, then did some
errands throughout the day.
Saturday) did one more wash, know the task is always finding places to hang them to dry
(no drier).
I then called some people for the meeting tomorrow; did my best in speaking to them in
Ukrainian just hope they understood me? Then Visited Oleg and had a good long talk about the
local church, many things he seems to understand but I think to myself it would be good for him
to see such a gatherings in practice, hopefully here in Ivano someday! Today was Father’s day
and everyone but Oleg’s family remembered it, so I thought it would be nice to treat him to a
Father’s day dinner.
I had to buy a new sim card for my IPhone and the young lady said it was easy to activate, it
wasn’t as easy as the young lady said! After exhausting all my patience I decided to call Tarras, a
young man that works as a guide at the government building. He was very willing to help and
came right away but he too was having the same problem as I was, but knowing the Ukrainian
language he got it activated. This phone is amazing and works great out here and excellent for
translating languages, thanks to the Corduan family! Well Tarras and I had a good long talk
about the Gospel, he was very active in the conversation and listened very well , he is definitely
searching! After a few hours he left on very good terms, Praise God!!
Sunday) Got ready for meeting this afternoon. Svetlana may not make it today so will be
using Maria for interpreting. She is an English teacher in one of the local schools in town and
has been used before by some of the others who came to Ukraine. She came early so we could
look at some of the passages of scripture, but as she came to the door others were there also.
As she and I were talking about the passages, one of the ladies said why are we not starting the
meeting, I told her the meeting starts at 3:30 she said no at 3:00. Then I realized they had not
understood my Ukrainian accent, I guess my 3:30 sounded like 3:00.
I called only about five people and more than 15 were at the meeting, I was very surprised and
felt it was a good sign!
Monday) had an appointment at the auto repair shop (they call it here CTO) to drop off
the van for them to check the valve cover and clean the engine. They said would take all day
and will call me when it was ready. I then met with Svetlana and we looked for new schools and
orphanages and did find a few to call. I then I got the call that the van was ready to pick up.
Then Oleg and I went to his garage to pick up some of the boxes that we kept there. We took
about half and came back to the apartment. Sorting them out always makes for a late night!!
Tuesday) had another meeting today and used Svetlana to interpret, this would be the first
time she interpreted in over a month and she did well. Not as many out this time but was very glad to see Tarras there!! They all seemed to listen well even Tarras. After the meeting he
stayed behind and we had another very good talk about the gospel! During our talk he asked a
question in a very somber tone “how can I be saved?”. These are words that bring great delight
to any Christian’s ears! He knows more of the Bible than most Ukrainian people and seems to
think salvation is far away but I told him that he does not have to wait any longer for God has
brought salvation near to all men and says today, now is the day of Salvation(2Cor.5:2). He
thanked me for taking the time to talk with him and said it was very helpful!
Please pray for this young man Tarras, I truly believe he is at the door and that he will fully
trust in Christ alone for his salvation! Also for the local meetings and planning for the visitations
with the schools and orphanages! Thank You!!
IN CHRIST OUR LORD!
Dan
Friday - Good to be back in Ivano, came back last night and had a good night’s rest! Started
the day with washing clothes in a old Soviet style washing machine at the apartment that has
seven cycles for cotton and as far as I know all but one washes for three hours. I am thankful for
the one which is only one hour, I did three loads which already took a long time, then did some
errands throughout the day.
Saturday) did one more wash, know the task is always finding places to hang them to dry
(no drier).
I then called some people for the meeting tomorrow; did my best in speaking to them in
Ukrainian just hope they understood me? Then Visited Oleg and had a good long talk about the
local church, many things he seems to understand but I think to myself it would be good for him
to see such a gatherings in practice, hopefully here in Ivano someday! Today was Father’s day
and everyone but Oleg’s family remembered it, so I thought it would be nice to treat him to a
Father’s day dinner.
I had to buy a new sim card for my IPhone and the young lady said it was easy to activate, it
wasn’t as easy as the young lady said! After exhausting all my patience I decided to call Tarras, a
young man that works as a guide at the government building. He was very willing to help and
came right away but he too was having the same problem as I was, but knowing the Ukrainian
language he got it activated. This phone is amazing and works great out here and excellent for
translating languages, thanks to the Corduan family! Well Tarras and I had a good long talk
about the Gospel, he was very active in the conversation and listened very well , he is definitely
searching! After a few hours he left on very good terms, Praise God!!
Sunday) Got ready for meeting this afternoon. Svetlana may not make it today so will be
using Maria for interpreting. She is an English teacher in one of the local schools in town and
has been used before by some of the others who came to Ukraine. She came early so we could
look at some of the passages of scripture, but as she came to the door others were there also.
As she and I were talking about the passages, one of the ladies said why are we not starting the
meeting, I told her the meeting starts at 3:30 she said no at 3:00. Then I realized they had not
understood my Ukrainian accent, I guess my 3:30 sounded like 3:00.
I called only about five people and more than 15 were at the meeting, I was very surprised and
felt it was a good sign!
Monday) had an appointment at the auto repair shop (they call it here CTO) to drop off
the van for them to check the valve cover and clean the engine. They said would take all day
and will call me when it was ready. I then met with Svetlana and we looked for new schools and
orphanages and did find a few to call. I then I got the call that the van was ready to pick up.
Then Oleg and I went to his garage to pick up some of the boxes that we kept there. We took
about half and came back to the apartment. Sorting them out always makes for a late night!!
Tuesday) had another meeting today and used Svetlana to interpret, this would be the first
time she interpreted in over a month and she did well. Not as many out this time but was very glad to see Tarras there!! They all seemed to listen well even Tarras. After the meeting he
stayed behind and we had another very good talk about the gospel! During our talk he asked a
question in a very somber tone “how can I be saved?”. These are words that bring great delight
to any Christian’s ears! He knows more of the Bible than most Ukrainian people and seems to
think salvation is far away but I told him that he does not have to wait any longer for God has
brought salvation near to all men and says today, now is the day of Salvation(2Cor.5:2). He
thanked me for taking the time to talk with him and said it was very helpful!
Please pray for this young man Tarras, I truly believe he is at the door and that he will fully
trust in Christ alone for his salvation! Also for the local meetings and planning for the visitations
with the schools and orphanages! Thank You!!
IN CHRIST OUR LORD!
Dan
Dan Update - Sept 9
Sunday, September 09, 2012
Sunday I headed up to Lviv in the morning but just before I got to Volodia’s apartment I made
a wrong tune and though I knew I was only blocks away. I could not find his apartment and was
in so much of a hurry so not to be late for the meeting I couldn’t focus on reading the street
names. So I stopped one lady walking by to ask her if she can tell Volodia over the phone what
street I was on. She looked at me as if I had three heads and walked away. Some other people
that I stopped took me as their own family and even came in the van to take me where Volodia
was. We then picked up another family for the meeting.
The meeting was small and sweet and in the presence of The Lord!! After the meeting Volodia
and I went back to the airport to see if there was any information about my luggage, they told
me that my luggage will be in tomorrow, this was good to hear!
I spent the night at Volodia’s. His mother has been working in Russia for the past three
months and will go back in two weeks for another three months. She was coming into Lviv on
train, after a 24 hour train ride. We met her at the station and they both were very happy to
see each other! We then went back to the airport to pick up my luggage and once again no
luggage! They told me that my luggage somehow went to Moscow but was sent back to Vienna
and that is where they lost track of it, well at least they apologized. Spent some time with
Volodia and his mother and spent another night there.
I feel like nothing will get done in Ivano, I have spent most of my time in Lviv , though the time
has been well spent I do feel a need to be in Ivano!
Tuesday) we all decided to go to Ivano where much cleaning and sorting out the boxes
needed to be done, so to Ivano we went. I had been hearing much squeaking as the brakes are
pressed with the van so I went to the place we go for the van to check the brakes while Volodia
and his mother(Olah) stayed at the apartment. At the shop they told me it will take one hour to
change the brakes so I thought I’d wait but it was almost three hours later before I left. Got
back and we all went out for something to eat and to show Olah Ivano. This was her first time in
this town. Went back to the apartment and sorted boxes for the rest of the evening.
Wednesday morning I had made another appointment at the shop to check the engine,
there was oil coming from some valve and spraying the engine. They said it would take three
hours so I dropped it off. Then they called and said it would take at the least one full day, so I
went back to pick up the van for we were going back to Lviv and will try to make it for the
prayer meeting tonight. While I was away to and from the shop Olah and Volodia did a lot of
the cleaning and dusting and wash things, this was a big help!! We left for Lviv and Volodia and
I made it just after they started the meeting,
It was good to see Edmund and Agnes back from Ireland. After the meeting Volodia and Olah
compelled me to stay another night in Lviv and so I did.
Thursday we did some things in Lviv, met and had coffee with a friend of theirs at a place
where they make all kinds of chocolate and they also wrap them there. It was four floors, each
floor had glass to see the production and a place to eat.
Before I left Lviv I thought I would go to the airport once again but once again no luggage. Had
plan to leave but Volodia and his mother asked if I would take them to the store and while
there guess what, the airport called and said my luggage was there, we hurried through the
store to see if it was true and I couldn’t believe it, it was true! Was happy that I stayed in Lviv a
little longer before leaving to Ivano!
Had a good time with Volodia and his mother Olah and some good serious talks! Pray for
them both and Oleg her husband how works in Poland for God to guide this family and for
spiritual growth and protection!!
IN CHRIST OUR LORD!!
Dan
Sunday I headed up to Lviv in the morning but just before I got to Volodia’s apartment I made
a wrong tune and though I knew I was only blocks away. I could not find his apartment and was
in so much of a hurry so not to be late for the meeting I couldn’t focus on reading the street
names. So I stopped one lady walking by to ask her if she can tell Volodia over the phone what
street I was on. She looked at me as if I had three heads and walked away. Some other people
that I stopped took me as their own family and even came in the van to take me where Volodia
was. We then picked up another family for the meeting.
The meeting was small and sweet and in the presence of The Lord!! After the meeting Volodia
and I went back to the airport to see if there was any information about my luggage, they told
me that my luggage will be in tomorrow, this was good to hear!
I spent the night at Volodia’s. His mother has been working in Russia for the past three
months and will go back in two weeks for another three months. She was coming into Lviv on
train, after a 24 hour train ride. We met her at the station and they both were very happy to
see each other! We then went back to the airport to pick up my luggage and once again no
luggage! They told me that my luggage somehow went to Moscow but was sent back to Vienna
and that is where they lost track of it, well at least they apologized. Spent some time with
Volodia and his mother and spent another night there.
I feel like nothing will get done in Ivano, I have spent most of my time in Lviv , though the time
has been well spent I do feel a need to be in Ivano!
Tuesday) we all decided to go to Ivano where much cleaning and sorting out the boxes
needed to be done, so to Ivano we went. I had been hearing much squeaking as the brakes are
pressed with the van so I went to the place we go for the van to check the brakes while Volodia
and his mother(Olah) stayed at the apartment. At the shop they told me it will take one hour to
change the brakes so I thought I’d wait but it was almost three hours later before I left. Got
back and we all went out for something to eat and to show Olah Ivano. This was her first time in
this town. Went back to the apartment and sorted boxes for the rest of the evening.
Wednesday morning I had made another appointment at the shop to check the engine,
there was oil coming from some valve and spraying the engine. They said it would take three
hours so I dropped it off. Then they called and said it would take at the least one full day, so I
went back to pick up the van for we were going back to Lviv and will try to make it for the
prayer meeting tonight. While I was away to and from the shop Olah and Volodia did a lot of
the cleaning and dusting and wash things, this was a big help!! We left for Lviv and Volodia and
I made it just after they started the meeting,
It was good to see Edmund and Agnes back from Ireland. After the meeting Volodia and Olah
compelled me to stay another night in Lviv and so I did.
Thursday we did some things in Lviv, met and had coffee with a friend of theirs at a place
where they make all kinds of chocolate and they also wrap them there. It was four floors, each
floor had glass to see the production and a place to eat.
Before I left Lviv I thought I would go to the airport once again but once again no luggage. Had
plan to leave but Volodia and his mother asked if I would take them to the store and while
there guess what, the airport called and said my luggage was there, we hurried through the
store to see if it was true and I couldn’t believe it, it was true! Was happy that I stayed in Lviv a
little longer before leaving to Ivano!
Had a good time with Volodia and his mother Olah and some good serious talks! Pray for
them both and Oleg her husband how works in Poland for God to guide this family and for
spiritual growth and protection!!
IN CHRIST OUR LORD!!
Dan
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Update from Dan - Sept 4
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Arrived safe in Lviv, also went through customs ok, thought they held me back a little
longer than the others, being one of the last one to go through but can’t say the same for my
luggage. As I waited and waited and then the only one waiting for luggage, I started to get a
little suspicious. I then asked one of the baggage handlers about my luggage; they tried to look
it up in the computer but nowhere to be found in the system, not a good sign! Well, all they
could tell me is maybe it will come in tomorrow? Then I was picked up by Ruslan and Volodia
with our Vito (van) that we use in Ivano, the scary thing about it was that Ruslan was driving. He
happens to hit every pot hole in town and sees it perfectly fine to drive on the opposite side of
the lane with oncoming traffic. Then he screams at them for driving on the right lane. It was
quite a welcoming back to the Ukraine experience! We dropped off Ruslan then headed back
with Volodia to his place for the night!
Wednesday, Volodia and I went to Meest (the company we use to ship boxes to Ukraine) in the
morning to see who we can talk to about some of the changes that have taken place with
shipping boxes to Ukraine. We were sent to one of their offices but they said they only deal
with shipping within the Ukraine. We were then sent to another office where they did ship
overseas but not many there spoke English, but one young girl that worked on the phones
knew a little to nothing about this issue but she did her best to try to help. She said she will call
us later with information. We then went back to the airport to see if they had my luggage or
found it in the system but neither came true but the young man did say that a flight from
Vienna was coning in the late afternoon and my luggage will be on this flight. So we left and did
some errands in the century of town. Then the young woman we spoke to at Meest called and
gave us a number of a man from Meest that is on the executive board, this is who I was hoping
to get from the beginning. We then went back to the airport as the man said my luggage would
be in the next flight from Vienna but once again no luggage and nothing in the system about my
luggage either, not a good sign at all!!
We then had to hurry back to Volodia’s apartment to get ready for prayer meeting. On the way
to the meeting we picked up most that will be at the meeting tonight but spent about a half an
hour or more just in trying to get the gate open to the Hall. We ended up getting a key from
somewhere else and found out that the other tenant change the lock but did not tell anyone
from the meeting. Well, was a very small meeting but always worth being there!
Thursday we met with the man from Meest and found out that there will be little changes in
sending the boxes, just need more name and addresses, it could have been something more
difficult. This was very good news to hear and definitely something to praise God for!! Then
received a call from Oleg about another shipment of boxes coming on Friday, they were going
to come today but he was too busy so he made it for Friday. Had plan to stay in Lviv until
Sunday but felt that Oleg would want some help with these boxes, so plan to leave Lviv on
Friday for Ivano.
Friday, Volodia and I did some things in the morning and I headed off to Ivano. Managed to
avoid all the major pot holes on my way to Ivano but the minor ones are just unavoidable!
I made good timing to meet Oleg just as he was closing his shop. He said he was going to call
me and ask “where is you”. He thought it would be a good idea to take these boxed to his
garage for the time being to avoid an over load at our very small apartment, this sounded good
to me!! After the delivery I had dinner with Oleg and his wife Olah and Natalie that use to work
at Solidarity and is now working for Olah.
The boxes were from New Glasgow, NS, CAN. A Big Thank You to them and other that had sent
boxes for the care of the Ukrainian people and to further the work of the Gospel Message!!
I do plan to go to Lviv on Sunday, always need prayers for safety on the roads and for giving a
message that would encourage the Christians there, also for getting things in order here in
Ivano with the local meetings and in delivering these boxes to the right people and places at the
right time(God's timing)!! THANK YOU ALL!!!
IN CHRIST OUR LORD
Arrived safe in Lviv, also went through customs ok, thought they held me back a little
longer than the others, being one of the last one to go through but can’t say the same for my
luggage. As I waited and waited and then the only one waiting for luggage, I started to get a
little suspicious. I then asked one of the baggage handlers about my luggage; they tried to look
it up in the computer but nowhere to be found in the system, not a good sign! Well, all they
could tell me is maybe it will come in tomorrow? Then I was picked up by Ruslan and Volodia
with our Vito (van) that we use in Ivano, the scary thing about it was that Ruslan was driving. He
happens to hit every pot hole in town and sees it perfectly fine to drive on the opposite side of
the lane with oncoming traffic. Then he screams at them for driving on the right lane. It was
quite a welcoming back to the Ukraine experience! We dropped off Ruslan then headed back
with Volodia to his place for the night!
Wednesday, Volodia and I went to Meest (the company we use to ship boxes to Ukraine) in the
morning to see who we can talk to about some of the changes that have taken place with
shipping boxes to Ukraine. We were sent to one of their offices but they said they only deal
with shipping within the Ukraine. We were then sent to another office where they did ship
overseas but not many there spoke English, but one young girl that worked on the phones
knew a little to nothing about this issue but she did her best to try to help. She said she will call
us later with information. We then went back to the airport to see if they had my luggage or
found it in the system but neither came true but the young man did say that a flight from
Vienna was coning in the late afternoon and my luggage will be on this flight. So we left and did
some errands in the century of town. Then the young woman we spoke to at Meest called and
gave us a number of a man from Meest that is on the executive board, this is who I was hoping
to get from the beginning. We then went back to the airport as the man said my luggage would
be in the next flight from Vienna but once again no luggage and nothing in the system about my
luggage either, not a good sign at all!!
We then had to hurry back to Volodia’s apartment to get ready for prayer meeting. On the way
to the meeting we picked up most that will be at the meeting tonight but spent about a half an
hour or more just in trying to get the gate open to the Hall. We ended up getting a key from
somewhere else and found out that the other tenant change the lock but did not tell anyone
from the meeting. Well, was a very small meeting but always worth being there!
Thursday we met with the man from Meest and found out that there will be little changes in
sending the boxes, just need more name and addresses, it could have been something more
difficult. This was very good news to hear and definitely something to praise God for!! Then
received a call from Oleg about another shipment of boxes coming on Friday, they were going
to come today but he was too busy so he made it for Friday. Had plan to stay in Lviv until
Sunday but felt that Oleg would want some help with these boxes, so plan to leave Lviv on
Friday for Ivano.
Friday, Volodia and I did some things in the morning and I headed off to Ivano. Managed to
avoid all the major pot holes on my way to Ivano but the minor ones are just unavoidable!
I made good timing to meet Oleg just as he was closing his shop. He said he was going to call
me and ask “where is you”. He thought it would be a good idea to take these boxed to his
garage for the time being to avoid an over load at our very small apartment, this sounded good
to me!! After the delivery I had dinner with Oleg and his wife Olah and Natalie that use to work
at Solidarity and is now working for Olah.
The boxes were from New Glasgow, NS, CAN. A Big Thank You to them and other that had sent
boxes for the care of the Ukrainian people and to further the work of the Gospel Message!!
I do plan to go to Lviv on Sunday, always need prayers for safety on the roads and for giving a
message that would encourage the Christians there, also for getting things in order here in
Ivano with the local meetings and in delivering these boxes to the right people and places at the
right time(God's timing)!! THANK YOU ALL!!!
IN CHRIST OUR LORD
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