Saturday, July 13, 2013

Updates from Eric

June 24.

Monday again and the last full week for this trip. The mind is getting to the end; travel and decisions makes one tired.

I can be so thankful to the Lord for the speed we have moved that I can keep going with no problems. We have gone every Lord’s Day to Lviv for the breaking of bread for the sake of the ones here in the meeting and for the sake of being with the Saints there in Lviv. We like to be with them and be of some little Help. My wife and I were with them when they gathered to remember the Lord for the first time. It will be three Years in October.

The two ladies who are neighbors were in to get clothing starting at 10:30. Then Dana and one of her sons were in after them to get clothing. This is the lady with the big family, now they are almost grown but all have health problems. We gave them extra funds to help with medicine. Then went to Valentina’s and her son for dinner at 1pm and were there until 3:45. She put on a good meal and cooked it all, even though she has real trouble seeing. She has trouble coming to meetings in evening as it is hard to travel on bus late in evening. Her son has a little stutter and has little extra weight; the children in the area tried to kill him. When she complained, one of the neighbour men gave her hard time pulling her hair and other things. Her son is very smart in school. Her husband left her some years ago and disappeared to Russia and never came back. We helped her with medical expense as well.

Then Ola and Oleg and their son and his wife and her sister came and we went out to the forest for a time near a lake. We had nice time with them and would have liked to talk a little more as they haven’t grown much spiritually. Their son doesn't have much interest in the Bible. He seems to have a nice wife, very plain and her sister also. They come from a family of 5. Oleg’s other son was to funeral of his best friend, killed a few days ago on motor Bike.

We came back to the house tired after a long day considering it was Monday and after a very long Lord’s day yesterday.

June 25
Again we started the day with two ladies Luba and Maria who came at 10 for clothing. This isn’t the Luba that is in the Meeting in Lviv but another one . Then went for lunch with Andre, he comes to meeting very very well but will tell you he isn’t saved, a very nice man. He has a business and sells bearings for machinery. One of his three daughters works with him. She has never been to meeting and not very friendly. Two of his other daughters have come. Svetlana professed and the other one was really troubled two years ago. Many have their day of opportunity but fail to grasp it .

Then we went to Walmart for 3 food bags and delivered one to Lesia. We then delivered clothing and toys to the Half way house, an Orphanage with 16 children there now but they were having their sleep time and didn’t get to speak to them today. We had tea with Maria the head lady, she was having hard day as her brother fell from a tree that morning and broke his knee cap. Then I went for a treatment on my back. I had to get taxi to the meeting but had to wait an hour. It rained very hard for an hour and I was late getting to the meeting. I had to walk some of the way as traffic was heavy and not moving. We had 18 out to meeting but that was good as all who came were very wet. After meeting we all went with Maria to her little place for tea? joke tea? they make you eat so many sweets but had nice time with her We would like to see this lady in the Meeting for sure. She lost her husband two years ago, three days after I left. So poor, we bought a fridge for her once, she is so proud of it. A life time savings and she still would not have enough money to buy it, and many here like her.

Late night again, getting very tired for sure.

June 26

We read and prayed before anyone came We do every morning if possible at all. The first to get clothing was a Russian Lady, Svetlana she has been very sick and some relatives have recently died so she was having a rough day. She got saved after a storm one evening. I remember her first meeting. God is so kind in saving any of us for sure. Then Tanya’s mom and Tania’s youngest brother came for clothing, Lubchek is the youngest of 4 boys he broke his foot 5 weeks ago. We had a talk to them some, she was to meeting once since we came but not the interest you would like to see.

We then went and picked up another food package and made another visit on the couple where we visited before, his wife is coming to meetings every night . He has part of his leg taken off. After that we went to deliver the clothing that Tanya’s mom picked up. It was nice to talk to two of her other sons. We then meet Svetlana’s mom and visited the old lady where we first meet her mom three years ago. The lady was a dancer for over 35 years. In the same building we visited Natalia who has a daughter that can sing very very well. Left food with both of them. From there we went to see Natalia the lady who is paralyzed. We took her pampers as always, her mom was there and served tea. She is a lot friendlier than the early years.
WE went then for a late snack as all we ate today since breakfast has been tea and sweets served to us as we visited.

And then to bed. Eric and Margie with Dan

Update from Eric

Eric, June 30 Up early and ready to go to Lviv. We had to pack for Canada as we will not return to Ivano Frankisk. We plan to stay in lviv until we leave for Canada on Wednesday. The trip was 3 hours but road repaired some. Svetlana w goes smoother ent with us. I remember her first trip to Breaking of Bread. She truly enjoyed it and helped the ladies very much with the lunch.

The meeting went well, Ruslan interpreted for me in the word after the meeting. He always did have trouble with my expressions. When Vladimir isn't there, they truly miss him. Worship goes much smoother when he is there as well. Dan and the gang went back to Ivano. Then seven of us went to the center of the city and spent 3 hours in the street giving out literature. I love it in the street. I had a unique experience at the end when I only had a magnet and a book mark left. I gave them to one lady but she was so disappointed that that was all I had to give her. She went away sad. I walked about twenty steps and found two tracts sticking out of a garbage can. I took them out, straightened them and prayed where is the lady, she had gone into the crowd. I stood on the side walk for about 10 minutes, waiting for the others to come, when all of a sudden I spotted the lady on the inside of the crowd going the opposite way. I quickly walked behind her and touched her on the shoulder and she looked back and I showed her the two papers. She smiled and understood who I was and smiling she said thanks and went down the street still saying thanks, thanks. Amazing!
Then went out for supper, all seven to a place that communist had used but was redone. Afterwards we came back to Agnes and Edmund’s and had ice cream and coffee. Had a short sing and then back to Nadia's and ready to sleep. Lord's day over and very very tired. July 1. Up to a very different breakfast, soup and fish. The lady would not take no for an answer. Oh well it filled us. Edmund came and picked us up and we went and picked up things for a small Orphanage in Yosopowich, only 19 children. It was little over hour but had nice visit. We spoke to 9 of the staff who paid good attention. My first visit was in 2005 but a lot different since that day. A lot of repairs have been done over the years; new doors windows and other things. God has been good to the little place. They all have a good interest in the Gospel. Then we came back to Stri to visit a Dr. that we know. I have visited him often. He reminded me I gave him his first Bible. His wife just had open heart surgery. He carves wood for a living now. He is the Dr. that had to leave because he saw so many die from lack of medicine. We went to visit Rosa next door who is 96 years old. A sweet old lady.

Came back to Edmund's for supper. Lubchec and Nadia and their son were there with us. We had a little sing and then came back to the apartment after a full day.

July 2 Today Edmund came and got us again in the morning and went to visit with Andre's mother Maria. We left her funds for food. Her husband left her some 5 years ago and never came back. Then took Micha's wife to hospital. They come to the meeting all the time and are both deaf mutes. Ruslan's mom then had us for dinner. She is in the meeting also, I baptized her and her husband
in 2006 when I was here. Her husband died in 2007. They were Jews. Amazing to see God at work. Then we went out of the city 20 min. to visit Roman. He is not saved He has 5 children 3 girls and two boys. His wife left some years ago with 4 children and a baby 6 weeks old. He has been a good father for sure. You should see where they live. I had a nice talk to them on John 8:12 “Jesus said I am the Light of the world”. It would be nice to see them saved. The two girls were there with their father, they are 17 -15. We left funds with them for food. Came back into the city and had supper with Edmund again.

We came back to the apartment to talk to Misha, the next door neighbor here. He came to many meetings over the years and both him and his wife professed but are not coming to meetings like you would want to see. Now to pack for home. Thanks for all your prayers over the weeks ... continue to pray for the work her in the UKRAINE THAT GOD WILL EXERCISE OTHERS TO COME WITH A HEART FOR SOULS The need is so great. WHERE THERE IS NO VISION THE PEOPLE PERISH. Eric and Margie

Updates from Eric

Eric’s final reports before returning home to Canada.

June 27 Natalia came for clothing after our breakfast and reading and Prayer. It was nice to see her again as she didn't come much at the beginning of the meetings. I thought her daughter would come with her but is very shy, even though she is a singer. She has problems with doing anything as they are poor and is hard to get a sponsor.

Then I went and paid heat and gas bill for the couple where the man has his leg off at the knee. They were so happy. Then Dan took us out to dinner at a Ukraine place. Then we went to the Halfway house orphanage in town and delivered more clothing that they wanted. Then we went and bought a blood pressure machine for Maria and went and had supper with her and her daughter, granddaughter and daughter in law. Maria has come since 2005 but she has never invited us out to her home. She is the happy face Maria with nice hair as about 3 Maria,s come to meeting. Then the Bible discussion that Dan has with those he invites. Day over pray Heaven is richer and those we met and helped are happier. June 28 Our morning was slow and we had dinner with Svelana's mom, Louisa; she made a special meal for us. I know she is troubled even though she doesn't come to meeting. She took us on a visit some ago to an old lady, who asked how can I be rich, can you tell me she said to the lady “ DO YOU MEAN DOWN HERE OR IN HEAVEN ?” She is a nurse that works with the older and sick people in their homes. Then when we finished there, we went to a Russian lady who had another meal made for us. She is very lonely and lives by herself. We had a nice talk to her about SALVATION. Often it's hard to get them to see you can be sure of heaven and that ALL your sins are fully and forever forgiven.

A dear lady named Svitlana was sick for some weeks and in Hospital, so we left her funds for Medicine. We had one of Dana's sons come for clothing. Dana has 7 grown children, most of them sick. We have helped her family much but the need is so great. Then we took him home and visited with his mom and dad. we also saw his sister MARINA who is in Art school.

Then we went home and sorted 6 boxes of clothing for Dan to take to a village tomorrow. He will take Yarsolv and bring back his son and wife.

Then Olia came and bought some of her food for us that she made herself. We then went to visit Leanna and her daughter Marina and had tea with them. Leanna asked us to pray for her little home that God would bless them. (They didn't come to one meeting). Then after praying she tipped hot water over on her daughter’s food! The enemy at work you could feel it. The devil and his power is real in every home.
Another day over and tired.

June 29 Dan left early for the village. Svetlana came and we went to change money and went to pay for her frame for a picture she did for her mom and dad.

Then went to the apartment and got a taxi and took two boxes of pampers to Jana that we met on the street. From there went to Natalia's home and got her and went to her mom and dad's place. We had a nice visit with them. We talked a little about Salvation by FAITH in Christ and the forgiveness of sins. Again hard for them to see you can be sure of heaven. To many of us it's simple but to people who don't read their BIBLE it's dark.

Went to pizza plus and met with Luba and her daughter Marika. We talked about Baptism with Marika . as she has been asking questions on it. We talked to her mom about gossiping. Some of the Ladies do a lot of it and we warned her about the danger of being involved. Nice time with them and nice to treat them to Pizza as they do not have it often I would say, very very poor.

We went to apartment and Olia the lady with arthritis came. We gave her funds for Medicine as it costs very much. Then we went and took Leanna and her daughter for a swim. On the way home we went and bought her a tea pot so that she will not have to use bottles to make tea. Amazing! We trust they will see the true care we have for them and it’s all because of Salvation. Another day to meet again in ETERNITY

Eric and Margie With Dan

Update from Dan

Sunday the 30th of June, from Dan.

Left Ivano in the morning to make our three hour trip to Lviv for the breaking of bread. While Eric and Margret were here we made this difficult trip for the van and for our bodies each Sunday. Always blessed in remembering our great King with his people! Then bid our farewells to both Eric and Margret for they will stay in Lviv a few more days before going back to Canada. It was good to see the desire that they had to reach out to the people. They were able to show care for the people’s physical needs and share the care that God has for their spiritual needs, may God by his grace bless these efforts!!
Made the 3 hour trip back to Ivano in time for our meeting, many were out to the meeting and was good to see Ruslan and his wife Anna out; they haven’t been out much due to work. Yaroslav and I spoke and all listened very well!

Monday) Visited one old lady named Halla. We visited here once the week before and Eric and Margret tried two other times but were unable to meet with her, we all were concerned if she was all right? She showed up at the meeting yesterday and we made plans to visit her today. She said she was in the hospital and just got out and apologised for missing the visits with Eric and Margret and thanked us for remembering her. She wanted to share her family story and so I listened. After some time I asked her about salvation and how would she make it into heaven? She said she will be in heaven by Jesus Christ! Having heard answers like I hope I’m good enough or I all most there, Halle’s answer was good to hear! Eric and Margret left some things to give her so we brought them and left them with her. I could only hope she understands her answer,” by Jesus Christ.”

Tuesday) Visited Oleg at his shop and had a good long talk with him about business, social topics and spiritual thoughts always good to try to be an encouragement and to be encouraged by Christian fellowship!
There was one young man at the meeting tonight that came in with one of the ladies and listened very carefully with his eyes wide open! Yaroslav and I spoke with a heavy focus on our sin condition before God.
The young lady in the mental institution was released from there today and was at the meeting also. After the meeting we talked with her. It’s good that she is out of that place and good to see her at the meeting; I hope she does well and continues to come to the meetings!

Wednesday) Paid a visit to Natalie the woman with MS. It was her birthday and Svetlana wanted to visit her on her birthday. Natalie turned 39 I think and had MS for 20 year now. Svetlana likes to visit her because with all that Natalie has gone through she still has a smile on her face and has a good attitude. She does claim to be a Christian and enjoys our time together when she has the strength for company. Then took Svetlana to the train station, she will be going to Kiev for an interview and will not be back until Friday.

Thursday) Took the van to get an alarm installed, left it at the shop and they said would take about three hours. I then called a young man that I met on Monday and had lunch with him. His name in Bogdan, he is 18 years old and has a desire to speak English. He asked many questions and started to talk about the Middle East situation and Bible topics about the end times. For such a young man, this was a surprise in his interest. We then went together to pick up the van and he helped try to explain some of the function of the new alarm, I then took him home and told him we will talk more when I get back from Lutsk. I came back to get ready for our Thursday meeting when I heard a knock at the door. A lady was pointing at the apartment across the hall but was not too sure what she wanted so I called Taras and ask if he could interpret what she was saying. Well it looks like the old man that lives in that apartment was found drunk lying in that street and this lady was a passerby and wanted to help. I went with her to the old man who recognized me, so I told him to sit on his walker and he did. He had that walker that was given to him from the shipments that come to us here. I was thankful for the walker having wheels, as he sat and I pushed him to the apartment and carried him inside. The poor man will die soon, I’m sure and hope he seeks for God before that day!

Meeting went well, just a few but the talk was good. Taras helped in the interpreting and then I took him home.

Friday) Met with Andrei at Solidarity and with his Peace Core volunteer. She is from America and will be in Ivano for two years working with Andrei. I then met with Tania who works at the children’s hospital and gave her some baby clothes to give to those in need.

Oleg called and said we have some boxes from Meest. A big thank you to those from Portage La Prairie and from Lance-au-Loup, Canada!!

I will be leaving tomorrow with a van load of people from Ivano to the Lutsk Conference for the week. Please pray for safety on the roads and for blessing at the conference, and continue to pray for God’s working in Ivano-Fankivsk,

Thank You!!
In Christ our Lord
Dan

Updates from Erin and Dan

June 18

Day started normal for the regular day ....... even the same for breakfast ....Manna We had Halia, a very poor lady who is coming to the meeting since last May come and pick out clothing. She had her granddaughter come with her.

We then went and bought flowers for Maria who had birthday Monday. She had us in for dinner as she always do once while we are in the country. Had nice Ukraine meal and left her some funds to buy medicine. Then we went and tried to buy some glasses. We went and got pictures taken off my Phone.
We waited for a lady to come for clothing but she didn't come. A man came named Roman and we talked to some time to him about Salvation. He has been coming to meeting for some years. He is sure about being in the door, very clear about it. We had 23 out tonight up a little but not to where it was in November. Anna the older lady in the meetings for some time now had her neighbor out for the second time. She was out Sunday for the very first time ever. We then took some of them swimming.
Then day was over, it is so hard to get around the roads like, it’s like the horse and buggy days. .

July 19

Hello to all. Early morning visit, so went without breakfast. We had to meet the head Doctor of the Hospital who gave us permission to visit mothers with babies. We had 18 bags to deliver so we added little more to the 8 bags we had and we made up 10 more to make 18. We also took 18 blankets. Last year, most mothers were from out of the city. Amazed that most of the mothers this year was from in the city. We did have one from Russia and she knew all the cities we had gone to in Siberia. One lady, who was little older than most; was an English teacher from the city here. Then came home from there and had breakfast. I almost have the same thing every morning Manna! Mary knows best! Then we went to the market and bought food for the family of the man lost his leg at the knee. Picked up Luba and her son and Leanna's daughter and went to Luba's village Stari Lycets. Luba and son went to her Mother in Law's and we went to the teacher who teaches religion in school there and she took us to the forest to pick mushrooms and wild strawberries. We had nice few hours. The sun was very hot. We then came back to teachers home and had little supper of salad and fried potatoes. We saw her rabbits they raise to eat and then left her two boxes of assorted clothing to give to the poor families of the village. We then delivered all who were with us and back to apartment and another day over. Tired now for sure. Eric, Margie and Dan.

June 20.

Another full day ... The weather is warmer every day.... hot in the city and in the Buildings. We took out boxes and had two ladies come, Valentina and Maria, they both have vision problems, but they have come to meeting since 2005 when I came first; they are very poor but work when they can. They both come to meetings often but have family sick and can't come in winter, too hard to travel in dark. They often go to places and just wash dishes to get little extra to have food. We took them home when they were finished.
O of them lives near the half way house orphanage, so we spent an hour speaking to staff and children there. This is a place where children stay for no more than 3 months before going to an orphanage for good. The Police or other people bring them there and sometimes the children run away from home and come there. One ran from her mom in Switzerland and came there.

Then we came home and Yaroslav’s wife Halia and her daughter in law came and got clothing. We packed two boxes of clothing for an orphanage and packed 4 boxes for Olia’s village tomorrow. Now a meeting with those that Dan invites to come to discuss questions of Bible subjects. Four came and the exciting thing is Andri who we would like to see get saved. Then Tanya a young nurse came and Sasha and young man who had studied to be a priest and then Dana, a young German lady who professes salvation and comes to other meetings who we met in 2006. Day over and tired. Eric and Margie With Dan

June 21

Hello to all. We labour on here as the Lord gives help and resources to do so. We just got back to the house here, spending all day in a village. We had a meeting with 22 people in the community hall. The Mayor came and let us in then left. It went very well. We gave out 4 boxes of clothing and gave them texts, tracts and other literature. This is Halia's mom's village. Yaroslav was with us but his wife Halia was sick and couldn't go. We had dinner with her mom and left some funds with her. The village was 2 hours drive and again over bad roads. We took Halia’s son Vitali and his wife and child for a visit for a week. We may go get them next Saturday. When we came back we went and picked up Leanna and took her to the River to swim and had a nice talk with her. We are trying to build a relationship with her but hard work. She has come to meetings some but not like we like to see. Then we went and got her daughter, Marina and went to Best Burger. Afterwards, we picked up some food for her. We took them home and then finally got back to our place at 11:15pm after a long day.

June 22

Greetings to all. A slow day today with no Interpreter. Two people came to get clothing as we have been trying to get all that come to meeting to get some clothing. This is important for sure. Roman and his daughter were in, she is one of the hardest ladies to handle but we did ok. Then Janna came for clothing, nice to get this behind us. While she was here 12 boxes came in from Gander Newfoundland, it was GREAT to get soap, tooth paste, towels and so many other things we have been praying for. Some boxes had things for men which we get few of. Then we went to see if we could see Tanya's mom but she wasn't at home and her son wasn't home either, but we met a lady who came to all the children meetings that our brother from Iowa had last summer with Dan. Then 8 children who had come as well. It was nice to see them again and we made arrangements to come back Wed. at 1pm for a meeting. Guidance of the Lord is so important.
Leanna and her daughter Marina came and had lunch it was Marina's 14th birthday. They are so poor so we gave them some soap, toothpaste and money to buy Marina a birthday gift. She wanted a special dress.
Then we went for walk in center and met two girls at an ice cream place. One could speak English and the other liked the picture on the text I was giving out as she was studying Art. Gave out some invitations to meetings in a new place we rented for two nights. Street work is important but is spoiled by the cults, they are on the street all the time.

Home and another day over. Another week to go and tired for sure. Keep praying for my heart blockage as heat is as bad as the cold but God is able.

June 23

Lord's day again. We have to travel 3 hours to Lviv to meeting and 3 hours back on bad road. It makes a rough day, but always great to remember the Lord. I 'm sure many have it rougher to get to meeting. The meeting went very well, all worshiped except one and he was having a rough day as his father went to hospital, is not well and not saved. I spoke little after the meeting on the Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts . All the Saints seemed to enjoy. Only a few sitting back today as it’s a holiday and many have gone to the graveyard. “Green holiday” they call it and they clean and put new flowers on graves. Then summer is here and many work in gardens on weekends.

We got back home in record time and I showered to be at the other meeting. Had a weak drink of tea and off we went. The rented room is great and gave us more space. All seem to like it and most of the regulars were there but some missing. One lady was out for her 4th time, Anna's friend, one of the first ladies saved in 2005, this was very encouraging. Then a lady saved 2 years ago was out for her first time since we came, so maybe the new room brought her out. We had 23 out which was good for holiday weekend and a special one at that. Then we went with Orysa for supper, she usually serves you rabbit, but tonight another surprise, goat meat. We left her funds for medicine. Her husband hasn't been drinking for over
a year, that’s great news. She is so much happier, even though he isn't saved, not having him drinking is great. His mom and dad are now dead and they live in the home place, which is not good but far better then what they had. Home at last and very tired.

Eric Margie with Dan