LVIV NEWSLETTER - Edmund & Agnes JUNE 2021

 Dear praying friends.

There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. 1 Samuel 2:2

In March due to Ruslan’s illness with Coronavirus urged us to make a few visits on our “own steam”. Without our translator, this proved a real challenge. First stop was Passagna orphanage where we delivered some food and other necessary needs they required plus a number of Gospel tracts. 

Next up was the Homeless Shelter where we delivered some boxes of clothes, fresh fruit, beverages and food. We also left for these dear people our assembly Gospel calendar and other suitable tracts and literature. Our main exercise was to keep the contact, not having been there for many months due to Covid restrictions. 

On our return to Lviv at the end of February we hastily, with the help of Lubchic from the assembly, designed and printed a 2021 calendar. During March we had the joy of distributing these in the area around the “Gospel Hall” and to the hundreds of apartments around where we live, praying for God’s rich blessing on His own good Word. It was encouraging when some neighbors asked for extra                calendars for their families and relatives.

In March and April we enjoyed several visits to the Gypsy camp in the forest near Sosnivska. About 15  families live in their “homemade” plastic covered, one room houses with no sanitary or washing facilities. We remain determined to preach to them “Jesus Christ, and Him crucified”. We all believe that the Word of God is “quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword”. 

After Ruslan and I have delivered our message in the Gospel we distribute clothes, blankets and shoes, also a large food bag for each family. It is also a great opportunity to share Gospel literature and              laminated scripture texts for the children.

At the beginning of May, on Easter weekend, our landlady J, called round for the rent and utility        payments. After we finished our business we spoke to her about the real meaning of Easter. Of course our Ukrainian was “very broken” but she seemed to understand much of what we said, she would nod her head and say “tak” (yes) and “zahidnee” (I agree). I then opened my Ukrainian bible and asked her to read 1 Cor 15: 3,4. Please pray for J, for her awakening to her need of salvation, and that she might be saved. On leaving she commented how beautiful the bible was, so on her next visit for rent we presented her with a new Ukrainian bible.

Some of the LVIV saints visit the Gospel meeting in IVANO Every Tuesday to encourage and support our brother Dan Perez there.

Dan and Dima are very faithful to the Gospel and have a great gift of getting folk to come in to hear the “life changing message”.

We have been so encouraged since the beginning of May when “lockdown” restrictions were lifted and Lviv came out of the “red zone”. Infections and death declined significantly and the vaccination programme was in its third month and progressing “slowly but surely”. This meant that many of the orphanages invited us back to share the Gospel, sing and learn the scriptures with the children and staff. This was so uplifting after a year when the Gospel and lovely name of Jesus was not heard in these homes, of course we had to wear masks throughout the meeting and were unable to embrace the children, however deeply thankful to God for the renewed opportunity to preach again.

The once “fortnightly children meeting has now become weekly since the pandemic started. The children gather in a brother’s garden every Saturday at 1pm with an average of 20 kids plus 3 older ladies attending weekly and repeating the verse by heart, they have learned the same as the children, and they also receive their chocolate bar. Please pray for these ladies that they will “call upon the Name of the Lord and be saved”.

As we look back over the last 11 years we give God thanks for His faithfulness, guidance and sustaining grace every day and every step of the journey. We also wish to acknowledge the prayers and practical fellowship of all the Lord’s dear people from so many parts of the world.

Warm Christian love

Edmund &Agnes

Jesus said unto him, Thomas because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. John 20:29

Edmund Johnston update on Ukraine news. Dated March 14th 2021.

 The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed so shall it come to pass:  Isaiah 14:24

Dear Friends

As we reflect on a year that has passed and consider the enormous impact the pandemic has had on all our lives and the big changes for every department of living we must give God thanks for His Unfailing Love and Faithfulness to us His children.  It is good to try and understand the unfolding purposes of Eternal God and be assured that these events have not taken God by surprise, and to rest securely and safely in the “everlasting arms”.

As we look back to 4 months of “lockdown” and the cancellation of 4 flights in our attempt to return to Lviv, we bless God for His sustaining hand upon us and His purpose in having us in N Ireland for that period.  I had the joy to have many Zoom meetings, ministry and Gospel. I also had the privilege of marrying a young couple and also to officiate at the funeral of a dear brother from our home assembly.  I also was kept busy speaking again via Zoom in Canada and Slovakia.

Agnes and I were delighted after taking a bus from Belfast to Dublin airport then flew to Krakow, Poland, then the next day another coach to Lviv, arriving late on Saturday night 27th February extremely thankful to be home.  We had to produce our negative P.C.R. certificate to enter Poland and Ukraine and gave a sigh of relief when both border guards accepted them and gave us “the nod to GO!”.

In our absence we were encouraged that the assembly meetings continued and Ruslan visited Ivano, preaching the Gospel and also visited a few orphanages and helped at the Gypsy camps with food and clothes.

In the first week back, we visited Yasopoich orphanage and spoke to the kids and the staff.  Also we visited a very poor family at Strii in the small apartment which had been purchased for them a number of years ago by Christians from NI and Canada.  Each Tuesday we go to Ivano 2 hours south to help in the Gospel outreach with our brother Dan Perez and Dima.  These meetings are well attended and we would ask you to pray earnestly for the souls of those who frequently come to the meeting that they will be saved.

Sadly, Lviv and Ukraine have not been exempt from suffering from this terrible virus with nearly 28,000 deaths and hundreds of new cases everyday and the hospital nearly at full capacity.  Many we know have contracted the virus but thank God have recovered.  Our fellow elder in the assembly Misha was in hospital on oxygen last December for 2 weeks.  Also, our Ukrainian language teacher and her daughter were very sick at the end of 2020.  Just recently on the 4thMarch, Ruslan and Tanya and their family all tested positive.  Ruslan and Tanya have pneumonia, persistent cough and high temperature and are taking antibiotics and other drugs.  Please remember them in prayer that God might give them a full recovery in His time. Their daughter Tania and family have now recovered and Tania is back to work.

February 1 2021

Believe it or not, the work of God goes on in Ukraine.

Because of the lockdown of travel to and from Ukraine, visitors and commended workers have not had total opportunity to visit some areas of Ukraine. There are two assembly works in different cities, one in Lutsk and one in Lviv. Our main interest has been in Lviv as well as the city of Ivano Frankivsk. There is no operating assembly in Ivano yet, but there is an ongoing work with brother Dan Perez from the USA.

Dan is a single man who is very busy, working with a young Ukrainian brother, Dema. Dan and Dema have brought a good group of young children to meetings, most from non-Christian homes in apartments. They pick up the children on most Saturday and take them in one or two vans, for a fun time in the park or hills. They give them a meal and a word in the Gospel. Then they pick them all up again on Sunday and bring them to the rented room Dan has, and have Sunday School. After Sunday School they take them home again, after a light meal.

Dan just wrote to me the following.

"As we shared over the phone that God has been showing his kindness and helping us each and every day and has been helping us with Children’s Meeting‘s as well as the adult gospel meetings. The children are still listening to the gospel and they seem to like the time that we spent together, this is a big blessing! With the gospel meetings there are new people that show good interest and we hope and pray that the word of God is working in their hearts!

The schools opened up last week and we visited one school plus we had a used clothes distribution last week as well. Both went very well and I’m hoping to make more appointments to visit more schools although some schools are still not allowing outside people to come in because of the virus, we’ll see how this continues."

Dan does take a van load of adults and children to the assembly in Lviv, occasionally,  about 2 1/2 hours away, to share in the worship and the Sunday school. He is very excited about a group of teen-age boys who have been attending meetings for the last month or so and are very interested to know the Bible.

The brother and sister, Edmund and Agnes Johnston,  commended  to Lviv, have not been able to get back to Lviv from Ireland for over 3 months, and would value prayer for this matter.

The other assembly in Lutsk has a good website for those interested in  this work. www.nta.lusk.ua.

We are thankful to have some news to pass on. Once the World opens up again, I'm sure there will be visitors to Ukraine and more reports of the work.

Malcolm Stanley

Host of this blog.

Malcolm's final report of his trip to Ukraine from October 20th to November 18th 2019.

Malcolm’s Final report #13.

Thursday Nov. 14.

After breakfast and our devotion with Dema, we headed out to Petriliv with the heating pump we had bought. We were very happy that it fit perfectly and they could not thank us enough that there would be heat again in all areas of the school.

We had some errands to make before heading to Lviv for the second meeting in the hotel with Daria and some of her relatives.We had a good time answering good, sensible questions presented by different family members. We should say that none of the family, other than Daria, professes to be saved, religious but not saved. One of the last questions, from an aunt, was “ Is it really possible to speak to God in prayer, and how should it be done?” After about 2 or more hours together, we headed back to Ivano, feeling tired but blessed for the opportunities to share the word of God.

Friday Nov 15^th.

Not too early up, as we were late to bed. We read and prayed for wisdom in speaking to contacts, once again.

We headed out to  a village, where a mother in law of Luba, a sister in the meeting in Lviv, lives. When we got there, we found she was in the city getting some meds or something, so we left the bag of supplies at the house and came back to the city. We went to see Andre, the man who first invited us to Ivano and had a chat.

We had then been invited to visit Louise, the mother of Svetta, the interpreter we had for many years, who now lives in Calgary. As usual, she had prepared a supper, they call it Tea, so we sat and talked with her and her husband for an hour.

We headed home to welcome whoever wanted to come and have a “board game night”, and then to bed.

Saturday Nov 16^th

Last day in Ivano for me, as we will be going to Lviv tomorrow AM.

We went to Yaroslav’s home to visit with his son, Vitalic, his wife and daughter. I was surprised to see they were the first occupants of a new high-rise apartment, no one else in yet. Often, the contractors of a new building will give very good deals if you pay up front before the building  is finished. When you buy one of these apartments, you get nothing but the bare walls and floor, so you then pay to install all of the interior. Very strange to N America, I think.

We went to to see a new project, his son Vitalic was developing in his mother in laws garden. He has already built a small greenhouse and it is full of onions ready to sell. He hopes to build one twice the size beside the first one. It was good to see a young man with some initiative and we encouraged him.

We had a meeting at the “hall”, in the evening with a group around a table where we leave it open for bible questions. Some are not saved and it was quite revealing, the questions that are asked. Altogether a very profitable time spent.

Sunday Nov 17^th

We loaded up two vans at 8 am, to go to Lviv for meetings. 4 children who said they would come, backed out at the last minute. I drove one van to Lviv, just over 2 hours now, with good roads. Another man, Nikola came with me as he will drive back home. A lovely drive with dry roads and green fields.

We had a nice Morning meeting and then I ministered the word, then a Sunday school. After a lunch in the hall, we said our tearful goodbyes to many, as they headed back to Ivano.       

 I then went with Volodia, our interpreter for many years, to his mother’s apartment and had a lovely supper with Svetta his lovely wife and his mother Olia. She is an excellent  cook, as are many Ukrainians of course.

And so ended my 28^th trip to Ukraine, tired but very blessed. Thank you for thinking and praying for the work in that part of God’s vineyard.

Now safely home after an uneventful trip home on Monday, with all connections being met, thanks to earnest prayer. 

 Malcolm

Malcolm's Report #12 Nov 11-13

Malcolm’s Report #12 for Nov 11-13^th.

Monday we went to Yabluniv or “Apple Village” over an hour and a half away. We have visited here for many years and are always welcome by the administrator, Natalia. We have helped in many ways over the years with supplies, like material for uniforms that the girls sew, and a woodcarving and furniture building shop for the boys.

They soon pack them all into their little auditorium and, along with staff, listen intently to a gospel message. There response to questions is always exciting.

We then headed back to town and shopped for things needed for our meetings and some bowls and cups for the school tomorrow. Dema was feeling unwell so we took him home and spent the evening in the apartment.

Tuesday

We started early to go the school in Petriliv or Peters village. It took about an hour on good roads into the hills and valleys.This school has been a ”must go to” since first going with Andre, the man who first invited us to come to Ivano district. The first director I remember seeing was Helena, who now is recovering, we hope, from a serious surgery. She met us, as well as the teacher who is now helping her, until she is well again. We have know her also for many years.

Of Course, there is always coffee and dainty’s provided and then to meet with the 30 or so students. The numbers are a little down but some more children are expected later. There has always been the fear and threat at times of closing this school, but it never seems to happen. The children and staff listened well and we then went to have lunch in the  Administrators office, hot soup and salad potatoes and fish.

We then heard they had a major malfunction of a pump to circulate the water for heating. We went and saw what had  happened and realised they needed a new pump. So we took all the details and headed into Ivano to find a pump, which we were able to do and purchase for a reasonable price. We are to deliver it to them on Thursday morning.

We then heard that Edmund and Agnes were in town for our Gospel meeting at 7pm. A good number of people came to meeting as Edmund and I spoke. This was my last public meeting in Ivano for this trip.

Wednesday.

Had a good night’s sleep and ready to see God working in the last few days I have left in Ukraine.

We picked up some candies and headed for a sanatorium where children are sent for 28 days to recover from a multitude of illnesses in the foothills with fresh air. We have been there many times but the only thing that would hinder our travel is the last 40 or so kms of road. No doubt the worst we ever have to travel now in our area. The road has been broken up by logging trucks and is a nightmare.

Well we made it and had our usual meeting in their small auditorium with  120 or so students from 6 or 7 years old to teens and several staff. We had very good attention but they got a little rowdy when the question time and prizes came.

We then gave them all calendars and texts and then went for a good meal and headed again for the “endurance test” of a road home.

We were home in time to prepare for our apartment meeting with a nice number attending.

And so to bed at 11 pm after another busy day.

All for now, not many days left but want them to be profitable for God.

Malcolm.

Malcolm's Report #11 Nov. 8-10th

Report # 11 for November 8 -10

Friday  Nov 8^th The day opened with fog again quite thick but started to dissipate when the sun rose.

Usual breakfast of either cereal and toast or porridge and toast, very normal.

Dema arrived and we had a nice time of reading and prayer.

We did some shopping and then headed out with Uri, the blind brother, and his wife, to a village approximately an hour away, to visit Uri’s farm. Now we had heard that he had rented a farm some while ago but did not know what to expect. He has rented two long buildings,that used to be part of a collective farm in communist time. The road in was remote and rough but we were surprised to see that Uri’s two long buildings had new vinyl windows and good doors. (put on by the landlord.}

Two men met us and then gave us a tour of the buildings. First, we say a “living room” was made for the two worker that Uri has hired to feed his animals. Yes he had animals already! There were about 50 young pigs in pens and a goat. This is the beginning of his farm, but 5 goats arrived while we were there. All of them were pregnant, so there would be 10 baby goats,IF THEY FIND THE TWO THAT RAN AWAY WHILE BEING UNLOADED!! We hear that someone has them in the village and will bring them back someday?

To say we are excited about Uri’s project is true, as for one thing, it is part of his plan to hire hurting people to run the farm. One of the first two me has an artificial leg but moves about very well and calls the animals he cares for “his children” and certainly has made them his friends. Of course the pigs will be fattened and sold and others brought in

We feel burdened to help Uri as he is a lovely brother with a wife and 5 children and preaches in the little group here in Ivano and is completely blind.

Saturday Nov 9th

Not up too early as no appointments this morning. Another foggy day but not too cold.

Dema was not in this morning as he wanted to cook lunch for us at his home, and have us spend some time with his mother. We were met at his door by there wild sounding German shepherd, but, without doubt, the nicest spoiled dog I've seen in a long time. The table was set and we enjoyed soup and chicken and a massive ice cream dessert, all made by Dema.

 I met Dema’s dad for the first time, but only as he was leaving the apartment. He is a truck driver but has very little time for the family which is too bad.

When we finished the meal we were leaving the apartment and Dan and Dema took some new tracts they had printed and put them in every apartment in their block. I tried to give some out side but find it very difficult when you can’t explain what you are doing or what the tract is about.

We then bought some refreshments for the discussion group to be held at the hall that evening.

A good number cam and good questions were asked and we hope were answered in a Godly manner. Some were in no hurry to close the meeting but eventually all went home, some walking and some by van. We put a lot of kilometres on the van picking up and taking home children and adults.

Sunday Nov. 10

Because of the large number of people attending the meetings on Sunday here in Ivano, we did not go to Lviv this Sunday.

The morning meeting was for hymns, ministry and Sunday school. About 30 children and adults attended and I was kept busy with speaking at both meetings. Not my choice.

We went out for lunch and then managed to get home for a nap until evening and the gospel meeting with a full house again but only with adults. About half probably not saved. God gave help we felt and good attention by all.

And so another day and starting on my last week here as I leave next Monday,

Thank you for you interest in reading my ramblings. Please keep praying that we may finish well.

Malcolm

Malcolm's report #10 Nov 6-7th

Report #10 for November 6 and 7

Wednesday  Nov 6^th

Another bright day but always a threat of rain or drizzle Up at 7:30 as usual and a good breakfast of either Manna or porridge or toast and peanut butter and jam and banana. We do have some hard boiled eggs, but Keep forgetting them. Just to let you know that we can have normal breakfasts too,??

Well we started out on a visit to a couple we met several years ago, even Jean visited them before they moved to another village. Their names are Uri and Oxana. The last time I met them they had 3 children they had 3, they now have 5. All lovely children and the parents as well. Both profess faith in Christ. Uri is happy to tell you how he was awakened to his need of Christ, while serving 8 years in prison. He was an alcoholic and as he said, not a good man. He had quite abattle for a while with the liquor, but got victory at last. He has to work away in Poland, but would love to get work closer to home. We had lovely talks about the Lord and the power that is available to overcome sin.

The farm home they have now is a lovely litte place, through a forest and in the valley. They have a pig and chickens and turkeys. Oxana is very able to keep the home going, when Uri is away. The children were a joy to meet, enjoying each others company with no arguing!!

We left after a good meal and took Uri to a nearby town to buy a ticket back to Poland.

We headed home to get ready for our Wednday meeting at 7pm.

Thursday Nov 7

After breakfast we had joint devotion with Dema, out interpreter Brother, as we have done each day here, and then went up town to buy medication for one of the Sisters coming to the meeting and had to go to 2 different pharmacy’s to fill the order. Not too expensive but quite complicated. Then MEEST arrived with boxes so we had to wait for them at the storeroom. After that we loaded some boxes to take to Lviv  in the afternoon.

We got away to Lviv after lunch to attend a meeting arranged to meet a number of family members, of a sister Daria, from Lviv. She along with Dan, had arranged this meeting in a gorgeous restaurant in down town Lviv. It was quite eventful as we made our way to the restaurant.  we were walking from our car, and loud crowd caught up and passed us yelling a loud chant as they marched on. When we got to the restaurant and were seated, others arrived and asked us whether we had see the fuss outside. They said that 2 groups of men were fighting and the police were trying to break it up. We missed the excitement but were told it was two groups of football fans fighting, one from Ukraine and one from France.

We eventually started with 17 of us around a row of tables. Tea and cookies were served continually but to say the least, it was not a quiet venue. There was a large room attached to ours and a man with a trumpet greeting guests throughout the evening. Any way, the design of the meeting was for each or any of the guests to put a question in a box and we would seek to answer it from the bible. It didn’t matter what they asked. We finished up with more questions than we could answer so the group will meet again next week. The greatest result was that Daria’s parents were there who had seemingly not been happy with her conversion and had never been to any church meeting, however they really seemed happy with the meeting. Anyway, the meeting went very well with good questions and plenty of input. Edmund and Agnes and Ruslan were there as well as Dan and Dema and myself.

We closed the meeting off at about 9:30 pm and headed home. I think the trip back home was one of the worst trips I have had in Ukraine. Thick fog all the way back home. Dan driving very well with often 2 car lengths or less in view of the road. This is not the Trans Canada highway but a winding 2 lane road through little villages. We arrived at home after 1am, very relieved and thankful to our God.

So ended a busy day with  a good nights rest.

To God be the Glory

Than you for praying.

Malcolm's Report # 9 Nov. 4-5th

Report #9 for November 4th and 5th

Beautiful day to start with bright sunshine and promised temperature of +12 or more.

Usual breakfast of manna, which is a cooked porridge like fine grain and is a staple breakfast for many over here. Then some toast, peanut butter, jam and banana. We really suffer over here?

At 10 am Dema arrived and we had our joint devotion time before beginning the day.

Our first visit was to get some product to give away later in the day and then go to see our dear friend Natalia, who we first visited with Flo Kancir in 1993 and have visited on each visit since. She was diagnosed with MS just before we first met her and is still at home under the care of her mother, now completely paralyzed. We go to cheer her up but we come away blessed by her faith in Christ and joyful spirit. This time we took her a treat that she loves, pizza, she was so excited.  We take her medication and other needs.

We then had to leave and go straight away to a village to meet with a group of older women for a bible study of a kind. Not verse by verse but highlight by highlight in each chapter in John. About 7 ladies, including the school principal sat around the big dining room table and listened and commented on each passage. We were there almost 2 hours (including a lunch) and I felt it was very profitable.

We came home for a short respite and some pasta and then headed out to speak to some men at a homeless shelter in, of all places, the basement of the police station. It had been designed and furnished by the police –chief and was a lovely facility, big enough for 12 men. There were only 6 using it last night, with one sleeping but the others very much awake with questions and real interest in what the bible had to say. Two of them had Gideon new testaments and used them as we talked. Altogether, a very profitable end to a long day.

Quite tired but glad to be able to sleep for 7 or 8 hours.

Please keep praying, we need the presence of God in each situation of the the day.

  

Nov 5^th

A nice bright day. Devotions with Dema when he came to the apartment.

We went to the box warehouse to sort some boxes to take later for parents of the poor families, whose children  come to children’s meeting, but had been absent for some weeks. We eventually sorted 3 boxes as well as several bags. We found a piece of grass in the area where they live and let them know we were there. About 5 women came, with their children and sorted through the boxes on the grass. They managed to get plenty of nice things and each family packed bags or boxes with these clothes. I then spoke to them all about gifts, and how we love a free gift, but told them of the Greatest gift that was available to them, Jesus Christ. I was so impressed with how they quietly stood and listened. None of the adults have been to a meeting yet. We then packed half of the group in the van and took the home.

It was then after lunch so we went to the famous “Carpathian Kitchen” that brother Louis Smith always liked to eat at when he was here and had a light lunch.

We shopped for a family we are to meet in a village tomorrow and prepared for the gospel meeting tonight.

The brethren from Lviv came up to be with us for the gospel meeting, and Ruslan was to preach with me. By the time meeting was ready to start we had 25 people with some to come in later. Ruslan gave a good message and I followed. Several people remained to chat and renew old friendships. Altogether a rewarding day as we look to God to touch the hearts of the many yet to be saved.

And so to bed later, weary but rejoicing.

Thank you for praying.

Malcolm

Malcolm's Report #8 for Nov. 1-3rd

Malcolm’s Report #8 For November 1st-3^rd

Friday Nov. 1^st

Went to buy some product for our games night tonight and went to see Anna and Marika while up town.

Anna has been coming to meetings for many years, since we first came to Ivano and was saved and baptized somewhere along the way. She was in the fellowship as well. Some of you will remember the fire she had in her apartment some years ago. She is now very weak and bedridden and I feel not long before going home to heaven. Marika, her daughter now lives with her and looks after her. As always was the case, we were always asked to stay for “tea”, which included cabbage rolls and sweet buns and coffee. The apartment has been well restored since the fire. We left a bag of staple products, though I doubt Anna will eat too much of it.

We went home and prepared for the folks who we thought may come for a games night. We never really have the faintest idea who may come but were happy when 8 people came. Some I had never met but we had a good 2 hours fun and fellowship.

Saturday was to be a clean the apartment morning, which I did while Dan shopped. In the afternoon, dan and Dema headed to a park to meet a bunch of kids for a “sports” afternoon. It was not a nice day, cold and wet, but this only discouraged me from going, so I stayed home and read.

Once they came home we went out for supper. We can eat so reasonably, it’s no worth the bother of buying food to make a meal. We have all we need for breakfast and snacks so are not hurting.

Sunday.  Well today will be a little different to a usual Sunday back at home. Dan and Dema have found that people really want to have a meeting on Sunday morning, so we did not go to Lviv for Breaking of Bread meeting, this morning. Many of the saved people would love to have an assembly here, and there are enough in numbers but not enough yet who realise the responsibility of being in fellowship and the need for regular attendance at most meetings.

So these meetings have been run to have teaching and gospel message and Sunday school for the dozen or so children who come. We started with a time of hymns and then prayer and then children’s message followed by ministry. It went very well, the children are very excited and loud with singing and answers, but are really learning verses and songs. After this everyone gets snacks and drink before going home. Dan picks them up and takes them home.   It is really exciting to see the people and the children so interested in this meeting, so we pray that God will lead and assembly to eventually be established in Ivano Frankivsk one day.

We also had an evening Gospel meeting with a nice number out and good attention. A young lady university student stayed back to talk, not having ever heard the gospel before it seems. She is very interested to know how it all works, so pray for Anna that she will continue to come. We had supper and then planned some visits tomorrow.                           

 Please keep praying for Ukraine.

Lviv Ukraine newsletter October 18 2019

LVIV NEWSLETTER – Edmund & Agnes       OCTOBER 2019 

.......why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?  Ruth 2:10

Dear fellow believers

At the end of Spring the people of Ukraine elected a new President, who in his former employment was a film
star.  This brought a little hope for a country which is struggling economically and financially and suffering under
the awful blight of corruption.  However we give God thanks for the freedom we have to proclaim the Gospel
and distribute bibles and literature praying that God will bless the “silent page”.

We continue our visits and meetings at Stare Rosdil and Bokva orphanages for handicapped boys and girls
respectively.  At Rosdil there are over 80 boys and young men with different handicapps and sadly some are
mentally retarded. We thank God for the Director of this home who is very open to the Gospel and appreciates
us spending time with those who are less handicapped and with a better measure of understanding. 
During the summer months we hold the meetings outside, last meeting we had 30 young men and 6 carers
singing and repeating scriptures and listening to a bible story.

Likewise at Bokva where there is 90 girls and young woman all orphans of which 30% would be severely
mentally retarded.  However ,we have the great joy of gathering the other young women together with many
members of staff to listen to the lovely story concerning Christ the Saviour of the world.

The assembly had the great joy of receiving Lilia Vus into the fellowship last May.  However in August Lilia was
married to Rene Samson from Nova Scotia, a brother who had visited Liviv on several occasions over the last 5
years.  So the assembly commended her to Madame Assembly,Nova Scotia, we were very sorry to lose such a
faithful sister but wished her God’s richest blessing in her new assembly and new life with Rene.

On our annual drive to N Ireland for the purposes of MOT we stopped for the Lord’s day with the assembly in
Mechelen, Belguim.  This was very refreshing and uplifting to fellowship another time with these dear believers
, however sadly they had just buried one of the brethren a few weeks before our visit.

In July we were invited to the wedding of Olya Bilabrovets and Jonathan Ellis (Canada) which was held at a nice
hotel in Lutsk.  It was a very hot but happy day for all, where Ukrainian tradition is lots of delicious food, food
and more food!!!! Timothy Sloan conducted the ceremony as the young couple exchanged vows and then
brought a very suitable message from the Word of God.

We all here in Lviv were deeply saddened at the homecall of our beloved sister Evanka (88).  Unfortunately
Evanka had been confined to her 3rd floor apartment for many years.  She was a lovely believer and it was
always a delight to visit, sing and read the scriptures with her.  Often while we were speaking she would
interrupt and finish or add something to what we were saying about the Word of God.  She had a beautiful
voice for singing and now she is singing a new song with the multitude of heavens eternal choir.

The Lord very graciously provided funding for the purchase of an electric orthopaedic bed for our dear
sister in Christ Lessia who suffers from MS and for the past 2 years has spent 24/7 on a sofa bed.  When we
regularly visit she is an inspiration to us with her radiant smile which expresses her joy of the Lord and “how
good God has been to her” is her frequent comment.

On the 25/26th October the assembly held their 9th Annual conference.  This year over 100 people attended
from four different countries, NI, Canada, Slovakia, USA, along with believers and unbelievers from Lutsk and
Ivano Frankisk.  This year our brother Paul Andrews (Belfast) was responsible for the Gospel with Malcolm
Stanley (Canada). Paul conducted the bible reading on Philemon and ministry of the Word of God, along with
Malcolm Stanley and Daniel Mojzis, (Slovakia).  Please pray with us that following the preaching of the Gospel
that even yet precious souls will be saved. Please also pray that there will be life changing results after the
ministry and exposition of God’s Word. The ministry was most challenging, edifying and uplifting. 

Many expressed afterwards that they had been encouraged and that the conference was very profitable and
worthwhile.  To God be the glory.

We would like to sincerely thank all for their continued prayerful and practical support in the months that have
passed and we look alone to the Lord for further blessing upon the work in Lviv.

Warmly in Christ

Edmund&Agnes

I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is
to come, the Almighty.  Rev 1 : 8

Catch-up Report from Malcolm from 28th to 30th October.

October 28 -30^th..

Sorry for not keeping up with reports but these 3 days were made to be rest and recovery days, after the trip from Slovakia and the Conference. Edmund had taken brother and sister Andrews to Poland for their flight back home and was not back until Wednesday.

My time was spent with Ruslan getting some parts and things for his van and meeting a few different folks. Tania, Ruslan’s wife came to the apartment and washed all the sheets from the 5 beds of the men from Slovakia, while Ruslan and I were away. We then went to the bazzar that sells Matrushka dolls and all sorts of items and I bought some dolls for some who asked me to bring one home. The prices have gone up but I got a discount as I have bought things there before.

I did some studying at the apartment as they wanted me to speak on Wednesday in Lviv, before going to Ivano Frankivsk to be with Dan.

On  Tuesday I phoned and talked to Vladimir and he arranged to pick me up with his wife Svetlana and go out for supper. Vladimir was our interpreter for many years, but got married and was in Poland for a while but now they are both employed in Ivano. We had a lovely supper. The restaurants in Ukraine are amazing for quality, size of  portions and price. After supper we went to his apartment to have dessert with his mother and step father. We had a lovely time reminiscing.

He then took me home for a good night sleep.

Wednesday arrived with the weather staying very nice but gradually cooling. I packed my bags to be ready for my move to Ivano and Edmund put them in his vehicle, when he came to pick me up. This would save Daniel having to come to the apartment after meeting tonight.

We had planned to visit a bed ridden sister at home but found she had been taken to the hospital for tests. I don’t think we did anything more except visit the Conference site for Edmund to pay for the rent of the facility. Then we went to their apartment and relaxed until supper.

We went to the assembly at 7:30 and met Dan there and 3 people he had brought for the meeting. Not a great crowd out but a nice time of prayer and a short message of encouragement.

Then after a “wee” lunch we loaded up and headed back the 2 hours to Ivano So nice to have lovely roads now, it makes the journey much more enjoyable.

Good to be back in Dan’s apartment and slept very well till about 9am.  I must have been tired.

Thursday we got going late morning to go and get money changed, we got 18.30 Rhivney to the Canadian Dollar, which is very good. Dema, our interpreter here, a lovely Christian young brother, in fellowship in Lviv got the money exchanged at a better that the posted rate. We then went to eat in a very new buffet and ate in the mezzanine up a glass staircase? I must mention the fact of the amazing building projects all over Ivano and Lviv. Old building demolished and beautiful apartment and stores being built. Everyone seems to wonder where the people are to buy and live in the apartments.

We left the restaurant and went to see our old friend Oleg in the market. He was delighted to see me and greeted me as many others have with “I thought you said you would not be back?” We talked a little and only hope he will be at meeting on Sunday.

We had more shopping to do for snacks etc for the meeting tonight and then met a man who has a garage that Dan uses, and has been out to many meetings. A really nice business man. He wanted to show us his renovation, upstairs from his shop. He is making a clinic type centre where people can bring autistic patients for therapy in all areas of need, at very little cost. He says he will be at meeting on Sunday.

We headed home to prepare for the evening meeting in the new meeting room. We got there early to set up and be ready. Some were already waiting outside in the cold. This was an informal meeting with about 9 of us and I felt was very valuable. It went on for over an hour and then we had drinks and snacks.

We then got everybody in the van and took them all home.

Tired but blessed. Enough for now.

God bless and please keep praying for wisdom.

Malcolm

Malcolm's report #5 for October 26th and 27th

#6 report for Saturday and Sunday October 26^th  and 27^th

Well the day arrived for the Conference in lviv. We 6 men managed to work around each other to eat breakfast and dress for the meeting that started at 10 am. We took our 2 cars and managed to get to the church through the heavy traffic. It seems to get worse every year, and I was told it is worse every year because of the number of new drivers on the already packed city streets.

The day started with an half hour of prayer, with many brothers taking part. We then opened with a bible reading, lead by brother Paul Andrews, assisted by Edmund and myself and others from the congregation. The passage was the book of Philemon and we managed to finish the book.

Then lunch was provided, followed at 1:30 by singing by young people from Slovakia and children from Lviv and Ivano. The afternoon ministry followed, starting with Daniel Mozjes, then myself and closing with Paul Andrews. It seems the variety of ministry was appreciated by the attendees, as they chatted over supper, before leaving for home. There is no evening meeting as the church hall has to be cleared for use on Sunday morning,

The evening was used by visitors touring the city centre and other places of interest, before heading for lodgings. Some groups headed home for Sunday and others stayed to attend the assembly in Lviv.

Sunday morning .the 27th

4 of our six men were returning to Slovakia after lunch at the hall, so had to pack their bags and take everything before going to meeting. We were all ready in good time and some drove and I and two others walked to meeting. It certainly was a little tight, but everyone who wanted too, had a seat, even a stranger who wandered.

After the breaking of bread, a brother Marion, from Slovakia, gave good ministry and then brother Paul Andrews spoke to the children.

A cold lunch was then served and the guests who were heading home left, some to Slovakia and some, along with Malcolm, headed to Ivano Frankivsk.

And so ended a very nice little conference.

Upon arriving in Ivano, some of us has the privilege of taking a very needed nap. Then the Johnstons, the Andrews and myself went for a nice supper at a favourite restaurant and then home to bed.                               So much for a long and full day.

Thanks for your prayers, they were very much appreciated. More later.

Malcolm.