School visits

Thursday April 2nd & Friday April 3rd

We had two most pleasant days. Both days started off with a clear sky and HEAT. It actually went up to the high teens!
We went to the Bible Society and picked up New Testaments and also Children’s Bibles. We also had laminated texts of all sorts sent to us from the Clinton assembly. These are such a joy to give out as the kids are all excited to receive them. We had colouring books for the younger grades, also from the Bible society, notebooks with scripture on the illustrated cover and candy and also small stuffed toys for the younger grades in one of the schools. We visited two schools, one each day. The one school had approximately 500 students who came and heard the message of the gospel and the one school we visited today had about 170 students. The students in both schools ranged from grade one to grade 12.
Misha came with us on Thursday. He used a good illustration to show the brevity of life. He spoke to the older students and lit a match to show how short life is. Sometimes it went out very fast and at times the match burned till the end. But it was nevertheless a short time. His point was easily seen and understood. Misha and Flora spoke to the older kids while Ruslan and I spoke to the younger crowd who had gathered in another older building. The kids in this school were very pleasant and payed close attention. I asked them a few questions about Easter which is very very important here and steeped in so much tradition that the true meaning of Christ’s resurrection is lost. I tried to draw their attention to the reason He was put to death in the first place, which is what made the resurrection so important. I would tell you what the others spoke on, except that I didn’t understand much of it as it was in Ukrainian!
All students left with a New Testament or Children’s Bible. The younger ones were given a colouring book and candy, the older ones received a book marker with John 3:16 on it and also some candy.

Friday (today) we headed off to a larger village and were met by someone the Bible Society had arranged to meet us. This young gentleman (Yaroslav) brought us to the school and introduced us to the director and the young students who were waiting for us in the auditorium. We spoke to three age groups in turn. Speaking to the younger ones is very enjoyable as they are very animated and really do listen to what we are saying. The little ones each got a scripture text, a stuffed toy, candy and a children’s bible. The older kids received book markers and a note book with scripture and some candy as well as a New Testament. Flo, myself and Ruslan all took turns speaking to the kids. It was a very enjoyable time with these children. Afterwards we went with Yaroslav to have lunch which had been prepared for us. One of the ladies who was with us mentioned that a few years ago she had received a bible at a bazaar in this same village and after reading it had come to the knowledge of her sins forgiven through the shed blood of Christ. Ruslan mentioned that a few years ago some from Canada and the US had been at this village with bibles. We really do not know the end result of all those bibles given out in bazaars.

Starting to look to next Friday as I will be heading back to Canada, however Flo will be staying behind and will be joined by Gilles on Apr 25th and by Jean Lee on May 14th.