Assembly work in Western Ukraine

To our friends who are interested and praying for the work and workers in Ukraine. I thought you would like to know what is happening, God willing, in 2011.                                                                                         The door is still wide open for the gospel to be preached and the distribution of the scriptures in Ukraine. We have no way of knowing, of course, how long this will remain, with a more Socialist government now in power.

As far as we know, the only Assembly work being carried on is in Western Ukraine, with 2 Assemblies now functioning in both Lutsk and Lviv. There is a growing interest in Ivano Frankivsk but there is a need for a full time worker in this city. Things seem to fade once the short term missionaries head home.

Last fall, Eric Fowler and Howard Pratt saw a good number of people coming out to meetings, some who had never been out before. We hope the numbers will revive again when brethren return in spring.

Several of us are planning to go then. Myself in March for a month along with another brother, not yet decided. Louis Smith and Doug Yade will be going for a short period, before or after going to Russia. Eric Fowler would like to go back in May.

Most of us will arrive in Lviv, where Flo Kancir will be, beginning in March. This is always our  ”arrival city”, and so we spend time with the saints there before some of us go on to Ivano Frankivsk. 2010 saw the commencement of an Assembly in Flo’s apartment. Pray that they will find a meeting room to rent, as the apartment is getting too crowded now.

Many of you have asked what is the greatest need in Ukraine? We always appreciate the boxes of clothing, the finances to purchase Bibles and literature, and your prayers. But the greatest need is for men and women who see Ukraine as a full time mission field. Each of the Assemblies has started where a full time couple have moved to. At the present time, both couples are from Ireland. One couple are in Lutsk and one in Lviv.

I want to mention one other particular need at the present time.  The need was met some years ago in Lviv and the van is still running and bringing people to the meetings and taking Flo and others to outlying towns.   e do not have any such vehicle in Ivano Frankivsk which means that we have to rent vehicles that are often not at all reliable or suitable and a lot of time is wasted. Please pray that a suitable vehicle, at the right price will become available for this year. There is a small fund already started to purchase this much needed vehicle.  The reason we feel lead to mention this need is the fact that many ask us to be more specific, not as a pleading letter. We plead at the Throne of Grace. I hope you understand.

I hope this update will help you to pray more intelligently, as you become aware of current needs as well as blessings.                                                                                                                                                            Yours, in our Soon Coming Lord Jesus Christ.                                                                             

Malcolm Stanley. (for Christian Assembly Work in Ukraine.)

Update from Flo

I would like to give a little update about the work in Ukraine.

As usual, I went to Ukraine in Sept. and returned home in November. There was a real problem there for the people because of an excessive amount of rain. Crops rotted in the ground.For these dear souls, this is a catastrophe as they depend on their gardens for survival.

Despite the hardships I found the Christians in good spirit.

In October Howard Pratt joined Julie Mackenzie and me in Lviv. He stayed in Lviv until the arrival of Eric Fowler , his wife Marg and their daughter Mary. It gave us great joy to be able to break bread in Lviv for the first time, October 31,2010. God has indeed blessed the work.

Edmond and Agnes Johnson are now working in Lviv and are a tremendous boost to the work. They cannot totally live there as yet but will be there as much as possible.They must leave for a while every 3 months. Presently they are taking Ukrainian language lessons and I find that they are doing very well.This couple are a real answer to our prayers.
Work continues in the children's homes, with the gypsies and in Bible distribution.

Meetings continue in the apartment that I rent in Lviv. Another young couple were baptised this fall. The Lord continues to bless. It is great to see unsaved out at every meeting.

There is one problem we face; the apartment is getting pretty crowded and so we need to find larger accomadations to meet this need. Please make this a matter for prayer.

Work also continues in Ivano Frankivsk where Howard, Malcolm, Louis Smith, Eric Fowler and others also work in the gospel outreach. Prayer is needed for this work also.

Fall 2010 visit - post #4

Nov 20 and 21
               20th.
       Early rise breakfast as normal as you can get with all the same ingredients for a Ukraine breakfast ..read and prayed  for the day.

Vadem came late he had a flat on way to pick us up to go to Lviv. On the way in the rain ..his little girl will travel with us we are going to Lviv to help give out calendars.
We got there just as they were on the street in front of Edmonds house . All ready to go, 12 of us  to give out 1000 calendars. The  rain held up, cloudy and cool but nice,  had nice time on the street. Some of the Ukraine Christians were  worried what to say to people  if they asked questions but all went well and enjoyed it. Some nice talks, good for out- reach and good for all as we meet people as answer questions. We need to do this in our own country, not enough contact made with people, doing it together.
       We all then went to   MacDonalds  and had a treat together.
A nice time of fellowship. Then Margie me and Vadem and little girl went to Flos apartment for all night. Mary stayed with Edmond and his wife, that is the couple commended from Ireland to LVIV.  
  Had a good rest, tired from the drive and on the street.
   
      21st.
   
           Normal rise Vadem made breakfast, Cream of wheat  manna they call it here. He made lunch last night, potatoes, when we came back.
        
        A time reading  to get  ready for min. after worship.  13 out from Ukraine; Vadem was received into Fellowship this morning ..he was quite happy .. H e gave thanks for the  Cup and was nice about it. Edmond had a word in the Gospel two unsaved out ..Lady and M an.  The man was there last week as well and came to Edmonds house during the week with Questions .
     I spoke in Min. on Eph. 6, the Armour . We need to put it on and not leave a time when we dont wear it all. It is the armor  of God .
      Then left and came back to Ivano .for the Gospel at 4 oclock 25 out one new lady.   A lady asked after the meeting, you talked of peace how do I get that peace? Spoke to her a little and then made arrangements to go to her home during the week. Then the 23 year old lady who is dying with cancer was out and her Husband, she listened very well  and her husband listened better. Some of out regulars weren’t out to night.
    Vadems  sister in Law who was out almost every night, was taken to hospital with very high blood pressure.  Pray for her, she seemed troubled the last night. Her dad was out tonight, would be so great to see this man troubled .
       Tired for sure. Value your prayer for even my health.   Thanks for praying.
             Tomorrow we will go the Mens home of 204 men value prayer for this .
4 more days in Ivano and to much to do so   pray for help to do as  much as we can before we go and also that Lviv and Lusk will have a little exercise to help down in Ivano during Dec. to Feb when someone else will come to help.  45 different ones  have come in the three weeks here.
                      IN Christ    Eric Margie and Mary   Fowler

Fall 2010 visit - post #3

 (from Eric Fowler)

  Nov 19th

     A early day as some people are coming for clothing . Breakfast as normal for Ukraine.
 Great to labour for the best of masters and great to be where he wants you, doing what HE wants you to do . All labour demands an effort.
     People came early, ones we didn’t really expect, so phoned Tanya to help She talked to the ladies, there were three of them a lady her daughter and daughters husband. The one lady came to meetings but not the other two.  Tanya came here, as we just couldn’t do it by telephone.  We will visit the lady later. They all got clothing some for the man, even though there was little left for men. The need is for much more men’s  clothing.  We should keep this in mind, a paper with what is in the boxes is also very helpful. Thanks for those who do just that it saves a lot of work and effort here when it is all different ladies and children etc. it is so confusing as some are still sending boxes and no list.
      Then six other ladies came it was nice to have Tanya here to help. It went well very well, they were all happy to get things, they are all very poor, got taxi for three to go home. 
One lady lives with no gas, just wood, so will arrange to get enough wood for her winter. She has 3 children and in a very poor poor place, she comes to meeting regularly with children at times. We did give children school material and left some money for medicine as one boy is diabetic and a very bad case at that, his sugar was 29 the day we were there, frightening for sure. Some had tea and some  had cookies  we gave them apples we got from the village.  They all  were happy to get the clothing, we  sent some home by taxi.
Then Vadym came and we went to market to get a hot water tank for the mens home and will take it to them on Monday with pampers and more clothing. We have very little for men  so any exercise for men supplies as we  have very little here at this time. We took the heater to our apartment until Monday, then went and visited Vadym’s father in law.
He is coming nicely to meetings, he tried to get one of his other daughters to come to meeting,  will see on Sunday.  Then went to the Market to see Oleg, would like him to come to Lviv for Sunday morning but never got the go ahead  maybe next time.
 Then went to visit the lady who wants wood and made the final arrangement for it.
Came back to our home and Vadym’s mom called and she and her daughter who I didnt meet yet came for some supper of what we had here. We are living as near the edge as possible had nice time and now the day is at its end. Talked to Ann Marie Kember on skype, great surprise she was still at work.
   Will go to Lviv tomorrow morning to help give out Calendars and be there for Lords Day .. 
                   Value your Prayers.
                    IN Christ     Eric Margie Mary  Fowler

Fall 2010 visit - post #2

(from Eric Fowler)

Nov  17

      THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE LET US BE GLAD AND REJOICE IN IT .. Mr. Bob Harvey quoted this all the time .
              A new day and started the same breakfast  and it was the normal  ..then a read and prayer together .
      A day of New visions,  values  and trust victories ..
    We went to the market to by suds, toilet paper, toilet cleaning liquid, soap for two all mens homes .. we took clothing as well from here  also pampers that we had here. One home the age started at 35 and until they die, they are all mentally  challenged. 204 in the home 20 are in bed all the time .  Quite a place the need was horrific . The other home was from 5 until 35 ..  Both places  are kept clean with a lot of work.
 The first place had  5 different buildings, two for the sleeping quarters and one for cooking which meant that all the food have to be carried to the men to eat. That is a lot of  work in its self for 204..they make their own bread there  and they gave us 4 small loves, very nice.  One building for the office and activity places and then they have pigs and cows, and a piece of land for growing potatoes etc. They get very little from government so have to do something to operate. We will go back with a wheel chair that is here in the building  and buy a hot water tank as they only have one for all the washing of the dishes. They use what they have and try to make do . It would just move you to see all the men, they have almost no relatives and a grave yard is on the sight and when they die they bury them there. New testament was given to them the first of the year so we left calendars and texts.
We spoke to some of the men in a few rest rooms where they were sitting. We will bring back  more clothing for the men and their beds.
       Then went to the other home they have children and get a little more  government help and more sponsor  help but still could use help. We left school things there  and cleaning soap etc.  There they raise birds to sell.  Budgie birds and make brooms from straw and paint brushes  also make mitts from scrap material  all this is sold to get help to ;operate. Its not Canada for sure.  Again left calendars and text ..quite a sight to see there ..how good have we got it . Amazing to leave there and go to Heaven what a change for sure.
    On the way I was looking at the people waiting for a bus or  a ride ..and there was Halya, so we stopped and she was going to her mom.  I didnt realize that her village was they way we were going  for we wanted to get potatoes for some here in the City . So the Lord was in this  We gave her a ride to her mom and made plans to stop there on way back..   We did just that  and got Apples , potatoes some cabbage and pickles. It was nice to see her she got baptized in 2005 when I was here for the first time.
     Then came back delivered potatoes and apples to Luba and her family, then went and got price on hot water tank  also for Kitchen Cabinets for the family of seven I talked about the other day .
               Now home very tired maybe just too tired .
                             IN CHRIST     Eric , Margie and Mary Fowler

Fall 2010 visit - post #1

 (from Eric Fowler)

Nov 13

     Normal ..day breakfast with a humble breakfast .. black Russian bread cream of wheat   tea .  At home we often stay alive to eat .. but here we have to eat to stay alive  .. and not just to .. If we just eat what we needed to live how much we would be able to share with others ..so they just could eat.  Read together and Prayer to open the day to the right avenues .
Vadem her on time at 10 and he took us to a mass grave sight of 120 000  Jews. Mary and I had seen it before but I wanted to take Margie there . Bible history with world history.   It is always a unique experience to walk around the grounds and just think German tractors bull-dozed the graves down and left an open pit where they tortured and murdered 120 000 souls which lie underneath  the sod there.   The piles of stones are still as they bull-dozed them .. names and dates on some..  "Let his blood be on us and on our children" words they said but paid a great price for.
      Then went to market and got food for 10 more food packages . Then went to Luba and her mom she wasn't out yet, she is a music teacher ..very poor; she had fell from the bus and hurt her let. Her mom is 84 and not well, left her a food package.
 Then in the same area where Yaroslav used to live and we got to know their neighbours and dropped in to say hello. Dropped in before and she wasnt at home but got her home and will go back for perogies. Mary loves them, I don't know why!
Went to vadyms home to pick up some things. Took pictures to be developed for some people,went to drug store for some pills. Went and eat some soup at place that Louie likes to go to.
      Came home for short rest ..then went to Marie's for a lunch, a large one she probably she spent her month wages to make the supper. Her son and husband, not saved were there, my first visit ever to that place.  Her husband  wasn't very friendly .. but that has changed ..but doesn't come to meeting much, he is cripple but could come if he truly wanted to.  had nice visit, but this meal is close to Olex and Olas meal so will be full by the evening is over .
    From there we went to Olexs place they were waiting for us for an hour, too close in the appointments but what can one do  we had a nice surprise there for us Andris mother in Law was there Nadia, she is a sweet lady. I thought of her during the day and wondered if we would see her. Andre want us to come to supper on Monday again, this will not go down good with Vadym but may the Lord help. Naudie said she will come to meeting on Sunday, it will be the first as far as I know for her to come to meeting since the disagreement with Andrei   All things work together for good to them that Love the Lord . Olexs son there as well had a great visit.
        Home after the two meals    IN Christ  Eric, Margie and Mary Fowler

Nov 14
   Early rise  breakfast .. Mary and my wife not eat much as they ate too much yesterday.  Well, read and a time of prayer and Vadem was here at 9:40 to leave to go to Lviv, 2 hours away, for worship meeting The ride was much more relaxing then last Lords day with the break down of the car and all other happenings .
        There safe ..took things to car that Flo had for us down here, and then the meeting. 17 of us some away today, but it went well ..all worshiped except one brother and he didn't any Lords Day since the Assembly started this is the 3rd Sunday. So nice to be here for their starting days Edmond spoke a short message in the Gospel and I spoke some in Ministry on 1 John Love, in your Heart Love for God and Love for each other Love is the Oil that lets things move smoothly. No Love No Liberty.
     Vadem wanted to sit in and break bread, but I explained to him he must sit back and ask to be received He was baptised 2008 and saved in 2006  He asked after the meeting and brethren spoke to him and he will set to break bread next Lords day. H e said his wife will come next week and he wants to ask Olex and Ola to come up to. Will see. God is moving for sure.
        Came back to Ivano to see 29 come to meeting, such a nice crowd for sure .The Lady 23, dying with cancer was out and her Husband with her ..Pleas pray hard for this lady I dont think she had long to live.
     Now tired and Vadem went home early and we just collapsed. Full day and full week.
           In Christ     Eric, Margie, Mary Fowler

Fall 2010 update, and vehicle setback

Summer is almost over, the harvest is well on the way and we have not written for some time. I suppose once we have all come home from Ukraine, there is not the usual news to pass on. Well, things are opening up with Flo already for 3 months, and then Howard and another brother are going in October followed by Eric Fowler and his wife in November. This should give good coverage until winter when it is not advisable to go as travel is not good.

I am not planning to go back until spring, God willing. As far as I know, meetings continued in Flo’s apartment with Brother and Sister Edmund and Agnes Johnson from Ireland now living in Lviv.

The meetings continued with a little interest after we left in the spring. Vadym did some Bible teaching from outlines I sent to him until the apartment got too hot for meetings when the temperature got to 40C outside at one time.

I want to share how difficult it can be for a Christian to get going in business when he or she will not work dishonestly. When we were there in the spring in Ivano Frankivsk, we realized we needed a vehicle, big enough to carry us and boxes to deliver to those in need. After we left, Vadym, our man there, located a van and sent us pictures. It looked good and was not a high price. Vadym had a Toyota car that he owned and had fixed up which the owner of the van said he would take plus $1,500 US.

In the meantime Vadym sold the Toyota and headed to Lviv to pick up the van with the $3,000 he got for the car and $1,500 we had supplied him with. When he got there he was not happy with something about the vehicle or the owner and decided not to buy it. While he was at the bus stop waiting to return home, he was attacked by 3 men who robbed him of the money for the van plus all his personal items, driver’s license, passport etc. They broke his arm and messed up his face. He spent 3 weeks in hospital but is now out and able to work again.

Your guess is as good as mine who tipped them off that he had money.

So goes Ukraine for many people. No recourse or help from police even though they come to the scene and take reports. They even called him in to identify 3 men but they were not his attackers.

Thankfully, he did not have the $1,000 that was to go to Tania’s mother who was having the surgery on her nose. Tania, with her mother, are returning to Kiev as soon as they know the date for the last surgery on her nose. The surgeon has done an amazing job already and I know she will be a lovely looking woman again. Vadym was able to deliver the money in time for their trip to Kiev for an appointment.

We don’t know what to do about a vehicle now; we are back to rock bottom and so will see what God has in mind. Vadym is trying to borrow or rent one for Howard Pratt's and Eric Fowler's visits in October and November.

Thank you for your prayerful interest in the work in the Lviv and Ivano Frankivsk region of Western Ukraine.

Your Brother in Christ.

Malcolm Stanley.

Report from Flo

Dear Brothers and sisters in Christ;

I would like to thank all who have been so supportive in the work in Ukraine. Your continued support has enabled us to continue there.
This spring we were happy to see definite growth amongst the christians in Lviv. There were two brothers who obeyed the Lord in baptism and are now in fellowship. There has been a very noticable drawing together with the believers. I am happy to complain
that the apartment that we rent is beginning to get too small for the meetings, but for now we continue there. Please pray for us in this regard.
Bible distribution went very well this spring. We were able to visit quite a few schools where Bibles were given and the gospel message was preached. Only the Lord knows where this will go, but we do know of a couple of young people that have received Christ in this way, in past work.
We continue to work amongst the needy in supplying food, clothing and medicine. I thank all who are of so great assistance in supplying for these needs.
For me. a work that is very close to my heart, is the work in the childrens homes (orphanages) There are never ending needs there, and these homes are a great outreach for the gospel. It was very gratifying for me to encounter a young man in the bible society last fall, who told me that he had been saved through the work at Viliky Luben ( a childrens home) through our efforts there. He went on to tell me how it changed his life and now he is trying to reach out to other young people.
Another avenue that has opened up to us is the boys colony( jail) in Sambir. they call it a colony but it is very much a jail . We have visited there 4 times this year and the door is open to us to continue to work there. One boy came out to meeting upon his release and told me, he wished to continue to come out. Time will tell.
It was very nice to meet and work with Agnes and Edmond Jonston from N. Ireland, who have been commended to the work in Ukraine. Their exercise is to work in Lviv and area. I believe that this is an answer to prayer and am looking forward to working with them in the will of the Lord. They are not yet living in Ukraine as it takes time to get everything settlrd, but they will be spending as much time as possible there right now.
Again I thank our good Lord and you for all the blessing that have been received. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.

Your sister because of Calvary
Flo Kancir

Ukraine Spring Report #19 (Final)

Final report for May 5-7^th 2010.

Sorry about the long wait but things got so hectic as we tried to tie up our last days visits. Then when I got home my computer would not connect to the internet until yesterday morning.

Well on Wednesday I decided to help Vadym clean up his garden and hope to have further conversation with Sveta, his wife. She told me several days ago that she had prayed while alone in her car, after the last conversation we had about her need of salvation. She told the Lord that she knew she was a sinner and that Christ had dies for her on the cross. The problem was that she didn’t feel anything or any better. I told her that it was not feelings she needed but faith and that we would talk again.

The opportunity came after supper on Wednesday. She got her bible and sat down and wanted to read the verses I had for her. I can only hope she got her assurance from the Word of God.

Thursday, we had planned to have a little meeting with the people at 4:30 and then have a little snack before saying our good-byes. I had brought 2 boxes of carrot cake muffin mix so started to prepare everything. My biggest concern was the gas oven and whether the temp guage was accurate or not.

The first batch proved it was not accurate and the bottoms of the muffins were a little burnt. I lowered the heat and the other 3 batches were fine. They cooled and I iced them. I must say they were very good. (I ate the burnt ones !)

About 20 people came at 4:30 and we had a little word and then the muffins, cookies and tea, coffee and cold drinks. It is always tough saying goodbye as one never knows who we will see again.

As I had mentioned in previous reports, Vadym had real problems getting his much needed distributor for his car. It was eventually sent on the bus on Thursday, but not in time for us to leave for Lviv. But, as usual, God knew about the problem and solved it for us. The lady who had rented us her car had some business to do in Lviv and said she would gladly take me there. So Vadym drove and we arrived at Flo Kancir’s just after supper. God is so good. On the way to Lviv we passed the bus bringing the part for Vadym’s car. He told me later by phone, it was the right part this time!

The work will continue for another month with Flo, Gilles Plourde, John Wenkells and Howard Pratt working in both Lviv and Ivano.

Friday was the day of my departure and everything went according to plan until our arrival in Chicago.

Our departure from Munich was delayed about half an hour, while they made sure we could get through the ash cloud that had spread again into Europe. We had a change of direction, going more North than West, to go around Iceland rather than past it from the South. This made us a little late getting to Chicago and we missed our landing spot. We circled the airport for one hour and this meant that many of us missed our connections. So, we spent Friday night in the Four Points Hotel, courtesy of Lufthansa.

And so ended my 12^th trip to Ukraine. I can only pray that the many souls who now own Christ as their Lord, will go on for God and that Assemblies will one day be formed in both Lviv and Ivano Frankivsk.

Please continue to pray for the Christians that they will obey God in Baptism and in Godly living.

Thank you, each one and each assembly, for your remembrance of us in your prayers. Even though we are now home, we are packing and sending boxes of humanitarian aid to both places, to aid the dear people left in such poverty.

Your Brother in Christ.

Malcolm Stanley.

Ukraine Spring Report #18

Report #18 for Tuesday May 4^th.

Another lovely day with sunshine and no rain. We planned to go to a new town and institution today and so got ready early planning to leave by 8:30.

As the home we were going to in Sniatin was a mental home for boys, we got some boxes of clothing and some junior Pampers loaded as well as children’s picture stories of the life of Jesus.

We got there in good time through the most gorgeous countryside. Rolling hill and large fields already green with winter wheat. We saw a large farm in a valley with brand new John Deere tractors and new machinery and a fleet of grain trucks. Some Foreign Farming Companies have leased land , this must be one of them.

We greeted by some of the higher grade boys, waving us into the facility. It looked in fairly good condition though not new by any means. The director came to meet us and welcomed us into his office.

His name in Leonard in English and he gave us his history. He was born in Sniatin and after his military service, came home and was voted Mayor for a term. After his term he was asked to be the Director of this home. He had been there 25 years now.

He asked me to speak to the boys, they are from 4, I think to 18. They came together outside in an area with a long seat and I spoke to them. I didn’t preach this time as it was such a mixed multitude, I didn’t know what to say. (That’s a first for me!) I just told them why we came and then gave them all one of the picture bible books. I gave all the staff a New Testament, a Seed Sowers John 3:16 and a Calendar.

We then were taken on a tour of the facility and the different projects the boys work on.

Firstly we saw where they raise lovely guinea pigs that are sold to the hospital and University for research. So sad, why didn’t they raise rats, there not so cute. The area was spotlessly clean.

We then went to the shop where they make brooms. The ones here are like a witche’s broom, without the handle. Not only do they make the brooms, they plant the seed to grow the stalks to make the brooms. They have a contract to supply some large stores.

Then we went inside and down the hall from the Administrators office was a room full of cages of cockatiel “parrots” as they call them. Again, spotlessly clean with no smell. Nesting boxes with bald babies in them and a large cage with babies learning to fly and others growing. Simply amazing. Even all the wooded cages were made by the boys.

The walls were lined with artwork that the boys had made in every different material you could think of. The boys in the carpenters shop make all the frames and a lot of the furniture.

We didn’t get to see the pasta making room or the sewing room, but we did see pictures.

We had to say that we have never seen an institution that is training its inmates so well. I asked if they had any needs and his answers were shocking when he told us how much he gets per day to feed a hungry boy. Much of the profit from the sale of birds and animals goes to subsidize the food bill.

There is nothing left over for cleaning supplies, laundry powder, clothing or maintenance. He told us that they do all their own painting, he even paints.

We will help them with some cleaning supplies when we hope some of the other men go to visit.

We had a nice meeting at 5pm with about 12 or 13 present. One man rushed in from his Dachau and slept most of the meeting.

Altogether a profitable day as we try to fit in some visits before heading home from Lviv on Friday.

Thanks for your prayers.

Malcolm.

Ukraine Spring Report #17

Report #17 for Monday May 3 2010

I woke early to a cloudy day but still a pleasant temperature. I boiled two eggs but didn’t have a timer and they ran out onto my plate. I put the second one back into the pan and scrambled it.

I knew we were not going anywhere first thing this morning, so set out to listen to some messages on cd and read some. I was really challenged by the two preachers I listened to, and felt the time spent very profitable.

I called Vadym about noon and found he had worked on the car until about 4am, so was just getting going. I ate lunch and he arrived. While he was here, Max Mclean called me on Skype and we all talked and could see each other. It was the first time Max and Vadym had met since 2004.

We then headed out to change some Canadian money and load our phones again. This is very convenient. We just stopped at a machine fastened to a light pole, selected a provider, punched in our phone # and put 50 R in the slot. Voila! The money goes into your phone, faster than it took me to type this.

We went to see a car parts shop behind the Priest’s home we stayed in for 3 different times. I said I would like to renew the acquaintance again so we rattled the gate and both Roman, the priest and his wife were home. Well you would have thought we were family. Hugs and kisses and coffee and cake.

Sad to say the conversation was mainly about a “sister” who we will refrain from naming, who was once a great help to us in finding needy families and orphanages, but has gone absolutely “rabid” Charismatic.

She comes and visits the priest and tries to convert him (which is not a bad idea!) but dances before them and even brought their pastor who tried to anoint him with the Holy Spirit.

These antics, along with pleas for funds because they are so poor, has really hindered any appreciation of so called evangelicals.

Well we were able to convince him that we would have none of that nonsense and I was able to witness to him the SIMPLE gospel without all the other “add-ons”.

We were pleaded with to come and stay with them again sometime, but that will not be necessary now.

We did some shopping and went home to a late supper at Vadym’s and then went to visit a sister, Marie, who comes to every meeting. She has a husband who had a stroke 18 years ago and cannot leave the one room apartment on the 9^th floor of a former student dormitory. They share cooking and toilets with several other families. It’s worse than our prisons!

On previous occasions, we have not had opportunity to share the gospel, but this time I was determined to do so. He couldn’t have been nicer, he listened intently. Marie said that she was able to read the bible to him last night. I really pray this man will get saved.

I forgot to mention that having rushed over there from our full chicken supper, Marie had a table full of food too! We were not able to do much with it but tried to sample a little of each item.

All for now, heading out to a new town and home for mentally handicapped.

God bless and keep praying.

Malcolm

Ukraine Spring Report #16

Report #16 for Sunday May 2^nd.

It was a lovely Spring morning with the pigeons cooing outside and the trees in full leaf, I forgot to say that when I came home the other night, there was a hedgehog right under my kitchen window, walking towards the apartment door. He looked so cute but I didn’t disturb him.

Only 13 out to meeting but was very happy to have Sveta, Vadym’s wife and Amelia come for the first time.

I spoke on the Passover lamb and how it spoke so clearly of Christ the Lamb of God and what it meant when Christ said “finished” (only one word in the Ukrainian Bible), and what the rending of the veil meant.

Then Vadym spoke about Lazarus and the rich man and seemed to be well received.

We gave out seeds to the people, who were there, they seemed very happy to get them.

We then went to Vadym’s for a shishleke (Shish kebob) supper. Vadym was working on the car with another mechanic trying to fit it with shocks all round. It doesn’t look as if it will be done, everything is so rusted.

Sveta brought me home in her car and told me that she sat in her car the other night and told God she knew she was a sinner and believed in God, but she doesn’t know if anything happened. I told her the only way she will know that anything happened is to believe what the bible says. I had to leave it there but will talk later.

All for now, don’t know what tomorrow will hold for 2 reasons, one it is a holiday and everywhere will be closed and 2, will we have a car? Please pray for us.

Love in Christ.

Malcolm