More Happy Happenings Ukraine #3

Our journey continues with each experience enriching our lives. What an honour to meet with key women leaders from this nation of Ukraine. As our conversation with Pastor Sophia  unfolded (centre of pic) , it was clear that God has impressed the idea of global unity with women into many hearts. Here we are with leaders from different church unions. All three of us were affirmed in our own ministry gifts and look forward to the future.

Our translator Maria came along with Pastor Victor to drive us to Pereyashav-Khmilnitsky (say that three times  and see how it sounds!)
We met with Valentina, Pastor's wife of the church in this thousand year old town. They rent an old Soviet theatre and have a strong congregation.
They prepared a delicious meal- the best cabbage rolls I've ever eaten, as well as many other Ukrainian dishes.

Here we are (below) with the women that gathered to hear from us. How many can fit into a little room? At least another twenty, who are sitting in a side area.

 We were deeply touched by so many hugs from these beautiful women.
 


Just though you should know... in Ukraine, Chocolate is a food group!

On to our only English-speaking conference, International Christian Centre. Held about ninety miles outside Kiev, what a wonderful experience with women from all over the world. They are teachers, missionaries, ambassadors wives, seminary leaders and others.

Alma and I finally had the opportunity to launch our material for the third WOW (Woman of Wisdom) Bible study. Since we are co-authoring this study on Ruth, the last four months have been spent in exploring possibilities. After presenting the background, volunteers played the different characters while a narrator read the entire book, a script from  scripture.

Here is the cast!

Mahlon and Killion die!

We can't wait to do the trial of the entire text in Cambridge, February-March, 2012.

Moving on to Poltava

All of us are amazed at the growth of the church here.  Each village we visited touched our hearts. One such church started four years ago and already has fifteen daughter churches. Simple strategy with incredible results. 

We stayed in a simple hotel and ate breakfast in the hotel restaurant.

Here we are trying to order simple morning fare. I needed to call Oleg, our translator to finally discover that there were no choices. Below see our meal, minus another boiled sausage and vegetables.

A new adventure every day!

We joined up with Bob (after a ten day separation) Tim and Ed.

A view of a nunnery taken from atop a hill on the other side of Poltava.

How's this? (above)  A monument to perogies. Alma is sitting in the spoon.

Another five hour drive to Krivoy Rog. This is where Bob has been teaching. Now we have a Pastor's and woman's conference.

 Look what we found on the way to the market. 

Ah. Roshen candy!

Ending on a sweet note!

Tonight we head back with an overnight train ride. We have been told, memories will be made.

Our time here is coming to to an end. I hope you are enjoying the time we have shared with you. There is so much more. Perhaps one day some of you will cross the ocean to experience this culture, rich in relationships  and new life.

Thanks for your prayers. 

Alma, Marg, Tim, Bob and  Ruth

More Ukraine Happy Happenings

Hello again. We are back!
What a wonderful adventure we are having, Marg, Alma and Ruth.
On Tuesday, Ed and Natasha took us downtown Kiev.
A world-class city with incredible architecture.

On to the Lavra, a fifteen hundred year old monastery. Such an experience, lighting a candle and descending to the lower catacombs, where we viewed the remains (delightful) of several saints. Couldn't see much except for a blackened hand sticking out of one wrapped body.

Here are some of the many buildings in the immense compound, taken in the pouring rain.

As Ed drove through the entrance gates, the guard asked for his pass.
Tim mentioned he would like to buy the guard's hat. The guard said he would give a price on the way out. As you can see, Tim got the deal sealed.

This round structure is covered completely with beautifully-decorated Ukrainian eggs.

Wednesday, Ed picked us up to drive to Smila. We met Dennis and Oxanna and their three children last years. Many prayers are going up for his beautiful daughter who has no known medical reason for her hair loss. What darling girls.

Wonderful meeting at Smila church, their services held in a theatre. We enjoyed lots of energetic worship music, words of greetings and a powerful message from Tim, utilizing his God-given gifts.

Ed and Tim went on to join Bob in Krivoy Rog, Alma, Marg and Ruth travelled back to Kiev with the pastor and his friend.
So we had three English speaking females and two Ukrainian-speaking males, driver and passenger. A two and half hour drive turned into a four hour drive. They got lost and we couldn't help them except to say Na, Na, when we knew they were in the wrong neighbourhood. Such fun! Back to our nest at 1:45 am. We can sleep when we die.


Tim and Bob are in Krivoy Rog speaking, teaching, eating, sleeping. We know they have a very full schedule too but we have no pics of them.


We have so much more to share so watch for our next post.

Love and prayers coming across the ocean,
Margaret, Alma and Ruth

Happy Happenings in Kiev

Hello from Kiev.  

We arrived Wednesday mid afternoon. Another hour drive to Paul and Christine Pierquet's (pastors of International Christian Assembly) brought us to their home, where we will live for the next ten days.
Thursday morning we started speaking at Kiev Bible Institute.
Here we are with some of the female students. Marg challenged them to rise to their godly potential, utilizing Biblical women as role models.

Friday afternoon we started a two day conference with Christian Hope Churches. Some women came on an eight-hour train ride, then another hour drive to be with us. We were able to communicate with these fantastic translators.

Sunday morning we had the opportunity to participate in Pastor Sophia's church, a dynamic woman who is known throughout Ukraine for her positive influence in drawing all together in unity. Here we are in the choir room working with Julia, our translator, making last minute preparation for Marg's message and Ruth's recitation of Psalm 8.

 The three hours of singing, dancing, words of encouragement, blessing for the children, soloists, saxaphonist, string quartet, children's worship team was topped off with a timely message from Margaret. She shared stories on her spiritual heritage from the Ukraine.

Here we are with Ed Dickson (who arranged this memorable morning), his family, Pastor Sophia and her assistant pastors.

Tim Gibb flies in tomorrow and we will be join up with Bob who is already many miles east of here speaking at a Bible school.


We are so blessed to be in this environment to see God at work with His people.
Will have tons more to share. Come back often.

Please remember to keep praying for us. We can't do this without you!

Marg, Alma and Ruth