Message from Ukraine

Before we left Ukraine we set up a video camera as an "open mic" for anyone who wanted to send a message to those in the States who had supported and prayed for the ministry in Mukachevo.  It's a great testimony to how God uses each of us to bring His Kingdom around the world. 

Link: http://youtu.be/EKu30rLcu1s

Community

I had a wonderful feeling of belonging to a community yesterday.  Here's what made a busy, tiring day a good day:

* We had our "yard sale" at church yesterday to sell off things that we don't want to pack up and move.  Most of the people who came were from church. We chatted and laughed together.
* Five of them stayed afterwards to help me pack up everything that was left over.  What would have been a few hour job was cut down to less than one. 
* Another friend stopped by to say goodbye since she'll be on vacation when we leave.  I've known her nearly 14 years. 
* Arranged a play date for Elizabeth
* Since George was preparing a sermon, another friend watched the kids all day giving me time to even do some packing at home

I was exhausted by evening.  My legs ached and my back hurt.  But I had an incredibly comforting feeling of being part of a community.  I thought to myself, "I could easily spend my whole life here.  I really feel that I belong."

Exploration

We returned Wednesday from an exploratory trip to Kiev.

Kyiv - Hero City

We dodged potholes, forged gaps in the road, took advantage of the four-lane stretches, and inched forward through long spans of road construction.  We managed to cross the distance of 770 km (480 miles) in just over 11 hours at a *dashing* average speed of 70 kph (40 mph).  Once in Kiev we settled into a nice apartment tucked behind TGI Fridays in the center of the city.

TGI Fridays

Since Kiev is soon to become our new home city, we wanted the kids to see a few of the sites.  Our intern, Jodi, was along for the cultural experience as well.  Unfortunately, the weather was mostly rainy, dreary, and cold.  No one really wanted to be outside.  Nevertheless, we managed to see a few of the famous buildings and monuments.

Central Universal Store - This old Soviet-style mall is being renovated into a modern shopping center

Independence Square

"House with Chimaeras" made entirely of cement

Pechersk Lavra is one of the three most holy sites in Eastern Orthodoxy

"Mother Motherland" statue is taller than the Statue of Liberty in NYC

"Assumption Cathedral" was destroyed by the Soviets and rebuilt in 1998

We also took a drive through the suburban neighborhoods to explore where me might live.  The first one felt more like a prison than a neighborhood.

The neighborhood in this next video was much better.  We heard that other missionaries live out in this region so we wanted to see what it was like.  (Our congratulations to any non-Russian speaker who can repeat the name of the region that George says at the beginning.)

Where we'll actually end up living remains a question to be answered sometime next spring after George arrives in Kiev in May 2013 and secures us a place to call home, hopefully before the kids and I arrive at the end of June. 

We also did a bit of exploring of a budding partnership with the Association for Spiritual Renewal.  George gave a presentation of Timothy Leadership Training at one of ASR's conferences while the kids, Jodi, and I paced the village streets through the rain and snow.

The most interesting part of the exploratory trip was visiting the Christian international school, Kiev Christian Academy.  We had a 1 1/2 hour meeting with the principal and it looks very promising that the children will attend and I will teach in the elementary school.  We got a tour of the school, although not attractive on the outside (I forgot to take a picture), we found a warm and inviting atmosphere on the inside. 

Another long drive home and we are back in Mukachevo.  We return with lots to think about, more questions left unanswered, a hint of uneasiness towards all the changes, and yet an excitement for what lies ahead.  It was good to explore.  Now we wait a year to see how God brings everything together to make Kiev our new home.

We've Been Adopted

Two young boys who we've known for years but then didn't see for a long time have reappeared in our lives.  Every day this week they have come to our house.  Today they were here at 10am while we were doing our home-schooling.  I told them to come back after lunch - after 2pm.  Every hour they returned, obviously hoping that "after lunch" would arrive sooner.  Around noon George found them lingering in the common yard behind our house.  As soon as our kids were finished with their school lessons at 1pm, we invited them in, fed them lunch (when we eat the main meal of the day), and let them play until nearly 6pm.  Upon leaving they asked if they can come tomorrow and the next (and I have a feeling every day thereafter).  I know their home situation is not good and we offer a safe place to be.  We give them something to eat.  They can play with toys and games.  But I am not sure I'm ready to take in two more kids on a regular basis.  I need to decide whether I can continue this or need to regulate it somehow.  What makes the decision difficult is that I care about these boys and feel a sense of responsibility for them since they were baptized in our church.  Sadly, their mother is no longer a member, but maybe with her kids we have a chance of continuing to show love and acceptance that could somehow penetrate into her heart once again.  For now, we have these two boys who would gladly be with us, and for now our door is open.

Faithful

Today I was overcome by God's faithfulness which caused our worship service to be rather unexpectedly emotional for me.  Today marks one of the most poignant displays of God's answer to prayer - a prayer that we have been praying for eight years.  And God has provided more than I could imagine, more than I even dared to ask of him.

Eight years ago we planted a church in our town, praying all along that God would provide a local pastor to continue to lead the congregation when it came time for us to move on.  For a few years it seemed as if there would never be such a person.  We prayed more.  We asked others to pray with us.  Time went on and George continued to pastor the church by himself.  At a youth festival we hosted in 2007, a youth leader from a neighboring city brought a group of young people.  We heard his commitment to God and desire to serve him.  We observed his gentle style of leadership and patience in difficult circumstances.  We prayed that God would send someone like him to serve in our church.

Robert leads small group discussion at youth festival in 2007

Today that man was ordained as pastor of the Christian Reformed Church in Mukachevo!!!  Since that week back in 2007 we have seen so much more in him than we even noticed during the youth festival.  Robert Shpontak is a man of God and a man deeply committed to God's Church being all that God ordains her to be.  He and his wife, Anett, have been called by God to continue the ministry of this church.  They face the responsibility with a healthy trepidation. As we prepare to leave Mukachevo and our direct involvement in the life of this little church is coming to an end, I know that God is the one holding her in his hands.  He is the one who has provided a pastor with the skills, vision, passion, and commitment beyond what I could have hoped for.  God is astonishingly faithful!

Pastor Robert, Anett, and their son Andras

"Not to us, LORD, not to us
   but to your name be the glory,
   because of your love and faithfulness."  - Psalm 115:1

Воскресение = Resurrection Sunday

In Russian the word for Sunday is the same word as resurrection.  Today we celebrated Jesus' resurrection with a special service at church.  The children performed a skit, sang songs, and recited poems - all the children except for Elizabeth, who for some reason decided not to get off her chair.  Here's the video of the children's program at church. 

 

We also sang You Are My King (Amazing Love) in church and it has been our family's song of praise today.

I'm forgiven because you were forsaken
I'm accepted, You were condemned
I'm alive and well
Your spirit is within me
Because you died and rose again

I'm forgiven because you were forsaken
I'm accepted, you were condemned
I'm alive and well
Your spirit is within me
Because you died and rose again

Amazing love, how can it be?
That you, my king. would die for me
Amazing love, I know it's true
Its my joy to honor you
Amazing love how can it be?
That my king would die for me
Amazing love I know it's true
Its my joy to honor you
In all I do
I honor you

Here's a link to a YouTube video with this song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dooif2-yAoI

New Years Before Christmas

It's possible to understand this blog's title in two ways and both would be correct.  Being primarily an Orthodox country, Ukraine follows the Julian calendar for their religious holidays but the Gregorian calendar for everything else.  Thus, Christmas falls on January 7 - after New Years.  Not only does New Years come before Christmas on the calendar but it also trumps Christmas in importance.

Under communism religious holidays were not recognized and celebration of them was extremely limited.  But Ukrainians LOVE holidays (during the spring months there's hardly a week without some "saint day" which prohibits some from working) and Ukrainians also know how to throw a good party.  I don't know how it actually happened but New Years became the biggest holiday of the year.  "Father Frost" (similar to our Santa Claus) comes with gifts and greetings.  An evergreen tree is decorated with ornaments and lights.  Fireworks and a huge feast typically with lots of alcohol usher in the new year.

The "New Year's" card we sent to family and friends.

Our church started a tradition already 5 or 6 years ago of hosting a New Year's Eve party.  This year, as in past years, we started with a worship service followed by a potluck.  Church members organized games and we had a great time of fellowship and laughter.  Before midnight we all bundled up in warm clothes and headed to the center of town for fireworks.  Everyone had a great time and it's wonderful to offer an alternative to the typical drunken festivities. 

It is common for people to dress up for New Years or where costumes.  Our kids are very happy about this since they don't have Halloween (not a Ukrainian holiday) to dress up on. 

Abigail in traditional Ukrainian dress

Matthew as a Star War's Storm Trooper

Elizabeth as Minnie Mouse

We had two "Father Frosts" at church with one reindeer!

The kids at church

Happy New Year!

(P.S.  If you're viewing this on Facebook and the pictures and captions are all messed up, you may want to go to the original blog to view.  www.devuysts.blogspot.com)

What it's All About

Thankfully, the feelings of not wanting to be in Ukraine were quickly replaced by reasons TO BE in Ukraine.  Sure, there are many things that I don't like about life here and those things are not likely to change, but I once again have a renewed sense of purpose and belonging.  This week an acquaintance confided in me and asked me to pray for her.  I was able to encourage a wife of an alcoholic to continue her new-found courage to stop enabling him.  Through my sister's medical advice, I was able to help a woman recover from a bad ear infection that was affecting her hearing.  I am grateful for the opportunities I have to listen to others and pray for them.  If I can help others get a glimpse of how much God loves them and cares for them, then I know that this is where I am meant to be.

Contagious Wedding

Slavic and Silvia have been regularly attending our church for the past year.  They had expressed an interest in joining the church but before they could become members, they had to get married.  Slavic told George once, "We don't have enough money for bread.  How could we afford a wedding?"  George encouraged them saying, "Money doesn't have to be an issue.  As a congregation, we can help."  Following the church retreat, Slavic and Silvia decided they would take the first step and register their request for the civil marriage.  They went in on Thursday expecting to receive a date at least a month later.  Instead, they were shocked to hear that since they already had two children, they could marry on Saturday!  They promptly called George and asked if he could do the church wedding on Sunday.  (A civil ceremony is necessary for a legal marriage.  A church ceremony is optional.)  The congregation sprang to action organizing a reception, wedding dress, bouquet, suit, rings, etc.

We were delighted to see Slavic and Silvia take this wedding seriously and make a lifelong commitment to each other. 

To my knowledge, no one in their extended family has legally married.  We were invited to the wedding reception on Saturday just for family and close friends.  Silvia's mom, who also has been attending our church for years, commented, "Maybe our wedding will be next."  How exciting to see God transforming the lives of children who in turn set an example for their parents!

Silvia and Slavic have taken the first step.  Next they would like to become members, be baptized and have their two daughters baptized.  May God's transforming grace continue to be at work in this couple's life and in the lives of their extended family!

Power of Community

Yesterday we returned from a two-day church retreat held in the Carpathian Mountains about an hour from our town.  It was a great time of fellowship and learning.  I think the total count of participants was 42 including two infants.  This, our fourth annual church retreat, was the largest so far.

George led four sessions on community including accepting one another, encouraging one another and living in harmony with one another.  In small groups we discussed questions and performed skits to demonstrate different aspects of what we learned.  I think it was all very good but the "final exam" comes in actually living it out.

Most of our time on the retreat was spent "in community" taking hikes, working on a puzzle, or cooking potatoes in a campfire.  I appreciated the time we could spend together and the conversations we shared.  Although I wouldn't join the kids in saying I'd like to live there forever (the food wasn't that good), I can say that I love these people and am glad God has placed us among them. There's no other place I'd rather be. May He use us to build His Church here in Ukraine!