Saturday, July 10, 2010

WORD OF THE DAY - Saturday 10 July 2010

Yesterday afternoon, we were out hunting some items for home, and passed a typical small shop. Welders seem to stay pretty busy here if they know how to do this wrought iron work that is very popular in southern Ukraine. We would up going back to the large outdoor market around 7.00 pm to shop for the best deals on fruits and vegetables. We got a nice size watermelon for around a dollar. Many of the vendors move their wares out of the market onto the street alongside the streetcar line and hawk their items hoping to not have to carry so much home. Just as we were about finished shopping, the bottom fell out of the sky and we were soon under a torrential rain. We still hadn't found the best deal on tomatoes and cucumbers, and got soaked doing that and walking home. We were able to ride a streetcar about 3 blocks, and then stood for a few minutes under a bus/tram shelter until that got too crowded and we just headed on home in the pouring down rain. Sonya never had such an adventure and squealed all the rest of way home. It was a hot day so the rain cooled us off and it was much better than walking home in a blizzard after shopping. Thank you for your prayers and other encouragement.

We began the day Friday morning by roaming the acres and acres of shops that carry various and sundry items that people consume. Most of this stuff is made in China, Turkey and a few other highly industrialized places. After looking at many options, we wound up getting the best summer shoes for the boys at the Boys Home from Irina, the same vendor who helped us before. This time she had enough variety of sizes. Even after she gave us a discount from the prices marked on her display, when I handed her the money, she gave us a little cash back so that she and her husband have part in this help for the orphan boys. When Galina was reminding her of who we are buying for and that they have no parents or relatives to care about their needs, she replied, "they're lucky to have such grandparents." We are very thankful for those of you who read our reports and send money to the Dalraida Church of Christ and in this way you become partners with us in doing the work of evangelism that God expects us to do here in Ukraine. If I sometimes forget to send you a personal 'thank you', please forgive our oversight. Our time is a little different here. We rely upon walking or public transportation to accomplish our movements around this very spread out city. In this way, we always have opportunities to meet many people and hand them an invitation to attend our meetings of the church or to study English using the Bible along with WEI courses.
When visitors enter the House of Culture where the church meets, there is a direction board that lists all the people who have offices there. The church is listed there along with two other religious groups, several dance classes, music classes, billiards room, ping-pong area, a few artists studios, a security company's office and a few other things.

This is an example of many of the old pre-Soviet buildings that were built in the late 1800's or early 1900's. They are very strong structures and many have been updated with modern interiors.

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:20-21 NIV)

но собирайте себе сокровища на небе, где ни моль, ни ржа не истребляют и где воры не подкапывают и не крадут, ибо где сокровище ваше, там будет и сердце ваше. (От Матфея 6:20-21 Russian)

Складайте ж собі скарби на небі, де ні міль, ні іржа їх не нищить, і де злодії до них не підкопуються та не крадуть. Бо де скарб твій, там буде й серце твоє! (Матей 6:20-21 Ukrainian)

Our Father in Heaven ~ Thank you for allowing us to enter your gates with hearts indebted to you for all that we have. Increase our knowledge and wisdom as we study the doctrine of Christ and intensify our resolve to become more like Jesus every day. Free us from the strangleholds of this world’s treasures and receive our offerings and good deeds as true treasures in your eternally safe storage where our hearts are secure knowing that we are preparing to be with other souls who are forgiven by your mercy. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

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