WORD OF THE DAY - Monday 27 August 2012 from Nikolaev, Ukraine

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

по милости Господа мы не исчезли, ибо милосердие Его не истощилось. Оно обновляется каждое утро; велика верность Твоя! (Плач Иеремии 3:22-23 Russian) 

Це милість Господня, що ми не погинули, бо не покінчилось Його милосердя, нове воно кожного ранку, велика бо вірність Твоя! (Плачът на Еремия 3:22-23 Ukrainian)

 O LORD God, our dear Father in heaven ~ we come into your gates with hearts full of thanksgiving for all the mercies we receive on this new day from your unending love and faithfulness. Forgive us for our foolish ways when we sometimes think that we are all alone in this vast universe and wonder where we are going. Give us wisdom along with your blessed assurance that we have the perfect Savior to follow into eternity. Help us to fight the good fight of faith without compromising any of our principles based truth found in Scripture. Nevertheless, help us to demonstrate your superior love and patience toward all people with whom we come in contact so that they may see Jesus living in us and not only in our words. We pray in Jesus name, Amen.

 Yesterday was the first time in many months that we have had 20 in attendance. We used to tell the group that if and when we began to regularly have around 20 each Sunday, we would move our worship services downstairs to the large auditorium. We are not exactly preparing for that, since several of the folks yesterday were some who come from out of town and do not intend to be here that often. Nevertheless, we are looking forward to having to make such a favorable change. We experimented with meeting in the large hall in 2009, but our small group was lost in all the theater seats and stage. We had a good children's Bible class yesterday with several kids who have now become regulars. The idea of Nastya's death was very difficult for their young minds. She was the spark of the class and the one who asked and answered questions. We plan to call our children's Sunday Bible class after Anastasia Nezhelskaya, who came seeking more knowledge of the Lord Jesus. Thank you for being faithful in prayer. 

WORD OF THE DAY - Sunday 26 August 2012 from Nikolaev, Ukraine

And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16:31)

Они же сказали: веруй в Господа Иисуса Христа, и спасешься ты и весь дом твой. (Деяния 16:31 Russian)

Вони відповіли: «Вір у Господа Ісуса, і ти будеш спасенний — ти й твої домашні». (Деяния 16:31 Ukrainian)

Almighty God, dear Father in heaven ~ thank you for blessing us with the incredible gift of life on this new Lord’s Day on which fellow believers around the world have the opportunity to assemble with others of the same precious faith. Give us wisdom as we search for more effective ways to communicate the message of salvation through obedient faith in Christ our Lord to our own family members. Help leaders of families – parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and older siblings that are united in the faith, to be more evangelistic since they already set a good example to other families. We offer this prayer in the precious name of Jesus, Amen.

We had a wonderful day yesterday that included several walks around town to take care of errands near our apartment. The fountain looked very beautiful as a reminder of the Ukraine Independence holiday weekend. We also went shopping for fruits and vegetables at our central bazaar that overflows onto several streets with small vendors and farmers trying to display their goods. We are always amazed at how much lower the prices are for fresh goods than in the stores. We spent time at our church office and took picture of a picture that Nastya; the young girl who drowned painted for us. David Ciolcosz was present the day she gave us this special gift that we added to our collection of treasures, and he requested a copy of her painting. In the afternoon, we had a productive meeting with Pasha going over some details of our work together for the Lord. 

WORD OF THE DAY - Wednesday 22 August 2012 from Nikolaev, Ukraine

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.(1 Peter 2:1 ESV)

Итак, отложив всякую злобу и всякое коварство, и лицемерие, и зависть, и всякое злословие, (1-e Петра 2:1 Russian)

Отож, відкладіть усяку злобу, і всякий підступ, і лицемірство, і заздрість, і всякі обмови, (1 Петрово 2:1 Ukrainian)

Dear Heavenly Father ~ thank you for the precious gift of life on this new day that brings us fresh opportunities to be faithful and true disciples of Christ our Lord. Give us wisdom and moral courage so that we will behave with kindness, honesty, sincerity, generosity while doing our best to build others up with our speech and deeds. Help us to truly be people who are doing our best to pattern our lives after Christ our perfect example. We pray in Jesus name, Amen.

Yesterday was just another spectacular day in our first days back in Nikolaev, Ukraine. We spent the morning preparing for a visit to be with the boys. We didn't hear anything certain yesterday since it is a vacation time and their regular teacher Natasha had to come in off her vacation. She left after the lesson was over and another teacher - Sveta who started her job about the same time that we began to visit the boys in 2009. The boys were very communicative during the Bible study part of the class even though they were anxious to just spend time with us. We took them a few gifts and later went outside and played Frisbee with them. It was very windy day so that didn't last too long. We sent one of the boys to a store nearby and he brought back some soft drinks that they were anxious to share with us. After hanging out with them for a while, it was time to go into the lunchroom building for their snack. This was a tasty pancake made with cottage cheese. The boys wanted to share with us. This was actually the first time we have been into their cafeteria. It is not fancy, but it is very clean and the boys do their jobs of keeping everything spic and span. There were a total of 15 boys present. These are all true orphans who have no relatives to visit in the summer. Three of our boys from last year were still there since they are waiting for the start of classes at the vocational college they will attend and have a dormitory assigned to them. We hope to get to see them after they leave. Soon we will know who the boys are that will make up our 9th grade class for 2012/2013 school year. When we finished with the boys, we enjoyed the beautiful weather and walked back toward the center of the city and stopped at a large supermarket where we made a few purchases. Just outside this market in the middle of Lenin Blvd. is an old Soviet tank that serves as a monument to the Great Patriotic War against the Nazi invaders. Thank you for the prayers. Galina is really struggling with a bad cold, but it is impossible to slow down with all the excitement we have each day.

WORD OF THE DAY - Monday 07 May 2012 Slavyansk, Ukraine

For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! (1 Corinthians 9:16 ESV)

Ибо если я благовествую, то нечем мне хвалиться, потому что это необходимая обязанность моя, и горе мне, если не благовествую! (1-е Коринфянам 9:16 Russian)

Бо коли я звіщаю Євангелію, то нема чим хвалитись мені, це бо повинність моя. І горе мені, коли я не звіщаю Євангелії! (1 Коринтяни 9:16 Ukrainian Bible (UKR)

Dear Heavenly Father ~ Thank you for your infinite wisdom that lifts our spirits as we consider who we really are in your eyes. Grant us wisdom as we struggle to be obedient followers of our Lord Jesus Christ. Help all who preach the gospel, or those who are contemplating this great task, to exercise moral courage and wisdom so that they will always present the truth withthe same love that you have for all mankind. We pray in Jesus name, Amen.

We had 20 in our worship yesterday. Pasha brought Roman who became a Christian while in a nearby penitentiary. TheObolon church has been involved with this ministry for several years. They also help the brothers who leave prison to readjust to life outside prison. After our worship, we asked Roma if he would please share his experiences and how he became a Christian. He gave details about his life prior to prison which was filled with alcohol and drugs that led to crime. We heard how he scorned the approaches of those trying to tell him about Jesus Christ. Then and older brother who also came to Christ in prison began to write him and encourage him to attend meetings where they studied Bible. It was a most uplifting day as we heard Roman tell about his faith, repentance and baptism. He will soon go to Kiev where he will be under the guidance ofbrothers there and his older brother Ruslan has already found him a job. Pasha volunteered to go to the prison and meet these inmates when they are released. Nastya , who will be graduating from the University soon with her 5 year degree in English, was with us and helped comfort Roma during his difficult time. It was his first time to do this before people outside of prison. Natasha, our WEI Advanced student was with us even though she works in Odessa. Pasha's two boys brought two of their friends. They all listened attentively during the sermon. We presented Olena a Certificate of Baptism and honored her for her birthday during the  period of fellowship. After the worship and fellowship, we ran home and put things together for our bus ride here to Slavyansk. The trip here took a little less than 15 hours. This morning, we took Mama to the cemetery where Papa is buried. He died two years ago, so Mama Elena is still talking this afternoon about their times together. 

WORD OF THE DAY - Sunday 06 May 2012 Nikolaev, Ukraine

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:11)

и всякий язык исповедал, что Господь Иисус Христос в славу Бога Отца. (К Филиппийцам 2:11 Russian)

І щоб усі уста проголошували, що Ісус Христос — Господь на Славу Бога Отця. (Филипяни 2:11 Ukrainian ERV)

 Almighty God, our Dear Heavenly Father ~ Thank you for the brightness of your loving presence in our affairs on this new Lord’s Day. Give us greater understanding of Christ our Lord as we gather in sweet communion at the precious feast – the Lord’s Supper. Receive our sincere worship as Christians around the world read and study the Word, pray together, sing praises to our risen King and bring our offerings. In the blessed name of our Lord Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

 Saturday morning we were out on the town doing some last minute shopping for our boys at the Boys Home. As it drew closer to the time we needed to get out the door, we had a call from Natasha, our dear friend and the boys "Mama". She asked if we could come at 1.00 instead of 2.00. That meant we had to speed things up with our preparations.

We had two helpers who went with us - Tanya and Nastya. They live in two different areas, so we hired a taxi and picked them up, and then headed out to the peninsula. Everyone had a thrill when the taxi bottomed out on the pontoon bridge and passengers in the back seat had to exit the car. That is Reason number one why we often have difficulty getting a ride out there.

The boys were very happy to see Nastya again and have the chance to talk with her. She gave good comments to the boys on our theme of being an industrious person. The boys were also very happy to meet Tanya, who has raised three boys and knows boys as only a mom can experience. She was an engineer during the Soviet days and told of the great difficulties she encountered at the collapse of the USSR when her job and others suddenly evaporated into thin air. She explained how their family had to start all over again after losing almost everything. This is a common thing you hear in the former Soviet Union. Since over twenty years have elapsed since the collapse of that empire, many young folks have no personal experience about this subject and many if not most schools still use Soviet era text books for economic reasons. People are slowly getting their lives in order, but for some the clock has been ticking faster than their ability to adjust to the current new world order. 

One thing that was the most encouraging yesterday – the boys reciting their memory verses and commenting on the meaning. Thanks for the sincere words of encouragement and the fervent prayers. 

WORD OF THE DAY - Sunday 29 April 2012 Nikolaev, Ukraine

 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (Galatians 3:27)

все вы, во Христа крестившиеся, во Христа облеклись. (К Галатам 3:27 Russian)

Бо ви всі, що в Христа охристилися, у Христа зодягнулися! (Галатяни 3:27 Ukrainian)

Our Dear Holy Father in Heaven ~ we give you thanks for the dazzling brightness of your loving presence on this new Lord’s Day. Bless all those in Christ today who yearn to assemble with others who have the same faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Help us to encourage everyone who receives Christ by sincere confession of their faith, repentance and baptism. We pray in Jesus name, Amen. 

 We had another wonderful and busy Saturday here in Nikolaev. In the morning, we were out in the town shopping for items we needed for our visit with the boys. Instead of the Snicker's bar, we gave each boy a Coke or Pepsi. It was a hot day and they really enjoyed that. 

At the Boys Home, we enjoyed a most uplifting experience as the boys were very well prepared with all their memory verses. Alyosha as usual quoted the most memory verses and we awarded him the special Nascar Hot Wheels car that our friend Chuck had sent from California. All the boys also received their coveted Hot Wheels cars.

Natasha requested that we help buy clothes for the boy’s graduation exercises. This will only be for the orphan boys who have no family member (besides D & G) to outfit them for the important day known here as "Last Bell". We are privileged to take part in this each year. We will have to leave Ukraine before their actual graduation, but we plan to get the shopping done before then. 

After we finished with the boys, we headed back toward town, and got in touch by cell phone with Rick Deighton. Rick is a business owner who lives in the state of Idaho. He has been coming to Nikolaev for 11 years to meet with a congregation of the Christian Church. He conducts seminars on Evidences. It was our first meeting and we had a difficult time finding the place where he is staying, but we finally found him and took him to McDonald's for a visit. 

After a long day we were completely worn to a frazzle and walked back home in a nice pleasant evening. God is good and we thank Him for this open door here in southern Ukraine. 

WORD OF THE DAY - Sunday 22 April 2012 Nikolaev, Ukraine

For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, “Do not fear; I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:13 NIV)

ибо Я Господь, Бог твой; держу тебя за правую руку твою, говорю тебе: 'не бойся, Я помогаю тебе'. (Исаия 41:13 Russian)

Бо Я Господь, Бог твій, що держить тебе за правицю й говорить до тебе: Не бійся, Я тобі поможу! (Исая 41:13 Ukrainian)

Oh LORD, our God and dear Father in Heaven! Thank you for the spectacular blessings that rain down upon us on this new Lord’s Day. Be with all of Christ’s faithful followers who assemble in sweet communion today. Strengthen our hearts so that we will be able to truly stand courageously against the powers of darkness that seem to be prevailing in this world. Although, we know and firmly believe that Christ our Lord is victorious and we trust in Him as our strong Deliverer. Help us Lord, in our unbelief. We plead in the precious name of Jesus, Amen. 

 Yesterday, we had another fulfilling Saturday in God's service here in Mykolaiv, Ukraine. In the morning, we were invited to go with our new friend Nikolai up to the studio of the local TV station. As we were walking up Lenin Avenue, we met him pulling himself along the street because the sidewalks are so worn out and irregular that he can seldom use those in his wheelchair. He wanted to introduce us to his friends from the various intelligence clubs around the region. They have regular televised meets that are broadcast around the country of Ukraine. Our Nikolaev teams have won international competition in these events where a host or hostess asks questions from a wide variety of themes and each team competes to give the correct answer in a timed event. We went there at 10.00 thinking that it started then, but that was when participants began to show up on Nikolai wanted to introduce us to many people. We met one very friendly professor from the shipbuilding university. When we asked if he know our WEI student Natasha, he answered with a smile. "Of course, do you know that she is also a musician, singer and composer along with many other talents?" We said, "That’s our Natasha". She is the person who sang for us at Dick Ady's birthday 80th birthday celebration. Regrettably, since she is so busy and so are we, we've not had an opportunity to meet with her. Vitaly said he will give her our regards and perhaps she will get in touch. Two our new friends from the club for those with disabilities, were part of the braniacs who compete in these events. We were not able to hang around for the actual televised competition since our main priority on Saturday's is the visit to the Boys Home. We had just enough time to go to the local central market and buy some apples and a few other things to take with us. On the way there, we stopped and picked up our friend and WEI student Nastya who has recently graduated from 'our' university with her degree in English on the 5 year program. You would have thought that we brought a rock star with us. The boys were so happy to see her even though they were mostly too shy to say anything. Nastya introduced herself and explained how she came to Nikolaev from a small town. Our friend Natasha who is the deputy director at this home for orphan and wayward boys offered Nastya a job as an English teacher right on the spot. 

We presented T-shirts to each boy that was a gift from George and Kay Pudzis of Montgomery, Alabama. They also received a Hot Wheels car and rubber balls from Martha Henry also from Montgomery, along with our usual gift of Snickers and fruit. 

Our lesson was about courage and several of the boys had excellent comments to go along with the lesson from the Bible story of Esther. Since they had all be sick with the flu, we didn't require them to quote memory verses from our previous visit. However, we assigned them new verses for this coming Saturday and we know from previous experience, that most of them will complete this assignment with gusto. Thank you for the prayers.