Woodland Hills Church of Christ

August 31, 2005
 

News from Proletarsky

Dear Christian Family and Friends,

A big hello to everyone as summer comes to a close. We hope and pray that you have had an enjoyable summer and that the school year is off to a good start for those of you teaching and being taught!

We are shocked and saddened to see/hear about what is going on in New Orleans and we pray for those affected. Kudos to Woodland Hills for opening their hearts and doors to refugees who have fled to Memphis!

Many of our members have been traveling during the summer, and we are thankful that most are back in town and settling back into their regular routines. In July, we conducted our first Vacation Bible School and were very pleased with the outcome. Most of the planners and participants were teens and they did a fantastic job. It wasn’t quite up to Woodland Hills’ standards, but the children enjoyed singing, Bible classes, skits, games, crafts and who in any part of the world could have a VBS without cookies and Kool-Aid?

A few of the visiting children have visited on Sundays and we have added an additional Sunday School class to try to cater to the needs of all. We are thankful for the families who had an initial contact with the church and for the good experience that our teenagers had in organizing and being a part of such an endeavor.

We have ongoing reconstruction to the outside of our church building. Due to a myriad of problems, the progress is very slow. However, in the construction contract, there is a penalty clause for every day they work past the October 15^th deadline, so we have high hopes of getting the work completed before winter!

We continue to ask for prayers regarding the opening of a Christian children’s home in Donetsk. The necessary government approvals are so difficult to obtain, with everyone waiting to be offered some ‘grease’ to turn their wheels. It can be frustrating, but we are confident that God can always find the right people to make His will come to pass.

Once again, a big thank you to those who have sent boxes of goods to help the less fortunate here in Donetsk. We recently received three big boxes from Woodland Hills, several from His Kids, Too! and one from Courtney, Corbin and Betty Lovelace and Betty’s friend, Brenda Owen. Courtney and Corbin are a great example to all of us, as they have collected things for children here several times. They show us that even children can work for the Lord.

We recently acquired a Soviet-era car to help us work more efficiently. It cost a few hundred dollars initially and repairs continue (not sure who owns who). However it is a tremendous help in the work and sure justified itself this past week when it was called into use as a hearse. We have decided that you don’t have to be a maniac to drive in Donetsk, but it sure does help…

We want to note the passing this month of Brother C.W. Bradley, a true Christian gentleman. Brother Bradley was a powerful and touching speaker from the pulpit and a caring brother out of the pulpit. While we are sorry to lose him from this old world, we celebrate the example of his life of service to the Lord.

We are immensely grateful to you for your countless expressions of encouragement and support and we want to make you aware of an opportunity to increase your participation in the work here. At the current time, we have commitments for only 50% of our 2006 support. While we praise God for the growth of His Kingdom in Ukraine, there is much work to be done. If you, as an individual or the congregation where you attend has the desire and means to help, please either drop us a note or contact any of the elders or chairman of the Missions Committee at Woodland Hills church of Christ (contact information listed below).

In Christian Love,
Lynn and Ray

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Contact Information

Ray Grayham                         Lynn Allison

^{raygrayham@yahoo.com                 allisoninukraine@yahoo.com}

Dick Holt e-mail: ^{mary@woodlandhillschurch.com}