May 31, 2005
News from Proletarsky
Dear Christian Family and
Friends,
We hope and pray this finds you all happy
and healthy in every way. Ukrainians figure the 1st of June is the
beginning of summer, so we’ll begin by congratulating everyone on the arrival of
summer. Unfortunately, we have had unseasonable heat and very little rain, so
those with gardens are watering and praying for rain!
We are sorry to report to you that our
dear sister Christina passed away on April 2. Many of you had the privilege of
knowing Christina and her presence is sorely missed. She was one of our
‘campaign kids’, whose first contact with the church happened during a summer
campaign. She had been an active part of our youth group since its inception.
She learned English and loved working as an interpreter because it gave her an
opportunity to have fellowship with people and help them. At the time of her
death, she was a student at Ukrainian Bible Institute. A great crowd of
Christian family and friends turned out from all over the Donbass Region to say
good-bye to her on April 4. Although we miss Christina and grieve with her
Mother, Tanya, we are encouraged by the hope of meeting again in a far better
place.
When Christina was still in the TB
hospital, a young woman named Natasha was brought to the hospital and placed in
her room. Natasha had just given birth by Caesarean section and had a very
serious case of TB. Christina helped take care of Natasha and ‘got her back on
her feet’ in Natasha’s words. Hospitals in Ukraine don’t always feed the
patients well and Natasha’s family is sporadic about visiting her and taking
care of her needs, so Christina made sure Natasha had enough to eat. When
Christina died, Natasha, along with other patients and staff members of the
hospital, came to the funeral and expressed interest in knowing more about the
church. As a result, we are having a Bible study every Tuesday at the hospital.
Natasha’s TB is now considered “closed” (not contagious) and she plans to come
to worship this Sunday.
Linette Britt was in town for a couple of
weeks in April. We very much enjoyed having her back in Donetsk to visit and see
the changes that have come about in the last few years.
We have been talking for a few months now
about the possibility of opening a Christian Children’s Home in Donetsk. We are
still in the process of obtaining the necessary registration and in search of a
suitable building at a suitable price! Please continue to pray for this effort!
We are happy to report the recent addition
of Yana to God’s family. She had been attending services since late last year
and decided she was ready to give her life to Christ. We rejoice with this young
sister and look forward to serving the Lord together with her.
This spring we have been studying the book
of Acts with our teen group. Last Sunday, we had a Bible Bowl with the
Budyonovsky congregation. It was an opportunity for Christian fellowship and
gave our kids the chance to show what they had learned from the book of Acts.
All participants are winners for having learned more about God’s Word, but our
kids took home the trophy!
A special thanks to those of you who have
helped with the bus ministry. We rent a van every Sunday and for special events
to bring those who have trouble getting around and who otherwise might not have
an opportunity to assemble with the saints. They are thankful for this service
that you provide.
Our Food for the Needy program is
up to 70 recipients now and all those who participate in providing food for
these very poor people are blessed as a result. One of the ladies is an elderly
lady named Alexandria, who has only one leg and gets around in a wheel chair.
Her son, an Afghan war veteran and an alcoholic, lives with her. He’s not much
interested in working and so they both live on her meager pension. She has never
in her life been to church, but she’s coming this weekend! Thanks to all of you
who are a part of this benevolent outreach effort. We look forward to a visit
from Ron and Dave Doederlein, who will be helping with food distribution the
last Saturday in June.
Because of some very generous people at
Woodland Hills and His Kids, Too we were also able to help cloth the needy
this spring. Your contributions went to several orphanages, children’s
hospitals, old folks home and members of two congregations. A big thank you to
all of you.
Thanks to all of you who so faithfully remember the work here in your prayers
and offer many expressions of encouragement and support. We love and appreciate
you and pray for God’s richest blessings upon you!
Ray and Lynn
“…let your light shine before men, that
they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matt. 5:16
Opportunities
Natasha - for sometime now we
have been telling you about Nadya and her granddaughter, Natasha, who are
members of our congregation. They are currently in San Diego, CA, where Natasha
will be undergoing extensive medical treatment for the next year and a half.
Funds are needed to pay for the Nadya and Natasha’s plane tickets to America and
back home to Ukraine. In addition, because no one dreamed Natasha would have to
stay for so long in America, it will be necessary for Nadya to make an interim
trip back home to put her affairs in order.
Insulin – the church in Donetsk
offers insulin to needy diabetics through Ukrainian Bible Institute. High
quality insulin is expensive and sometimes hard to come by.
2 computers (or computer
components) for Victor and Sasha (2 young men with cerebral palsy). Victor
writes with a pen in his teeth. His teeth have begun breaking away from so much
writing.
Our dear Christina doing what she loved most – interpreting and visiting the
babies at the orphanage.
Yana, our new sister in Christ.
Alexandra – please pray that she will want to learn the Truth.
These boys were eager to help and see if anything in the boxes would fit
them.
Two boys were happy to get jeans sent by Woodland Hills Christians.
Natasha and Nadia. Natasha is undergoing analysis now with surgery to be in
July or August.
Woodland
Hills Church of Christ