Woodland Hills Church of Christ

NEWS FROM PROLETARSKY

September, 2002

     September has flown by quickly and it ended on a high note today as 3 new sisters were added to the church!  Tanya is a young adult who has been dating Vitaly, one of our members who studies at UBI (Ukrainian Bible Institute).  Luba and Tamila are middle-aged ladies who have been attending services throughout the summer.  Luba is the mother of our teenager Nadia, who has been a Christian since last summer's teen camp. 

    Earlier in the month, Oxana was baptized.  We had first studied with her immediately after coming here in 1999, but she moved out to a village without making a commitment to God.  Recently she moved back to Donetsk and, at last, was ready to make the decision to give her life to Christ.  As we have observed so often, God's schedule doesn't always mesh with ours!  We rejoice with the angels in heaven over these precious souls! 

    The weather has been beautiful for the past few days, with warm temps and colorful leaves adorning the trees.  However, there is a chill in the air in the evenings and it's getting darker earlier and earlier.  Several have said we are due for an early winter, so we are very grateful that Gene Parker has been able to get the building insulated for better heating this winter. 

    There is a real problem in Ukraine with alcoholism (see article at the following site:  http://www.ukraine-observer.com/archive.php?section=READERS_FORUM&issue=127  ) and we have been reminded of it several times in the past month.  It is a widespread condition and we are investigating the possibility of beginning an Alcoholics' Anonymous program.  One of our men is a recovered alcoholic and has agreed to lead the program. 

    Our new English classes are doing well.  The Wednesday class at Magistralny had about 15 last Wednesday and we have three new adults studying in Proletarsky.  Many of our students come strictly for the English, but as each class includes a Bible lesson we pray that the seed is being planted and that God will give the increase. 

   Our Jehovah's Witness activities continue with studies and discussions (OK-arguments on occasion).   Nick has been interpreting some information about Jehovah's Witnesses to be used on a web page informing the Russian-speaking world of the history and dangers of the organization. 

    Gene and Mary Parker applied for their 2003 invitations to return to Donetsk this past week and were initially rejected, because the local official claimed that the church does not do enough to help the community.  Gene said, at first, he was offended and he sent proof of some of our benevolent activities in the community.  The official was unmoved and demanded that the church of Christ agree to help 10 aged, very poor people with approximately five dollars worth of food, which amounts to several pounds of staples.  After beginning to deliver the packages of food, Gene decided that God had worked through this official and suggested that the church take these folks on as a project to provide them with this assistance each month.  The brothers and sisters in Proletarsky will be distributing the groceries, which will be purchased with funds from the church in Mount Pleasant, Texas.

    We would like to ask that you pray with us about a situation which has developed concerning a 12-year-old girl who has been coming to Lynn's Friday English classes and to church services.  Her father is in prison and her mother has schizophrenia or some similar mental illness.  When her mother's condition flares up, she becomes unreasonable and potentially harmful to Raisa.  One of our sisters, who has 2 girls of her own, has expressed a desire to provide foster care for Raisa, to prevent her from being sent to an orphanage.  We have been given the names of people to contact in our local government office to determine what would have to be done for Alla to be able to take Raisa.  We hope to have the answers and start the ball rolling before something happens to cause the officials to take Raisa away.

    May God bless all of you, our dear families, friends and supporters. 

                                                                               In Christian love,

                                                                                   Ray and Lynn

     “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

                          Philippians 4:6-7

1.     Sasha baptizes Luba.

2.     New Christians, Luba and Tamila.

3.     Congratulating our new sister, Tanya.

4.     Alla (back left), her two girls (front left and center), and Raisa (front right).