Moldova outreach #5: from Chisinau to Cahul, from center to the south.

Cahul. South town of Moldova, and we live right in a center of it (check google map for it's size:)

Here we do ministries with Salvation Army: sunday school, english club (helping kids with their hometask), manual labor, visits to the hospital, street ecangelism, girls and boys clubs,  and more is yet to come...

To travel from Chisinau to Cahul we rent a bus (because we, as normal family, have many things to bring with us).

The very next morning after we arrived, we led a 3 days day-camp, with about 26 kids. For me it was surprising that my team was all ready to serve: we made a program the evening before and kids love it! I got to lead the lesson on the second day and for me was impressive how much these kids are creative! They helped me to tell them a story and it was fun for both of us:)

For sunday we did worship and led sunday school service. Church is small and having 10 of us is very helpful for them!

Since we moved out from Chisinau and spent 4 days in Cahul, with new place to live and a new schedule to live by, made me tired .. And I pray to keep myself up for the rest of DTS. Kinder sweets helped it yesterday:)

I am learning to let myself be imperfect, because through my mistakes, both, me and others, are learning and God is not upset with me if I do wrong, because I always coming back to Him with failures and joys.

Getting along with others and use mercy instead of judgment: these I am learning now and always:)

Also, I am ensuring over and over again, that fellowship helps many issues, it brings peace and clarification, it gives you good time when you sleep and stable steps when you walk.

Outreach Moldova, #4: Chisinau: we felt at home here

For our last week in Chisinau we held 3 English­clubs, had one faith day, worked on building a church in the village Sculeni, and spent the whole Sunday at the Urban Center with teenagers and the “Church without walls.”

The English lessons remind me of a time when my friend and I went to a near­by village in Vinnytsia with stickers, saying something like, “hey, cool creative English clubs are going to happen here…” But, as soon as I took a paper to write with big letters “ENGLISH” I got stuck...because I noticed I had written “Inglish.” Just a fun story to start telling you what happened our last week in Chisinau.

Monday and Wednesday we had two themes, “Countries" and “Grammar.” Since Moldova has many holidays in April and May, this last week was quite empty. We had 28 young people coming before, but this time it was about 8­9. You might say it was a good quality time with each of them!

On Friday we made a celebration for the last e­club with us: karaoke and dances were on a roll! I doubted this idea, but seriously, they couldn’t stop. “More songs! Hey, let's dance this!” Great!

Thursday. A day of extreme change for our students: we made them go out for whole day with a limited budget and with no time to take more than a Bible and water with them. They spent about 10 hours outside, not coming home once during that time.

On my own DTS last year, during outreach in Bosnia, I had such day which we spent in 10 hours of walking and 2 of hours resting, in prayer for the country, meeting and praying for people, and taking nap at a Catholic church. This time, my students had their day. We left them 3 envelopes with the time on them to open, with a Passage. The last envelop had a blank paper and a pen to write their own “Passage.” Instead, the their first phrase was “Our leaders are evil.” They got back SO HAPPY and in such a spirit of unity! “Since when have we liked each other that much?” was one of the feedback phrases :) It was a great to see a closer relationship between them, one that let them get a new breath for outreach in Moldova!

On Saturday, our men went to Sculeni to finish their first project, stairs. They miraculously did it, even having limited reserves they did it so well! And the church left to be encouraged by their help and fellowship! The girls stayed in Chisinau: we did preparation for Sunday services, so that our boys won't feel pressure and that everything would be done with quality.

Sunday we had a 2 hour program for teens at the Urban Center and after that we shared at the “Church without walls.” The morning of that day was very fun! The teenagers loved to do quest and the message we gave hit the goal! Some of guys came up to Lilya (she led the morning) and said that it was exactly what they wanted to hear! She spoke about getting up if you fall down and that only God truly knows what is inside of you. After that, during church service, Sergey and Meder shared words of encouragement, Dima sang a Ukrainian song and the Bucalovs sang a Bulgarian song from their outreach. The church prayed for us, blessed us financially and had communion with us.

Moldova now can go into the EU without visas, and so this is what they are now celebrating!
I noticed how many travel agencies they have and the “exchange currency” boxes are literally
everywhere! I hope those who goes abroad won't hurt their families by that, because many many people are leaving homes here.

As for me, I am having my day off before to pack and go to south: Kagul. Chisinau welcomed us well and I feel useful to be here. One more month for outreach, few more days of DTS and we finish...Crazy. Time is running, try to catch yourself in it.

Kagul on Wednesday, 30th of April.

Moldova outreach, #3: loval TV and Easter

Day 1: English - ­club, hooray! We had active prep and at the evening our 2 groups, "so­-so" and "good" united. We watched 3 pieces of 3 films, of course in English, and had quiz afterward.
When our time ran out, some of the students stayed to play Mafia with us. :)

Day 2: Tuesday was our day off, which I spent not rushing anywhere, walking around and
checking my navigation skills, having cream­soup in a bread bowl, and changing money. The rate
for Ukrainian money is...low. When we just arrived it was lucky moment for us, but later the rate
dropped down (the lowest now is 1 UAH to 0.50 LEI).

Day 3: Early, early in the morning, three of our DTS male students and I went to the school. We arrived 40 minutes early and during this time each of us spent some time on tuning our hearts and minds. That day we had 6 classes, grades 5­9. The 7th grade behavior impressed me and it
seemed as though they were the 9th graders. We are still reaching teens about Friendship. So far, for 2 weeks we reached about 1,000 teens! One of the highlight descriptions of friendship was one I heard from a 7th grader: “Friendship is a partnership; it is to see yourself in another person. Friendship is giving: by giving you are fed spiritually, by receiving ­ physically.” 

  Day 4: Love feast? Yes. We had it that evening at the “Church without walls.” It was an evening to remember what our Jesus went through and how we are supposed to live with that. Good time to spend with this people and be reminded of great sacrifice.

Day 5: All of us spent time together. We had a walk in a park and played a quest, which brought
me to meet 2 musicians, French and French­Canadian. On the way back home, we met local TV reporters, and they offered us an opportunity to ask any question to any minister of Moldova, and I asked a question we are interested in: “How can you help your youth to develop their creativity and ideas today for their better future?”

Day 6: Again early morning we left to the Sculeni village (where earlier our guys went once
already). This is a place where Ivan's, our outreach leader, mom lives. People are building a
church there, for 4 summers already by this point. We had about 8 hours to spend with those
people, have fellowship and help practically. Lillian and I decorated for Easter, Lilya helped with
salads. We've been blessed with an encouragement, that that day we did "a ministry of
partnership".

Day 7: Sunday, for students was a day of good challenge: the volunteers from the church and
them led their first Sunday school. And the church was so thankful for that! It was their dream to
have a service for kids and now it was started. That day, later, we visited one more church and
heard more about Easter. We also had a lamb! At the evening, since the next week is final, Peter
and friends invited us for a BBQ. It was such a good time to share about YWAM (I did it for most
of the time), DTS, plans, understandings and encouragement. That day we also got blessed
financially! Let's party :)

PRAYERS for the final week in Chisinau:

* be bound more together as team
* for a place to live in Kagul and ministries there
* for more summer!
* to finish this week bright and organized

outreach #2 Moldova: low temperature and mud

The second, out of 8 weeks of outreach, started with us going to Urban Center for English Club. We had a Sport theme. Woah, these guys guessed all of our questions! It was fun, because somehow it feels like it is safe place for them to come. Not all of the 24 people who are coming know each other, but here they learn and have fun together! Since we are a part of Urban Center ministries, some people who serve there come also for these evenings, and it is a big encouragement to see them gaining friends among attendees!

The next day, Daniel, Katya, Sergey and I went to the school and talked about the value of Friendship. Our guys shared the most, while Katya and I were translating for them. Just saying, the teens loved to be around foreigners, and one of the girls came up to me saying how impressed she was by my translating and wished to be the same. So we invited her and her friends to the English Club! While we still were at the school, one teacher was with us during of the lessons, and when we finished, she said: “So sorry you are leaving, it was very good. And the most amazing thing, you made these guys speak! They are the biggest trouble makers in the school, but here they opened up their hearts!”

The next day I was getting sick, my temperature was low... That day I read in the Bible Matthew 6:34 in The Message translation. Boom... It became a revelation! I was worrying about my money, because I didn't count how much I would need for outreach, and looked like I took less. Honestly, it was a big worry of mine. Reading this passage, God reminded me to have peace in every situation and also brought me a solution: our friends, who are traveling to Chisinau next week, could bring me stuff from home! 

It was Thursday, and it was a bed day for me: I really got sick. We had a day off, and that morning was rainy. But still it was worth it to go for breakfast with the other staff, the Yarbroughs and Bucalovs. We did have good fellowship! 

Friday, I stayed home, while others went to the schools. They brought great news, and I will share one of them in Lillian's words: “Two of the teachers came to us saying how cool we are, another teacher bought us a lunch. One girl was sobbing after the Father’s video we showed, and after class we prayed for her because she just lost one of the members of her family.” That evening, our team had a ministry of washing each other’s feet... Special. 

Saturday started for me when I got lost in time: I woke up an hour earlier, running in the house saying to everyone I saw, “Sorry, I slept in,” then rushed Sergey to cook breakfast, which was in an hour from that moment… Yeah, I was sick the day before, which can be a good excuse. Myself and 5 students left to the nearby village, Laloveni, to help serve old ladies with Salvation Army soldiers.

We were split in 2 groups and here what we experienced: the first lady we met was very talkative and sick, and her husband did for her everything! The way he treated her inspired me, young and healthy, to treasure relationships. The next one was spoke Romanian. When I asked her if I can talk to her in Russian, she said: “Whatever you say to me I will listen.” Her children left her and she lives by care of the people who rent her house. When I was saying compliments to her she was shy like a girl :) And the last lady, Varvara, we got to her by very deep muddy road. Her house is being destroyed, she can't do much at home because of her health, and neighbors are stealing from her. She didn't speak any Russian, but through the Salvation Army guys, who went with us, I could talk to her. She lives with her cat Charlik, and her husband died 10 years ago. It was a very, very good day for us! The other team went to another village and on the way back, the driver broke the key for car...They prayed, and nothing happened, until one of the students, Dima, said randomly: “Come on, enough of it, let's go,” and immediately the car started :) When we all reunited, the students and I shared about our mission and listened to Salvation Army visions and stories. Good day.

In the evening we prayed for our school leader family, the Yarbroughs, as they left to go back to Ukraine for some time.

Sunday! A noisy morning spent with tons of teens at the Urban Center. This time, my team and I made a program for them: we had 4 bases where they played different games and then heard the values of Friendship as a conclusion of each game. After the teens left, we stayed for church service and Ivan and I met a person who came from Kyrgyzstan to study here, and wants to be a missionary in Africa. We, of course, offered him YWAM :)

Now, it is myself and the Bucalov family leading 5 students. Please pray for wisdom and islands of re-energy :)

outreach Moldova #1

The first week: done! We did start quick and busy, which is very helpful to get a big picture of the month that is ahead of us, to turn our minds on to giving up time and strength for a goal to present God to people we are meeting here. I am privileged to live with 10 people, who are an example of this themselves, an example of variety in God's character, mercy and fun!

A week before we came to Chisinau, our outreach leaders, Ivan and Katya, went to find us a place to live.  Just a few days before the rest of the team came, they got an amazing place to stay! 5 rooms! enough space for all of us - 2 families with babies and 6 singles.  Great location, and the landlord is very happy to have us.

Monday 31 of March, was a day off, since we arrived early, and I slept till lunch.  The rest of the day we spent in walking through the center of Chisinau.

Tuesday, 1 of April, was a day to set up life at the apartment: buying food and supplies. In the evening we met with a contact, Peter, who works at the “Beginning of Life” Urban Center. He has done ministry with teenagers since he was 19 (now he is 36).  He explained to us what him and his team do: they serve in government schools, giving the idea of a right life to teenagers.  By spending their time with them, building relationships and encouraging them to have right understandings of life they have.  Since it is a public school, it is not allowed to speak about God openly, but through Biblical & Christian ideas they reach their minds and hearts.  Students watch them & us and as... "Why are you so good?" Peter told us many things were told that evening.  We also started asking ourselves, “How are we going to do this?” But, as soon the next day came...

Wednesday, 2 of April, started early for guys who left to the school, bringing discussion about Family. They had 6 lessons in a row, but the first one, Peter led himself, to show by his example how that look like.  The teenagers loved the way Peter did it, and of course, being at the first time here, doing such thing, our team was hesitating. They still did what they could, and they were open to step up and try! While they were at the school, others, who stayed at home (including myself), we did "ministry hunting". We gathered to pray and ask God to show us what we can do. The result was us going outside, finding white cigarette kiosk, looking for a person in camouflage. We saw at least 3 people with camouflage!  We approached one girl in a camouflage jacket, told her that we had been led her. One of our students gave her his own Bible.  Although she was surprised, as would most people be, she looked glad we came to her.  God is leading us.

Thursday, 3 of April.  Myself and 3 people from the team, went to another school.  Our topic was Friendship. Every grade had it's own atmosphere... Really!  We split in 2 pairs, presenting this theme. One of the pupils, described Friendship as a miracle. We had really good discussions with them, challenging them to be the friend they would like to have.  Encouraging them that they have the potential to be a good friend, by saying we believe in them.  During our lessons, they were intently listening. 

Friday, 4 of April.  I babysat, and I loved it :)  Giving myself the chance to change environment, and giving space to our leaders who were deciding big things. :) As I led debriefing with the rest of the team, I asked questions "What was challenging for you?  And how did you overcome it?,  What did you pray for yourself?, What would you wish yourself for the next time?".  Our team was open to share and times like this are bringing us together. That day, some of our team went to the school, and others prepared for an english club and cleaned a playground outside of our house!  While cleaning we met a lady who is responsible for that area, and asked us if we were refugees from Ukraine :) Since we were cleaning, she was surprised, and said that people would never do something like that here.

Saturday, 5 of April... No, it wasn't a day off... But, what a day it was! Our men got go to a village (Sculeni, Moldova) and help with their man power!  They did construction on a local church.  Girls, at that moment, but at home in Chisinau, had an hour an a half prayer time for needs of our team.   What a joy to pray for others well being. 

Sunday, 6 of April.   Again, not it wasn't a free day but this is expected because we often give in churches on DTS outreach.  We went to the Urban Center, where, since September, unbelieving teenagers come to just simply hang out in a safe atmosphere.  Peter and his team have created this and it is actually a church building too.  They give a short message about God, loving them as they are.  Treating them as those who are worth forgiveness and love.  Ah... also, Peter got a call from the school where we had been the previous week!  The head teacher said to him that they loved what we had done and want us to come again!  He added that is a very rare thing that the school would call and say they liked it, but this time they just loved and were very excited to have us next time! Praise God! 

I love serving my team, and sometimes it is so challenging because my personal ideas or selfishness twists my ability to do this.  It is my desire to serve here, my team and the people of Moldova, this is why I’m on the mission field!  The mission field is one of servanthood.  That is what I am striving for.

 As we are entering WEEK 2 of outreach in Chisinau, this is what we are up to the rest of the month!

 Believe with us in God is glorified through what we offer Him each day!

 

Ministry Now, Plans, Prayers&Help

MINISTRY now

For a half a year, February-June, I have dedicated my 24\7 for serving Descipleship Training School, known as DTS, running by YWAM.

We have 5 students from 3 nations,
and 7 staff from 7 different locations.

*WHAT am I doing? - Everything!, though, it is dramatic and sarcastic:) I am glad to have a team to help and be encouraged by.
My responsibilities are Food, Housekeeping, being  discipler, Hospitality for Students, Preparation and Translation of Academic Material, School Communicators, Work Duties,Creativity Coordinator & Classroom.
*WHY am I doing these? - I am grateful.
Because I've been blessed for my DTS last year in Czech Republic, now, as God put peace and desire on my heart to stay here in Vinnytsia, I signed up to keep track of blessings for students who've been led by God to this school.

DTS is an intensive program of studying and living, where people are getting to know God and make Him known. Isn't it great?  In the beginning of April we go to reach Moldova!
DTS Vinnytsia facebook

NEARBY & LONG-TERM PLANS

NEARBY plan is outreach in MOLDOVA,
with our DTS.

This location, we as a staff, were given the way before the school started.

This country is a neighbor of Ukraine and is a part of Svalic family.

None of us on the team haven't serve there yet, so it is a new place where we would need to take wisdom, love and Gospel.

Outreach starts in the very beginning of April, places where we would go aren't clear yet, as we keep connecting with locals there. So far we have people to help us figure out locations and ministry to do.

***

LONG-TERM plan is BOSTON, USA.   YWAM Boston
Why so far? Why USA? Why Boston?

Since last year, as I went on DTS in CZ, I met Mark and we started a relationship together, Weeehee! :)
In the end of 2013 I went to the States to meet his family and meet YWAM Boston.
I applied to be staff on that base and I've been accepted!!!

WHY USA? - I saw so many americans are coming to serve my people that I wanted to go to their home to serve back out of inspiration they shared with me.
WHY BOSTON? - simply, Mark is studying there.

I consider YWAM Vinnytsia as my family. When I met people at the base there, I had a word "Go <transfer> from a family to a family". YWAM Boston felt a family for me too.

WHAT I am going to do there? - keep on serving.
Right now I am in a process of emailing with them. So far we found places for me to serve: DTS, accountant, campus ministry, ...

ME, personally: 

Since beggining of  2014 I got an extension of my worldview - God blessed me with a 3 weeks trip to the States, my life dream :) Amazing time with Mark and his family, getting to know american culture and falling in love with it's real people, provision I woudn't believe will happen, getting "western", ...

And since I got back, it was all about DTS. I live by it now, and I like it. It challenges a lot, so I need support to face conflicts and deal with responsibilities I have. People are different and it shows how creative our God is! 

So far I was struggling with managing time and creating a "regain energy way".. I need rest! This is my conclusion:) To leave this city and go for a day to another. Take time to swim\go to gym. Buy a book. Now I faced such fact, that living indeed by full-time ministry, must include a self time, to keep doing ministry in a healthy way, otherwise, sacrificing myself won't be that valuable. Please, support me in taking such times, by asking if I have it or advicing something. Pray for me to keep take care of myself:)

PRAY and BELIEVE

YWAM Vinnytsia - DTS staff team:
earlier we as a team experienced attacks: some things were stolen, emotionally heavy atmosphere because of political situation in Ukraine, health of our the smallest "members" on the team, financial support for a families and me.

Ukraine:
we need peace over the country, wise leaders, compensation of what was lost\damaged, salvation for Ukrainians, ...

YWAM Boston:
visa\flights, monthly support for 2 years, adaptation to the place and culture I will be in. 



Visit to Czech Republic:
since I got back from there, my heart can't stop coming back to those people I met there: YWAM team, people from street ministry (homeless, addicted, prostitutes), local churches, ... I really want to go back, visit for fun and rest or serve with them, as the time comes..


ME:
* self time 
* as outreach comes closer:
I need to learn how to be a leader, be flexible and attentive to His voice about Moldova, plus to have money to go there :)
* as DTS will end:
I need to have a picture of next steps, people to support me, ...

 

October - half November update

Hi, hello, ahoj :)

I am glad I can send this update to you and share what has happened on this side of the world, in beautiful and mysterious Ukraine, in the best city to live, which is Vinnytsia.

(All pictures are under text, unless you saw them all on fb already:)

OCTOBER.

For the first time supported a missionary family with my tithe.

Got "into the TH" (Transition Home) with random help, such as: helping Alla with her college homework, means, build and keep relationship; kept the house safe for a few days while our brave British family traveled to very necessary places (getting a year residency and a wedding of a family member); helping with communication between the British parents at TH and Alla; cleaning around the house.

(Transition Home - http://www.johnandfritha.com/transition-home/ )

Started to build closer relationships in the team, getting to know with whom I serve.

Spent time around the ELOY team with help they needed while they filmed at the orphanages: interpretations and local guiding and guiding one girl to Kiev and the Moldova embassy.

(ELOY project - http://eloyproject.org/ )

Family and church changes: as we lost our church (we were its members for 14 years) me and my mom found another one. For the whole time I am practicing missionary life, just in this year my mom supported me financially directly as a missionary! My dad finally, and praise to God,  found his "with better conditions" job! He is still driving all around EU, but the conditions of life and car and business relationships are much better.

Already saw the first snow of the new season! Though..at the beginning of October was too early.

Experienced this "At the moment staying in our house we have... 4 Americans, 4 British, 4 Ukrainians, 1 Canadian, 1 Mexican and 1 girl from Costa Rica/Nicaragua. Also we have 2 sick kittens and 18 chickens. Strangely I'm never bored" situation.

Launched Skype lessons of Ukrainian for my American friend.

Got to know first my friends are pregnant!

Started to read "Through the dust: breaking the stereotypes about a leader." This means I started a renewing process in my brain about such things.

Hosted friends. Tried new food. Cooked something new.

Had deep thoughts of serving and dedication, calling and using gifts.

Visited the dentist twice.

Got onto staff for the upcoming DTS in Vinnytsia!

Agreed to help one 8 year old boy with English.

Studied Hebrews with my team, had a weekend retreat with them where we shared YWAM values, and just hung out with these persons.

Visited a few worship and concert nights of my American friend (who is a missionary with his family in UA) at Calvary Chapel in Vinnytsia. I got to know one more church and got new friends among whom were leaders of that church.

Went to the theater!

Happily cried.

Spent joyful time at the orphanages, sharing fellowship with locals.

Took participation in leading worship.

Observed people with intentional thoughts to look at them with love, not mattering what they look like. (Try!)

Got a video from my DTS in Czech Republic! https://www.dropbox.com/s/kis38r2m7gn7i8p/Promo%20HOE%20Cheb%20%28fcp1%29.mov

Had thoughts of clear mind and heart desires, to whom I bring a benefit: myself or God?

NOVEMBER.

It just started, but it already has thick blessings for the spirit. You know when you are truly seeking the truth, and just then God is giving you beautiful stuff?

Right here.

Being on staff at YWAM Vinnytsia is a blessing. I am not married yet, but basically all of my team is 3 families. It is hard sometimes, emotionally, but what a great opportunity to learn, especially when I want to learn:)

God is very supportive when we do His things.

He wants us be truly happy and not fake joy.

Remember, get sweat when you pray just in a case you are asking for what had been revealed to just you.

God is very supportive through people: emotions, feelings, atmosphere, food, fellowship, money, clothes, advice, idea, prayer.

It amazes me when I actually think about my actions like that: I am being a channel between God and someone He choose me to provide a blessing for.
Got my visa to the USA!!! Have tickets, and almost don't have a patience to wait untill I go there.
Got a neccessary money suport for doctor's help.
Had creative evenings at home.
Met a new international marriage couple.
Helped homeless.
...
These all what I said here from my life were able to happen just because of the support, people who stays with me in their money and prayer support.  THANK you.

The month is moving, so I am looking forward to see new sides of this life, experience more of God and apply what I've been given by God.