Merry Christmas from The Faulkner Family

Merry Christmas from The Faulkner Family
 

 

 

A look back.....

My oh my...it has been a very long time since the last time I posted anything.... I guess it's just the business of deputation.  We have been all over the US...and are currently at 81% support.  Getting anxious and excited!  I have been mentally preparing all the things that need to be done in preparation to move.  Passports, visas, and packing....

I have been thinking a lot about when we first started deputation and how heart breaking it was for us to experience life as a missionary.  When we first started deputation, we thought that everyone would be so excited for us and for the call God had placed on our life's.  We had a specific work to do for him in a specific place!  Just like when God calls men of God to the pastorate. But we were so wrong.  People and Pastors that we knew seemed to not want to have to much to do with us after we submitted to go to the mission field.  We saw pastors that we knew at meetings, and they would see us and turn around and walk the other way.  How that made my heart break.  Here we are, willing to leave our home, our families and friends to go to Ukraine, and we are treated like we have the plague.  But after 2 1/2 years on deputation, I have come to realize that there are churches and people out there that love missionaires and do what they can to be an encouragement because they know that we will need the memories of all the good times and times of being edified to make it through the tough times on the foreign field.  Those times when we desperately miss our moms and dads, our family, our church family, or even our favorite comfort food (mine being salt and vinegar potato chips) :)  But despite all this, I am ready to go. 

I get knots in my stomach thinking about my mom, and how she will be here alone, with no family to help her.  She is almost in her 70's, but very independent and in good health.  My brother lives in Korea, so both of her children will be overseas.  What if something happens to her while I'm gone, what if I can't come back when she needs me most?  But in all this, I just need to trust the Lord. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:  Isaiah 26:4

 

Mission Possible

 

Mission Possible should have been the theme of this missions conference in Charleston, SC.  This was one of the top 2 missions conferences we have ever attended.  The people were genuinely kind and caring. The Pastor and his wife had a passion for missions and for missionaries, and so did the church body.  The preaching by Bro. Scott was deep and really made you do some soul searching!  Over all, 5 out of 5 Stars

 

During the conference,  unbeknownst to them, God provided for our needs.  Items we had been praying for were provided by this church!  PTL!!!!  We needed luggage for our children for when we flew to Ukraine, and PTL, they got each one of our kids a piece of hard case luggage, and even in there favorite colors!!!!  Also, my husband got 2 brand new suits.  He has been rotating 3 suits for the last 2 1/2 years on deputation.  This was truly a blessing for him!!!

 

We had the privilege to sing at this awesome missions conference!

From L to R, Bro Scott, Brian and I,  Bro. and Mrs. Worley, and Pastor and Mrs. Sears.

And met some wonderful people while we were there!!!

 

 

They took us to Fort Sumter, the boys absolutely loved the guns, cannons, and ammo on display! My favorite part was riding the ferry and seeing the dolphins jumping in and out of the water close to the ferry!!!

 

 

They also took us on a tour of downtown Charleston :)

 

 

The boys made some new friends as Mrs. Clark (far right) volunteered to take my children to the Fire Museum, as all the adults went shopping :)

 

We came out of this missions conference with renewed energy to keep on going.  Deputation can suck the life right out of your being, and can really hurt you spiritually if you do not stay on top of your personal devotions and relationship with our Lord.  But knowing there are brothers and sisters in the Lord that are truly concerned about you and your ministry and that they will be praying.  It sure does help when you have to deal with the negatives of deputation.  I can think back to this meeting a smile, knowing that we are not alone in the ministry God has placed us in.

 

To see more pictures from this missions conference, click on the links below....

 

Costal Light Baptist Church 2013 Missions Conference

 

Downtown Charleston

 

Fort Sumter

 

Fire Museum

More pictures....

I have updated our website to include more pictures....whooo hooo :)  Ya, I thought you would like that...lol...  

http://www.faulkners2ukraine.com/deputationfunphotos.html

Hope you enjoy :)
 

Newest Faulkner Family CD ~ Press On

Our Newest family CD....

Download for FREE on our website....

http://www.faulkners2ukraine.com/faulknerfamilysinging.html

Press On, Mornings Coming



I'm Not Going to Hell

Casting All Your Care

3 weeks in Kharkov, Ukraine

 

We just recently got back from a 3 week trip to Kharkov, the city in which we will be working.  I was asked to speak at their Ladies Conference, which was such an honor for me.  It made me very nervous, for I can not speak Russian, so everything was translated, which makes it's a little bit hard to keep your train of  thought.  I had to speak one sentence, then it would be translated into Russian and then into Russian sign language.  But PTL for Ms. Luda!!  She translated for me.  She is such a sweet Ukrainian Christian that came to know the Lord as her Savior about 13-14 years ago!!  I believe it all went well!!  Hoping everything was conveyed across like the Lord had put it on my heart.  I spoke about Christ being our life from Col. 3:4 which says, When CHRIST, WHO IS OUR LIFE shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.  Is Christ really our life?  For some, work is our life, or our family is our life, or even our church is our life, but what about Christ???  I am hoping and praying it helped just one heart...then it would all be worth it!!!!


From L to R: Veta, Tanya, Luda, me, Nina, and Natasha

During this trip, I also learned a lot of Russian sign language, and was able to use some of it to communicate with some of the deaf in the church!  How exciting.  I even sat in on some of the chronological bible studies that were going on for the deaf.  It's amazing how passionate they are.  Or at least it seemed that way. You should see the way they express themselves in the movement of their hands and their body language!  There has been a sort of revival among the deaf here at Faith Bible Baptist Church in Kharkov Ukraine.  It's amazing to see them learn, and God open their eyes to the truths of His Word for the first time!  Oh how my heart longs to help them, but I can't until we get to Ukraine, learn the language (and sign language). 

While we were there, we also went on evangelism many times, and handed out some Mayaks and chick tracts.  We put hundreds of them in mailboxes inside the apartments buildings.  I did get a little scared one time when a Ukrainian lady was talking with Bro. O'Brien in a not-to-happy voice.  But come to find out, some youth that was working for a company that distributes information, had come in and made a mess...so needless to say, she was just making sure we were not going to do the same thing.  I do get alittle intimidated by the people there, it's not like the people here in the mountains of NC, where everyone smiles and waves as you walk by.  There are empty looks and sad faces everywhere you go.  There was loud talking and extravagant hand gestures made between people.  If you didn't know better, you would think a fight is fixin' to break out, but we are told, that is normal conversation.  I believe it will take me awhile to get accustomed to that!! 

I celebrated my 40th birthday while in Ukraine :)  The church had me alittle birthday party, the O'Brien's got me a cake with fireworks on top (literally).  It was such a sweet time of fellowship.  Nina, Steven O'Briens wife, helped me to read all the cards that I had received.  I even got one card from Oleana, that was written in English.  She is the daughter of deaf Natasha, and  had been texting Bro. O'Brien all morning to make sure she wrote everthing correctly!!  How precious!!! Nina even made me Ukrainian pancakes and a red velvet cake for my birthday.  I was just completely overwhelmed with all the kindness and thoughtfulness shown to me on my birthday!!!!  God is good, ALL the time!!

Me and Olena

I just can't wait to get back to Ukraine.  Ms. Cathy O'Brien and I was able to talk about a lot of things, and I believe we will work well together.  She has so much experience, knowledge, and wisdom, I know she will be a great help to me as we start our missionary journey!!  And hopefully, I will be a help to her in the ministry there!

Picking apricots with Ms. Alla in her village garden

It's been 3 weeks and it was time for us to go home.  In a way I was not wanting to leave, and in another way I was so home sick!!!  I was ready to see my kids again and was craving salt and vinegar chips so bad, I didn't know what to do with myself...lol... :)  The planes could not fly fast enough to get me back to Charlotte!!  My mom and Briana picked us up from the airport and I was so happy to see them!  But so tired and delirious, all I wanted to do was to crawl into a nice flat comfily bed and go to sleep. But the whole trip was so worth it!  Lord willing, we will be there in May of 2014!!!  Can't wait!!!!!!!

Click on the link below to view more pictures from our most recent trip to Ukraine....

Pictures of our Trip to Ukraine 2013

Subscribe to "The Ukrainian Focus"

Bi-monthly we send out a newsletter called "The Ukrainian Focus".  We would love for you to sign up to receive these by email...just follow the link and fill in your info :)

http://eepurl.com/u_O8L
 

Jesus LOVES Them

Jesus Loves Them

 

 

Camp Meeting Singing

My children singing at Clear Fork Baptist Church's annual camp meeting.  They were singing for the churches radio program during this clip :)  This is the first time we have ever been used consistently at a camp meeting before.  But I have to say, it was such a blessing us to be a blessing and encouragement to others.

 

 

19 year's ago, God gave us a precious little girl.  It was a miricle really, for the doctors had told me I would probably never have children. Through the years she has brought us joy unimaginable.  We would like to wish our daughter Briana Lynn Faulkner a very Happy Birthday. 

 

 

Missions Conference in TN

We have had an absolutely wonderful time at the Ridgeview Baptist Church Missions Conference.  This church sure does have a HEART for missions and missionaries.  They have taken such good care of us!!!  The services have done a work in all of our hearts. Bro. Stinnet Ballew preached each night of the conference.  Each message was sent straight from the Lord right into our hearts. 

The church overwhelmed us with all their kindness!!!  They gave us a huge basket of goodies, gave all the missionaries wife's 31 bags with their initials on them, and gave all the children lap desks and blankets (very nice ones).  They also surprised the children on Saturday night, the Pastor called all of the missionary kids to the front of the church. Each one received a wallet or purse. The next thing we knew, there was a long line of people headed towards the kids. They were filling up the wallets and purses with money, each one as they walked by. PTL for His goodness, and for the kindness of these, God's people!!!  Below is a video I took with my camera of the children getting there surprise. 

 

Here is the link to hear all of Bro. Ballews messages from the week of missions conf.

 

http://www.rbcwalland.org/sermons.html

 

Faulkner Family's first CD

A song from our first family CD...

Download our CD for FREE on our website...

http://www.faulkners2ukraine.com/faulknerfamilysinging.html

 

Happy 9th Birthday Corey!!!!!