Jan. - Feb. 2015 Prayer Letter

Sorry it's so late....but here it is....our newest prayer letter....

 

 

 

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My Precious Friend

 

This is a dear friend of mine, June (the one in the middle).  She was the only one that befriended me after I got saved.  She took me up under her wing and helped me to grow.  She is the one who noticed the talent God give me to sing, and encouraged me to use this talent for the Lord.  We've had a lot of up's and down's, but I will always see her as one of the most precious people I know.  She has been through so much in her life, but there are not many times that you did't see her with a smile on her face, and praising God for His goodness.  Her faith has given me strength.

 

We recently found out she has Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a type of cancer.  My heart hurts for her, and I wish I could be there with her, but I know God knows why He is allowing this in her life.  I told her it remind me of Shadrack, Meshach and Abednego in the book of Daniel.  They had to go in the fire so that other's could see Jesus!!  I know God can trust her with this trial. 

 

I am asking you to pray for her.  She will be starting chemo tomorrow and needs your prayers!!! Thanks every so much!!!

November/December 2014 Prayer Letter

Prayer Letter

 

 

С Новым годом и Рождеством Христовым

 



Happy New Year and Merry Christmas!!!

Why, you ask, is Merry Christmas not first?  Because here in Ukraine, New Years comes first, then Christmas is on Jan. 7.  So according to this fact we have found that Corey is now a Christmas baby, because his birthday is on Jan. 7 :)  Corey really likes that!!!

For New Years our church here had a New Years service, or what you would call in the states a watch night service.  These services are always really hard for me because I am not a night owl.  Staying up to 11 pm is hard for me, but staying up later I am really going to need the Lord and a lot of coffee :)

We didn't have many come out, but I really enjoyed them.  My husband was the first one to preach for the night.  Then Bro. Sergi preached on the fruits of the Spirit being a part of the Christian like ornaments adorn a beautiful Christmas Tree (here called the New Years Tree).  Then Bro. Sasha (deaf) that was saved back in July, gave is first devotional in front of the church.  You could see Olya (his wife), she was so proud of him.  He poured his heart out and what a blessing it was :)

 

Between preaching, we went to the basement and ate and the guys played ping pong. 

 

 

Some even played games....

 

 

Towards mid-night we had a candle light service. Everyone that was saved gave their testimony of salvation.  The lights to help us remember who we are, lights in this dark world.  Starting the New Year right, with thoughts of those in darkness who need to be taught the truth of the scripture, so they can be set free.

 

 

 

 Right at mid-night the kids all shot confetti cannons...this year...because of what's happening in Ukraine...the government said no fireworks.  So they go the confetti cannons instead.  I know my kids had so much fun with that.... and so did many of the adults too :)

Happy New Year!!!!

 

Culture Shock Part 2

Where do I start???  I believe I will start right here.... хорошо? Below is a description of 2 stages of culture shock...I am still in the negotiation stage....

Negotiation Stage: After some time (usually around three months, depending on the individual), differences between the old and new culture become apparent and may create anxiety. Excitement may eventually give way to unpleasant feelings of frustration and anger as one continues to experience unfavorable events that may be perceived as strange and offensive to one's cultural attitude. Language barriers, stark differences in public hygiene, traffic safety, food accessibility and quality may heighten the sense of disconnection from the surroundings. This may lead to difficulty sleeping, sadness, homesickness, exhaustion, increased worry, a desire to withdraw, unexplained crying, or overeating.

Adjustment phase: Again, after some time, (usually around 6-12 months) one becomes more familiar and comfortable with the culture, people, food, and language of the new country. One will likely feel less homesick and will have a better handle on the situations that they previously found frustrating. The culture begins to make sense, and negative reactions and responses to the culture are reduced.

As of right now, we have been in Ukraine a little over 6 months.  I have been dealing with minor culture shock for several months now, and finally thought I was over the worst of it.  But I was wrong!!!  I honestly did not see this coming and I didn't think it would come at me like it did.  It has effected every part of me: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.  I would like to just curl up into a ball in the corner of my bedroom and cover up with a blanket and ask the world to leave me alone and let me be.  Can't the world keep going without me?  Can't I just disappear until all this "culture shock" stuff goes away? You know, that's my nature, my make up.  I want to hide, be invisible, be alone when I am facing a battle I feel I can't handle, and this is a battle I was not prepared for.  Not that I didn't know that I would go through what people called "culture shock", but I didn't expect it like this.  I have literally been physically sick, and have such a hard time keeping my mind and heart on track.  It is very hard to explain.  Some of it comes from the frustrations of having to deal with a foreign culture.  What's normal for them is completely ridiculous to us.  I don't know how many times I have asked, "Why do they have to do everything the hard way here?".  "Why does it take me all day to get one things done, even with a car?" 

I have been told that no one but other foreign missionaries will even know what I am talking about or going through, because they have been through it themselves.  And God gave them grace just when they needed it the most!  And most people in the states have no idea what  a struggle and battle it is.  And in most cases could care less, and those who do care do not know how to comfort you because they do not know the struggles you are facing.  But слава Богу (PTL), Бог знаем (God knows).

Have you ever been in a place where it is so hard just to keep your thoughts, words, and actions positive.   Why does everything come out so negative?  Imagine living like this.  Imagine having the hardest time praying. Imagine hating the person who you currently are....  this is culture shock. 

Have you ever been in a place where everything is backwards and upside down?  Imagine that everything you do and have always done is considered wrong or weird.  Imagine walking down the road, or walking in the store like you always do and getting strange looks or even rude comments.  Imagine always being taken advantage of just because of where you come from.  Imagine living in a country that has such a preconceived idea of what an "American" is, they think you are what you are not, then have to overcoming them seeing you as such.  This is culture shock.

Have you ever been in church have no idea what is going on?  Imagine sitting in service and not understanding the songs, or anything that is being said.  Imagine not being able to fellowship with other believes because you have no way to communicate with them.  Imagine that the church services are so different than what you have been accustom to since you've been saved.  Imagine after 6 months, still not being able to just sit down and talk with another sister, not because theirs nothing to talk about, but its because of the huge language barrier.  Vocal language and sign language.  This is culture shock.

This doesn't cover everything I'm sure, but this is what was on my heart :)

 

Culture Shock - Part 3

September/October 2014 Prayer Letter

Current Prayer Letter

 

 

Living in Ukraine

Tuesday will make our 5 month anniversary here in Kharkov.  Wow, I can't believe we have been here 5 months.  I'm not as advanced in the language as I would have liked to been by now.  But we are working on it.  Brian and Briana are way ahead of the boys and I.  Briana read 2 long paragraphs to my mother-in-law the other day on Skype.  I have been praying that God would make it very easy for them to learn the language and that He would open their minds and understanding to Russian.  I have learned enough to speak very simple sentences, but nothing more than that.  When someone talks to me I break out in a nervous sweat.  Does that happen to anyone but me.  I also break out in a nervous sweat when I go to the store, especially in the check out line.  I get nervous riding public transportation also....some people are very nice when they realize you do not speak Russian and help you, but some are very rude and hateful.  But since I have no idea what they are saying....I just smile....

We had some excitement the other week....our first hospital visit here....Orion come in the house and said, "Mom, Zach's OK, I just wanted to tell you that.  But he hurt himself playing football (soccer)."  Ok, it is never good when he says that!  Zach come in the house and said it hurt alittle, but hurt more when he moved it.  It was only alittle swollen, and I couldn't really tell what was wrong with it.  Ms. Cathy O'Brien is a nurse, so I called her about this.  She said we needed to get x-rays to make sure it is not broken and go from there.  So we took a Taxi to Hospital #7 near the church.  After Zach got his x-rays, lo and behold, it is broken.  It broke where the 2 bones meet right at your wrist.  So they had to set the bone because it was not a clean break.  But praise God, the doctor was a good doctor and it did not take that long!  This past Friday we went back for more x-rays, and praise God, the doctor said it is healing very well, and he only has to wear the cast one more week.  Wow, I was shocked, I thought he would have to wear it much longer, but praise God, he doesn't.  He does have to wear a metal, removable brace for several weeks though.  But at least it's not a cast!

 

As for general life in Ukraine, it still takes a lot to get used to.  We're not used to having close neighbors.  We live in a kind of duplex.  We enter in through the front, they enter in through the back but we do enter in through the same front gate. Several of the rooms in our houses are connected.  So we are able to hear what is going on in there home, and I'm sure they can hear us too.  Sometimes, we really don't want to hear what is going on in the other house.  Currently there are about 3 or 4 young college students from Africa.  But their lease is up and I believe they will soon be moving.  My prayer is to have a family move in behind us.  There is also another small apartment (detached) behind us with other couple of African college students.  Praying about maybe trying to find a home with a yard all to ourselves.  We are hoping the Lord will provide just what we need.

PTL!!! God has answered our prayers for a vehicle.  I was hoping for a mini van, but this is better than nothing.  It is a 2007 Russian Lada Seyorka.  The body style of this car has not changed in 20 years!  It's about as basic as basic gets.  We are praying about getting power steering.  It is very hard to drive.  Trying to change gears and turn the steering wheel is very hard!  It has been such a blessing to not have to take a Taxi to church!!!  I had a scary taxi experience last week coming back from the hospital after Zach got his xrays.  The taxi driver decided to stop at an apartment on a dark road at 11:30pm...and left us in the Taxi for 10 minutes.  I called my husband and talked to him the whole time to make sure nothing would happen.  And that is not the first time that has happened!  So praise the Lord for the car!  Still praying that the Lord would provide us a mini-van.  It will be more roomy for our family, plus we would have room for other's too.