We are thankful to God for your devoted heart s, that you keep praying and providing financial support. Be reminded that you invest in the imperishable and that God has promised to give back exponentially to those who sacrifice for His ministry.
This newsletter provides news and the ministries’ prayer needs for the last month.
Sport ministry
There is a good process in the hearts of players of Christian soccer team “Hope”, which is coughing Oleksandr Gonchar. Recently one of the players wrote in social network: “soon I will be a “shtunda”” (common way of saying protestant). His name is Vitalik K., who recently was chosen to be a captain in his group category. During one of the competitions, cough has seen the responsibility in Vitalik’s actions. Boys are praying before and after the game, regardless the results. Judges were wondering, about what were the guys doing, who were standing on their knees.
There is the need to pray for the boys, who are in sport academy of professional team. One of them is being pressured, to give the bribe. He is being put in substitution, even though he is worthy to play the start. Second guy, Vanja, some guys are asking to pray before the game for them, if he is a priest.
We are asking you to pray for the health of Oleksandr Gonchar. His heart has started aching recently. Also pray for spiritual growth of guys, who repented. In the same time, there are guys who left the church to date unbelieving girls and try to build relationships with them. Even though, they are not ready for it.
Oleksandr is grateful to God for the finishing work on preparing the stadium
Transport ministry
In December 2011 car accident has taken place near Lviv. Hope to People’s driver, Aleksej Tovolzhanskij, was carrying passengers and car turned over because black ice on the road. During the accident two people were injured. The case is under public prosecutors control, so Aleksej is waiting for the decision of the judge.
The main issue is with insurance agency. They are waiting for the decision of the court, which will be sent to their central office in Kiev. The central office will decide to cover expenses or not. The refusal to pay might cause for another court against the insurance agency.
Aleksej knows that God wants to accomplish something through this, but does not know what yet. Immediately after the accident, unknown and unbelieving people helped a lot. One guy has spent an hour with Aleksej. He took people in his car, helped how to behave with police, encouraged. People were stopping by and asking if Aleksej needs any help. Aleksej analyzed his own heart and understood, that he himself is not serving his brothers and sisters as unknown people have served to him.
Christian ethics
24-25th February 2012 in National University “Ostroh’ Academy” hosted final part of VII National competition “Teacher of the year from subjects of spiritually-moral direction”.
30 teachers from Ternopil, Vinnutsja, Lvov’, Odessa, Zhitomir, Donetsk regions participated in the competition. The teachers of subjects with ethical type took part in the competition. The main goals of the competition are:
1. Bring attention of wide scientific-teaching and parent communities to subjects of spiritual-ethical type.
2. Promote professional establishment of teachers with spiritual-moral direction.
3. To exchange experience of teaching of subjects with spiritual-moral direction.
4. Help professional growth of teacher’s skills among spiritual-moral type.
Please pray for participation in National conference “Spiritual-moral education of young generation. Domestic and foreign experience” in April 2012; and for participation in National competition “Young Bible experts”.
Educational events in schools of Zdolbuniv district
Ostroh’ Academy is regularly working on spiritual education. In 2010 was confirmed first National educational program “Basics of Christian Ethics” for students of 1-11 grades, which received signature stamp of Ministry of Education of Ukraine. For this day, there are 21 thousand schools where this subject is being taught. However it belongs to optional subjects. Zdolbuniv district was one of the first to accept this program.
Mizoch’ orphanage
We are thankful to God for the opportunity, to serve children of Mizoch’ orphanage. In January-February we had events “Share warmth with the friend”, “Samaritan’s purse”. Please pray for children to make right choices based on Scripture. We are grateful to all brothers and sisters, who continue to pray and support financially children from Mizoch’ orphanage.We are grateful for an opportunity to share Gospel through sports. During sports children learn to read Bible and apply it practically. God blessed to minister children in Mizoch’ throughout the year. In winter time, sport practices took place once a week in the gym of local school. Last year Mizoch’ soccer team had some friendly soccer games. Thanks to God for His help in serving children in Mizoch’. Pray for God to give an opportunity to build relationships with parents, teachers in orphanage through children. Also asking to pray about organization and conduction of Christian soccer camp for Mizoch’ and Nikopol’ children.
Bondarchuk family
This year Andrej has joined Bondarchuk family. He is studying in railroad trade school to become a carpenter. His younger brother Vasja and younger sister Katja live in Mizoch’ orphanage. Andrej wants to be wise, carrying brother. He likes music and wants to learn how to play music instruments. This hard-working guy got adjusted to family life quickly. Pray for God to settle in his heart and to deliver him from different addictions. In April he will turn 16.Sergej is a student of National University “Ostroh’ Academy”. He is 22 years old. God blessed us to see his spiritual birth. He have had a hard life pass. Currently Sergej us teaching in Sunday school of church “Stream of life”. He is happily sharing about Christ, and what He did for everyone of us. Sergej is learning to make decisions based on God’s Word, apply God’s truth in his practical life, prepare for independent family life. He is praying for a future wife.
Klevan’ orphanage
15th of February the celebration “In the name of love” took place in Klevan’ school-orphanage for teachers. 34 teachers participated in the event, during which they worshiped God, played games. Taras Pristupa preached on the topic: “Meeting of human with God”. Everybody was listening atentively and majority was meditating on the Word. After the event teachers were thankful for wonderful time and asked questions about God.
It is warmer outside, so team renewed the trips to the orphanage to lead Sunday worship time for children. One sister from church “Communion of Good Shepherd” donated for children more than 35 pairs of warm, soft, hand-made socks. During one of the classes Ruslana Kovalchuk have asked children to write who is God for them. This is what some of them write: “God is my father, I read Bible every day, actually listening to it on my player. I like the parable about sower”. (Bogdan, 5th grade); “I imagine God as sincere, kind, honest. I would like to be like Jesus, but keep doing some bad things. Pray for me” (Dima, 4th grade); “For me God is a carrying friend. During christian ethics class I learned a lot about Him. The main thing is that He died on the cross for my sins. I argue often with my classmates, don’t listen to the teachers. Pray for me really trust my life to Jesus” (Peter, 6th grade).
Rivne Bible College
Another study session have come an end in Rivne Bible College “Word of Grace”. During this session students have time to practice defencing their faith and to share Gospel among people from different cults. They have visited Mormon church, where they could personally hear main statements and teaching of these people
It was very interesting to pay attention to personal conversations, during which brothers and sisters with respect were trying to influence these people. Every conversation was open and sincere. Observing them, one could see how students were amazed and tried to open Bible truth to people, who don’t know it.
It was a blessed time for every student, time for personal consolidation in faith and truth of the God’s Word. They could share their impressions, compare one’s opinions with the Scripture and deepen their personal relationships with God. Currently educational department has a break, which is being used for analysis of completed work, finding new contacts and preparation to upcoming spring session in Bible College and School of Biblical Preaching. Asking all faithful Christians to pray for our ministery, especially about proposals for Bible College.
Stefanko
14 of March Stefanko family returned from the trip, during which they could visit tatars in Simferopol, Belogorsk, Sovetskoje. The goal of this trip was to build team relationships, spiritual encouragement and visit of small groups which are interested in studying the God’s Word. Thank God for successful trip, which will hopefully bear fruits later.
Yurij and Olesja Stefanko especially felt the need in closer relatioships with each other, formation of each other on God’s fear and love. God teaches them not to look at goal and projects, but people’s hearts and souls, those whom He loves, for whom He suffered. Everything starts with the family. This understanding immideately received response and actions in the family of our friends Halila and Emil. They have shared their family needs, make decisions to change relationships in their own families. Currently it is open and common topic in their surrounding.
One young guy has clailmed that he is Christian, even though previously he was on islam side. Asking to pray for him, whose name is Ilimdar. Moreover, one man from Sovetskoje became warmer in relationship toward us and with more interest listens God’s Word and asks important questions. His name is Tair. Pray for him.
Yevgenij Begletsov
Yevgenij continues to prepare for missionary ministry in Kalmikija. He has meetings with pastor of church “Communion of Good Shepherd” to talk about Gospel. It is the main truth, which Yevgenij is thinking about. It is clear that not only unbelievers need Gospel, but it is the foundation for entire life of a Christian. Yevgenij is learning to apply it in son’s upbringing. According to Yevgenij: “My son is only 2, but already stubborn. He wants himself to determine what is good and bad. Regardless warning and punishment he continues to disobey. Therefore sometimes, I lack patience and forget Gospel, Yevgenij gets angry. He wants quickly to infuence behavior, but all changes start from the heart”.
God gives an opportunity to participate in different spheres of church life: to preach, to lead Sunday worship times, observe work process of church board, teach in Sunday school. This is an opportunity to look at church from inside. In the same time, Yevgenij is teaching God’s Word leadship team of Kostopil church.
Regarding Kalmikija, pray about wisdom and patience for work at their churh.
Aleksej Bezkorovajnuj
Aleksej and his entire family has fever. He is trying to direct brother toward God. For him to turn toward God and not to live for fussle. In the same time, Aleksej is grateful for what is happening, because he understands that only God knows how to save people. Aleksejs’ mother is miraculausly quickly recovering after broken leg. Even though lg hurts and there is fear, she tried to step on it a bit.
Pray for God to create a strong team in Stahanovka. They want to grow in God and help others.
Akesje is looking for job, which he could do and not disturb minister. He want to have time to prapare for preaching, small Bible study groups, and not to rush either
We are grateful to the Lord for all His blessings and mercy towards us! We put all our needs before His throne for everything happens by His mercy and grace towards us, people! May His Name be glorified in us and through our lives!
We ask you to pray for all the aforementioned ministers and their ministries. Unfortunately, many of them, especially the ministers from Middle Asia, have only partial support. If the Lord touches your hearts to support one of the ministries mentioned in this newsletter, you can do it through our bank information, or through our friends abroad.
