So excited to be a small piece in God's massive jigsaw of church growth.

We are excited to announce 

(drumroll please)  …..”DdrrrrRRRRRRRR”

Our new partnership in Kremenets  is all systems go !!!

Kremenets is a wonderful and historical city in the Northwest Ternopil region of Ukraine.

Why have we chosen this location as the base for our next project in October ? …It could’ve been for its amazing history, its beautiful architecture, or its stunningly gorgeous hills… but it wasn’t … it was for these 6 far more significant reasons.

1)   This is a region in need of the gospel: Ternopil region has many, many, people who are yet to hear about the love of Jesus Christ. Whilst other regions have seen a dramatic and wonderful work of God planting churches, this region has only just started with that task. It has started… but only just!

2)   Young people in need of unconditional love:  Many young people when they leave state care and orphanages have but one option… to find their own way on city streets. For many young people it is at this moment that anything good they have learned, is “dumped” for the immediate need of self-preservation, or self-gratification. This world offers many things to live for but none of them deliver satisfaction or are ultimately good masters of our lives. Many stories end in tragedy, this world is a master of disappointment, sorrow and abuse. 

3)   

There is great physical and spiritual need amongst all ages of people in this region. Whilst politicians talk about the rise and fall of the economy they return home each day in a nice car, to good food, financial stability and security yet at the same time there are thousands for whom basic clothing and food is a daily challenge. This is not a political statement just a basic observational reality. We want to give the message of hope to many as we point to the giver of certain and eternal hope.

4)   The church in this region is shining brightly as it steps out in faith to show the love of Christ to many at a critical and strategic time.  A basic clothing and essential goods church ministry has blessed over 3000 children already this year alone. Many young people are seeking refuge in Churches rather than on the streets, many come to find not only a reason to live but the reason for life itself… Jesus Christ - the founder and giver of new life and new beginnings. The church is growing in amazing ways.

5)   The church in this region has started to provide shelter for young people and those needing friendship and refuge in a broken and fallen world. Our October construction trip centres around such a place of refuge which is expanding due to need, and is likely to be a prototype for others. The 1^stfloor is complete and in use. Those boys who were the occupants are now young men whose lives are dramatically turned around. `Sadly however, the second floor isn’t usuable– as the church doesn’t yet have all the resources it needs to accomplish the task they believe is from the heart of God. They would love it to be the home of some teenage girls. They prayed that God would provide… can you guess what happens next ?

6)   We have been praying as a team very specifically that God would point us to a place where we can serve the church in a strategic and helpful way, now that our major project is complete. We have small gifts (we are like the little boy with fish and loaves) but we have an open heart to what God wants to do with us. We have some basic skills of labour/ construction, spiritual encouragement and a desire to see the church of Christ - live like Christ and honour him across the world. In his sovereign goodness he has found both parties “a perfect fit” in each other. We are a jigsaw made in heaven. On first conversation both sides of the Anglo-Ukrainian partnership were astounded at how God has gone ahead of us in every detail. 

On September the 28^th2019 a team will visit Kremenets and the region to do what we can to encourage this great work. We need 5 things … will you pray with us please?

1)   We need a team. At the moment we have a small committed team ready and eager to go. To complete the task we need more (our next blog will give more practical details on the work and people needed for this trip), please get behind this asap - it'll make the world of difference to the effectiveness of it and impact so many. 

2)   We need Pastors and Churches to partner with us. This region has many different kinds of baby churches which we would love to encourage in partnership. My prayer is that we will see these churches grow to maturity as we encourage training and do life on life together. Would you like to adopt a church plant (pray with us for them, get to know their challenges and be part of the exciting story that is unfolding). This is an opportunity to loan your pastor, church leader  or gifted servant to an area of the worldwide church who can benefit so much from their gift at such a critical time for church growth in the region. Whatever their strength (teaching, encouragement, evangelism, mercy ministry, counselling, music, young people, leadership training, church planting… etc etc all these gifts would be beneficial to us at this stage.) 

3)   We need some relational workers and servants… those who will come with us and be a friend, to those who need the ministry of encouragement and compassion. At this time we are looking for men who are able to work on a building project and encourage, and some women who will befriend the young women who come to live in the building once we have completed it. You may think your gift is limited but if you have a heart to help… it could be profoundly useful. If you can show a young person some basic life skills also .. you have hit the jackpot. (Peeling vegetables, cooking, washing, cleaning – all massively strategic at a pivotal time for young people living and caring for themselves for the first time.) If you have a TEFL qualification or have a passion to teach English as a foreign language on a short term trip we would especially love to hear from you. 

4)   We need people who will pray for this trip and the growing partnership that the church will grow in this region. Anything we have done of use up until now has been because we prayed, and God answered BIGTIME! We believe he is more ready to give than we are to ask – so we are expecting big things of Him and asking Him to be gracious with us as we play catchup with what he is doing.

5)   We need generous givers (as we know many of you are) .We have some money for some materials to get us started but to finish floor 2 of “grace shelter” we need more – this is a very achievable project. We also need a huge amount of clothes and provisions so that many will be blessed by the church this winter in their need. Jumpers, hats, thermals, socks – you know the kind of stuff… and maybe a small gift of finance to help us get it there would be the bonus ball ! If you are up for anything however small – we’d love to hear from you and will put a system together … (maybe a facebook group??)

If you would like to come with us there are really very few boundaries to doing so. Flights are as little as £120 at the moment return, we can organise that and any insurance for you. You could come for just 1 or 2 weeks as you are able and is appropriate for your responsibilities. The only other qualification is that you are up for serving as part of the team and are able to point us in the direction of someone who could vouch for your suitability in that (Ideally a church leader… we will help with this) 

Up for it ? Reply either at the bottom, on facebook or on email and be in no doubt that we will get back to you. I've typed this immediately after getting off Skype with our friends in kremenets... we are so excited that although we had never met, God has made us an answer to each others' prayers. We're so excited at what God might do and how the church may grow in this region... we hope you are too !!!

Yours excited and expectant ! BLOGSKI 

Spring update (Part 2) - Five lessons from gospel heroes.

One of the great privileges of leading short term mission trips is that you get to work with the very best of God's people. This is a reflection on some of those things (the workers on the teams we take out and the deep lessons we've learned from our Eastern European and Central Asian church family.) Together we are TEAM, working on one united purpose to see Christ known, honoured and glorified in people of all kinds, backgrounds, and gifts. 

1) Gospel heroes trust God when we discover the world is even more broken than we ever imagined.

How is it possible to live in the tension that the lovely child who now lives with you ... only does so  because their birth parents tried to finish their existence by using woodcutting equipment on them? How is it possible to encounter a world of corruption and human abuse, yet remain uncynical and transparent in your unconditional love for others, a minister of redemption, and agent of new beginnings? The answer is ...by knowing and encountering personally the love of Christ which out-moves all other world powers, and brings light into even the darkest of places. None of us should underestimate the transforming power of Christ and his love, if it is let lose in our hearts and lives. People who live in the redemption and resurrection power of Jesus, don't turn away from this world and its ugliness - but turn towards it in compassion. 

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

1 John 4:9-11 
In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.  In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

2) Gospel heroes don't see the gospel as an "add-on hobby" but an "all consuming" way of sacrificial living. 

ROMANS 12:1-2

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Those who truly live for the glory of Jesus know what it is like to sacrifice themselves for the good of others.

A move to a pagan and hostile country where there are no other Christians is much more a considered move than those who look aspirationally on "rightmove.co.uk" and inquire about "the best areas and schools" for their kids. To pastor a church and work full time in a second job to support the entire church is not a self motivated career choice. To look after 12 children or teenagers in a desire to give them a hope and a future is not a hobby or pastime , it is a 24/7 lifestyle choice. It starts before they come to live with you, dominates your life when they eat at your table, and carries on after they grow up. It is a prayer bigger than you can articulate, an expression of love bigger than you can exemplify and a relationship so profound that you are constantly on your knees in dependance on God (metaphorically speaking ). It is a faithful steadfast love choice after the heart of God himself. I find this hugely challenging. My conviction ... (and sorry if this comes out at all harshly but I am also preaching to myself)  is that many in the UK call themselves gospel believers, followers of Jesus Christ but when analysed are pretty much living for themselves, their comfort, their retirement and their security. Selfless sacrifice expects to get hurt. Selfless giving of one's entire life, (not just the part of you that you are open to giving) will be costly, but it is what Christ honours as a true and appropriate response to his love.

Matt 16:24-26

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.  For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

Let me ask you gently - 

• In what way is your life geared for gospel growth in others ?
• If you were charged with "being a follower of Jesus Christ", would there be enough evidence of self sacrifice to convict you? 

1 John 3:16-18

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

3) Gospel heroes do not harbor grudges or grow bitterness, but move on to new beginnings when life is a disappointment.

I think of the pastor who had to leave his church, and save the lives of his family  when the authorities took all he had and he had to flee his homeland. I think of the faithful pastor who arrived at church one Sunday to see the humble "prayer-house" they had invested everything into had been decimated by a landslide. Can God use such things for his glory? Could this be part of his good purpose ? Yes is the answer. The first pastor now trains others for worldwide service and is constantly investing in youth ministry in his adopted home, his ministry wider and more fruitful than ever before. The second pastor is by far one of the most humble yet joyful I know - training others to work and preach in other churches without a shadow of selfishness or desire to keep them for his own challenging situation. 

Hebrew 12:15

" See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; 

that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble..."

Weeds can grow quickly in the christian life, and constant gardening is needed. But as we submit to the head gardener in our daily walk, he prunes us for fruitfulness by his Word and Spirit  - JOY supernaturally equips us to move on. This all the moreso, as we see that time is short, eternity is soon, and Christ is always worth living for "both feet in!"

John 9:4-5 (Jesus said...) 

"We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; 

night is coming, when no one can work.  

As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

If you invested all you had in a needy child who then grew up and ended up in prison, would you be ready to foster or adopt again ? If you invested all your love in a church that then rejected you would you be willing to do it again ? The person who loves Christ more than adulation or even success says "yes!" because there are too many sheep without a shepherd, too many who are going to a lost eternity as the church has pleasant dreams of comfort and seclusion. 

4) Gospel heroes attempt great things when finance is limited because they know that God can provide. 

I have lost count of the times we have offered someone a small financial gift or some practical help for gospel work and they've said, "when we started we had nothing but a prayer... but God has provided way beyond even our dreams". It seems to me that God loves his worldwide church to be the answer to each other's prayers. Don't ever underestimate how big the Living God you pray to is. His resources are unlimited, incomprehensibly infinite and generously given. Our Father hears our cry. 

Philippians 4:19

"And my God will supply every need of yours

 according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

 Stop praying about what you think is possible or probable and start praying in dependance on Him who is more ready to give than we are to receive. 

5) Gospel heroes train the next generation to be more fruitful than we've ever been and are then happy to get out of the way. 

Don't build your kingdom...build his ! Don't hold on to your life... spend it so that others might know him, show him and love him, Model the heart of a servant and you will grow servants... model the heart of God who gives, and gives, and gives again. 

Spring update

Hi friends and extended team.
As our work together continues to grow, we're trying to keep you much better informed so that you can pray intelligently and plan in faith with us. It's our plan do this principly through Spring and Autumn updates. This Spring update will come in 3 parts.

• 1) Photoblog and review of recent Odessa trip 
• 2) Lessons from our partners in the gospel
• 3) The plans for October and beyond.

We hope this will be helpful, but as always things are continually moving so if you want "up to date info" personal or project/ location specific stuff more appropriate for your situation, please don't hesitate to get in touch. (Please be aware that there are many things too sensitive to share on a public forum like this). 


PART 1: Photoblog and review of mission trip (April 27th-May11th 2019)
Mission goals:

• To encourage individuals in shelter ministry in times of transition and challenge
• To encourage the wider church in it's gospel work, initiatives and training.
• To forward the work of the camp and pastoral/ training ministries at the BlackSea camp.

Shelter ("Priut") ministry and Transition house 

A season of change. 

• Many of you will be aware that Pieter and Lydia are now enjoying a well earned season of rest with family in America following their extensive ministry with young people and the work to expand the ministry (particularly the huge effort of building transition house). We are thrilled to hear that despite early and short term emotional upheaval (absolutely expected given their immense personal and gospel legacy in the country they love so much) both are now very happy, content and settled in their new home. Of course we missed them this trip but we are so thankful to God they remain a blessing to so many and will be such an encouragement to others in their "retirement". Pray for our dear brother and sister, and the legacy that follows them in so many folk in Ukraine.
• It was so good to meet the new team and get to know them much better. I cannot give all the details here for obvious reasons of sensitivity - but here are just some of the folks you should pray for... Viktor is "da man!" faithful minbus driver, head of security (and health and safety) , traditional Russian ice cream connoisseur, loving Dad to many, owner of numerous lovely but sizeable dogs and above all warm gospel hearted man who loves his country and those that God has placed in his care. This big man has a big heart, and is one of the main drivers (no pun intended) in this growing gospel work. Pray for him and his wife (Aleysha). Their work is never in vain, but highly emotionally demanding and always costly in many ways. They love Christ, and because they love him, and have hearts like him they love those who are rejected, mistreated and rejected by this world. Nata is the loving and caring mother hen looking after all who presently seek refuge at transition house. Despite present illness (pray for recovery from a long ear and sinus infection) we became aware first hand as a team that she is a constant encouragement of smiles and kindness in her ability and ministry to make many guests welcome. She has her own heavy family responsibilities, but took time out (when she should've been resting) to make us the most astounding cheesecake. It is amazing how tea and cake overcomes every cultural and language barrier for the brits.

Before...

After..

• For some of the children this is also a time of change and challenge. Some individuals have gone to live with new adoptive parents who care and provide in marvellous and beautiful ways. Although there are mixed emotions when any young person moves on from the large family, we are so thankful to God that their new homes present a huge stabilising presence in their young lives, and are a tangible evidence of God's ongoing provision, and answer to prayers for them.
• The present political, socio-geographical and financial situation is "variable" at best. All of this has a knock on effect on the economy and daily needs of individuals. It is hard enough looking after 1 or 2 children in this situation. To consider looking after the needs of many children (healthy food is increasingly expensive, and medical care can be costly and unexpected) is a heavy burden which needs courageous faith, and knowledge of the sustained helping hand of God. 
• Pray for all parents in this ministry, (particularly those not named here). 
• Pray also for those who have the emotional demands of not only caring for many but are having to turn away an increasing number (100's) of children and young people who desperately need the help of this ministry.  

OUR ROLE:

• ENCOURAGEMENT: We had the inimitable privilege of sitting down over meals  with parents and children at the shelter. We heard their hearts as well as their stories (of sadness, challenges, failures and faith steps). We had the privilege of sharing God's word and encouraging them to not grow weary in doing good. We shared Psalm 56 together...

(v4) "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." (v10-11) " 

"In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. 

What can man do to me?.

It is one thing to say you trust in the sovereignty of God but something entirely different to act on it, especially when everything you are and need depends on it.

• Mo had an amazing ministry of encouragement with many of the women here - her hugs, smiles, presents and practical expressions of love left a legacy of warmth and affection wherever she went and with whoever she met. Not only were we glad (as 4 blokes) to have Mo with us on this trip, but many women were also, and if you are a women considering helping us in this way - don't hesitate to chat with us. This is a vital and exceptionally useful part of this ministry. 
• We had the privilege of sharing some of the gifts  and practical helps we'd brought with us. As normal, the team were amazing in what they had brought with them (large suitcases for gifts, small ones for all the needs of a building trip lasting two weeks). I praise God for such wonderful friends and team mates. Some of the team accidentally on purpose left some things behind, do pray that these will encourage and meet the needs of those who have need of them. 
• Keep praying for the ministry in it's daily needs, particularly the cost of healthy foods and health care. We would love to be a help to specific situations of unexpected need (we are aware this is a growing burden). If you would like to help in this (however small - please get in touch and we can help you do so... ensuring that any contributions are entirely used for this purpose) 
• Keep praying for the ongoing progression of the new team: A question I always want to ask in such a ministry is - who pastors those who care ? (and pay the cost of hurting and caring). Pray that such a role will continually be provided and the work that grace church (its pastors and leaders) and the wider church does in this regard. 

A season of expansion. 

• As stated on our trip, the plan is to expand (double) the care from 40-50 young people to 100. Is this a pipe dream which won't be implemented or a step of faith for which God will provide?

The answer is in these foundations of future ministry: 

This is the site of the 3 (hopefully 4) new homes being built to accommodate the new friends of the ministry. We are grateful to our very precious brothers and sisters who are providing for this ministry (you know who you are - we love you for it ) and partnering at such a critical time. The need for this ministry at this time is increasing dramatically, but as the need increases so does the provision of God. We hope and expect the new homes  to be up and running this Autumn. To some this will appear to be just a pile of breeze blocks, but to others this is a tangible expression of the ongoing faithfulness of God. 

1 Samuel 7:12 

"Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. 

He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far THE Lord has helped us.”

A season of encouragement. 

• The work is going extremely well and the new team are functioning well together as a unit despite, the many ongoing changes, the fast pace of needs and progression of each young person. The children have never looked happier, healthier and more confident. We had the pleasure of their company on some jobs at the camp - and can report unreservedly they do not lack health or energy. They are lovely children and the way they look after each other in the family is incredibly wonderful to witness, and a credit to the parents.

Encouraging the wider gospel work in Ukraine:

• The nature of short term mission trips is that people swan in to help others who are daily at the coalface and who do the "real work" and "hard yards" of being faithful where God has placed them. We are under no illusions as a team, that we play but a small part in what God is doing in other countries, and therefore we target specifically what would be of most timely, symbolic, strategic and practical help - a gift in season to encourage the workers to "keep going"!

• Our construction work this trip focussed on the Family block at the Black Sea camp as a follow up to our last trip which resurrected this project which had been stalled for 7 years.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Following on from the essential reconstruction of the interior last time, we completed the 8 internal walls of bathrooms and side rooms. After filling sanding and sealing we were able work hard at fitting the tiles that we'd managed to acquire for this trip. They are a classy look worthy of what has become known as the "VIP suite". The side rooms including bathrooms also now have nice finished fixtures in fitted ceilings. The overall look is really pleasing - quality on a budget - considerably better than many of us had first envisaged when we arrived at the shell of a building site less than a year ago. 

• Mo worked tremendously hard at tackling the outside wilderness, chopping back trees and shaping the walkways for youth height so many a "selfie" can be taken and enjoyed.

  

  
  

  Special mention should be made of our Ukrainian friends who worked tirelessly. Young Ura was a complete star ! He "strimmed" all day (and probably all night in his sleep too) until the grounds looked brilliant ! Also our great Vitali - the big man did good ! Mixing up his special buckets of delicious tile cement, floor scree and filler all day kept us going on the job and got through a fair stack of raw materials. Not only did he faithfully sand down a tonne load of filler to straighten out walls and prepare them for plastering but he turned his hand to an altogether more delicate matter - that of cooking our shish kebab for tea.

I do apologise that we can't provide svellovision as a feature on our blog at this time, but believe me both smell and taste were worth being caked in concrete for. 

Ceiling and loft hatch

Tiling and plumbing ready for basins. New natural stone floor tiles provide a quality finish and feel to each bathroom. When they are cleaned up and grouted these rooms provide a space to rival many a hotel. 

Many, many tiles cut with precision and care one by one.
Den enjoyed the perfection of this one especially !!!

As per usual the hospitality, welcome, food, and kindness of our hosts was outstanding. The new kitchen team excelling at making this a place where people will want to return. It gives something of a vision of how this place could be used in God's purposes. Do pray that many will come here for many years to come. That they will come to know Christ in a deep way on this site, that those who don't yet know him will find their treasure in him, and those who do will go on to pastor, lead, inspire, feed, and nurture the future church of Ukraine.

For now we leave the site knowing that we have done what we could to encourage this ministry. Plastering can now be done and the rooms look considerably more like they were originally intended - the end is in sight. There is more that could be done (not least laminate flooring, doorways and Lino etc) but for now our ministry here is complete unless another team is provided for next year. The bulk of our resources and teams may now need to channel efforts elsewhere - so do pray for the ongoing work and ministry on site as camps start. Pray for the cooks, evangelists, bible study leaders, pastoral workers, plasterers tile polishers and youth leaders who follow on our heels. Pray big prayers, knowing that our God is bigger than we can understand in his capacity to save, grow and produce fruitfulness in his church.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen' (Ephesians 3:20–21)

Mission accomplished (for this trip)

Hello friends, and thank you for being with us on this little adventure.
For 12 years we have had connection with Ukraine. Many trips have taken place to encourage the good things that are happening to share the love, compassion and kindness of Jesus Christ in this place. As always we came on this trip to encourage others, but we have been the recipients of many encouragements. Many of our trips have been taken up with helping the shelter work and particualrly the building of transition house (with over 100 from the UK being involved in coming out to support that project.)  The last 2 trips have focussed on helping the work at Black sea camp  to build what has become known here  as the "VIP block". Next month the camp ministry will kick off. There are 3 seasons in camp mininstry - first the arrival of many children from the PRIUT ministry, coming for a well earned holiday with their loving parents. Next will be the many children and young people on summer camps who not only enjoy the stunning surroundings but also hear of Jesus Christ and his awesome love for them. The finale of last year was a special youth camp which in August hosted 3000young people in a "tent city". The camp staff worked from dawn to dusk (3000 teenagers and young people need a bit of looking after - especially in the rubbish and food department) .For UK folk -  It  was something of a mini glastonbury situation (without the excess, alcohol, bad behaviour or stupidity). Our desre was to encourage all these ministries and the future ministry prospects (pastors camps, church leaders development camp? etc etc . )   

WORK KOMPLETE
I am very glad to say we have accomplished what we felt God had tasked us to do. We arrived 2 weeks ago with a room full of plasterboard, tools and materials. We leave with the internal shell of the building  looking excitingly purposeful. The bathrooms now have completed  walls (they didnt when we arrived), they have been sealed, tiled, and the stone tile floors now being laid. All bathroom ceilings and utility ceilings have neat white UPVC coverings which gives an exceptionally  fresh and smart look. Floors have been levelled, walls have been fine tuned, sanded, taped, sealed and are ready for the plasterer to do their vituosity with the float. Although there have been some hold ups, problems and unexpected discoveries, I can say hand on heart the team have done an astounding job in the time available.

 Of course there are still many things to do, but we praise God that we have been able to do what we can.  We will give a fuller work and project upddate on return.

5 Highlight of this trip.
1) An amzing team of servant hearted people. We picked each other up from "our little moments", we multitasked, we trully worked together and all played a hugely vital part. TEAM is how christ meant us to work together - and this truly was a team - the sum being greater than the parts.
2) Time spent behind the scenes learning about the shelter work, the challenges, tears, joys, children, stories of progress and difficulties with individuals we will never ever forget. We love those who work with these children so much and thank God for such loving people in such a broken world.
3) Our time spent in the bible together each morning. For all of us, our time spent in 1 John was a very special start to the day. It is a book about "walking with God", how we can know him in his love, truth, light and holiness. There were many times we sensed God in the room with us by His Spirit urging us, encourageing us, uniting us together, assuring us of Christ's love, affirming us to live more courageously for him, and above all telling us keep investing everythng we have in Jesus Christ. When our lives stop on this world, one thing will remain - our relationship with God. 
4) The new gifts and talents we discovered. Through a series of events Mo was asked to tend the many trees at the camp that had overgrown, gone out of shape and needed the special kindness and attention of her loppers. The task was to make it "pretty enough that children would want to stand under them for photos and shade under them with friends.
MO... task well and trully accomplished. I'm sure you will agree the result is stunning.

Dennis drew the short straw and worked with me on tiling ceilings, plasterboard and "stuff". For a man of his mature years he's got an amazing engine, his engineering training is still clearly visible, his singing is of a wide reportoire and his passion to serve is humbling. If every church was filled with a Dennis there wouldnt be too much need of sermons on encouragement, authentic joy or work ethic. Actions speak so much more eloquently than flannel and spin. I thank God profoundly for the model my brother and friend sets.
Ken was a star in every way. From his willingness to fit in with many wierd and wondeful jobs ( i particulurly remember him wondering around for many laps of the building with buckets of PVA, sealing and masking tape to keep us on track. He was the tech specialist to get us online, the tools and materials guru ... questions often started "Ken have you seen the..."
I will never forget one late session of tiling (when flagging ) hearing throiugh the other side of the bathroom wall at mega volume "OOOH AHHH ... I wanna know if you'll be my girl" It brought a smile to my face before i saw his illuminous shorts and T-shirt. Ken ... for the way you have served and the work you have done this week... Yoiu DA MAN... just please update the SPOTIFY playlist before next trip :)
Emlyn. what can you say about this guy and his service to these folk over many years. Faithful, generous beyond comprehension, cutting in his precise wit and an awesome friend to have on such a trip. The low point of shraring a room with hin was probably being woken at 2 am by his motorbike alarm clock (as he snored through the entire thing) - It's quite disconcerting on your first night when disorrientated you feel there may be a Harley Davidson at the bottom of the bed. The highlight was the same as on many other occaisions... asking if anyone had any gifts of clothes for the ministry?... Emlyn opens up his case to reveal encough brand new swag and toys to kit out the entire of Odessa (children youth and adult) and make many rainy days filled with laughter,. Thank you  (again) my friend.

Early start tomorrow to catch the flight so I will leave you with 3 things
1) Please catch up with the blog when we are back home and have time to update everything properly  with photos and tell you of our next great adventure.
2) Please Keep praying for these special folk when we leave.
3) A couple of pcs as the sun goes down Ukrainian style...
Lots of love BLOGSKI and the TEAM.

Bring your carer to work day... Den showing how had cut the perfect circle for a pipe.

Larry - who mat us on the steps as we went down for lunch each day

What a setting...*the building on the right is what we have been working on

"Look ,,, that's where the sea is"

"yes I think I get it now" (Em making the most of the view from our meeting and bible study room.

Goodnight, sleep tight!