Universal Needs

Hi friends, 
I'm enjoying one of those long waits in Girona Airport. On arrival I did wonder where everyone was. Could they be glued to the football scores ? (it was time for "sports report"), Were they tuned into the demise of the England cricket team amidst yet another top order collapse on TMS? ...No maybe these are just the perculiar habbits of a half-tanned brit at Saturday teatime!.
aahh... found you all - shouldve known... BURGER KING !

Why does the world (and their pets in carry cases) gravitate towards such classy establishments we ask ourselves? Well the answer is that they provide for all our universal basic needs don't they?
1) Free Wi-fi
2) Chips and other healthy deep fried food
3)  Charging points
4) Water - if you are prepared to ask 4 times and be stared at as if an alien.

is there anything else everyone needs... actually yes!!!
The bible reminds us that there is one need that is even more universal... 
GOD - the maker of all people, the true ruler of all nations says in Isaiah 43:11

" I, even I, am the LORD, And there is no saviour besides Me."

The truth is that everywhere we travel in the world there is but one maker of all people, every individual. There is one only who gives breath, provides rain, food and sun, who even gives the rare earth resources that make our iphones work and our chargers charge. In every airport you visit there will be people travelling through, encjoying all that God provides but without a thought for him. There will also be those however who know that their life is hungry. Hungry for something more than just another trip to deep fried city, hungry for the relationship which makes sense of all life. Sometimes as a group we visit locations where everyone is hungry for food far more basic than B K and this is such tragic and devastating thing to see, but even  more catastrophic is the knowdedge that many are flying into eternity without any comprehension of how far they are from the living God and how empty their life is without him. The bible reminds us that whilst we have breath today is still the day of "salvation" - Whatever our issues in life our maker is ready for our call. We don't need wifi, we don't even need Euros or knowledge of how to work machines in different languages, you and I can come to him the maker and ruler of all things "gratuit" ! We just need a heart that cries out to God and says "God if you are there, please make yourself known to me!". From experience let me tell you that God is way more gracious, kind and forgiving than you could ever imagine. Why not call on him now if you never have... go on dare you... you might be surprised at the response you will receive and how he reveals himself to be everything you and I are looking for and everything our hearts are hungry for.

This is the universal need of man... to Know GOD! To enjoy God, To be right with God and know him as your friend and not just the one you feel guilty before. He is the one we are made for. All this is possible and inexaustable in Jesus Christ. This universal need is why we exist as people and why we exist as a team. Wherever our next flight takes us or life plants us ... our one goal is to share the great news of Jesus Christ ... the universal saviour.

" Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

If you have never thought about this, then maybe you should... maybe you have a greater need than even free wifi. If you like us have found your universal hope, certainty, reason for living and incomprehensible Joy in coming to know him then maybe you could pray for us as a team. Our desire is to share this universal truth whatever place God takes us to. Pray that people around the world, people passing through, people hungry (physically and spiritually) will come to know the one who fills us with good things as we come to him. 

Well there goes the tannoy - another flight boards, another crowd of people cross the globe. As I go to board another flight .... I can't help but want to cry to God for those who leave Burger King with full tummies but empty souls, charged up on the phone but dreading the day (if subliminally) when they stand before God and realise... they have absoultely nothing!

 

Out of the comfort zone for good reason.

In times of pressure, change and vulnerability, it becomes more apparent than ever that we are creatures who gravitate towards comfort. This is particularly so in the UK; where there is a rise in "gated communities" that shut us off  from "the great unwashed" and unwanted, even our neighbours, and where a bombardment of TV programs teach us to perfectly "restore", build or transform our homes into a self serving paradise in which we find our isolated pride, joy and happiness.  As always however the bible is countercultural. 
God is community. God is love, and he is outward bound to rescue even those who have rejected him. The big story of the bible centres on one who left the comfort, joy and paradise of heaven to go to the lowest, most depraved and deprived. This is only the beginning of the story however as the greatest beam of joy, light and eternal goodness shines brightest when we see that Jesus Christ (the true man), goes to a place far worse than we ever have, in order that he might take on himself our worst, greatest indignity, and misery. In doing so, he restores human existence to a level of value, approval and hope beyond our greatest dreams and understanding. The true crux of the issue however hinges on whether I am ready to see myself as one of "the worst", "an oustider", a person undeserving of God's grace because of my past and repellent instinct towards God. Without going out of my comfort zone to see who I  truly am before the perfection of Jesus Christ, I cannot receive the perfection, forgiveness, solution and hope of Jesus Christ. 
In our greatest moment of discomfort we receive the greatest undeserved gift of God ("new life"). God specialises in taking us out of our comfort zone for good reason and glorious purpose. 

9 team members fly out over the next 2 months to places we have never visited before... to situations, a language, crisis and struggle we have never experienced before first hand. 
Our trips have three parts to them...
1) To help build a home for some young people who have known and experienced first hand the worst side of humanity. Our desire is simply to show them what Christ has shown us - love!
2) To help and encourage a new church network who are going way outside their comfort zone to show the love of Christ in their region. We hope to encourage in a number of ways including "Pastors Conferences" where we will discuss "ministry under pressure" (2 COR 1-6) and how God uses this for his good purposes.
3) To travel on to other areas where Christians are paying the high cost of trying to live like Jesus Christ. This is not a comfort zone - but a place like Judges 21:25, where everyone does what is right in their own eyes. You will not find this place on a holiday brochure, yet it is a place where many are coming to find their great joy, peace, eternal  security and certain future in Christ. 

Are we outside our comfort zone? in many ways YES ... but here we have repeatedly discovered that God has gone before us in his good purposes. We are still relying on him for money... specifically for building materials, for help transporting clothes and gifts etc. but he will have a good way of doing those things.
Maybe you would like to help?  Please get in touch, don't underestimate what God can do when you and I step outside the comfort zone. To misquote a man 50 years ago.. "A small step for you and me can actually sometimes lead to a giant step for humankind (or at least someone else)". Don't hesitate today to speak to your neighbour, leave your TV, give away what God has given you or trust in God's provision rather then trusting your own... he has it sorted! 

We will update regularly during this busy season of travel, so please keep us on your radar and in your prayers.
Love,
Blogski

A time to plant and a time to build.

There are many seasons in life. Yesterday I spoke with a lovely guy who would dearly love to come with us on our team trips, but as a tear rolled down his cheek he explained that his body had decided that this was sadly no longer an option, and he wanted to support us in another way.  I wander what many of us will feel like when this is the season of life we enter into... and our life choices are severely restricted. Will our assessment be that we did all we could with the abilities, energies, and opportunities that God gives us whilst we were "able"? I guess none of us will say in that season, that we wished we had spent more time in front of the TV or on Facebook.

Pastor Viktor Pugach has become an amazing friend of mine.

He works in NorthWest Ukraine. I love and respect him for many reasons, but especially because he is the epitome of Eph 5:16 "making the most of every opportunity". Viktor, his lovely wife and the church network provide food and clothing for thousands in their region to help them get through the winter. In a masterstroke of love and compassion Viktor and his amazing little army "took in" seven 16 year old boys who had no home (after their time in "official care" came to an end), then another 7 and then 8 girls. The home, family atmosphere, love, food and training they have provided for our young friends is brilliant, but the house they are trying to build for these precious young people is unfinished.

This is where we come in... we have had a time to rest... but now is a time to build, to invest in a future generation, a time to serve and a time for healing as we encourage our young friends in their future paths and walk of faith.

September 28th to October 12th We have a small team ready to go - some for a week, many for a fortnight. Our plan is to complete the second floor of transition house so that Vika, Olya, Dianna, Tania,  Marichka, Sonia, Sasha, and Liliia have a lovely place to live and grow together in their friendship and faith. We have a team... but we need more people power to make the most of this opportunity. We have a small window of time wherein we can work on the property and get the place ready for folks to move back in. We are looking for 4 kinds of people...
1) WILLING TEAM MEMBERS - If you are up for serving in any way but have no skills - we need you to come with us and  to help us make the most of this opportunity. If you can hold a box of screws, plug in a battery charger and make a cup of tea you are ideal.
2) FRIENDSHIP CARE in the name of Jesus Christ / MENTORS  - If you want to help us as we invest in young friends lives, we'd love to hear from you as we provide small gift packages and encouragement for them. We are encouraging women to join us on this trip to meet the girls and encourage them. The present team is a mix of male and female.
3) ENCOURAGERS OF THE CHURCH - If you want to encourage the network of church plants that are emerging in this unreached area of Northern Ukraine, we would love to hear from you. Pastors network conferences, helping rural churches, training younger men are all on the agenda... maybe you have skills and passion in this area.
4) GOD's JIGSAW PEOPLE who are in the right place at the right time because they responded to his prompt to "fit in". There are specific needs we have ... A good welder (to put up the staircase), a good plasterer (for upstairs walls), a person who can teach basic cooking skills to the girls etc ... all highly valuable at this critical juncture in this amazingly fruitful gospel project.

If in your consideration you wonder whether it is worth your time, sacrifice and money to come with us be assured that it is. This story is one of fruitfulness, lives changed, churches born, regions impacted, thousands won over by the love and compassion of Jesus Christ through his people. It is our great privilege to be a very small part of this fabulous story and we'd love you to be part of it to. Don't hesitate ... get in touch !

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)