Ukraine Challenge  

UPDATE 2:  June 23-29, 2003

“Crucified four times in two weeks!”

 Mike Prescott, playing the role of Jesus, was crucified for the fourth time in two weeks between two thieves, Doug Tooker and Elia, a translator, while Beth Nichols and Natasha Vahknenko sang “Above All” first in English then in Russian depicting in drama and music the reason we come to Ukraine.  The backdrop was the old school built in Communist time in RUBEZHOVKA.  Night was falling as the soldiers played by Frank Bowers, Bob Wilkes and Ron Slaughter used theatrical moves to beat the three into submission. The young people giggled a little at the beginning but the intensity of the love and sacrifice made by our Savior was evident to all even in this humble depiction.  All four camps ended in this way sometimes with different actors but always with the message of salvation as the principal focus.  This team planted, another will water, and the churches of Ukraine will reap the harvest.

 Four camps in two weeks was the challenge in the US.  They became a reality with these team members and are now already a memory as the team left today.  The camps this week were held in Yablinka in the mornings with near 100 children (ministerial count) by week’s end and Rubezhovka from 7 to 10 each evening just for teenagers.  There was never an actual count in the evenings because the camp was held on the school grounds always with the freedom for the young people to come and go, but on the final night 93 gift bags were given away.

 The morning camp group was Mike, Beth, Ron, Becca Foster, Christine Mitchell, and Andy Capps.  In the community of Yablinka, there is an adult Bible study group and a children’s ministry held in the basement of a high-rise apartment building.  A young seminary student is leading the work. 

 The rest of the team, Frank, Bob, Doug, Ricky Oldham, and Jimmy Huffman, worked at the house being renovated for the church in RUBEZHOVKA.  Barbara Dallas did a lot of landscaping work to reclaim the yard and small orchard beside the house.

 Pray for the four new churches that these camps represent and the team members as they return home.  Pray also for the two new teams who will be arriving on Sunday to begin their ministry.

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