Report #17|Spring 2024

Featured Photo: Jared, Whitney, and Avery have done an outstanding job! Here are their final thoughts on the work they accomplished for the Lord.

Our time in Ivano-Frankivsk is winding down. We will assemble with the Church for our last worship time together. The trip has been a very successful action. Much has been accomplished that will bear fruit in the future. Gif’s readiness to instantly follow-up on the positives produced will assure the continuing success of the trip. There is much that remains to be done but we are currently hobbled by a number of factors. But we are doing what we can with what we have and God is producing the harvest!

Jared

Tonight, we had a great moment, where I was able to focus on John 15:13. I used it in reference to the soldiers of Ukraine who had given their lives for their countries and friends. One of the girls who has attended almost all of our classes, said “well sometimes we shouldn’t sacrifice, because it is our life, and we are the main character of our own story.” I took this opportunity to ask her the question, “Then who is the author of your life?” She thought for a second, she smiled and said, “Maybe God?” It was a great moment that I will always remember. The students left class tonight more convinced that there is something that is programmed within us, that is not taught to us, and the source of that programming points to a Programmer.

One of our strongest friendships we made was with a young man named Vasyl and young woman named Alissa. They were the only two students who attended every single class. Alissa could speak English fluently, but Vasyl could speak barely any English. However, each one took an interest in us and in what we were doing and teaching. We have contact information for several of these students and I hope to keep contact with them throughout the year. Please pray for these students who have opened up their hearts to us, and pray that their interest in the Church grows!

Whitney

After a day of not feeling very well, I was excited to go back to work! I rode to the school and got to teach English today! I was with Gif, Avery, and Jared, and we all got to talk about American culture and Ukrainian culture. My favorite part was teaching the students difficult words such as: soliloquy and onomatopoeia. They thought that was very fun. We had a very talkative class and they were very interested in us and all we had to say. We even made some new friends!

At the evening class, we played games and laughed very hard then we had a discussion on service. It was a thought-provoking conversation that had a lot of discussion. Afterwards we talked a long time with new friends and old friends. Two students, names Vasyl and Alisa were with us every single night! It was hard to say goodbye to them and there were even a few tears. Hopefully they will stay in touch with us and Gif. I will miss going to the school every day, but I know that the bonds we made will last a long time and will seeds have been planted. Afterwards we went to a Crimean restaurant and ate horse, shark, and a delicious hummus.

Note from John: As our actions conclude here, please continue praying for our efforts especially as we bring our part of the trip to a close and begin travel. Keep Gif in your prayers as he continues to coordinate all work here. Opportunities continue to present themselves in amazing ways!