Thursday March 30, 2017

The 2017 Spring English Club Teams are home.  10 USA teachers from Maryland, Virginia, Colorado and Wisconsin together gave thanks and praised the Lord for His grace.  Over 200 students were involved in English Club for the two week period.  One on one meetings with students the last week provided the opportunity for teachers to speak with and even pray with students who were interested in knowing more about 'this Jesus' of whom they had been introduced to during class.

The power of God's Word is amazing!  It opens minds and melts hearts.  This power humbles us as we see, it is not 'us' it is totally the Lord doing His work.  Thank you for your prayers for strength, wisdom, health and safe travels.  We were protected and cared for our entire time away. 

There was a request made by the Cru Staff for Americans who may want to spend a 'year' in Kiev to help with follow up and continuing programs.  Please pray that the Lord will touch hearts to respond to this request.  The fields are 'white' for harvest, Lord please send your workers.

This will be the last post for the Kiev English Club 2017 team.  Thank you again for your partnership in this mission.  God's blessing for your faithfulness in prayer.

Isaiah 55:10-11 "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; 11So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

Kiev English Club Team Spring 2017

What does English Club look like?  

During a typical night in English Club, the class time goes by very fast.  We start promptly at 6PM and have 1 hour of English Vocabulary, Idioms, maybe a video on a featured topic,  all focused to give the student the maximum amount of discussion time,  to utilize their English speaking skills.

Below you will see a typical night where they have been asked to share with their partner using the English Vocabulary words they learned that evening.

We break for about 5-8 minutes to give the students time to grab something to drink before starting our Bible Hour.  The Bible hour always has a passage in Scripture, this could be select verses or a parable which the students will read in their own language first, then the passage will be read to them in English. They also have the opportunity to read this same passage several times,  in English in their small group.  After reading we ask them to 'retell' the story or verses in their own words, picking out the main characters, describe the plot, address the theme or main points before engaging them in their own personal opinions about the text.

It gives for lively discussion and openness in regards to what they are truly thinking.  I personally enjoy this time with the students as it shows me how they may be struggling with what to do with this new information.  The Lord always shows up when His Word is shared and I pray that the students are as much aware of His presence as I am.  It is very humbling and such a blessing.

Our third hour is all about relationship building.  Students are asked to create a power point presentation about themselves to share with the class.  The University here is very big, and these students 'do not' know each other before English Club.  These presentations give the class the opportunity to get to know more about each other.  Students get excited when they learn a fellow classmate comes from the same region or hometown, shares a hobby or class, and even may have the same love of books, sports or another topic of interest.

When I came back this year, I found out that one of the friendships that came about from English Club last year is still intact and thriving this year, even though there is a large age difference between the two students.  

Besides the presentations, third hour is a time for games!  Students and teachers play games that help us get to know each other, build trust and just plain have fun. 

My takeaway from each night is how much bigger God has stretched my heart.  The students definitely become very special to you and in a way change your life forever.  There is a song from the Broadway Show 'Wicked' that is called 'FOR GOOD', its about how knowing you has changed me, maybe for the better, but nonetheless, it has changed me 'for good'.  English Club will do that, it will change you, it will not leave you where you are now.  It will impact your life, your thinking and your ability to love- for the better, and it will do it for good....

2017 SPRING ENGLISH CLUB

What a great group of students!  The attendance and participation of these young people has touched our hearts in a way only our Dear Lord could orchestrate.  This week individual meetings with students continue, may the Holy Spirit create within each of us a heart to love beyond words, and when questioned, give us the words to speak for the hope that we have in Christ Jesus, and let those words be seasoned with gentleness and respect.
All teachers will be sharing their testimony with their class this week.  May our Lord use these stories to touch the souls of students for His Glory.  Keep us humble as we walk hand in hand with you Jesus.

American Party!

A traditional event with each English Club is the American Party.  A time where the American Teaching Team hosts a party for the students and faculty of English Club.  The agenda includes, games, music, information about the U.S.A., and of course American Food.  Ukrainians love peanut butter, popcorn, veggies with dip and candy, so that is what we served, and lots of it :).

After eating, students join in games of foosball, jenga, uno, or they dance en mass to the sounds of the popular 'Just Dance' videos.  Below are some pictures of the event, along with a short fun video.

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO

English Club Jeopardy Game

Another team in the Jeopardy Game

Fern and Grant Brown Leading Music

Rich from Virginia with Campus Staff

Grant with a Jenga Competition

Fern playing a card game with students

Students with a different Jenga Game

Thursday March 16, 2017

It's so fun to engage the students with stories from our lives.  It opens the door to have significant conversations with them.  We are also enjoying reconnecting with our friends from last year's English Club, both students and teachers alike.

Paul Currier, 2nd trip EC.

Paul & Cheryl Currier-Rifle Colorado

You may have heard those names before, as Paul and Cheryl were part of the 2016 Spring English Club.  Cheryl is a teacher and her background in ESL helped to create the new Lesson Plans for the Spring Classes.  We are so appreciative to her for the hours of prep work she, Fern and Rachel put into this.  The lesson plans were created such, that they could be used over and over.  Great thinking gals.

Tonight is the American Party, where students come and get a 'taste' of America.  Literally and figuratively.  There will be presentations on the USA, and American Cuisine -- that's where the peanut butter comes in :). A few games and singing all to create relationships and show how people all over the world are God's creation and we share so much.  Paul will be giving his testimony and although this is last minute please pray for God's glory to touch the hearts and minds of the students and anyone within ear shot!  Even if you read this after the fact, please pray the seeds that were planted are watered and tended, as we never know who, when or where a soul make may the decision to follow Christ.

We have tons of pictures to post but that will have to wait until tomorrow, when we will also have some of the American Party.
God bless you and keep you

(Thank you so much, Rita, for blogging for the team!!) (Family and friends, these are the members of our team from Medford, WI -- Fern & Grant, Rita, Sandy, and then me with my Ukrainian friend, Natalie.)

Our first Sunday here in Kiev was such a sweet day. One of my friends from years ago was able to join us for church and for lunch. Please pray with me that she (Natalie) would want to join a church family and grow.

I am especially humbled to see how many young families there are in the churches here now and what sincere believers God has raised up here on staff with Cru. It is so beautiful to see how God's church has grown over these last twenty years -- I have cried tears of joy and awe several times in these few days since we arrived.

We have had quite the whirlwind this week. Preparing for class time and setting up the rooms each night does take a lot of time, and the classes are full of eager students hanging on our every word; however, it is all worth it when I take time to reflect on how God is at work, patiently drawing us to Himself -- how He has touched me and trained me so that now I can reach out to others.

Our first night (and every night since), as I stood up to read the passage from scripture to the students, I got chills when I realized I was reading God's Word aloud in a former communist university classroom! What a beautiful, crazy, amazing privilege.

Today was our third class time, and my co-teacher and class administrator, Lena, said she really enjoyed the class and my teaching time. She said I spoke loudly and clearly and that I was relaxed and "enjoying the stage" (the limelight?). I am so thankful for her comments because I have been worried about how class was going.

I would greatly appreciate your prayers for my class. Five students keep leaving before the Bible lesson time, and their attitude is one of "it's not cool" to stay around for Bible study. They seem to leave as a group. Please pray with me that they would have a change of heart.

Praise God with me for how the other students are leaning in to learn and read more in the Bible. Praise God with me for how I have been able to share examples from my own life of how God has touched and changed me.

Last but not least, Friday I will travel alone to my "hometown" in Ukraine, where I lived back in 1997-98. It is an overnight train ride. I would appreciate your prayers for my trip there and back (I will take the overnight train back on Sunday night). I need discernment about who to visit and who to call, etc.

Thank you so much for your love and prayers.

Kelly Schafer

Kelly and Sandy preparing for English Club.
It's so nice to have the curriculum created for us.  It makes our preparation for class much easier.









The picture to the right is Sandy and Linda's Class. Dima is our class administrator, he takes care of all the 'techy' stuff and makes sure we stay on time for each hour.  In Sandy's words... these students are 'awesome'!

Monday Evening 10:53PM

Prayers Answered!  The first night of English Club always holds some trepidation, with timing, computers, seating and you name it, it can happen.  That being said, all went pretty smooth.  The students commented they were happy to be there, and with smiles on their faces.  That may sound funny but as the teams have shared before, the normal facial response is emotionless.  The class lessons ran seamlessly and allowed for much conversation.  The students were prepared to learn.

Sandy shared, as she presented the Bible Lesson Hour, she felt the Holy Spirit 'take over' and the words flowed from her mouth :).  Her sweet spirit is a huge blessing for her class.

The Q&A for the Bible Hour on Creation led to some interesting discussions and a wide variety of answers, from the Big Bang Theory, to it just happened, to 'if there is a God, then I would want to know him', to 'I just don't believe, and then one small voice chimed in, 'I do believe in a Creator'.

Please pray that the Holy Spirit continues to open these young minds to God's Word. That relationships be formed to challenge their thinking process for open discussion, and that they feel 'safe' in sharing their responses knowing they will not be judged.

Thank you to all of our 'prayer partners', God hears you.

Sunday Evening March 12, 2017

The beauty of hearing Praise and Worship in another language makes you stop to think of how wonderful the song of heaven will be!  This morning we attended a Ukrainian Baptist Church that offers English Translation.  Their pastors were at a conference and the service and message were given by a seminarian, who delivered God's word with great impact.  It was so powerful to listen to Scripture being unpacked and shared in a different language, with the conviction of the message so appropriate to the two weeks we have ahead of us in English Club.... it was evident God prepared this man to speak today, and we felt it was for our hearts to hear. 

This evening we had a meeting with Ukrainian Staff.  We reviewed the outline for class, touched on the curriculum and got to meet with our co-teachers and class helpers.  We ended in prayer and fellowship.  Please continue to pray with us for the students minds and hearts to be open to God's Word, and that as teachers we can model Christ to our students-for His Glory.

In the days ahead we hope to share stories from our classrooms so you can pray more specifically for needs that may be presented.

Serving with you, the Ukraine Team

Friday March 10, 2017-DEPARTURE DAY for Kiev English Club Team :)

Left to right:
Kelly Schafer, Sandy Resech, Rita Clark, Fern Brown, Grant Brown, meeting us in Kiev will be Cheryl and Paul Currier, of Rifle, CO.





Lots of prayer, preparation, planning and packing have gone into making this trip a reality.  We are but one of 2 Mission teams leaving from FBC in March.  Like you, we have been in prayer for this trip.  The English curriculum is somewhat different this year, as Cheryl Currier, Fern Brown and Rachel Dolezalek used their gifts and talents in helping create the English portion of our classes. Thank you for the many hours you have devoted to this cause.

In just a few hours we will be immersed in Ukrainian Culture, meeting with CRU staff and putting the final pieces of our English Club together.

Please continue in prayer for God to be glorified in all that is thought, said and done in our days ahead.  We walk on this earth to be used of Him.  Let His light shine through us.  Isaiah 55:9-11, Hebrews 13:20-21
more to come.... stay tuned!

Fundraising and Fun - Sunday February 26th 12:30 PM First Baptist Church

Many of you may have already provided funds for the Kiev English Club Mission heading out March 10th.  The entire team thanks you more than we can say in words, that is why we have put each of you in our prayers.  We simply would not be able to serve without YOU.  

If you haven't heard yet, there is also an FBC Mission Team headed for Nepal.  A combined fundraiser will be held on Sunday February 26th at First Baptist Church.  It will include a Hot Dog or Brat Plate lunch with serving starting around 12 Noon. Following lunch around 12:30 there will be a Fundraising Auction featuring many diverse, fun and functional items.  For a list of what will be available please  Click Here  and you will be directed to a page that contains a .pdf download of ALL the available items.

Although we serve a God who owns the cattle on a thousand hills, He still requires us to use the resources we have at hand for His Glory. Sunday February 26th is more than just a fundraising event, it is also a 'friendraising' event.  As friends support each other, our mission teams desire your fellowship.  Let us personally serve you and get to know you.  It will help us and you, to put a face with a name as we both pray for each other.  Hope to see you Sunday.

February 16, 2017

Our English Club Mission Team is gellin!  It is always amazing to see how the Lord brings people together for His Glory.  The packing lists are being checked off, the lesson plans are taking shape, last minute confirmations on airline flights are being made and the Lord is in control of it all!  I say this because when I went to print off my ticket last Saturday, I found out two of my flights were cancelled!  My heart jumped, but as it worked out, the airline made an error which they rectified. It took a while, but when I was on the phone with the gentleman from KLM, I was able to speak to him about the reason for our trip, and how important it was that our team arrive in Kiev at approximately the same time to meet our missionary driver.  He worked ever so hard to get everything in place and I thanked him for his efforts, while mentioning that 'the Lord was in control, no matter how it worked out'.
Our God is in control always. This is His Mission. The students He will bring to our classes are His handiwork and He loves them all.  2Peter3:9.  It is humbling that He allows us to be part of His plan of salvation, to plant seeds, water, till, water some more and then harvest. Father, Son and Spirit your ways are so far above ours and your plans so much greater than ours.  When we see your hand at work it brings us to our knees in Holy Worship. 
As you read this simple note, please know that you too are part of this mission team.  Your prayers, your encouragement, your support in so many ways, God will use for His Glory.  We are on this journey together, as we serve the lover of our souls!  God bless and keep you.

Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

We are about to flip the first page of the calendar for this year.  I'm not sure how you feel about that but time seems to fly by faster and faster.  A good reminder that we as believers in Christ are aliens in this world, waiting for our transport 'Jesus Christ' to bring us home!  What a glorious thought, but there are so many who do not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they do not have that guarantee of their Savior and heaven awaiting them.  

Would you join us during the month of February in this challenge?  Each morning before stepping out of bed, stop and pray Psalm 19:14 above.  Go ahead and put a sticky note on your bed stand, or bring it up on your phone.  Then as you go through your day watch how the Lord will bring opportunities across your path to share about Him, your Rock and Redeemer.  

February is said to be the month of love.  Together we can share the source of all love, Jesus, with those He brings across our path, right here at home.

CRU Staff in Kiev
Many of you have partnered with us in prayer for Kiev and the upcoming mission.  The request below comes to you from those involved directly with students.

Please pray for our ministry project this weekend in Mariupol. This city is on the front line with the conflict with Russia. We left Kyiv Thursday afternoon and travel back home Sunday. Please pray for our safety and for success of the project. Pray for encourage and positive influence for sport ministry in Mariupol from us this weekend.

January 2, 2017

Revelation 3:20 ^...Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.


March 12 to March 24th are the dates for the Spring English Club, Kiev Ukraine!  Plans are being made and airline tickets purchased in preparation for the FBC Team consisting of Grant and Fern Brown, Kelly Schafer, Sandy Resech, Paul and Cheryl Currier and Rita Clark.

God has once again opened the doors and is making way for His Word to be shared with so many young people in the Ukraine.  Word has just come that the Blairsville, Georgia team will also be heading back to Ukraine, but they will be launching a new English Club in the city of Dnipro.  We pray in agreement with them that God will continue to open the hearts and minds of these young people to His message of Salvation.  As Revelation 3:20 says, He stands the door of the heart, waiting for each person to accept His invitation.

It is a New Year and each day contains New Mercies from our Lord and Savior.  Please consider partnering with the Kiev English Club Team members in prayer support for:

• the students who will attend English Club
• CRU staff as they prepare for the upcoming student registration and curriculum preparation
• team members will be open to God's prompting in preparation of their hearts for this mission
• God's provision of financial support for the team members
• the power of God's Word to be evident before, during and after English Club
• safe travel and health for all team members and CRU staff

 Kiev English Club has been a ministry supported by FBC since its inception.  We thank you for your obedience to the prompting of God on your heart.  Together we serve as one, for the Glory of our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ.