November 7, 2016

The Fall Kiev English Club ended one month ago, but the communication and friendships continue to grow.  The Medford WI team and Blairsville Georgia team will forever be on each others hearts.  The youth in Kiev, that is a given, they are 'our kids' in our hearts forever.  God has blessed this English Club, I have been told, with an outpouring of love.  Staff, students, teams connected on a level that only our Blessed Lord and Savior could have orchestrated.

We want you to know this is all for His Glory, and because of Your Faithful Prayers!!!!!

I am reading a book, Finding God's Will, and it continues to bring to mind that in order to find God's will, you need to know the God of God's will.  This was confusing at first but through this mission trip I believe I understand what the author was getting at.  God is working His Will all the time, in so many ways, and being open and obedient we are offered a glimpse of this glorious plan.  Whether that obedience means physically by being involved or spiritually through prayer and meditation. 

This English Club will have Eternal rewards. 

Please join us in prayer now, as we plan for the Spring Kiev English Club in March 2017.  The harvest is white.  God bless each of you.

Meeting with the Dean of the Agriculture University.

Rachel Dolezalek, Karen and Terry Voltz, along with the Team Leader for Cru, Losha met with the Dean of the Pilot English Club Program Thursday morning.  The pictures below were taken and will be used on the University's website.  The three teachers from the Wisconsin team received a warm welcome from the Ukrainians.  They praised the team members and shared plans of having the program continue.  This is a huge answer to prayer!

Class Pictures and goodbyes ....

Thursday night was filled with laughter, smiles and some tears too, as students received their certificates for English Club, and for some this was their time to say good-bye.  The Ukrainian Party is tonight, however not all the students will be able to attend, as some will be traveling home, while others will be working. 

The impact these youth have had on our hearts is beyond what words can capture.  We have come to know them and love each one of them.  Here are two of the class pictures, we will post more as they become available. 

Tonight is our last class!
This week has flown by as schedules were packed with student meetings, staff meetings and class preparation.  The student meetings have been special to each of us, as they are the topic of conversation whenever we get together.  Seeing God move through His Word is Amazing, but then we serve an Amazing God. Our hearts have been challenged along the way, and obstacles try to trip us up, but your prayers have provided the strength, encouragement and protection for all of us here.  Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

Many will be sharing their testimonies with their class tonight, please pray that the students have ears to hear and hearts that are tender, that the seeds of God's love would sink deep and take root.
We ask to specifically remember Ann, Maria and Alex. 

We praise the Lord for you and His work here.  God bless.

September 30, 2016

Click on the link below to start the video.

American Party, for the 2016 Fall English Club Students- Kiev, Ukraine

Day 6 in Kiev.  We have been blessed with beautiful weather for walking back and forth to school, the market and just to get the lay of the land.  Below you will see the hotel that we are staying in. Its comfortable and so quaint. 

On the way to the 'soup house' we ride the trolley.  It costs 3 hryvnia (grivna) or about 12 cents one way.  Terry Voltz is shown with the ticket lady for the trolley.  She was enamored with the 'Americans' and was so happy to have her picture taken.

Tomorrow night is the American Party!  We will host the entire English Club student body at a nearby center.  Someone said it could possibly be 350+ students. 

Each of us have shared how fast this week is going and how excited we are to see the relationships take root.  God's Spirit is with us through your prayers.  His Will be done!

Blessings from Kiev.

English Club, night two!  Great conversations that didn't want to end, students getting to know each other and feeling more comfortable, participation levels increase-the Holy Spirit is moving in English Club.

Your prayers are the support and encouragement we need each day.  Knowing you are praying for the students, staff and all those who may interact with us is appreciated more than we can ever tell you.  We love our students and relationships are being built. 

We keep up our strength with visits to the market to purchase items that remind us of home.  Ukraine is noted for their vegetables and chocolate, both very nutritious staples right?  :)

Here Karen Voltz is purchasing oranges.  This is no easy task.  The screen prompts you to enter the category, then the item, sounds easy until you figure out it's all in Ukrainian.  Karen meets the challenge and told us tonight, they are super sweet and delicious.