Our Flock

Here is Bro. Todd (far left) with some of the regular members of our village church. These people have come faithfully since we started this church, sometimes during blizzards and even when the electricity was cut off to the cultural house where we meet. Praise the Lord for these dear people who are hungry for the Word of God.

Christmas in Ukraine
December 26, 2001

Our "cast" for the Christmas play we put on in the village. We had a good attendance (over 150), a good time of singing, the play and a sermon on "The Greatest Gift Ever Given." Before we dismissed each person received a small treat and a Christmas storybook about the true meaning of Christmas. Of the seven people who graciously volunteered to dress in costume, 6 were saved in our church during 2001.
Praise the Lord!

The Cast Before the Presentation Front Row: Sergei, Ira, Dema Back Row: Dennis, Pavel, Georgi and Dennis

Finishing Touches and Nervous Looks Dennis with his dad, Georgi, who just got saved on December 23rd

"How's this?" Pavel practicing his shepherd's stance

From Translator to King Dennis

Final Rehearsal Sergei with his cousin Ira as Joseph and Mary

One Final Picture Our cast poses for one final picture with their families and Susan (stage right)

A Very Special Thank You

Here we are again right after the Christmas program. We had a good turn-out and a great service. We thank the Lord for leading us to this village of 6,000 people. We have seen many adults and children trust the Lord as their Saviour during our first year in this village. The Lord has been good and we are grateful for the opportunity to serve Him in this way. Thanks to all of you who have faithfully and generously supported us these past five years here in Ukraine. Without your sacrifice of love and your burden for the lost it would not be possible.

Our People and Visitors

The Early Bird Gets The Chair The people started arriving almost an hour early to get a good seat. Bro. Todd, Sasha and Dennis made extra benches for the children

A Full House The Director had the newly remodeled auditorium set up and looking good for us that night

Congregational Hymn The people sang before the play began

A Merry Christmas to All Everyone fellowshipping after the service on their way home

A Special Treat

The ladies of the village with their bouquets. "Woman's Day" is a big holiday here in Ukraine and is celebrated each March 8th. We gave each of the women who attended church that night a special gift of carnations and daffodils.

Where's the Van?

Sasha and Dennis and Susan with Oxsana and Helen after service in the village. It was a long night and they are all tired and waiting for the van to take them back home. It is a thirty minute ride from the village to our house but we thank the Lord for the opportunity to go and minister to those dear people.

Not again, Bro. Todd!

Our camera-shy village church people enduring yet another photo for our album. After starting the church a year ago, many of these people now know Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. We praise the Lord for the many decisions that have been made and for the faithfulness of the people in coming out to church each service.

Happy Anniversary

A small sampling of the people who attended our one-year anniversary service. The kids sang before the service and afterward we have a good time of food and fellowship. Close to 150 people attended the service this night.

Save something for us!

Here is part of the group of boys waiting their turn at the buffet. We let the older folks go first and then the little kids, the girls and finally the boys. Everything was done decently and in order and we had plenty of food for everyone.

An Unexpected Surprise

Maria is the assistant to the Director of the cultural house in the village. She has faithfully attended our church since the beginning. She has been a tremendous blessing to our ministry.

Here she is with Susan who is holding a hand-stitched pillow, a true Ukrainian tradition, which Maria made for her.

Hey, Let's Sing!

One Sunday morning before service we decided to put together a small choir. We sang "Joy in My Heart" in Russian (recently translated by Sasha). Susan is seated at the keyboard with (standing from left to right) Helen, Dasha, Sasha, Dennis, Igor and Dema. This was a song that we had a lot of fun with.