Greg, Edna, Joshua, and Dominic
November has turned out to be our busiest month yet. This month we officially registered with the government (this is now required along with having a visa), started an English Club, took on three English students, introduced a separate worship time at church just for Children’s Ministry, and celebrated Dominic’s 14th birthday at the Claycamp’s house in Kaharlyk on Thanksgiving. We were also blessed with the first snow of the year, something Dominic and Joshua had eagerly been anticipating.
English Club at the Invalid Center
We had been praying about ways that we might be able to serve at the Invalid Center here in Bila Tserkva. Velodia, the director of the center, invited us to come and take a tour to see what goes on there. We were very impressed by all the types of rehabilitation and treatment that are offered there. Infants to young adults are treated for all different types of physical and mental disabilities including learning impairments. They also hold classes for children who because of their handicaps can not attend regular school. That same day we officially started an English Club with several young men and women who meet there every Wednesday with the hope of improving their English skills. (You can read more about what happened that day by clicking HERE to visit our blog.)
We recently had dinner at Velodia’s home with his wife and son to discuss ways in which we could encourage others to volunteer their time at the Invalid Center. Velodia founded the center 11 years ago in response to the complete lack of any programs for the disabled here. He told us that he left his job as an engineer and devoted his life to serving God after his youngest son, Sasha, was born with Cerebral Palsy. Sasha is 19 years old and confined to a wheelchair. He attends the English Club and is one of the most fluent speakers. Velodia explained that his son’s disability is what caused him to question God and ultimately accept Christ. He has been the pastor of a church that he started within the Invalid Center for the last 5 years. We sometimes have combined services with our church and his on Sundays at the center. We feel blessed to see the doors open here for further areas of service.
Dominic's 14th Birthday
Dominic turned 14 this month and since he was born on Thanksgiving, we decided to celebrate his birthday on Thanksgiving this year. We celebrated at the Claycamp’s house in Kaharlyk with other Americans, an Australian, and some Ukrainian friends. (Danny Foote posted a great blog about it so you can read more about our Thanksgiving and Dominic’s birthday by clicking HERE.)
Edna teaching English to Oleg and Kristina
Edna has started teaching English on a formal basis now. She has gone from helping the kids with their English homework to holding scheduled lessons which she prepares herself. She is teaching Kristina , a girl from our church (you can read more about her by clicking HERE), and our landlord’s son, Oleg, on Friday afternoons. She is also teaching Oksana, who lives downstairs, on Monday mornings. We decided to use this as a ministry opportunity and told their parents that Edna would teach them for free. Already this has gone a long way towards building good will with our landlord. They are realizing that we came here with servants' hearts and not to make money off of them.
We decided to do our own worship time with the children at church after getting a very encouraging response from Maxime. We used a worship CD that we got from Calvary Chapel Kyiv to teach the children some new Ukrainian worship songs on Sundays. The children love having their own time to sing their hearts out. (You can read about Maxime's reaction by clicking HERE.)
Yulyk and Dominic after a Bible Study
Dominic’s friend, Yulyk, has been coming over to talk about the Bible with us on Saturday’s. He is a Jehovah’s Witness, so he isn’t allowed to talk to us unless another JW member is with him. Our hope is that while he listens to us tell him about the truth of God’s Word, he will begin to see that what the other JW members are saying isn’t true. We were encouraged the last time he came to visit because he brought his mother, Maia, with him as well as a JW elder. At the beginning of our study I handed Maia a Ukrainian Bible that hadn’t been altered from the original like the JW one she had. (They are only allowed to read JW “bibles” printed by the Watchtower Society.)
After three hours of discussion, the JW elder decided that we didn’t need anymore Bible studies. Edna and I both noticed that Yulyk’s mother had paid careful attention to what I had said and saw that I was telling the truth according to the Ukrainian Bible I had given her to read. We were very encouraged by her interest in wanting to come back again to hear more. Later, we found out that the JW elder had told Yulyk and Maia that I had said that I didn’t want them to come back. Dominic made it clear to Yulyk that he was welcome to come back and that I had never said that I didn’t want them to visit again. We pray that God will use us to bring the truth of His Word to Yulyk and his mother, Maia.
Dominic and Joshua seem to be doing really well in school when it comes to learning the language and culture. Our goal is that they would learn to become part of society here and not feel as much like outsiders. So far, they have been adapting faster than we had expected. I have to admit that while Edna and I are actively studying Ukrainian, we often turn to Dominic and ask, “What’s the word for that in Ukrainian again?” Several times we’ve had to turn to Joshua and ask, “What did that person say? I didn’t understand.” God has blessed us and is making our time of transition here a pleasant time. Thank you for all of your prayers and support. They are greatly appreciated.
Dominic and Joshua really enjoy the snow and are hoping for more.
”Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” –1 Peter 1:13
If I were to ask you why you have believed in Christ, why you have become Christians, every man will answer truly, "For the sake of happiness". -Saint Augustine
Prayer Requests
• That God would continue to lead us according to His plan
• The wisdom to share and defend the Inspired Word of God
• Learning the Ukrainian language and culture
• For the continued growth of the Children's Ministry on Sundays
• For Yulyk and his mother Maia
• Wisdom in sharing the Gospel
• Opportunities for discipleship
• That God would continue to meet our needs
• Health and safety
• That God would move others to serve at the Invalid Center
• Spiritual growth and discernment
• Pray that Edna would have the opportunity to share the saving message of Christ with Maxime’s mother, Vera
Support can be sent to:
Calvary SLO
P.O. Box 1463
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
With an attached note: "For Greg and Edna Silva"
In Christ,
Greg, Edna, Dominic, and Joshua
Our blog: On Second Thought
Our photos: We Desire Him
