July 2008 Update - Bila Tserkva, Ukraine

Jake Knotts snapped this picture of us in Chernihiv as we came out of the catacombs

With most children off to camps or on vacation with their parents to the Black Sea, July was a relatively quiet month for us. It gave us a chance to visit a few missionary friends in other cities and time to store up for the winter (i.e. canning and more canning). The boys have enjoyed long days at the river where we have been able to have a few family picnics while they fish and swim.

Maxime and Dominic on the 4th of July with Joshua and Josie climbing the cherry tree

Our 4th of July was spent in Kaharlyk with American friends. We took Maxime with us and he had the chance to eat and play for a day just like any other American boy. You can read more about that day by clicking HERE. It was the first time that his parents had allowed him to go out of town with us overnight. His parents seem to be increasingly trusting of us, but we did have some issues with his grandmother concerning his well being. She tried to keep Maxime from going to church with us, but fortunately for Maxime, his mother continues to let him go to church with us. Praise God for that. HERE is the blog post about what happened after we contacted Maxime's grandmother because he didn't have shoes.

Dominic peeling potatoes at Camp 120 on their island camp out

Dominic had the oportunity to go to a Christian camp where they spent Monday through Saturday on an island in the middle of the Dnipro River. Except for a little rain and a few mosquitoes, Dominic said he had a great time. I think I might just have to join him next year. It sounded like an adventure. You can read the blog I posted about it by clicking HERE.

This is the view looking towards our apartment from the bridge during the Ivana Kupala festival

Please continue to keep Edna in your prayers. After two rounds of heavy duty antibiotics for a severe kidney infection, she is still experiencing a lot of pain. The last test results seem to show that the infection is finally gone, but there may still be another problem. We aren't looking forward to more trips to Kyiv and expensive doctor visits, further, possibly invasive, test may be needed to isolate the source of her pain if it doesn't go away. She is scheduled for one more test to rule out more infection so please pray that her pain would cease and her kidneys would be healed.

Emma and Gavin showing Joshua how much they love him

We finished out the month by traveling up to the city of Chernihiv where several of our missionary friends live. We stayed with Jake and Anya Knotts and their daughter Maia. We were refreshed and encouraged to hear about how God is working in their city. It was great to catch up with everyone.

Maia trying to deal with Dominic's backseat driving

Jake and Anya drove us out to the nearby city of Slavutych that was created for the survivors of the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster. It was a unique experience and well worth the trip. You can see more pictures of Slavutych and a little history of its creation by clicking HERE. We even ran into a few of the girls that we know from the church in Chernihiv who were acting as translators for an American team doing an outreach in the city. Small world.

Edna, Joshua, and Dominic at the Chernobyl Memorial in Slavutych

We are excited about the start up of our Saturday English Club again next month. People have asked us when we will be meeting again and a new girl in our church has told us that she has several English speaking friends at the university here that want to attend. English focused outreaches and clubs seem to be great tools for bringing people to Christ. Keep praying for us as we plan more of these outreaches in the future.

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. - Lamentations 3:22

“True Christian suffering comes because we live for God and are serving the expansion of His kingdom. It is a positive sacrifice for the good of others. It is not a morbid, introspective act that one does to oneself to feel or become spiritual.” - K. P. Yohannan

Нехай Бог Благословить Україну
(Let God Bless Ukraine)

Prayer Requests

• That we could come together in fellowship with other local churches.
• For wisdom and guidance as Greg pastors the church by himself for the next month.
• That the churches we met with in America would keep us (Ukraine) on their hearts and minds and in their prayers.
• That God would direct us in planning local outreaches using English.
• That God would heal Edna's kidneys.
• Pray that Maxime would continue to grow in Christ. That nothing would hinder him from coming to church on Sunday, or being able to stay with us here at home.
• That God would raise up others outside of Ukraine to serve in Bila Tserkva.
• For a permanent translator at our Church.
• For more young women and (especially) men to begin coming to English Club at the Rosava.
• For financial provisions to allow us to travel to Speakers Week at the Bible College in Hungary.

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