Edna, Joshua, and Dominic
This month we started home schooling Dominic and Joshua full time rather than have them go to public school and then do supplementary school work at home. I still attended the ringing of the first bell at the school they had attended since we know so many of the children there, including our neighbor Oksana and our neighbor Olya's granddaughter. You can read about that day by clicking HERE. Please pray for our home schooling efforts for both boys.
Separating the children into age groups
The highlight of our month was a Children's Festival that was put on by a team from Pryluky Calvary Chapel. They had eleven people counting a little girl named Masha. We also took the opportunity to finish the playground restoration project that we had started in the Spring. You can read more about the Children's Festival by clicking HERE.
We've had two small additions to our family this month. It began with a Russian Dwarf hamster that a little girl named Nastya couldn't keep. She sold her to Joshua for 10 hryven (about $1.20). Her name is Kanopka (button in Ukrainian), and Edna really loves her.
Within a few days, Dominic's prayers were answered. On the way to church, we came across a baby hedgehog just sitting on the edge of the road (he's always wanted one). It's unusual to see hedgehogs during the day, so Dominic was really excited. He took him home and named him Taras. He has quickly become tame and surprisingly affectionate despite his menacing looking quills. For protection, hedgehogs can roll into a ball exposing only their sharp quills to a would-be predator. This little guy will grow to a size of between 8-12 inches in length.
Joshua carrying a photograph of Maxime's father
Sadly, Maxime's father, Andriy, died this month. He most likely died of liver failure leaving behind a grieving widow and a little boy trying to cope with it all. You can read about the funeral by clicking HERE. Maxime's mother is physically unable to care for Maxime due to alcoholism and Maxime's grandmother may be trying to get custody of him. We aren't sure what the outcome will be, but we know that Maxime and his mother need lots of prayer.
Olya and Maxime on the day of the Children's Festival
Recently we have been spending more time with our neighbors and focusing on one relationship at a time. This has led to Olya coming to church with us. We are currently studying through the book of James and Olya said she really enjoyed hearing the Bible explained in a way that she could understand. We know that she has shared this with her friends and hope it leads to more people knowing about Jesus through the written word of the Bible.
Through Olya's recommendation, Edna will be helping a girl named Alina, with her English homework once a week. We have already met with her and her mother Ira. The funny part was that Olya told us that if we didn't understand something they said, we could call her and she would "translate" for us. Olya speaks absolutely no English, but she does speak from her heart and that we understand perfectly.
In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. - Proverbs 16:9
"Some people think God does not like to be troubled with our constant coming and asking. The way to trouble God is not to come at all." - D.L. Moody
Нехай Бог Благословить Україну
(Let God Bless Ukraine)
(Let God Bless Ukraine)
Prayer Requests
• That God would watch over Maxime and his mother, Vera, giving them comfort.
• That God would continue to lead us and take us in the direction He wants us to go.
• That we would be able to raise adequate financial support according to God's will.
• For Edna's health problems and medical costs.
• Pray that Maxime would continue to grow in Christ and that nothing would hinder him from going to church on Sunday.
• Pray that homeschooling with the boys will go smoothly.
• For continued friendships (especially among our neighbors) that lead to Christ being made known as a personal Savior.
Support can be sent to:
Calvary SLO
4029 S. Higuera Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
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
To see updates for previous months, please click the link below "Older Posts"
