Map

Here is a map detailing where we are, where we've been, and where we are going. The red rectangle is the area we covered on our Bible trip. The top circle is the Osikovo/Kenyasechee area - Jason and Joanna live in Osikovo, Roman and Nadia in Kenyasechee. We spent some time in both places, preached, held VBS's. The lower middle circle is where Tonya, the kids, and I have spent most of our time - Nova Odesa. The bottom circle is where we will be going to visit our friends the Sinitsa's in Crimea.

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Bible trip near Belarusian border

On Tuesday, July 21st, Artyom, Roman, Jason, Stephon, Jeff Appling, and I, left for our trip to deliver Bibles to remote villages along the Belarusian border. We traveled up to 2 miles from the border. There was a threat of encountering border guards, but we prayed that we wouldn't run into them unless God wanted us to give them Bibles. We didn't - God had other plans for us. In most villages, we split up into 3 teams, each with a translator, so we could reach more people. Some of the villages were very small, 10-20 houses, with many vacant and only a few residents. The people survive off their own little gardens and fruit trees. Some go into the forests to pick wild blueberries to sell them. Very few ever get out of the village - they rely on weekly or bi-weekly deliveries of bread. Many of the babushka's (grandma's) that we met, we very lonely. They told us stories of WWII when the Nazis came into their villages and killed people and burned their villages. Some told us of losing their children to alcohol. They opened up to us and cried. Many of the older people were blind and uneducated. I was reminded of the verse, Matthew 9:36 - Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.

Sergey (with the bandage), was the first to repent. When Roman and I went in his home and started telling him about Jesus, he said, "I want this". He told us he just had his 4th car accident and that he went to a "witch doctor" babushka that told him he was going to die in a car accident. We told him how God spared his life and is having mercy on him and how God is more powerful than a witch doctor. He was ready to receive God's word! Please pray for him. In this picture left to right: Artyom, Roman, myself, friend of Sergey, Jason Sturtevant, friend of Sergey, Sergey, Stephon, and Maxim (Jeff Appling took the picture).


Our first campsite. We stayed in a forest that was plush with moss. Perfect for bedding under the tents. Jeff Appling and I brought these tents from the US - they worked out perfectly for the 6 of us. God blessed us with unity in our group and we had great fellowship and times of encouragement and devotions. God knew exactly what he was doing when He put us all together.

The forest was full of wild blueberries. All the plants you see in this picture are wild blueberries. Many of the villagers depend on these for food and money. We had some for a midnight snack and breakfast the next morning. We praise God for providing for the people and for us.

Roman calling to see if anyone is home.

Jason and Roman with a 98 year old man. This man told us stories of WWII and how he remembered Americans coming to help him. He was happy to see Americans again and did not want us to leave. He accepted the Bible and we prayed with him.

Our second campsite. We were about 75 miles from Chernobyl. People in this area talked alot about the radiation and how it still affected them.

Artyom and I were weary from going house to house for quite a few hours. We talked with many people and even got yelled at one time. We were waiting for Jason to pick us up to go camp for the night, but he did not show up. I told Artyom that we needed to pray and ask God for strength because we were hungry and tired. I did not want Satan to discourage us from reaching more people. We prayed. We walked up the street and saw some benches in the shade - looked like a good spot to cool off. Before we got to the benches, we saw these children with puppies. We gave them Bibles and Bible story books. They went and got more of their friends. Jason, Roman, Jeff A, and Stephon showed up. The benches started to fill up with men, drunks included. Before we knew it at least 10 men came and Roman and Stephon started to preach. They all listened and received the Word. More people showed up. More children too. We gave out more Bibles and tracts at this one location than any other on our trip!






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Pray for Tural

Last evening, July 11th, the kids were outside playing and the dogs that are here at the house where we are staying, were barking like crazy. Tonya looked outside and saw Emilee & Jeffrey talking to a neighbor girl thorugh the fence. to keep the dogs quiet, she told the kids to go outside the front gate near the street. A little later, I noticed it was quiet and decided to go check on the kids. I went out the gate and saw a guy. He didn't look Ukrainian, but he started to speak to me in English. We introduced ourselves. His name is Tural and he is visiting from Azerbaijan. He met a local girl on the internet and has been here for about a week, staying with her family. He bought a one-way ticket and is not sure when he will return. He said I was the first American he has ever seen and talked to. I thought that was pretty cool! I taked to him about God and invited him to come to Bible study this morning and church this evening. He has never been to church. He came to Bible study this morning! We studied Rev. 1& 2. He paid close attention and read along. Afterwards, I asked him if he believed in God or Jesus and he kindly said, no. I gave him a New Testament. He does not seem opposed to the Bible or church. Please lift him up in prayer, bring him before God's throne. What are the odds? Meeting someone in Ukraine, who is from Azerbaijan? Pray that God will draw him close and that the Holy Spirit will lead him to the Truth. Pray that he will see Jesus. May God be glorified!

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Ukraine scenery - Nova Odesa/Ulanivka

Our kids aren't used to seeing so many cows close to houses and roads. The owners usually tie them to a stake in the ground and will move them from every day or so.

The soil here is very dark and fertile.

Beautiful wheat fields! We have been watching them harvest the wheat - big combines and tractors.





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Our first VBS - Ulanivka

Our first VBS location was about 45 minutes from Nova Odesa. Remember the picture of the highway to Nova Odesa? Yeah, the roads to Ulanivka were a lot more fun! This village was nice and we are thankful that we had a little house to be in. It was very hot and the block house provided sufficient relief. We had as many as 19 kids (including ours). They were all very attentive and respectful. Continue to pray for the kids age 11 and older that they may attend our youth camp in August.

The view down the street from our VBS house

Entrance to the VBS house

Look at all the sandals!

Bobbing for apples - new game for the Ukrainian kids. They had fun!

Emilee got one too!

We had a picnic day the last day of VBS - pinata, food, and best of all - Bibles. I wish you could have heard the kids busting that pinata! They never saw one before and they loved it! We blindfolded them and spun them around - it was great! One of the girls, Anya, cracked it open. Then after it all settled, we gave them all Bibles. Sasha asked for one the day before and when he got his, he started reading it immediately. Continue to pray for Sasha. I will point him out in the group picture.

Scrambling to get all the candy!

Stephon sharing with the kids after receiving their new Bibles

Pray that Sasha will learn the Word and will disciple the other kids.

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Day 4 - Nova Odesa

On Monday, June 22, we headed south to Nova Odesa. This is where Katrina Randolph is living and where Tonya, the kids, and I will spend most of our time. It is about 6 hours from Osikova - closer to the sea and a little warmer.

Here we go! All packed into Jason's van.

Highway to Nova Odesa

Nova Odesa map view

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Arrived in Ukraine - First Stop, Osikova

We had a nice flight. Had a long layover at JFK and a 7 hour layover in Amsterdam. While in Amsterdam, a man introduced himself to us and asked if we would watch his luggage while he went to buy some food outside the airport. I decided to go with him - we had a nice conversation and I shared about why we were going to Ukraine. He bought us all lunch! It really is amazing how God takes care of us so far from home. This was the second time a stranger bought us food on this trip - when in Illinois we stopped for supper at Cracker Barrel - a man came over to the table and mentioned how he noticed Jeffrey praying for our meal. He commended us for doing so and we started to share what God had been doing in our lives - he also bought our entire meal, plus desert & tip! Jason Sturtevant and Roman picked us up at Kiev/Borispol airport and we rode to Osikova - this is where Jason & Joanna Sturtevant currently live. We stayed here for 3 days and then Tonya, the kids, and I moved to Nova Odesa where we are currently.

The kids were soon employed to help with a small walnut harvest

The kids got to go swimming while in Osikova - Jeffrey and Josh Sturtevant were the last to get out. They all had a great time.

After the swim, everyone picked mulberries Yum! Fruit trees are everywhere in Ukraine! Any fruit that is outside of a fence is free for the taking. Just driving around you see apricot trees full of fruit! These are big fruit trees too!

Ever see a hedgehog? Ever hold one? OUCH!

Joanna sorting all the VBS supplies she received from people in the US

Joanna sharing with the kids Sunday morning June 22nd.

Sunday evening in Osikova, I was given the opportunity to preach. God spoke to a lady named Svyeta. She asked me to write down the scripture that I shared. Please pray for her as she is battling with alcohol.
Remember: For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

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Ready for First Flight!

Here we are at Columbus getting ready to board our 1st of 3 flights to get us to Ukraine. This was Emilee & Jeffrey's first time flying.









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Time Spent with Friends

We spent some time with our friends, Morgan & Autumn Vanaman too. Autumn made dinner for us, then we drove out to see Autumn's horse, Jewell, and her kitten, Breyer, who lives at the stables with Jewell. After that they took us to see the land they are planning to build on.

Jeff and Morgan have remained good friends. They enjoy talking about the Lord and sharing about what God is doing bringing others to Christ. Jeff was very encouraged after seeing Morgan again.



Autumn let Emilee & Jeffrey have a fun ride on Jewell, and they loved it! Especially our horse lover, Emilee.

Autumn holding Breyer so Emilee & Jeffrey could pet her.

Beautiful scene of the land behind the stables.

Thank you, Autumn & Morgan for a wonderful, relaxing evening! We hope to see you again in September!



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Time spent with Family

For some reason, we did not take any pictures while we were with Jeff's family. We will be sure to take some when we see them again in Sept. and post them for everyone to see. We had a very nice, quiet stay in Danville, Ohio because we were allowed to stay in the fellowship hall at Mom & Dad's church. It was built just a few years ago, so it is still new and very nice. Mom and Dad and Faye and Joe are doing well and we were thankful to be able to spend some time with them. Jeff did a lot of fishing at the pond behind Mom & Dad's property. No major catches, but lots of blue gill and a couple of bass. They sure tasted good when the guys fried them up for us! Emilee and Jeffrey had a great time playing with Anna & Joey! They are excited about taking them some souvenirs!

We were able to drive up to Marion to visit Tonya's parents on Saturday. It was a very nice time, and a beautiful day in North Central Ohio. Two out of three sisters and 5 out of 7 nieces and nephews were able to come and see us. That means that for Mom and Dad, 3 out of their 4 daughters and 7 out of their 9 grandchildren were there. Plus 2 great grandchildren with one on the way!

Jeff and Tonya in their matching outfits. Tonya was dressed first that day, so does that mean it was Jeff's idea?...

Note from Tonya: This is my dad, I love him very much!

Note from Tonya: I love my mom very much too. Doesn't she look sweet? She is!!

Tonya's oldest sister, Debbie couldn't be there. This is her next oldest sister, Susan. She excepted Jesus as her Savior again this past year and He has truly changed her. She is so radiant, like NEVER before! Tonya enjoyed her time with her that day. We have so very much to praise God for! Tonya's heart was overflowing with joy to see her sister doing so well and so happy.

There are many more pictures we would like to post, but it would take too long. It was a wonderful day, though, and it was great to see two of Tonya's nieces, all three of her nephews and both of her great nephews!


Be Disciples.