Team Update: 8/19 - History Makers Conference and Funding Kick-off.

This is the testimony in essence: God gave us eternal life; the life is in his Son. So, whoever has the Son, has life; whoever rejects the Son, rejects life. 1 John 5:12 MSG

Nastya S. and Nastya - June 2011

This week is special for many of those whom I partner with in orphan ministry in Ukraine.

Tony Morrow, Ukraine Team Coordinator at YouthReach International, departed a few days ago bound for Donetsk, Ukraine and the History-Makers Conference. He arrived in Kiev and after a few hours layover, he boarded the last leg to Donetsk.

Our Ukraine Field Coordinator, Arthur Kazaryan, left the Youthreach International Donetsk office to meet Tony at the airport and they drove to the conference site.

Anya Goliakova, one of our team mentors, was invited to attend the History Makers conference and lead worship. Anya recently returned from a year-long work-study with another team mentor, Vika Vdovychenko, in the US. Nastya Skovorodnykova works as a librarian assistant at Commonwealth International University in Simferopol. She also serves as an orphan mentor on the team. Anya and Nastya departed Simferopol this morning and are making their way to Donetsk. Sasha Lifintseva (Mentor), a university student, is making her way from Kakhovka, in the Kherson Oblast or region.

They will meet up with other believers from the surrounding regions to study, worship, and learn about ways to accelerate the sharing of the good news.

History Makers works with and trains emerging leaders in order to impact the kingdom both today and tomoorrow. They believe in investing in rising Christian leaders aged 20-35. Their core values include: intimacy with God, passion for the harvest, visionary leadership, culturally relevant evangelism, multiplication of leadership, family priority, stewardship, and integrity.

http://www.history-makers.org/#/vision/4520823635

Keep them all in your prayers this week as they:

• Travel
• Experience intimacy and encouragement
• Learn about the essence of testimony and life in the Son.

Team news and additional prayer needs:
Linda, Christy and I are planning to meet this week to kick off our very aggressive funding effort. We'll be putting up 10% of the travel costs out of our own pockets and raising about $2800 for the rest. We'll be asking for:

• Financial support to cover our costs. Aggressive Deadlines: 50%-Sept 30 and 100%-Oct 31%.
• $15 camp sponsorships for each child (x50 kids). Christmas gifts and craft materials for each child. Deadline Oct 31
• Mentor sponsorships at $450 each (x3). Deadline Oct 31

Weekly Update

This week Linda and I are getting started with planing our next trip to Ukraine. We're considering borrowing curriculum from our church's summer camp curriculum - Transformers. It's based on the verse from Romans 12:2 


"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."


We're having  A few folks over  at our house tomorrow evening (Monday, 8/8) to talk about the lessons and talk to some folks interested in going. 


Soon we'll also begin our funding efforts. I know the conditions in the economy are presenting challenges for everyone. It's very difficult to decide how to use the funds you have set aside for giving. If you have given to this outreach ministry in the past, bless you and thank you. If you can help us this time, bless you and thank you for helping. If you are tapped out? It's OK, you're blessed and released. But, please bless us with your prayers.


Meanwhile, We have to get going on passports. Linda has to submit for one and I need mine replaced. Hopefully, we can get them back before to long so when the time comes to purchase airline tickets we'll have what we need.


Our team mentors are gearing up as well. A few of our mentors are attending the History-Makers conference in Donetsk later this month (http://www.history-makers.org). History Makers works with emerging Christian leaders in order to impact the kingdom both for today and  tomorrow by investing in their training. Nastya S. and Sasha L. are participating in the conference. Anya G. is also going and participating as a member of the worship team. Our team coordinator, Arthur Kazaryan, is also going as a presenter. Please keep all of them in your prayers.


That's all for now.


Peace and Grace,
Joel