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Friday 12 May 2017

Some good things must come to an end --- but not all good things.

Hi dear friends, we are at that stage where all the goodbyes (except those who take us to the airport) have been said and it is time to review our fortnight. What can we say...
1) We have achieved way more work than we hoped to , praise God.
At the begining of our trip there was partial metal work up in the two large rooms becuase of the team who worked so hard in December.
These two large rooms  have now been completed in walls and windows.






At the beginning of the week...




At the end of the week.
Please forgive that there is no lighting in the photographs, we thought it better to help Igor take them into storage so he didnt have to do all the tidying up by himself after we had gone. You will see that we still have work to do to complete the ceiling, this is waiting for the go-ahead on mains drainage for transition house (but it should be imminent). Now we have "squared" the room off, the final phase will be much easier. Note too the ventilation openings we have kept open for air curclation (a pump will take inside air out and outside in.) One of the main challanges in this room was that the far wall had several pipes along it and also needed sealing (as an outside wall). After sealing we then completed the metal work, then boarded.



From this room there are two large  doublewidth doorways to the second larger rec room...








Again the hardest work here was the windows being "boxed in". John D and Nick did a superb job on this.

  
The completion of these two halls was the work Peter hoped we would achive during our trip but ...praise God ... there are 3 more areas to tell you about.
1) We managed to complete the main corridoor from scratch (stud wall with borrowed light, metal work and boarding.) 
This leads to 
2) a changing room. At the beginning of our time it looked like this...

Now thank God it looks like this...

This is a lovely light room. This completes the walling in that half of the basement. 
We were also thilled today to break the back of the parrellel room and make a huge difference to what will be the kitchen for communal events. From small beginnings when it was in a real mess, Emlyn, got rid of a huge amount of structural obsticles and debris (his ears will be ringing for some time). Today we completed 75% of it from scratch (metal work and boarding with vent holes)
We are so pleased with what has been achieved, which well exceeds our own expectations. To see Peter's draw drop when we showed him the extra space we had managed to redeem was priceless. 
At lunchtime we joined by pastor Igor Kucher and pastor Roman Kalashnlkoff, who kindly hotfooted it over from their lecturing and duties at the seminary. We all agree that pastor  Kalashnlkoff has the coolest name we have ever heard of, and we wander if anyone would ever step out of line in a church business meeting if we had such authoritive names in the UK :)
It was a really precious time of fellowship. We exchanged prayer points, our encouragements and faith steps. Grace church is about to plant a new church, which was wonderful to hear about. It also has a wonderful opportunity to visit the local military base and college in order to speak evangelistically about the 500th anniversary of the reformation. Please pray for the young people and others as they prepare to take part in these amazing opportunities.
We managed to give our wonderful cook, Lydia and Elena flowers as tokens of our love for  all their servant heartedness this trip. We have eaten like Kings. All of us are on diets next week.
We were also presented with souveniers of our time here, notably a lovely lazer cut candle holder in the shape of the church. We were told it was to remind us of Grace church and to pray for them, We assured our hosts that we need no reminding to pray for them, as they are very very dear to us.

This has been an awesomely successful trip.
Here are my top 7 reasons for saying this.
1) We got to spend qaulity time with the people we are doing the work for, and the people who will live here. Our times with the children were really really special, full of fun. They know us all so much better now, and their confidence, appreciation and affection towards us will keep us going a long time.
2) Sergei and Vikor were awesome in translation. The reason our fellowship has been so rich and precious with our church family here, is that these two fellas are brilliant, sensitive and servant-hearted in what they do.

3) Our mealtimes have been just great, awesome banter with John B C and superb times with Peter, Lydia, Sergei, Igor (builder), Viktor and Alex.
4) Every mealtime and tea break begins and ends with prayer, these are a very significant part of why we feel so blessed and overwhelmed by God's goodness when we are here.


5) The team work, team spirit and cooperation has been amazing. Even to the point of sharing medication as well as pliers, snips, saws, tables, ladders, drivers, screws, metal, boards, and extension leads.
6) The stamina of the guys has been mammoth. Not just the work they have got through, (sometimes with illness, aches, pains and hurting bodies) but the amount of people we have met and conversations we have had. They are a first rate bunch to be on a mission trip with --trying to encourage other churches and followers of Jesus Christ. Mission accomplished boys... our mantra has been " WE CAN SLEEP ON THE PLANE HOME" We are nearly there... get your teddy and security blanket at the ready.
7) Our morning fellowship times. There is something massively precious when blokes get together to study the bible, and trust each other enough to open up and discuss life together. I praise God for the spiritual encouragement these guys have given me this week.
We give all the thanks and praise to God for all this and so much more. As this trip comes to an end we go home motivated to walk closely with God, reminded of our motto text for this week...
 Galatians 6:9-10 
 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

The trip comes to a close as the sun goes down on Odessa, but the bible reminds us that we have eternity with our wonderful friends. One day  there will be a home full of people who thank God. They will come from every country, but their native language will all say the same thing ("SLAVA BORG") "Praise GOD". As night time falls here, our hearts burn brightly with God's goodness. This little house is a taste of heaven and a taster for heaven, and there the good times will never end, for there, the eternal "city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp." Rev 21:23
For all who look forward to that day, the best is yet to be, and not all good times end, in many ways they are just beginning.
Logging off for this trip.
Why not come with us next time? Go on... it might be the best thing you've ever done!
Bye for now...
As always, thank you so much for being with us, 
BIG APPRECIATION
BLOGSKI

Thursday 11 May 2017

A huge day of progress with a brilliant ending.

Hi friends, hope your day has been productive. We met early this morning to study and pray. I would love to say that we were bright and early, but sadly the voices around the table were a bit Barry White.  During the day we had several visitors, from ventilation experts to interior designers. despite all the diruptions and numerous comittee meetings (some more helpful than others), we made significant progress. We are looking forward to showing you some before and after photos hopefully tomorrow.

Hero of the day award goes to Joe who sadly contracted the lurgy some 24/48 hours ago/ It had been doing the rounds, and the dusty environment isn't particualy helpful to reccouperation, He was right to rest out this morning, but praise God he was sufficiently recovered to crack on with drill and OSB board in hand this afternoon. Sadly for this heroic effort he got some sawdust / small splinter in his eye from chopping a full size OSB board with the circular saw. I thought over dinner he was emotional at the privilege of being with us, but it was just a collection of his injuries and illnesses. Please pray for a swift recovery.
Heroine of the day award goes to Katya.
A number of people have their home at  transition house at the moment. You will have heard of us talk about Lydia and Peter, who faithfully feed us as if we are never ever needing to eat again. You know all about John B C becuase he is already famous. We have met a wonderfull brother this time called Viktor. Originally from Germany, he is a gifted man of God. Having a background in law amongst many other things, he has been a wonderful foster carer and now is using his time to work on elecrtrics gardening and maintainance at TH.. He has faithfully been mowing, raking and repairing the lawn all week (and I mean all week) with German efficiency. It is the most loved piece of grass in Ukraine.. (Viktor is in his favourite red Buyern Munich tracksuit in the photo). Then there is a wonderfully talented couple Sergi (in the hat - who also has had the lergi) and Elena (Helena), who have a little boy Nazaar. They are a gift to God's people here, not least in the superb translation work that Sergi does for us. The fellowship with local beleievers has been extraordinally special here this time, and much of it is down to Sergi's brilliant translation and spiritual gifting, as we have communicated and prayed with various folk.This evening was super special, becuase there are 3 other friends who live here who had planned a special thank you to the team for all the work they have put in over their trips. Katya, Lena, and Vicka live at transition house, and joined us after dinner. It was wonderful to get to know them a bit better and hear a little of how their friendship has grown both through the work of "hope house" and now here. They are wonderfully close, great sisters in every respect. Katya had made us 2 cakes as a special present. When I say "cakes" what I really mean is the mother of all cakes. Katya has a diploma in pastry/ cake making/ cookery and boy was the evidence  impressive.

The only way I can describe one of the cakes is...
Imagine about 8 layers of beautiful spunge cake (all different) filled in each layer with creamy filling, fresh fruit, jelly / trifle., and topped with creamy marshmallowy yummyness. I'm not sure the men have any room left in their stomachs for several weeks, but I can assure you the cake went down really, really well.
Thank you Katya, Lena and Vicka for a very special evening, we really appreciate all the effort you went to and thank God for each of you and your story of His faithfulness.
This is the happy photo of us all together...
a

A superb day with wonderfull friends, a humbling ending. The privileges are all ours.
Talk tomorrow,
Blogski

Wednesday 10 May 2017

Wow what a great and big wordlwide family we belong to.

Tuesday 
Hi friends, so sorry we didn't have time to scribble a blog yesterday. We spent the day in the blistering sunshine at the black sea camp. When I say blistering our complexion resembles something between cerise and lobster red for those familiar with B and Q paint range.
The camp has been a holiday home for many many 100's and 1000's of children and young people over the years. Many of them have not experienced a holiday like that by the sea before. It is a stunning place of natural beauty.

Here young people have heard of the greatest news on earth for the first time, the unconditional unrestrained love of God in Jesus Christ. In this truth we all discover our true identity. On top of the cliff top upper level of the camp is a cross, which no doubt can be seen by ships way out in the black sea.
 The camp has been a refuge for the hurting, balm for the distressed, and a haven for those rocked off their feet by a fallen and broken world. It was our privilege to just go and spend some time with the children and friends from church. Our fun started with an extended time of  volleyball. A game with the children, and then with some rather more aggressive Ukranian gentlemen who took things rather more seriously than we had signed up for. Thankfully Peter's BBQ came just in time....
Cooked on the charcoal, he had a small mountain of marinaded chicken and pork which could've kept us going for a very long time (days, maybe weeks rather than hours).


Lunch climaxed in toasted marshmallows, before a communal game of UNO with the children. It was absolutely brilliant. Little ones who maybe just a year ago were too shy to say a word, or maybe even look at us, were giggling their heads off and yelping with delight when they made us pick up cards. It was amazing to see how well they are developing and growing up, even translating for us so that we understood the jokes. All of it was kind-hearted gentle and caring of each other. They are a huge credit to their house parents and a delight to be with. The children then wanted me to go up to the top of the camp with them, so we had a race up the several hundred steps to the swings. I hope my knees may just about recover in time for my summer holidays. When it was time for us to go, the children were so keen to tell us how much they would miss us.

During the evening I had the massive privilege of spending some time with Julie and Alfie Mosse. I have met them briefly a number of times in Odessa, but it was so wonderful to spend some time getting to know them much better. They are a faithfull and talented couple who have been pioneering supporters of the Odessan church. They have a wonderful passion for the gospel, and the local church, a transparent honesty and integrety. As missioners with Send international, Alfie is a professor and Julie with her masters is an expert in teaching English. They are currently supporting a church plant initiative with their gifts and warmth. Talking with them was one of those occiassions where affinity and shared passion was so quickly established that there was massive mutual encouragement. Our hope is that we will be of mutual help as we pray together with one heart for that fledgling church. Please join us as we pray. The establishement of a new gospel work in that area, would be massively strategic.

Wednesday.
Today was back to work in the basement, and I believe we achieved more today than any of our working days here so far, praise GOD. I hope to give you a full rundown with pictures on Friday before we leave (*time and internet providing). Suffice to say, we now have a number of areas looking much more habbitable. Star turn of the day goes to Emlyn who was working with a sledge hammer and axle grinder trying to remove one extremely thick piece of structural metal from the floor of the room we are about to start work on. The banging and chiseling started before lunch, and went on during and after. The whole place shook with every blow of Emlyn's persistance, but still the thing wouldn't budge or bend. SO ... he resorted to yet more grinding until the sparks resembled something on bonfire night. I think he was a little bit miffed when John Davenport took all the glory with the final, vital fatal sledgehammer blow. Don't be dissolusioned Em, I'm sure you losened it a lot, those hours of work must have done something other than produce the worlds greatest pyrotechnic show.




This evening I had the wonderful privilege of spending time with the baptist minister here in Fontanke. Here is my wonderful brother Sergey Kirchun
He gave me a guided tour of his wonderful church building, which is being built by the sacrifice and commitment of his congregation. Sergey is a faithful brother who depends in faith for the things that he has, and the blessing God is giving to growing His church in Fontanke. It was a really special time of fellowship as we shared stories, laughs, and experiences of pastoral ministry. I was so encouraged to hear of how he is training men to preach, handle the text well, and youth leaders to love their bibles.
Our tour included ...
The classroom where preachers and youth leaders are trained.

The first hall the church met in on this site (after the house they met in crumbled down the cliff into the sea)

and the area where they collect clothes and food for Crimea region and those in need.
 The church hope to turn this in to a small living area / guest appartment for refugees or pastors, as their limited funds allow. Pray that God will provide please for this church, and thank him for such a great, gracious and humble man who depends, leads and encourages this gospel community to live by faith. I was hugely encouraged and challanged by my time with this lovey guy and his incredibly generous heart. Our evening drew to a close with a precious time talking to God about how much we appreciated being brought together... two guys from very different situations but with the same gospel ambitions and same wonderful providing God.

That's all we have time for today, thanks so much for sticking with us. Chat tomorrow,
BIG LOVE
BLOGSKI



Monday 8 May 2017

Reuniting with great old friends and making a new one, (before collapsing in a heap.)

Good evening friends, we are now in recovery mode after a "full-on" day in the basement.
SURPRISE SASHA No 1.
The day started fantastically - a breakfast skype, with our great friend Sasha Domuschi from America. Many of you will know that Sasha was the first builder we worked with as work on transition house got going. We are praying that soon Sasha will be able to return to his homeland, but in the meantime skype is an amazing privilege, and our conversation flowed just as if he was sharing breakfast with us. The phone got passed around all the team along with the corn flakes. I told him that transition house is looking fantastic, he would be very pleased. However there is one big issue ... he is not with us and we miss him. Please pray for Sasha, a faithful brother and friend. 
SURPRISE SASHA no2
The day then got even better with Sasha Logvinenko coming to spend the day with us and work as part of our team at Transition House. Sasha was living at transition house when we first came, and our friendship has deepened over the years. Now married he is a great testimony to the care of Pieter,
Lydia and great evidence of how transition house can be of such massive help. Sasha is a great musician and bass player, with a passion to see young people come to know Jesus Christ. We listened to his latest band recrding as we put up a wall together, it was very impressive. He has kindly agreed to do a one off interview for the blog, which will feature on our return. As you can see from the photo, Sasha dwarfs all of us, his height is useful on any job or basjetball team.

Surprise no3/
What do you do when you are not as tall as Sasha L and you want to put up a ceiling. Well in Ukraine the answer is simple...make a platform out of wooden crates. One thing I really love about the guys here is their resourcefullness. Igor constructed for us with the mother of all wooden platforms. It has more cross braces than the Eifel tower, is as strong as it is high, and is likely to be our new close friend throughout this week.
 Beleieve it or not, tomorrow is yet another public holdiay in Ukraine, so we have been invited to join the children at the camp. This will mean we have to work like trojans at the end of the week to complete all that we planned to do, but with God's help we hope this is still possible, Please pray that we can encourage the children tomorrow, and that our time together will be hugely beneficial to all. Some of our time if not all are feeling rather achey for all the games we anticipate at the camp. In the meantime, we wish all your muscles a happy rest time, without looking at another ladder, metal snip, platform, driver, pliers, osb board or hammer drill for at least.....oooooh good few hours.

Goodnight
BLOLOGSKIZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Sunday 7 May 2017

1 day less on earth, 1 day closer to heaven in every respect.

Hello friends, I do hope your day has been as joy filled as ours.
We had the privilege this morning of spending time  in worship with our friends at "grace" church.
I was humbled to be able to preach about "the undinding goodness of God".
Psalm 107 starts by saying...
"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever!"
It finishes by saying...
"Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things;
    let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord."


The psalm begins and ends with the steadfast love of God, reminding us that the whole of our lives are lived in this context of his never ending goodness. The message this morning had 4 simple points
1) GOD IS GOOD
2) GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME 

We discover this even in our darkest moments and most difficult circumstances
3) We see that GOD IS GOOD most AT THE CROSS
4) One day if we are trusting our lives to him, WE WILL SEE GOD's GOODNESS FULLY IN HEAVEN.
I go back to a dark day some years ago, alone in bed struggling with disabiliting illness. My body was shaking (through living off muscle protein), my eyes were shut with the pain, and my only desire was to keep still in the hope that this pain would one day go away, that "normal life" would miraculously resume, and that my blood infection would be met with a remedy. 
Sometimes we ask "Can God still be good when our world / circumstance is so bad?"
In that moment God met with me in an amazing way, and showing me the cross of Jesus Christ, reminded me that he chose my pain. This truth for me was the brightest ray which pierced all the dark clouds. Why would God chose to take our pain?
 Isaiah says ...
"Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering"
Why would he do that? His love for us.... his steadfast love for you and me. He chose to be rejected outside of a city, in order that we might come close to God. He chose to be alone, and bare the judgement we deserve before an altogether Holy God, in order that we, with countless others (from East West, North and South (Psalm107:3))  might join in the one song of heaven... 
"Worthy is the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."
I look at the good times and all we are enjoying as a team here over the last few days, and there is only one response to it all -Give thanks for God is good. I don't know whether you've done that today, or you've ever done that?... but before you put your head on the pillow tonight , you should!
Not only has God given you breath today to live in his world, but he's opened up for you a hope and a future in Jesus Christ. If you trust in his goodness and not your own, you can say that your life is in a good place today, you are safe and will always be safe in the never ending goodness of God.

This evening we joined with 1000 or so folks at a concert hall in downtown Odessa.

 
 The venue was stunning, the music was even more sublime, and all of it done to the glory of God. It really was a taste of heaven. God is completely and utterly worthy of the highest praise. As we listened to the "hallelujah"s ringing out to honour the God (to whom we owe everything) , we thanked him for one more day lived on earth and one more day closer to heaven. Make sure you are preparing for that day. There is soon coming a day when you and I stand before the perfection of God, and our only hope on that day is that we have asked God to accept us on the basis of the goodness he has provided for us at the cross of Jesus Christ. What hope do you and I have if we have rejected the goodness of Jesus, and instead attempt to prove to God that we are good enough? Thank God we don't need to, becuase the darkest day in cosmic history led to a bright morning three days later. It proved beyond all doubt that  sin, death and all God's enemies, could never and will never defeat the goodness of GOD. Our appropriate response is to trust in him for a certain hope, a guarenteed future and the sure anticpation that we accepted by the God whose goodness will never end. 
I hope you are able to say that tonight. You will be in good company if you do... not only with the Choir and Orchestra of Odessa, but all kind of peoples from every nation who are all discovering that GOD IS GOOD. If you are joining in the song of heaven today, then you can be sure your life is in a good place.
Speak tomorrow... when we return from the sublime ...to the basement     :) 
Sleep well, in certain JOY,  and sure hope,
Taste and see - He is so, so, Good!
Love
BLOGSKI 

Saturday 6 May 2017

A day of amazing experiences, but I wouldnt want to get lost without the guide.

Hi Friends!
Well if your day has been anything like ours it's been a craker!!!
This morning we visited part of the largest Katacombes in the world . Our expert guide took us well off the tourist track into a very unspoilt 3km of underground tunnels. He reminded us of the rich history of this limestone mine, where people worked hard for many hours in dangerous conditions and with minimal tools, to try and make a basic living.


We have it easy friends, we need to make the most of our privileges. I was so glad that Pieter told us about the "flesh-chomping giant black rats" (TRUE) after our visit there. The guys were suitably kitted out with torches and gloves, but as we traced the tracks on bended knees there was one thing we couldn't have done without - OUR GUIDE!!! He was amazing, and we certainly wouldn't have made it out alive without him. The experience (after a couple of hours of being in the spooky cold, damp underground) of coming out into the spring sunshine   bombarded the senses. Smelling the fresh grass/ flowers, and hearing the birds sing, was like coming up into a new world. It reminded me of what Jesus says in REV 21:5 "I am making all things new".
We have a guide, the bible says he is the one who created us, knows us best and has set his love on us. We are made to live in his illumination, the way he shows, the sunshine of his grace. He is not only our guide, but one who has gone before us. We must trust him, why wouldn't we want to? He has beaten death and darkness, his victory has become our victory. He has gone to prepare the place for us, and those who trust him  will leave this dark world for the imdediate radiance of his glory in the new creation.

Odessa is a beautiful city and this afternoon we enjoyed it in the sunshine.

Here we are in front of the beautiful opera house.
However like every city there are dark secrets. The little children who follow to sniff out your wallet, the older folk who beg then pull out their mobile phones, the shop fronts which are dark for a reason. Odessa like any other city needs a hope and a future, and it can only be provided one way.
This evening we went to a magnificent concert, put on by mainly young people who made up a superb orchestra and choir.

Some of you will know my professional background, and I have to tell you the standard was stunning, better than many pro orchestras I have heard. The point of the evening was to celebrate 500 years of the reformation, and particularly" soli deo gloria" (glory belongs to God alone). The young people were such a great testimony. They showed the talents God had given them to the full and used them to honour the giver. It was powerful evidence that all good things come from God, and all good things can be used to praise God.
As the evening sun fades ...
we left the church full of God's goodness and that sense of privilege that if you are his, your life is in a good place.
Please think of us tomorrow, especially in the morning when I have the privelege of preaching at a special members communion service. Pray that we will be in that sunshine of grace at "grace" church. We are so grateful for our friends in the uk who are thinking of us and praying for us, we are reaping many evidences that God is with us, and using us all to his glory, and I for one can't imagine a better place to be.
Till tomorrow,
Love
BLOGSKI

Friday 5 May 2017

A superb day - progress and surprise.

Hi Friends, just a brief one this afternoon as the team are going to the church shelter to share some little gifts with our little friends.
  • The day started well with another study, this time on the disciplines of faithfulness (to God, to our families, friends, oponents and to those who havn't yet come to find their hope in Jesus Christ) 
  • We then (after eating beautifully home made fruit buns for breakfast) went to work. The surprise of the day at this point was that I had a good idea! We switched the design of one of the new walls around which will provide more borrowed light. 
  • We then had a surprise visit from a Ukranian TV crew, and I had a small piece to camera to do. They also interviewed some of the folks who live at transition house about their story and how it has been helpful at a pivotal point in their lives. Please do pray for this as it is translated and aired, there is a great message in the story of rescue, forgiveness, hope and certainty in Jesus Christ.
  • We then worked through till 5, for an early tea and out to the shelter.
  • THANK GOD -HE HAS BEEN SO GOOD TO US: It has been an immensley beneficial day, with many walls looking much more complete and our minds starting to think about new jobs for next week
  • PLEASE PRAY : that as we spend time with the young people this evening they will be encouraged by James 4:8 and Rev 21:4.
  • Thank you for all your support, it means the world to us and keeps us going on long, dark, sweaty stints in the basement :) 
BIG LOVE
BLOGSKI

Thursday 4 May 2017

You have heard of the dawn chorus, this is the Makita chorus.

Good evening friends from a scorchingly beautiful Ukraine. If you read our news yesterday you know that we were praying for a new driver / drill to keep going full throttle. WELL... a pleasent suprise meant that today we ended up with 2 excellent new drivers (£20 each) and the use of a new SDS drill. The chorus of every man's drill going full pelt at the same time was a beautiful sound !!! I thought you might like a flavour, so here is a short vid,,, (please press play)
On second thoughts to get the full benefit of Igor's musicianship maybe you need to play it through large sub woofers to appreacitae the real flavour and creamyness of the throaty bass (only joking don't do that --you'll blow the cones).

Emlyn did a great Job chopping several hundred polystyrene tiles "off" so we could start metal work on the ceiling. I confess I did suggest to him that he should use "head and shoulders" given the dandruff propblem he obviously had, but he assured me that he didn't actually have any hair and it really was the disintegrating tiles that made us feel like we were in Santa's grotto. In this next episode you will see a glimpse of Emlyn's artistry (now in his michael angelo phase), and the soothing tones of a John B C playing ( I think??)  his concerto for Makita HR2470WX/2.


 Beautiful I'm sure you agree. However there is something even more beautiful... and that is the way that John D was operating the sweeper system. The more mess Emlyn created the more John was inclined to mix it with concrete dust and scoop it into a beautifully neat pile of mess. I'm sure you will appreciate from the video how talented John is at this... we are hoping to make a short documentary on his technique, which has been honed over many years, and should be passed onto future generations.

Isn't it a beautiful techniqe? Especially when operating the vertical sweep to overcome the extension cable, this is the kind of supreme operation we miss with the less experienced members of the team.
Well that's probably enough sarcasm for one day, but before Igor switches the light out on the basement for this evening, maybe I should give you a refresher course on some basik Ukrainski. The kind of stuff that would get you through a stint on the team.
UKRAINIANSKI                                                                             U.K.SKI---------------------

"SCHNIPS PACEBA"         " Could  I possibly borrow the metal cutting implements please
                                               old  fellow, thank you awfully "
"JOHN ?"                      "Where has John gone ? I think there are several more things we
                                        need him to go and buy from the shopping center."
"CHOOT CHOOT"         "You need to bash the big piece of metal a little bit with that
                                           club hammer mate, otherwise it well aint straight !"
"Chai, coffee, BISKWITS"    "Ok gentlemen you all look well sweaty and in need of a
                                               breather,  so  go  stuff yourself with cake and buscuits and
                                               I promise I won't tell the wife"
"AI AI AI  "                          "oopsa daisy, I think dear young Joe may have had a small
                                                missap with the hammer drill again. Oh hold on  a mo its
                                             ok, he's not bleeding as much as last time and besides Rob
                                             still has some plasters left"

Well I think that covers the basic refresher module, maybe next time we'll manage level 2 if this is too easy for you. Now it really is time for lights out so thank you ladies and gentlemens (plural in ukrainian speek), for all your faithful prayers and support, we appreciate it and God has been so good to us. I will leave you with this symbolic video. "Please sleep like a baby" (Ukranian for ... "we don't have any buscuits left, go to bed please")
Sleep tight....
Love BLOGSKI



SO SORRY WE ARE HAVING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES
(we believe the videos may only upload when we arrive back 
in the green and pleasant land)




Wednesday 3 May 2017

As Rick Astley put it so well "never gunna give you up!"

Good evening friends. Today has been a full and productive day of work and so, so encouraging despite a number of challenges. There are times in the middle of the day when your progress is "choot choot" (little by little) as the Ukranaians put it. It is on these occiasions when the task is big and the work hard, when I wonder if the teams' spirits will drop. It is then that God teaches me yet another valuable lesson again. This team does not run on the same batteries as the durecell bunny but on power much more lasting. They just will not give this up until we have completed the task God has given us.
Isaiah 40 puts it like this...
Even youths grow tired and weary,and young men stumble and fall;
31  but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Big encouragement no 1
The spiritual motivation and energy of men who work to please God not themselves.
I'm sure this team won't mind me saying that the guys who are out in Odessa at the moment are politely put "full of experience". As far as average age goes this is the most senior team we have had to date. Yet... when other men are tidying their sheds, striping the lawn, watching the bowls and sitting on park benches feeding the pigeons, these guys are up ladders, bruising, scratching and bleeding as they put in metal framework and drill holes to make industrial stength walls for young people to punish in a sports hall. I'm so proud to call these guys my mates, they are fired by the same ambition... to do something of worth for Christ and to do all they can to help the next generation to come to know him. If you are cheering them on, they are doing you proud I can assure you.

Big encouragement no2: Today I met with my wonderful friend Igor Bandura. Amidst his many responsibilities as a director of mission and national church leader, he generously gave me a morning of his time, and I was so blessed and grateful. We talked about many things of significance. Amidst it all was the reassurance that God has his hand on our partnership. We come from two very different places... him Chernobyl and me a little village in North Wales, yet our God has seen fit to unite us in partnership, heart and fellowship. We find unity, solidarity and joy in so many things as we talk about what God may do in the future, but by far the most wonderful thing is how good God has been to us already. As his iphone went off for the umpteenth time, I had a moment to reflect on how much I appeciate this faithful brother in Christ. Finding such wonderful friends in life that you can trust with everything is a blessing beyond any price. I have never been so encouraged about what God is doing in Ukraine, I cannot help but pray that he will bless the surrounding nations through the spiritual health and witness of the churches here. I believe God has great plans for Ukraine and it is a privilege to see it unfolding with our own eyes. Please do pray for Igor, his many responsibilities and his lovely family.

Big encouragement no3: Today we managed to complete the metal work and boarding of the main walls in the sports area.
As you can see the lower area has been left for ventilation purposes. With a sense of achievement we were able over our evening meal to accelerate the next stage on this room. We will move on to the ceiling and window areas. In the adjecent room (the one through the window opening) we have started metal work on the walls of what will be the "changeing room."
It was great having Rob and Joe in there with us today. Rob shared with us how it was part of the agreement Rob had with  Joe (when he let him marry his daughter) that he came out to Odessa to do work. I don't know what other deals Rob made with him, but that was a stroke of genius!!! Joe is great to have around. You will see from our "apparatus", that there are a variety of wooden "implements" that help us reach the high ceiling areas. Some of them are more sturdy than others, but in truth we have learned to use an SDS drill whilst standing on one leg when it is perched on something akin to the sinking titanic. Despite this the walls look remarkably straight next to the spirit level (even if you don't squint).

A LITTLE THING WHICH WOULD BE A BIG HELP.
Please pray for what we should do re:tools for the job. Some of you will know that we have purchased a number of drills and electric screwdrivers for the tasks at transition house. The truth is that today they told us they are very tired and would appreciate going for a lie down. Tomorrow we hope to start  purchasing replacements desiring that there is no delay on the job waiting for drills to charge etc.  We would like to accomplish as much here as is possible during our stay. Would you kindly please pray that we can buy at least one new drill for a good price to help us get the jobs done efficiently.

Well that's a long blogski, your eyes will be getting tired.... but thank God (before you leave this page) that he reinvigorates those who work hard for him. What a God we have! He not only provides all we need, and much more besides, but he  so re energises those who walk with him and work hard for him, that they are fresher at the end of the day than the begining, and happier working for him than doing anything else in life. As these guys put their head on the pillow tonight they still have more "get up and go" than any of our drill batteries  even though they have been worked just as hard. They can have full confidence that they have diligently applied 2 Thess 3:13..
"And as for you, brothers and sisters, never (ever, ever, ever) tire of doing what is good."
Speak soon, 
love blogski.
 


Tuesday 2 May 2017

Sun, FOOD, Fellowship, FOOD, more Fun and even more FOOD

Good evening friends, it has been a vitage day in every respect here in Odessa. Becuase May 2nd is also a national holiday and families get together, we have had a wonderful day off work with our friends and families from church. Our morning study was on the discipline of intamacy with God. Past generations of Christians talked of "practicing the presence" of God, by spending time with Him in the morning in order to keep God at the forefront of their passion, purpose and joy the rest of the day. As a team we prayed for more of this, and we have not been dissapointed today by God's goodness.

Illinka a bright light on a hill.
6 Years ago my good friend Sasha Domuschi took me to this little rural village outside Odessa where he had  just started converting an old bungalow and was building a little church. Grace church wanted  to love the people there and share Jesus Christ with them. NOW what was originally a big prayer and passion has turned into a glorious reality.
 

Their first intention was to build an orphanage, accross the road from the church (you can see the church in the background)  ,but God had something even more wonderful in mind. The church now teach many children from the area in their school where they have classrooms, Many of the local children come from backgrounds that are hugely helped by the goodness, gentleness and love of God's people. The work of this little place is far reaching as children grow up to develop in other schools, and bring their families to church for presentation services. Many of them come to find the eternal friend that is spoken of, and so many prayers have been asnwered in this special little place. The hearts of friends who work there are wonderfully transparent and loving. The extensive veg patches, chicken coops, greenhouses, all supply beautiful food, fruit and veg. The hand pushed rotorvator continues to work hard, and the military precise rows of onions, raspberries and beetroot are ready to feed a village for another season. The beautiful childrens playpark and free exercise apparatus has soft land rubber matting underneath, and is consistantly populated with people from the village. I cant help thinking we have missed a trick here in the UK and that more churches should build a play park in front of their welcoming front door.
The classrooms are beautifully constructed and presented.


Of course they were empty today, and so our purpose in beingthere wasn't just to hear about the work but spend some time with the children from church as they had a fun day out. The sun was scortching, the sky was blue.
Emlyn brought new fooballs, catch balls, basketballs and volleyballs for the children, and they absolutely loved it. He also brought with him a pump (always prepared) and plenty of patience for those who wanted to play catch and football with him, (the queue was not short). After a couple of games of football, the sun was baking hot and we were reprieved by lunch in the church grounds.... and what a lunch!
BBQ meats, potatoes, beautiful salads, cakes, buscuits, drinks by the gallon. We were struggling with the appealing prospect of sleeping in the shade when we were ushered over the road.. what for we wondered, It transpired that they also had a spread ready for lunch, BBQ meats, poatoes, beautiful salads etc. It took us a few seconds before we realised this had also been prepared for us. Jiohn took one for the team and followed up his 7 sausages with a couple of kebabs. I think they see it as a sport... kind of endurance eating, can we give the gentlemen from England bellies as big as the footballs theu bring, and make sure they return with meat sweats! It was worth getting through for the fellowship and singing that came after. Here is a short clip ...
A vintage day just got better as we have picked up Joe and Rob from the airport, looking remarkably fresh after a trouble free flight.

I will go and enjoy a celebratory cuppa with the reunited team. Just one more photo from today. What do you do if you live in a rural area , have no access to a gym, multigyms are too expensive, yet you still need to work off all the vegatables you grow ? The answer is simple. Get two buckets or plant pots. Join them by a metal bar and fill said buckets with concrete. The result is genius, and a very hench church pastor.
Chat tomorrow, thank you so much for your prayers.
P

Monday 1 May 2017

Introducing John BC

Good evening friends. (well it is here anyway)
A terrific first day of work, more of that in a moment. Some of you will know John Collinson...
For those who don't... John was a frequent  member of the teams who cames out from North Wales to help at transistion house, until he felt a prompt from God to move out here and self support himself to serve our friends in a "full time" and "full on" capacity. His ministry is so valuable to the folks here. John lives on site and works hard to support everything that goes on, continuing to do the tough stuff, when we all bomb back home after a short trip, pretending we have done something significant.
  It has been really great to catch up with John and reunite him with some things that he misses from home, (mainly yorkshire tea and the full range of cadbury's products). Please remember  John in your prayers, he has done a tremendously servant hearted thing, Not many men of his age would leave their family roots and everything else they had built up, to serve in this way. I believe it is a true act of devotion to Christ which will reap massively in due time, It is so good to see how much he is loved and appreciated here.
For a little while I did wonder why they  referred to him by his royal title / full name ("John Benjamin Collinson") when calling him in for "tea break". However facbook friends will know this is how his name appears, and so that is how the church got to know who he was. He will forever be John Benjamin Collinson in this neck of the woords.

EARLY START (5am uk time) - BE DISCIPLINED

The morning started with our studies in spiritual discipline, reminding ourselves of Gal 6:9, that those who invest in God will always reap a wonderful harvest.   As men we can be disciplined and habbitual about a lot of things (the tidyness of our shed, the stripes on the lawn, the alphabetical order of CD's , the TV routine, etc etc) but... being spiritually disciplined is something we often find very much harder - yet the payoff is so incomparably more worth while, If you're reading this and follow Jesus Christ, we pray that today is a day when you invest by faith, not in what is seen, but that of lasting value and worth in God's economy. Your prayer time is not wasted today, keep at it.

Wonderful progress - BE ENCOURAGED !!!
  After breakfast we had the wonderful proof that God answers prayer right before our eyes. Peter took us arround transition house to show us all the progress that has been made. Considering the -15 temperatures and torrid winter that was experienced, it is remarkable to see 5 bathrooms completed amongst many other things. Many of you helped us fund bathroom suites and units. All of them have gone in and look fantastic.


Floor 3 looks terrific, now tidied of all building materials, it really is looking like a home not a construction site.

Peter told us some wodnerfull examples of God's goodness. For example how they are the only building around whose basement never ever floods becuase of the perculiar geology on which it is built and its height in the water table.  (This is the kind of thing you are pretty glad to find our after you have built a home for needy children there, but God knew it way before he gave them the land)

Onto work in the basement. John, John, Nick and Clive set about finishing ventalation provision and putting OSB board up in the games hall. They went "full throttle" today and made great progress. (more photos next time).

 Emlyn, builder Igor and myself set about putting up walls for the changing room. Progress was maybe a little less impressive on the eye, but we have made a great start and when putting walls in place it is always wise to follow the rule (measure twice, think thrice before executing rather than after). We are placing walls which we hope will there for a long time to come. Emlyn kept us supplied in good sweets,  good humoiur and good safety goggles.


A BIT OF GEOGRAPHY - Try to be interested at the back of the class.
One thing maybe of interest is the materials we are covering up.

 The lower material here is commonly known as "sea rock". Formed over a prologed period of time by shells being crushed and compacted under the sea, and hewn out of large boulders into bricks. This very solid material forms a lot of the basement. The lower material (with the honeycombe like texture is from the Crimea region, the greyer stone is from Odessa region.)

It's maybe too early for you to think about rest but we need it. BE READY FOR TOMORROW.
Tomorrow is a celebration day in Ukraine, they celebrate both 1st and 2nd of May. We have been invited to join with the children on a special excursion to enjoy the weather at Illinka, This is the site of one of the church plants from "grace" church. We will do our best to have fun and enjoy the gorgeous weather, before we welcome ROB and JOE at the airport.
Thank you for those of you who are  praying. A couple of  things we would appreciate you remembering....
  • That Joe and Rob would arrive safely
  • That tomorrow would be a great day for the children, that we can encourage those who work with them and also the church at Illinka)
I will leave you with a common sight just after work is complete and showers have been enjoyed. The moment of tendreness when all men get out their phones and tell those back home how much they love them. (note the glazed eyes and how they do not respond to a thing i say never mind a photo)


We thank God for you and support so much. Hope you are as encouraged today as we are.
Keep going, whatever you are doing for Him. What is done in faith, is never in vein, and will always reap a harvest.
Chat tomorrow,
P (on behalf of some guys with slightly achey legs and arms, and therefore can only just use fingers to text and eat buscuits)