Painted Playground

The teens have been busy with community improvement projects during the past week. For two days we cleaned and painted the playground. While the little children were sad for the playground to be closed while the work was being done and for several days for the paint to cure, they were so excited on Saturday when it opened again and was all bright and shiny - like new! The pictures are of the "best paint crew" in Ukraine.

Expanding Kingdom

We were thrilled last Sunday when Ira Grabko's parents, Vladimir and Svetlana, were baptized. They have been watching Ira's life closely, especially for the past few years, and they have seen her live as a faithful disciple of Jesus and they have noticed that God is blessing her life richly, through growing children, her marriage to Igor, and their adoption of Katya. Last week they watched "The Passion of the Christ" together and it gave Ira a chance to share the gospel message to them in response to their questions raised by the movie. They were moved by the love of Jesus and his willingness to suffer himself in order to help them. The power of the gospel is truly amazing. Nearly fifteen years of prayers were answered "YES" when I baptized Ira's mother and father last Sunday. The pictures are from the baptisms and show a happy church family.

Teens Cook-out at the Ponds

This week Kostya and Olga Farkovets took our teens to the ponds and treated them to a cook-out. I thought you might enjoy some pictures.

Sergey Korotya Update

Dr. Sergey Korotya, a member of our church family and the head doctor on the first floor of the baby hospital, had a heart attack in early April. Because he was not recovering in an acceptable way we decided to bring him to the United States for treatment. He arrived, along with Ira Grabko our translator, in Atlanta on Sunday afternoon, April 30. We had an appointment with Dr. Tompkins in Luverne on Monday and it was determined that Sergey needed to see a cardiologist. We had an appointment on Wednesday, May 3, with Dr. Crum in Montgomery who scheduled a heart catherization on Thursday afternoon. The catherization revealed blockage and Dr. Crum treated it with angioplasty and a stint. Sergey remains in Baptist Hospital South in Montgomery because his platelets are a little low. He should be released on Sunday or Monday. Thanks for your continued prayers.