with Ben and Ang
Cassie often plays at being ‘mom’. She will help Angela cook, sweep, clean the house, take care of Jay, you name it. So Angela had a great idea yesterday, let’s make her a child-size stove โฆ out of some cardboard boxes we had lying around. Last night she made me some rice with salt, pepper and dill on it and it sure was great!
A few posts ago, ย9 of Themย, we mentioned weยd like to feature some of their stories. Here is the first one.
One of the students in Sweden is from Ukraine, Dima. We met him and his wife, Zhenya, while we were still there running Titus. Theyยre really an incredible couple, intelligent, passionate believers, from atheist background.
So what are they doing with YWM in Sweden? They are part of bringing Jesus to people who donยt know who he is. Anyway, we got started talking about the Orthodox church while we were there. Why? Well, the Orthodox church is the major Christian presence in Ukraine and the post-Soviet world. And Iยve been on a major learning curve since we arrived. Weยll do some posts in the future, talking about the Orthodox church. And we watched this very interesting movie with Dima and Zhenya, called The Island in English (you can see its facebook page here). During the Soviet years, the Russian Orthodox church dwindled because of the soviet states radical atheistic marxism seen in repression of religion. Listen to some of these stats:
– In 1917-1939, over 50,000 Orthodox priests vanished, 1000 churches & 60 seminaries were closed
– by 1933, of 600 churches in Moscow only 100 remained open
– by 1941, 98% of all Orthodox churches in Russia were closed
(ยEastern Orthodox Christianityย, Daniel Clendenin, p44).
Wow!
Anyway, the story of the Island takes place during WWII. The main character becomes a priest after having committed a grave sin. Itยs an interesting story and we will bring it home with us in summer, if youยre interested, let us know and weยd love to watch it with you. It will give you some understanding of what it means to live here.
As Clendenin very appropriately states ย ยwhere this all will lead remains to be seenย.
Itยs been almost 3 weeksย
where have we been? Let me tell you.
While we were in Sweden (one month ago), we were informed that we would be moving out of the classroom weยve been in ย we just didnยt know where. The move has been in the works since around Christmas, but in the middle of April all the pieces converged. So the last two weeks have been full of moving. Did you know I hate moving? Anyway, we only knew where we were moving to a couple days before we hauled everything over.
As well, since we just started a new semester, weยve been doing lots of the planning for the whole 3 months. Coordinating hospitality for guest speakers, a special seminar before starting to study the prophets, important staff meetings, etc.
Anyway, the city cancelled YWMยs docking contract, along with many other boats on the riverfront, so we actually have to move the boat. But where? Well, it has been for sale for a little while, but no takers, especially now that we canยt stay docked where we were. So what will happen? Who knows. But one thing is for sure. The place isnยt as important as the work we do and so though it takes lots of time and energy, we will persevere. Ever feel like youยre battling on every side? We do to sometimes. Perseverance isnยt easy, but it sure is important!
Jay, youยre such a wonderful little guy! You just started signing back to us when you want more, if you want milk or when youยre done. Youยre walking everywhere, have been for 2 months now. Weยre really proud of you! Hope you really enjoy the soccer ball, weยll play lots this summer!
Happy Birthday!
The last two weeks have been full of activity (we just posted some new pictures). We travelled to Sweden to teach in the School of Biblical Studies (SBS) there. That is where we were for nearly 3 months last year for Titus Project. It was really kind of them to invite us back to teach and reconnect with friends.
And both of those we did. Before leaving, we were schedule for 4 days teaching in the SBS, as well as preaching at the community meeting (like a service). Then, Angela did a seminar on fundraising for some of the new missionary staff. And out of the blue, Ben was asked to teach on the Church in a different program, the School of Strategic Missions (SOSM). Needless to say, we spent a lot of time in preparation.
But thats not all. We have some really wonderful friends from last summer. And many of them hosted us for meals and reconnecting. We were able to share with them about how weยre doing, get encouraged and prayed for.
But it doesnยt end there. We also got to spend time one-on-one with nearly every student in the SBS. Many of them wanted advice, to chat about their situations, talk about SBS and Titus Project. One couple is from Ukraine and we talked lots about Ukraine and the Orthodox Church.
So it was an excellent trip. We enjoyed wonderful fellowship, times of teaching and many opportunities to encourage people personally. Thank you for making this possible! Jesusย reign goes forward, one heart at a time.
Friends from Taiwan
We just finished hosting a team of Bible teachers from Taiwan. It was great, we got to see a couple of our friends and they brought some Bubble Tea too – Bubble Tea is probably one of our favourite drinks of all time (at least for Ben)!
Anyway, not only did we have a great time with them, but they also got to do some great work. They taught in rehab centres, within the YWAM community here as well as a bunch of churches in the area – they even spent a whole week in a little village to the south of Kyiv. We got to hear them a few times, and they we’re great to listen to, challenging, passionate and creative! It’s no wonder we love Titus Project, we get to work with the best! :)
Last updated: 24/03/2011
We just finished hosting a team of Bible teachers from Taiwan. It was great, we got to see a couple of our friends and they brought some Bubble Tea too – Bubble Tea is probably one of our favourite drinks of all time (at least for Ben)!
Anyway, not only did we have a great time with them, but they also got to do some great work. They taught in rehab centres, within the YWAM community here as well as a bunch of churches in the area – they even spent a whole week in a little village to the south of Kyiv. We got to hear them a few times, and they we’re great to listen to, challenging, passionate and creative! It’s no wonder we love Titus Project, we get to work with the best! :)
We will teach all 9 of them this week. 9 people who have been spending the last 6 months studying the bible verse by verse. 9 people who have fallen more and more in love with God. 9 people who are from 8 different countries. 9 people who are not just learning for themselves but desire to impact this world. Rogvi, Daniel, YeonSoo, Dima, Ester, Paivi, Sarah, Rasa,and Tamra. Like a small drop of water can have a huge ripple effect, so too will these 9 people make ripples in the lives of thousands of others. We are thrilled to be here in Sweden, get to know them, and teach them the books of 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah. Weยll feature a few of their stories over the next two weeks.
Our first experience with the orthodox church happened in late May 2009. We were visiting Kyiv while considering where we might relocate Titus Project in Europe. As part of our visit, one of our hosts by the name of Tim Huddleston, now a treasured friend, took us for a tour around Kyiv.
As we learned, one of Tim’s hobbies was really understanding Kyiv’s history. It turns out to be very rich and interesting (but more on that later). Anyway, one of the landmarks on his tour was St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral. Writing this nearly two years later, I barely remember anything. I will briefly introduce two things that I do remember because they really struck me, but we will only go into depth in subsequent posts.
The first thing I remember was how different it was. Angela and the ladies put on scarves before we entered. There was the paintings and the dim light with candles and a few other things that I really hadn’t experienced, even in the old catholic churches I’ve entered in other European countries.
The second thing I remember was Tim’s comment. It was a teachable moment and he took the opportunity. He said that although worship may be very different than what I am used to, do not quickly pronounce judgment on it because there are many many positives to it and things we can learn from. It was, and remains, wise advice.
So why begin recounting our experiences with the Orthodox Church here? There are a few different reasons, but probably the most important is that the Christian church is vast, and vastly diverse in its style and character. To breathe Ukrainian air is to breathe a mixture of Christian faith. Need a picture? Consider how puppies are tied to the same pole, yet as they run around and around, they get tied together even while they run in many directions. So while we are all rooted to the same Christ, the atmosphere and experience of his worship may be very different, sometimes crossing, sometimes running in parallel. I want to explore this relationship more fully, understand these other worship experiences without prejudice and with love. And in turn, hopefully, bring my own experiences to people who might benefit from them.
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Titus Project Europe
You wouldn’t believe how long I’ve waited to be able to use that!!! :) But its the truth, today Jay began walking… Angela texted me while I was at work, “Jay just took 10 steps”. I bet you can imagine what I was thinking at that point!
I had the camera at work, but when I got home, we made some video footage which we’ll get up as soon as possible!!! So it’s true, don’t be caught Jay-Walking!
It is a big deal here! It is a National holiday in Ukraine and everyone makes sure to treat women especially well on this day. My morning began with Ben taking care of the kids so that I could sleep in, a cup of coffee brought to me in bed when I woke up, and then a yummy pancake breakfast that he cooked (he even shared the last of his Canadian Maple syrup with me)! Wow! Thanks Ben, you are an amazing husband!
Teaching Adventures 