Relationships Inspire Europeans to Solve Problems
March, 2012 Trip Report. Karolina Oles
CEP - POLAND, SLOVAKIA, ROMANIA, BULGARIA. This month God provided us with an amazing opportunity to travel to Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Romania to connect with our friends from CEP organizations. Intimate celebrations in people's homes, authentic immersion in their reality, prayers, conversations and mutual support. Simple but very nurturing. We learned the challenges faced by two amazing schools in Slovakia and Bulgaria and were inspired by a creative team in Romania who are stimulating their neighbors to become volunteers for the disabled.
In Slovakia we had the chance to meet the President of D3 Slovakia, Daniel Laco. Daniel's passion about reaching out to the local community was contagious and inspiring. ... Download pdf for more »
Merry Christmas
December, 2011 Christmas Card. Donald Helmer. Download and Listen »
God Either Doesn't Exist or Doesn't Care
November, 2011 Newsletter. Bartek Jakoniuk
YFC Poland - Wroclaw, POLAND. On behalf of all the children, we would like to thank you for responding to our request for funds. We needed to buy books and equipment for the students we mentor. We raised 740zl ($211), which was spent on school stuff for the most needy kids we work with as YFC Poland. The idea behind that "action" was to help our kids in their school homework. The books we bought for this school year will be passed on to other needy kids next year. We want to make the most of what we managed to buy this year with your great help.
For most of the kids we mentor God is an abstract concept ... Read more »
Lots Going on for Polish Youth
July 5, 2010. ARKA,
SLOT,
YOUTH FOR CHRIST - Wroclaw, POLAND. Our Partners in Poland concerned with young people are all in the midst of their busiest time of year.
ARKA - the second week of children's evangelistic English/Sports camps is underway, with 80 kids on two camps this week. Pray for a fun and safe time for all, and for stamina for the leaders and helpers. Thanks to sponsorship from some donors in the UK & US, quite a number of children from poor or dysfunctional families (some in the YFC "1 to 1" scheme) are enabled to enjoy a "once in a lifetime" holiday.
SLOT - The 2010 SLOT Arts Festival takes place this week. This is the culmination of a year's hard work and organization. Amongst all the excellent music, arts and crafts sessions and workshops will be lots of opportunities to think about and discuss spiritual issues. Several of the leaders from some of our other Partners in the region will be there; one giving five talks on gospel issues; one hosting an "Eastern Tent" with opportunities to experience the culture of several countries of the East (for example Iran, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan) and engage in seminars and discussions about religious ideas; and others simply available to meet with individuals.
Youth for Christ - some camps are also taking place, one in partnership with a team from Rugby, England, and a manifest camp, for which so far very few have registered; pray that nevertheless it will be a very significant time for those who do go.
Parakletos News
July, 2010. Pavel Raus. PARAKLETOS Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC. Greetings from warm summer Prague! We would like to share with you what happened in the last months.
Wheaton study time
We spent almost five weeks in Wheaton, USA during the end of April and in May on a trip arranged by our friends in Wheaton. The purpose was to use the library and work intensely on our projects. Julia was writing her final project/thesis for her M.A. study. Pavel was writing a book about marital conflict and in Wheaton he was doing additional research for the book. We basically spent 10 to 12 hours a day in the library. ... Click here »
Director's Report 2010: It's Cool in the Furnace.
July 9, 2010. Blaga Popova
PR SLAVEIKOV SCHOOL - Sophia, BULGARIA. The school year is over and the school is very quiet now. The year was full of difficulties, challenges and lots of blessed moments. Our students did excellent job and finished successfully the school year. Some of them took part in different national competitions and took very good places. It was a real pleasure for me to see the names of some of our students - Nikola, Katrin, Radostina, Lora in the best students in the city and district list. Others represented us in sports - Bistra is a champion in eurhythmics and Lorita in skiing. All students worked on important projects and showed them in public. ... Click here to read full letter with pictures.
CS Lewis Memories
June 30, 2010. CS LEWIS SCHOOL Bratislava, SLOVAKIA. On May 12-13, 2010 Mr. Walter Hooper, a writer, literary critic, trustee and literary advisor of the estate of C.S. Lewis, visited Bratislava. He was the last secretary of C.S. Lewis and he remained very close to him till the end of Lewis´s life. He visited our school on the occasion of the award ceremony of the literary competition organized by Church Elementary and Middle School Narnia and C.S. Lewis Bilingual High School, Bratislava, for the 9th year. He was accompanied by our friend Tom Burbeck, thanks to whom this visit could occur.
In the afternoon Walter Hooper talked to an audience of the school community and invited guests on the topic: My Life with C.S. Lewis. Click here to read the full report of his visit.
Slovak Families Sponsor Needy African Children
June 8, 2010. Allan Bussard. INTEGRA GROUP Bratislava, SLOVAKIA. Caulene and I just returned from two weeks in Kenya. One of the main tasks of our trip was to work with the three projects we support that care for needy children.
One of the Slovak families in our church who sponsor children in Kenya has five children of their own. They have "adopted" one African child for each of their own kids. When they began, they explained to their children that they will need to cut back on some things in order to afford the sponsorship...sweets, smaller gifts for birthdays and Christmas, outings, etc. At first the kids weren't sure. But yesterday the father told me that now their children don't even notice, and are eager to get word from their "brothers and sisters" in Africa.
We have seen in this project, and deeply believe, that the rich and poor need each other. That transformation...lasting discipleship...happens through giving and receiving. The Bible's word for this is koinonia; fellowship.
This impact is not only seen on Christian families. Among the more than 150 Slovak families that sponsor needy children in Kenya and Ethiopia are non-Christian families. They too tell us about the healthy impact this program has on them and their children. We take "healthy" to mean the shalom that comes from God Himself.
Women's Microenterprise in Russia
May 18, 2010. Irina Shishkina. INTEGRA RUSSIA Moscow, RUSSIA. In today's Russia it is often women who bear the brunt of the problems of a society where there is a very high level of male alcohol dependency and indeed early death, leaving women abandoned or divorced, often with children to bring up. ... Click here to read this bi-lingual report.
Helping Youngsters in Romania
May 18, 2010. Dusan Jaura. D3 - THE NAVIGATORS Bratislava, SLOVAKIA. Volunteer program "Just as precious!" is our last project that we finished this week. Twelve volunteers have been involved in this. It was a very diverse group: boys and girls, high school and university students, some were very dynamic, other very quiet. ... Click here to read more.
A Country Much in the News
May 18, 2010. Zb. MISSION TO THE EAST - Wroclaw, POLAND. I am back from my trip to Afghanistan, safe and with a new experience from Central Asia. I would never expect to be able to play golf in Kabul or relax on a lake, or take a hike in beautiful mountains of Pamir, outside of Kabul. Country is in terrible condition and life is extremely difficult (electricity problems, water problems, safety issues and unemployment). But Afghan people know how to cope with danger and live normal life next to military action and high crime.... Click here to see his photos and read more.
YFC Poland Newsletter
May 13, 2010. Wiola Hatak.
YOUTH FOR CHRIST - Wroclaw, POLAND. Despite shortages of finances and of workers, great things are happening amongst young people in Poland! Click here to see photos and read more about the latest very encouraging news.
A Nation in Mourning
April 21, 2010. Edited by Katherine Hillcoat.
Wroclaw, POLAND. Some of our Partners in Poland reacted to the news that their President and many important government officials died in a plane crash and have been sharing their observations and response:
Wojtek - DAYBREAK writes: We need prayer support more than ever before. In times like these people ask many questions, it's a time of mourning, but also a time of seeking hope. As Christian leaders we are faced with great challenges right now and we are here to serve our people. I've never heard so many political leaders from various parties talking about prayer and reconciliation. It was very moving to hear our new acting president say that at times like these there are no divisions and we need to stand together and pray for our nation. There is no other subject on the streets, in work, in people's homes...It is a time a sadness and brokenness, but also a time of seeking understanding and hope..
Wiola - YOUTH FOR CHRIST writes: What an interesting time I ended up living in! On the 10th of April my country loses not only its president and his wife, but 88 prominent figures so important for our political, military and economic life. The last 7 days were the time of national grief. My nation is broken. And I do believe that it is the time of God's loud voice saying to us: return to me, your Head, your Protector, Your Savior. God is close to those whose hearts are broken, humbled. And we as the church in Poland are in the 40-day fast and prayer time, interceding for our nation so that it humbles itself before God and calls him the King of Poland. We are praying for a new government so that it is not chosen in a hurry, just for the sake of having all empty seats filled..
We as YFC Poland are also asking God to show us how to minister to young people in the light of such tragic events. I have a new "Manifest" conference coming in 11 days, the weekend of May 1st. The topic we chose for it a long time ago is "God's dreams for us, not ours". What was initially thought of as a nice, pleasant topic has turned into pretty heavy stuff. We will be coming to the throne of God as a youth generation representing different churches and towns and asking Him to show us what His intentions are, what His plans and desires are for us individually but also for us as a generation and a nation. I feel so much the fear of God, and would hate to have us say things that are only human wisdom and have nothing to do with God's truth. So, I am writing to ask you to pray with me for 3-day "Manifest" in Koszalin so that it is the territory of our Lord. So that it is a time He set himself for all those young people to get together and hear Him, so that it is a time when God speaks and we will know what to do and obey Him. Please pray so that no matter how many people will come, it will not be a wasted time for this small or big group. But it will be the time when God himself will come to examine our hearts, to fill them with His desires and dreams for our lives and we will know which way to go.
Zbyszek - MISSION TO THE EAST writes: On Saturday, April 10th I was teaching at a volunteers training course in Wroclaw, PL when SMS came with news on the President's plane crash. I had to stop the class and we all prayed. My team was on their way to UK so I called them to tell what has happened and that I would stay in PL for a week. Together with friends we watched the news until late that night - not sure what might happen next.
Bible: Ecclesiastes 7:2-3 "It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the?house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living?will lay it to his heart. Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the?countenance the heart is made better".
Although dozens of dignitaries were unable to attend the elaborate state funeral because of the cloud of volcanic ash covering much of Europe. Over 150 000 Polish tearful mourners applauded President Kaczynski and his wife Maria, tossed flowers and waved red and white flags as the cortege weaved through the narrow streets of Poland's former royal capital Cracow.
Sirens wailed to mark the start of the funeral mass, the couple's coffins were afterwards borne on military gun carriages to Krakow's Wawel castle, where they were lowered into an amber-colored sarcophagus in the cathedral crypt alongside Polish monarchs, saints and poets.
The crash killed 96 outstanding people, including Poland's top military generals, politicians and NGOs leaders, who had gone some way to healing the wounds of the Katyn massacre 70 years ago.
The Katyn forest in western Russia was where Soviet secret police executed 22,000 Polish officers and members of the intelligentsia, in one of the darkest episodes of the Second World War. Stalin blamed the crime on the Nazis..
All last week we could see united action of our nation and respectful attitude among politicians. There was a lot of prayers among people and good questions asked about our past and coming future. We hope that this time the suffering will bring change in many areas of our lives. We hope for better relationship with Russia who came with words of reconciliation, we hope our political life will be more united there was a lot of good confessions of different parties, we believe that democracy will be practiced better, and that religious life of our nation will be more spiritual and not only traditional. We have hope that the time of tears will open our hearts with confession from the past "God, Honor and Country" - its what we were proud of before the communism came - we turned from God, lived in shame of lies and lost our country for 45 years. And now it took us 25 years to be together again as a nation like we did when Lech Walesa was elected for our first president in democratic Poland..
Suffering can be good as Ecclesiastes says in his words of wisdom but we pray for long term change which we as Polish nation need. Thank you all for your SMS's, emails, good words and your empathy. We are looking at the future with hope for positive change.
Mission to the East and West!
March 29, 2010. Compiled by Katherine Hillcoat. Plans are progressing well in Ukraine towards the establishing of an English Language School.
MISSION TO THE EAST - Wroclaw, POLAND. - The first couple to be sent out by this Polish Mission Society have not been inactive since their return to Poland a few years ago! On the contrary; Zbyszek considers himself a missionary always, whether he is at home in Poland caring for his children, teaching and encouraging young Polish believers to consider mission, or sharing his faith on a one-to-one basis with people in various countries, including now in the UK, where he is setting up a decorating business, with part of the proceeds going to fund missionaries still working in the East. He is a living example of the current need to re-think the mission model, and a testimony to diversification! Click here to read his annual report.
Integra Annual Report
March 15, 2010. Ken Christie.
INTEGRA GROUP - Bratislava, SLOVAKIA. Based in Slovakia, but with enterprises in several other countries in Europe and also in Africa, Integra's vision is to "Create economic opportunities for a life of dignity for the vulnerable". To see the Annual Report of all that is being achieved, by God's grace, in the lives of many hundreds of individuals click here for a fascinating and encouraging read.
These Children Are Not Bored!
March 12, 2010. Milena Uhlikova. The CS Lewis High School and Narnia Elementary School have produced a Newsletter, giving a very full account of a wide variety of activities there over the past few months.
CS LEWIS SCHOOL - Bratislava, SLOVAKIA In the second half of December 2009 we organized our traditional Christmas House. We had five scenes, live concerts, Fair Trade stand, and sale with the products from our partner school in Nairobi and the pilot project of an auction. With the help of volunteers among students and parents we were able to raise 460 Euros.
At the beginning of December, parents, teachers and students of Narnia prepared Christmas workshops. We were happy that besides parents and other guests we also found several graduates of our High School among the visitors to the Christmas House. Some of them were asked how they viewed our school from the time perspective and we asked them to share their experiences with the process of applying for university. This will happen at the meeting with the parents of the high school students at the beginning of February 2010. For those who only plan to study at the High School we prepared the first Open Day.... Click here to download the full newsletter including photos.
The School Rent Question is Decided!
February 24, 2010.. Milena Uhlikova.
CS LEWIS SCHOOL - Bratislava, SLOVAKIA. The CS Lewis & Narnia Schools had been concerned about the future security of the lease of their building; they had been enjoying a very favorable rent, but the City Council were due to review that in early February. Thankfully, the authorities delivered a very positive vote of confidence in the school and commitment to its future by voting to allow the favorable rental agreement to continue for another 30 years!
The schools are still looking to form partnerships with one or more schools in Britain, and for individuals who could give some time to go and help or teach in either the primary or the secondary school.
ARKA School Website Gets a Fresh Look
February 23, 2010. Iza Kasprzak
ARKA - Wroclaw, POLAND. The ARKA Educational Foundation in Wroclaw, Poland, is one of our long-established Partners, serving hundreds of people of all ages through its many "arms". It really values its English-speaking connections, and has designed a very helpful English-language website to explain its aims, purposes, ministries and needs. Click here to have a look.
Miracles and Blessings
February 22, 2010. Wioletta Hatak. Answers to Prayer.
YOUTH FOR CHRIST - Wroclaw, POLAND. The YFC leaders in Poland were overwhelmed by God's outpouring of blessing on the manifest day in Wroclaw. After so many uncertainties beforehand, prayers were answered in abundance; the necessary equipment and volunteers arrived just in time; despite freezing temperatures and massive transport problems lots of young people came to the event, around 400 for the main evening session.
But the greatest work was done in people's hearts, with the range of speakers proving exactly right for the needs of the young people present. Powerful testimonies, advice and challenges (all concerning the subject of relationships) left many young people touched and ready to move forward in their desire to live a godly life. Praise God for His powerful, loving, active presence.
Please pray that all those young people will be enabled to live godly lives counter to the culture all around them. Please pray that God will move in a similar wondrous way in the next manifest conference, the weekend of 5th-7th March, in smaller town, Krotoszyn, in a different region of Poland.
Manifest of Love
January 9, 2010. Wioletta Hatak. Please Pray.
YOUTH FOR CHRIST - Wroclaw, POLAND. The date is fast approaching (January 23rd) for the "Manifest conference" in Wroclaw, Poland, being organized by Youth for Christ. Wiola is keenly aware of her responsibility and of her need to trust in God as the time draws near...
Manifest is coming soon and I am getting nervous a bit, because I still have a few big jobs to do before the conference and have no idea whether I will find volunteers for that. So please pray for an acoustics guy to be found, for a group of girls to run the cafe during the conference and for all us, the speakers. We have not run manifest for two years in Wroclaw (tho' we have in other towns in Poland). So it is like starting from scratch again and I have no idea how many people will come..
The main theme of manifest this time is a play on the Polish word for love: mi..mi..mi..mi?osc which literally translates "for me for me for me love"! We want to tackle the very hot issue of human relationships and myths that are becoming like the truth for even Christian young people - myths about singlehood, marriage, love.
So, as for my prayer request, please pray for this coming manifest so that it has a good attendance and so that it is all a God-directed and planned and run event as only then will it have a good impact on people. We want to speak the truth and the words that will both confront and inspire young people to be not of this world and its mentality when it comes to love, marriage, divorce, sex etc. but that they will base their lives on God's values. Click here to read more.
Reconciled Relationships
January 9, 2010. Pavel Raus
PARAKLETOS - Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC. The autumn has gone too fast. It was a busy several months for us with a seminar or a conference on almost every weekend apart from our weekly responsibilities. It all went very well. We are tired but encouraged.
We thought that we would in our next several newsletters introduce to you each specific area of our ministry. And we will start with our speaking ministry... Click here to read more.
I Learned to be Honest
June 27, 2009. Blaga Popova
PR SLAVEIKOV - Sofia, BULGARIA. I can still hear the sound of the words "Welcome! Happy new school year!" And now, here I am standing in the quiet empty school building, because the school year is over. A successful year passed away full of many challenges and opportunities. God answered our prayers for many students and good teachers. We had 18 teachers and 68 students.
For the first time we had a Muslim Turkish girl in the School. She came in the mid of the year with very low marks and a heavy family situation. Her father has been killed and her mother is deaf and dumb. She hardly speaks Bulgarian, which was a great obstacle. But after many hard working hours she could finish school with good marks. When I asked the students during their last Bible classes to tell me what was the best thing they've learned throughout the year, her answer was: To be an honest and loyal person. I'm very happy about her even if it is the only thing she has learned.
This year the teachers were highly professional, flexible and tough. They worked very hard without complaining although their salaries are lower than those in the state schools. Besides they haven't got their salaries since May. In March the daughter of one of our colleagues died which was a great blow for all of us. All the teachers were fasting and praying during these difficult days and tried to do their best supporting her family.
Now we are looking ahead to the coming new school year. We couldn't overcome the bureaucracy in Bulgaria. That's why we don't have a new building yet. We could enroll 15 more children but the space is insufficient. We urgently need Math and Art teachers and a new manager. And of course, there is the question of finances. We stopped paying the teachers since May and we didn't pay our social insurance payments and the rent for the building, too. We lack 90 000 EUR. We started a campaign for finding 500 people ready to give 200 EUR each and we already have 87 people on the list by now.
We pray for God's guidance and help in these difficult days for all of us.
Should I Bury My Grandfather – Alive?
June 30, 2009. Interview with Allan Bussard
INTEGRA - SUDAN. "My grandfather wants me to bury him alive," Manut, a young Sudanese Christian, told Allan Bussard. "He says he's ready to die, that his time on earth is done. If I don't carry out his wishes, grandfather says he will curse me and my children."
Manut, a Christian, felt trapped. He had only two choices: he could honor his grandfather's request and be complicit in his murder, or could refuse to follow his grandfather's wishes and risk his displeasure and the curse. Manut knew that curses in Sudan have an effect. As the eldest grandson, he also felt pressure from the extended family. "He asked for it," some of them said, "so we should do it."
As Allan saw it, this was a faith issue. Manut needed to be willing to risk the curse in order to do what was right.
Allan works with CEP ministry partner, Integra. Much of his work involves small businesses, providing work and training for various people in Europe
and Africa. But, as with other CEP partners, God grants unique opportunities to build into the lives of believers and non-believers through Integra
endeavors. In fact, the overarching goal of CEP is that, through various projects, the gospel will impact people in significant ways through a wide
variety of outreach methods.
A Changing World, Calling for Creative Strategies
What did Manut decide to do with his grandfather? Allan hasn't yet heard the end of that story. You can be praying for this young Sudanese man and others, who may choose to walk in the way Jesus reveals, bringing Him glory as they live out their faith.
Spasenie Spring Tour
May 25, 2009. Mike Choby
SPASENIE BAND – EASTERN EUROPE. The Spasenie spring tours of Eastern Europe went well. We did full band concerts and combined orchestra concerts in Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova, as well as school concerts in Belarus and Moldova.
The pics are from concerts in Odessa and Kiev, both in Ukraine.
This is the first time we have played in Moldova. Adding a new country for school concerts is exciting! I think these concerts are some of the
most important outreach efforts we can be doing right now. We have played about 40 concerts in schools, all official assemblies. Pretty cool stuff.
As for the combined orchestra concerts, there is still a lot of attention coming from the general public, and we continue to reach out to a broad
audience. These concerts are in cooperation with public orchestras, a real privilege for us. Please pray that these would continue, as they are
still bearing fruit.
As for me, I will be in the states for the rest of the summer, working as a summer maintenance helper and doing some music with the JPUSA band, "Maron". Carolyn and I have a new Greenchoby CD, with a CD release party on June 14 at St. Lambert's.
Spasenie is planning to be in the US from mid September through early December. We are hoping to visit every region of the US. Please contact me for details.
Spasenie's Ukrainian Easter Tour
April 15, 2009 – Translation from post to Spasenie website
SPASENIE - Kiev, UKRAINE.
"Anya" April 12, 2009
Guys, thanks for the concert in Kiev. It was great to celebrate your little anniversary. My daughter came along and for the first time saw and
heard you. It's a long wonderful story, but in short: after the concert we had a talk and I found out what was really on her heart. Yesterday,
she invited the Lord to come into her life Thank you, "saviors", that you so openly and truthfully praised God last night. Our lives have been
changed thanks to you.
Response from Band member: Thanks, Anya. It's for moments like these that we work.
SPASENIE - Kharkov, UKRAINE. Pastor Peter Kovalenko April 13, 2009
My dear brothers, Our huge thank you for your visit to our church in Kharkov! You gave us not only a concert, but also a worship service praising
our Lord Jesus Christ! Your faithfulness and commitment was picked up by God's children here and has left its mark on their souls. Blessings on you
and God's favor!
Orthodox Liturgy and Ethiopian Macadamia Nuts
April 13, 2009. Ken Christie
INTEGRA - Bratislava, SLOVAKIA. Ministry with Integra has been full. Finishing up umpteen details on comprehensive business plan to import fair trade coffee from Ethiopia has been stretching and exciting. Integra will be the first direct importers, roasters, and distributors of fair trade coffee in Easter Europe! Please join us in praying for the almost $40,000 investment funds needed to start. But even more, pray that the Ethiopian farmers who grow this premium coffee will be freed from poverty.
Also, the Orthodox Liturgy study is printed and sales are getting under way in Serbia. My good friend Toma reports that God is bringing many
opportunities to get it out - like the theology schools deciding to use it with their students and a Serbian Orthodox church in London desiring 200
copies. This is a picture of the cover; if you want to see more, go to www.liturgija.net
But beware - the site is all in Serbian : )
Our macadamia nuts from Kenya have been another story. We have run into continual snags and hurdles that have kept the product from getting to markets
in Europe and in America. Securing the export license, transferring funds to purchase raw nuts, finding plastic bags strong enough to hold the
vacuum seal, getting rid of rats, obtaining organic and fair trade certification have all been issues. But we preserve considering the poverty of
rural farmers in Kenya and knowing how much a guaranteed price and a stable market will help. This is a picture of the finished product - please
join us in praying it actually gets to market!
May 1-3 our family will eagerly join with a few others (mostly teens) from our local church on a service project to a Baptism ministry with Roma
(Gypsies) in central Slovakia. Right now the kids are getting a drama ready and Karol and I are knee deep in helping organize housing and food and
planning the weekend outreach. It's exciting! More to come afterward...
A key prayer request for us is that God will provide significant scholarships for Daniel and Catherine to attend a local international school for
their high school years. Education continues to be our biggest challenge and we sense this is an opportunity from God. Assembling and submitting
the applications is our job now; we will hear results by the end of May. Please be praying that God will provide the education scholarships we need
to be able to stay here in Bratislava.
A Life-Changing Impact
March 31, 2009. Lisa Clark: Interview with Wiolleta,
YFC - Wroclaw, POLAND. When YFC volunteer "Klaudia" began meeting with "Roza," she felt discouraged. "I don't know how to reach her," Klaudia explained to other YFC staff. "Our meetings are often a monologue with me doing the talking." At the beginning, Klaudia and Roza spent lots of time at movies, an activity that required no interaction.
Other One-to-One staff and volunteers began praying for Klaudia and her unresponsive charge. "Lord, break down the barrier of silence," they asked, trusting God to work.
God answered those prayers. To Klaudia's delight, Roza began taking the initiative in their relationship, even calling her mentor to ask when they could get together. Klaudia began helping Roza with homework. After they watched films together, they talked about them. Soon, Roza began asking Klaudia questions about life and issues she was facing.
The end of Roza's story has not yet been written. Thanks to Klaudia, though, Roza has a chance at a happier and healthier life.
Stealing a Smile
March 31, 2009. Lisa Clark: Interview with Andrzej,
MISSION TO THE EAST - CENTRAL ASIA. When "Marat" came looking for work at the construction company Mission to the East missionaries set up in Central Asia, he spoke no Russian, the language the company worked with. But because friends recommended the eighteen-year-old village boy, the company decided to give Marat work. During the first two weeks, the young man could communicate with most of the workers only through a translator. Still, the work crew managed to coax a smile out of him by the end of that time. The boy was adept with language and began to communicate more in Russian after spending two months at the job; closer relationships followed.
It became clear quite early on that Marat was accustomed to stealing and cheating. Believers at the workplace explained that they didn't steal because of their faith in Christ. Marat, quite naturally, couldn't understand.
One day, Marat returned from a nearby store happy. "God gave me money," he told Andrzej (pronounced "An-jay"), a Polish missionary. "When the woman gave me change, she gave me too much."
"Hmm. Maybe," Andrzej responded, "but I don't think so. You should probably take the money back to the store."
"No! No!" protested Marat.
A week later, Marat returned from the same store. "That shopkeeper cheated me," he told Andrzej.
"Why do you say that?"
"She shortchanged me!"
"Maybe God was giving her money this time," Andrzej responded.
Sometime later, Andrzej and others began explaining to Marat why God wanted them to do what was right. They even began to look at the Bible together. About six months later, Marat was ready to receive Jesus into his life. Now, this young man who God placed among Polish missionaries at just the right time truly has a reason to smile.
Providing Help, Hope, and Dignity to the Vulnerable
March 31, 2009. By Allan Bussard
INTEGRA - Bratislava, SLOVAKIA. Soon, residents of Liethnom in South Sudan won't have to hopelessly watch loved ones die of curable diseases before their eyes, cut off from the rest of the world during the rainy season. A riverboat will provide them access to a hospital and treatment for their sick and injured.
In Bratislava, Ivan, a former drug addict, has recently started a new job as a mechanic at Oil Partner, a quick oil and service station. What's so remarkable about that? Ivan, along with the rest of the workers of the highly profitable business, are all ex-drug addicts, without a high school education or job skills. Other employers wouldn't even consider giving such young men jobs.
Alla and Yulia were considered "women at risk" in Russia. They, and many others like them, faced lives of daunting responsibilities with meager resources due to circumstances wholly out of their control. Today, they are the proud owners of a design shop, through which they are now able to meet their financial obligations and care for their families.
Recently, a group of landless Ethiopian peasants devised a plan. From the forty cents they earn each day, the workers contribute a few cents to invest in businesses. With the investment profits, they plan to send their children to school. This education, in turn, will give their children prospects for a better life.
In Kenya, 245 children have hope. All destitute-some without family members to care for them-these youngsters now have a home, the opportunity to go to school, or both at the Children's Garden Rescue Home.
What do these people have in common? They are all part of projects developed by Integra, working from Slovakia and branching out into eight countries in Eastern Europe and Africa. The Integra logo is composed of the upper and lower halves of the word "Integra," disjointed at the beginning, but united at the end. When the second syllable of the word "Integra" is stressed, the organization's strong dedication to integrity is unmistakable. When the accent is placed on the first syllable, another side of the group's commitment emerges: that of helping people live integrated lives.
Beside the logo on the group's letterhead are these words: "Creating economic opportunities for a life of dignity for the vulnerable." They accomplish this goal through education, market access, and business investment. Integra's vision is not about handouts. Just as the most effective way to provide food for a lifetime is to teach a man how to fish rather than merely handing him a fish, so Integra desires to help people provide for themselves for the long haul. This involves more than simply teaching people sound business practices. Through teaching, encouragement, and accountability, Integra seeks to "help groups at risk gain business skills, to create job opportunities, to decrease dependency on outside assistance, to strengthen economic development, and to build democratic civil society." They want to build successful and sustainable small and medium enterprises with clear corporate social responsibility strategies, practicing business transparently and ethically, and contributing to the development of their communities. Some of these businesses, they hope, will be profitable enough to help support Integra's philanthropic activities.
Along with these important goals, Integra is committed to the spiritual transformation of people. They want to help "individuals grow toward their full potential as beings created in the image of God," and "communities become characterized by Shalom, Justice, and Grace," bringing hope and healing to those around them
Learning to be a Missionary can be Fun
March 31, 2009. Lisa Clark: Interview with Milan,
THE NAVIGATORS - D3 - Sofia, BULGARIA. Tanya was the first student to accept the invitation and attempt the adventure. She came to a continent, a country, a city, and a university she didn't know. Why? A missionary had spoken at her Navigator fellowship meeting in Indiana, telling students about an American university in Bulgaria. The U.S. students could go to study for a semester or a year and be one of a very few believers. Carrying their faith and their commitment to Christ along with them, they could ask God to use them. So Tanya, by faith, courageously answered the call.
What she found were great opportunities to get to know students, who were gathered from over thirty countries. She was out of her cultural comfort zone, but so were many other students. She could interact with her peers like no professor or university administrator could. Natural friendships provided her with opportunities to share from her life with others. To cap it off, she was able to travel to a number of European destinations. She didn't have to spend any more for her semester abroad than she would have at home.
The next semester, Jessica took up the challenge of studying and ministering overseas and won a number of deep friendships in the process. Some of the friends she invited to a small campus Christian group's meetings continue to attend even though Jessica has left.
Natalie, the next student to take on the challenge, was able to connect with some of Jessica's friends (and even to live with one of her former roommates).
Far better than a summer mission trip, a semester abroad in Bulgaria allows students a natural way to get to know others and live as a light for Christ. The local D3N staff provides support and mentoring while the students grow in their faith and ability to minister to others cross-culturally.
Isabel: When a Sense of Responsibility Fails
March 31, 2009. Lisa Clark: Interview with Mira,
DAYBREAK COUNSELING CENTER - Wroclaw, POLAND. "Isabel" was depressed, deeply depressed. Thoughts of suicide flooded her mind, unrelenting and intense. She was a leader in her church and had a strong desire to help drug addicts; why had these dark thoughts invaded her mind? She sought out Mira Otremba. Perhaps she could help Isabel find relief.
Mira Otremba, hoping to identify the root causes of Isabel's despair, guided her through "Renewing the Foundations." A surprising discovery emerged.
Isabel's mind raced back to a moment in her childhood. She was outside, playing with her friends, when her alcoholic father came home. Drunk and reeling, he threw up in front of the small band of playmates. Little Isabel rushed to her father's side. She knew she had to help him, though she felt shame and embarrassment from his behavior.
That memory was key. This early, overdeveloped sense of responsibility played a large role in Isabel's life. When she met drug addicts as an adult, she felt she had to help them. Her sense of duty gave Isabel a feeling of control. So "able" was she that she married a drug addict. Disappointment in herself crashed down when her husband committed suicide. Still, she had little choice but to continue; she had a son to care for.
When her child became a teenager, though, dread filled Isabel. What if he also became an addict? She couldn't bear such a devastating turn of events. A spinning, horrible sense of her loss of control over her son seemed to smother her.
Lausanne Conference Consultation
March 7, 2009. Reported by Central Eurasia Partners, UK.
PARAKLETOS - Mexico City, MEXICO. In early January, Pavel Raus attended the Lausanne Care and Counsel as Mission first consultation in Mexico City.
The Lausanne movement was established in 1974 by Billy Graham to encourage the accomplishment of the Great Commission to take the Gospel to all parts of the world. This consultation was planning for the 3rd Lausanne conference in Cape Town 2010, and brought together psychologists, pastors and counselors from all continents to discuss the need for counseling ministries to strengthen today's church and reach out to hurting people. This new initiative within the Lausanne movement is seen as an opportunity to touch people with the Good News in their struggles and suffering.
In many parts of our world, like a very atheistic Czech Republic, people today consider Christianity as irrelevant, but they would attend a seminar about marriage and relationships because that is of interest and value to them. Then they can hear the Gospel, presented in a relevant and deep way, which they may then consider as a valid option. The whole consultation was very encouraging because of the unity of the participants in their desire to bring this new need to the attention of church leaders and hence encourage the whole church to bring the whole gospel to the whole hurting and broken world.
Children's Lives Do Change!
March 31, 2009. Lisa Clark: Interview with Milena,
C.S. LEWIS SCHOOL - Bratislava, SLOVAKIA. Milena Uhlikova, Deputy Director for Administration, explains that students grow "in harmony with themselves
and with each other." She tells of the community service projects each child is expected to take part in. By cleaning up the area directly surrounding
the school, for example, children learned a sense of personal responsibility. "They're not just here to receive, but also to give." Some of the
students have reached out to the disabled. Others have volunteered to work with younger children, teaching them how to sing.
One boy, Peter*, along with five classmates, decided to care for kids from socially disadvantaged families as their community outreach project. But Peter didn't stop there. Since he enjoys boxing, he decided to personally help four Roma boys, aged ten to fifteen, by coaching them to box. As a motto for the group, Peter chose "Love, Respect, Discipline." His idea was to help the boys under his tutelage to grow in character through sport. Because of Peter's influence, the oldest Roma boy has decided to take a step in putting his life into order by completing his basic education. Others have caught Peter's vision as well. He recently accepted two other young men as co-trainers. His desire is to invite other kids to join the small group.
God has also used school-related activities to help Tomas*, a boy who struggles with stuttering. At a Christmas Open House, designed to present the school and its programs to approximately 800 visitors, Tomas "came alive," Uhlikova explains, as he helped to introduce the idea of Fair Trade. Tomas also worked to create a film about the school with a friend. To Uhlikova's amazement, when Tomas moderates, presenting the film to others while holding a microphone, he speaks without a stutter.
The Slow Process of Recovery: Katerina's Story
February, 2009 - Reported by Central Eurasia Partners, UK.
PARAKLETOS - Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC. Katerina* has been meeting with Pavel for counseling for the past five years. Painful memories of sexual abuse at home and at school as she was growing up left her emotionally aloof, unable even to connect with others through touch. When Pavel first heard her story, he came away from their sessions carrying the heavy pain that burdened her. "How, ": he wondered, "can I show this woman the love of Christ?" He prayed and imagined how Jesus would help Katerina if He were counseling her. It took two years before she was willing to have another person even touch her. Pavel can see God healing the wounded places in Katerina's heart.
God is faithful to change people, but it can be a slow process. Pavel and Julia are willing to stand by and support people like Katerina no matter how long it takes.
Letter from the Director
December 31, 2008 - By Blaga Popova.
PR SLAVEIKOV SCHOOL - SOFIA, Bulgaria. Another year has passed by, and after all the holidays and vacations the New Year has begun. For students and teachers this period is right in the middle of the school year, end of the first term. It is time to evaluate, and verify what work has been done.
This school year God has answered our prayers for more kids, and the capacity of the current building has been reached. This brings us to our new task of looking for a new building, or staying in the same building and keeping our enrolment the same as last year. This would mean turning away students due to a lack of space. I do not know the answer yet, but I believe God is trustworthy. The new students have adjusted very well, and at this point the classes are going strong. The next couple of weeks will be very challenging due to our upcoming finals.
In November we celebrated our school patron's day. The students with the help of the teachers prepared a concert dedicated to Petko Slaveikov. We
rented a big hall and 15 minutes before the event it was half empty, which worried me. Five minutes before we planned on starting we were looking for
extra chairs and space, by the end we had a packed house. Over 250 people came and the feedback was very positive.
In the beginning of November we had two days of training for all the teachers. It was led by Graham Coyle from Christian School's Trust England. The
theme of the seminar was the motivation and the proper process of disciplining in the teaching field.
The training went by with many personal experiences shared by Graham Coyle, spiced up with fresh and unmistaken English humor. In result of the
training all participating teachers were inspired and motivated to give their best in the future.
With all of our achievements and encouragements, there are also the upcoming challenges, problems and needs.
- First of which is the need for a bigger building. With the expansion, we can focus on advertisement, and enrollment of new students as well as getting a high school license. Please pray for the steadfastness of this process.
- The teachers, students, and parents also need special prayers of support more than ever due to the national financial crisis.
- Finally, is meeting our financial goal so we can finish the school year. The fiscal deficit of the school is $ 60,000
I believe God will lead us, and I doubt he will leave us in the middle of the road. This is his school, and the students who graduate will leave not only with knowledge, but also with a new view and attitude towards our society, which Bulgaria needs desperately. God bless you!
Bridging the Gap Between Poland and USSR
December 2008. Lisa Clark: Interview with Adam,
MISSION TO THE EAST - Wroclaw, POLAND. Adam gazed out the window from his seat on the slow-moving train through the rolling Polish countryside. The lush forests held wide their branches for woodpeckers, cuckoos, finches, and jays as they chattered and sang. In the dense brush beneath, hares, deer, foxes, and boars roamed freely. This was the land Adam had grown up in, the land of his family and home. Now alone, he was heading to a strange land. Soon he'd be crossing the border into the Ukraine, Poland's neighbor.
The trip, Adam knew, was not pleasant. The train cars themselves were designed for functionality, not comfort. If rolling along steel tracks with total strangers for hours on end was wearisome, then the border crossing was downright disagreeable. Barbed wire, guard-towers, and a wide strip of raked sand all signaled the train's imminent stop. Border crossings were a necessary evil when traveling from one country to another, even if they were allies. Trains coming into the USSR from Europe faced an additional inconvenience, though: switching the train's wheel trucks. Because Soviet tracks were twenty-four centimeters (roughly nine and half inches) wider than those used in Europe, an elaborate process of exchanging the wheels on a train to accommodate the wider gauge entailed an extended wait.
Still, those were minor nuisances. Adam felt his stomach lurch even before the train stopped for another reason: Soviet frontier guards and possible KGB representatives would inevitably search the train. And Adam was hiding something. As a Polish believer, committed to spreading the Good News, he was taking a great risk to smuggle Russian language Bibles into the Ukraine to give to secret contacts. He dreaded the consequences if caught.
The volumes were discovered quickly. Twelve hours later, Adam was still wondering what his fate would be. The train he had been riding had long since departed and he sat in a small office with nothing to do but wait. And pray. Finally, he dared to ask. "Excuse me," he said to a guard. Surely good manners wouldn't hurt. "Can you tell me how long I have to stay here?"
"They don't know," one of the soldiers answered. "They're trying to decide whether to send you back to Poland or on to Siberia."
Eventually Adam, the Polish Bible smuggler's fate was decided. His Bibles were confiscated and he was forced to return to Poland: one small victory for the Soviets. Later, though, God would have the victory. Adam was undeterred by his experience. God continues to use him in Poland and further east.
Food Crisis in Kenya, Integra Helps Orphans
December 2008. By Caulene Bussard
INTEGRA - Nairobi, KENYA. The post-election conflict in Kenya has calmed down, but children, especially orphans who are the most vulnerable of the
poor, still feel the impact. Food prices have almost doubled.
"I don't know how we will manage. The kids need to eat, but food is more and more expensive," says Moses Ngungu, the director of Children's Garden
Rescue Home. "What used to last for a month is barely enough for two weeks."
The other urgent need is water. The orphanage can no longer buy it from the city and the children are using the dirty water from a nearby river. This
causes many water-borne diseases and rashes.
The sustainable solution for the food and water crisis is to purchase a piece of land for growing vegetables and raising animals. The land would also provide a place for a borehole for water. Integra's goal is to raise enough money for this project ($90,000) by the end of 2009.
Clegg Report
December 2008
ARKA - Wroclaw, POLAND.
Israel 08: How can Israel not be the highlight of the year?! Our biggest group ever went to Israel this August - 54 people from
Poland, Kazakhstan, USA, Canada & GB. With every trip our itinerary gets better, so the trips are a GREAT experience whether participants are
believers or not. Why not come with us next time and bring a friend?
Sports/Language Camps 08: The summer English/sport/evangelistic camps went very well again this year – in total 174 children attended three camps and each camp was a blessed experience for those involved. God provided again an excellent team of native speakers from USA, GB & Holland. A special THANKS to those of you who sponsored many orphans or children from poor families, many of whom rarely have a holiday. For some it's the experience of a childhood.
Arka Schools: This year our 3 schools have a total of over 160 children. Again it's a record enrollment to contexts where children can hear & experience the gospel daily in a natural social environment.
Central Eurasian Partners: There have undoubtedly been significant steps forward for CEP, a network of indigenous ministries which I coordinate. It is now an officially registered charity in both GB and USA! In both countries we have initial administration in place to receive funds for our nationally led mission initiatives, as well as to start advertising opportunities for people to come and serve with those initiatives.
Volunteer Development Centre: I have scaled down my involvement with the Seminary where I have taught for many years, though I presently still teach there. This has given me extra capacity to help initiate a training center in cooperation with many of the youth ministries in the country, aimed at practically training young volunteers. It is aimed both at believers and non-believers. Our first two weekends have had an attendance of about 30 young people-so basically we've had an encouraging start...
Bible Study Groups: It has also been an exceptionally encouraging year for our Bible Study groups. Juls and I at present lead/coordinate 6 groups with over 50 people, Catholics and Protestants, many studying the Bible for the first time.
Mission to the East: The plunge in the dollar and the pound, combined with significant inflation in the region has greatly influenced labourers & initiatives in the region. Mission to the East has been particularly hit. Some of our Polish missionaries have returned home this year due to insufficient finance, others are considering following…this is one of the urgent reasons for looking for new Partners who will "strengthen the cords".
Opportunities FOR YOU!!!
Camp Arka 2009 - As usual at this time of year we're looking for volunteers who would join us on sports/language/evangelistic
camps next summer. Dates are anytime from June 17th-July 12th. All ages welcome from 1-3 weeks to befriend children and teens, have lots of fun
and show them Jesus.
Israel - August 2010 - We already have 21 signed up for our next Israel trip. Still 29 places if you want to join us for the
"trip of a lifetime"
CEPartners - Presently our network of indigenous mission agencies numbers 9. It would be GREAT if some of you receiving this
letter would be interested in partnering in some way with any of these various initiatives!... orphans, businesses, women at risk, education,
teaching English, art festivals... Or maybe you could be an ambassador, recruiting others who could come alongside and help? Please consider it
and let us know if you're interested, there are lots of ways to get involved!f
Report From Camp Arka
September 30, 2008 – Reported by CEP UK
CAMP ARKA 2008 - Wroclaw, POLAND. Summer camps for 2008 were held at "Górnicza Strzecha" in
Szklarska Poreba. A record number of 175 children attended over the three weeks. The ARKA school teachers who led the camps, assisted by a team
of young people from the US and UK organized a wide range of sporting events, English classes and activities, along with a daily "Bible Hour".
They had many opportunities to share the gospel with the children and to help and encourage some of the teenagers in their young faith.
A Night to Remember with Spasenie
July 28, 2008
Brest, Belarus – SPASENIE. About 50,000 people came out to enjoy the city anniversary festival, Brest City Fest. Spasenie and another group,
Martin Luther played on the main stage, on the main night. Spasenie played the last set of music, right before the fireworks. Wow!
Spasenie is very popular in their hometown, and is on the radio. Many non-Christians are familiar with their music. It was amazing to see all these people singing along, and enjoying Christian music.
We prayed for a clear night, and God was merciful. The rain that eventually came didn't start until our set and the fireworks had finished!
Spasenie Tours Sakhalin Island
July, 2008 – Reported by Mike Choby
SAKHALIN – SPASENIE. Sakhalin Island has it all: mountains, forests and sea. Oil, gas, minerals, fishing, but the money doesn't stay here. At the
festival in Yuzhno Sakhalinsk, the capital city, there were 3 bands and 2 solo singers on the tour. We played for 7 hours to thousands of people,
most them not Christians.
The churches in Sakhalin were praying about this tour for 2 years. 15 concerts, 6 cities, praise God! Photos from an outdoor festival at night shows evidence that Sakhalin has a big Korean population. Normally, it's rare to see Asians in Russia. Beautiful diversity, multicultural churches, and yummy food!
Pasha and I get our licks in during an out door festival. Our hosts treated us to a picnic at the beach. We often ate salmon and shellfish right from the sea!
Losing a Car Key Builds Faith
July 7, 2008
INTEGRA - Belgrade, SERBIA. Did you know that inside many car keys is a security device that
will not allow the engine to run if it is missing? Neither did I. But God used the missing of such a device to answer our prayer that the light
of Jesus would be apparent to our dear friends, Alberto and Nada Galindo. What a joy to see God work—well worth the extra $190 it cost us.
While visiting their family home in June in a village 75 miles north of Belgrade, Daniel was unlocking the car and the key came apart. Though surprised, Daniel simply re-assembled the key and told me when he returned it. The next day I started the car and the engine wouldn't run. We checked the fuel filter (gas spraying all over), air filter, fuses--everything we could think of. One of the mechanics Alberto called suggested the problem was likely with the key. Then I remembered what happened to Daniel.
So, we started the search for a small, round, shiny piece that looks much like a tiny watch battery. The problem was it likely dropped into the mud-filled gutter, which had been soaked with rained and driven over twice. After looking a bit, I stopped everyone and prayed aloud that God would help us find it. Then we continued on in earnest. With strainer and garden hose in hand, we sifted through several gallons of muck.
Along with broken glass, rusty nails, and chewed gum, we found nothing but a small, rectangular magnet-looking object that didn't appear at all like a tiny watch battery. I showed it to Alberto, he stuck it in his pocket, and we searched on. After a couple of hours, nothing showed up. Extremely tired and discouraged, I wondered if I should have prayed out loud.
With no other options in the remote village, Alberto called a tow truck (that's when the $190 disappeared). Our plan was to attempt to buy the missing piece the next day in Belgrade.
Early the next morning, before our next hunt began, Alberto got on-line and did some searching. He "stumbled" on a picture of a key with a small, rectangular, magnet-looking security device, very much like the one he just "happened" to still have in his pocket. You guessed it: it fit perfectly into the key and the car the engine purred.
Now, I don't know why the key came apart in the first place; it never happened before. I don't know why it fell smack dab into the mud, got rained on and driven over. Nor do I know why we didn't recognize that we had found the right piece, or why I had to "waste" $190. But I do know that the Galindos saw God work and answer a specific prayer, though not in the way expected. It just may be that this experience stimulates them to trust God the next time they face a crisis.
God does respond to prayer. That's why we invite you to continue praying for the Galindos and others we interact with through my work with Integra and in our daily lives that God will reveal Jesus in ways that stimulate a response of faith. Your prayer is especially welcome July 7-18 as Karol and the kids help out with an English camp with neighborhood kids. We desire to reach out to the kids with the love of Jesus.
One more prayer item is for a larger apartment. Our two-bedroom place is getting small with two teenagers in the house…and it continues to shrink as we think about the start of home schooling next month. With the weakness of the US dollar and the high cost of rent in Bratislava, our options are limited, if even existent. Please pray that God will provide a roomier, healthy, affordable apartment in a way that brings him honor.
Thanks! The prayer of friends and family does make a difference as we attempt to illustrate God's kingdom through the normal activities and interactions of life.