Odessa Mission
July 2003 Newsletter
John's Update
Greetings friends!
In 1996, while working with Muslims in Crimea, I met a man named Igor. He had just moved to Crimea from Uzbekistan, a Muslim country. Igor not only grew up in Uzbekistan, but is also half Crimean Tatar (Turkic) and half Russian. After purchasing some land in a Crimean village called Dimyanovka, he settled his family there. In 1998, I had the honor of baptizing Igor into Christ and it was then that we began conducting summer VBS programs for kids in Dimyanovka. I recently had the chance to talk to Igor for the first time in three years and learned that not only does his son have a little sister now, but that his wife, Aleysa, has also become a Christian. In fact, they're both members of our church in Crimea, who are continuing to develop outreach programs for children in their village. It's always great to know that the work God begins through us often continues for generations to come.
We now have three girls from the conservatory helping Ira develop our worship program. Lena and Yulia who we introduced last month, and now Olya who we asked you to pray for last month. Olya is a delightful multi-talented girl who stars in a local operetta in one of Odessa's theaters. She's a very positive extrovert who has a real heart for children. We're already thinking about how to use her talents in establishing a quality kids' program in our church, among other things. She's also a trained orator with a deep-seated child-like faith and we're thrilled about her potential for God's Kingdom. It is encouraging to see the spiritual growth of Lena and Yulia and their enthusiasm for ministering to the kids is very contagious.
In June, we had our first official program for the kids at the cancer ward and it was very well received. The girls read some encouraging poems, gave out a bunch of toys, and sang four Christian songs. Then I told the kids a story about an eight-year old boy named Jared. Jared and his dad (Joe) were playing catch in their yard. At first, they talked about summer vacation and friends. Then, Jared got serious: "Dad, is there a God?" Joe didn't know how to respond since he'd only been to church once or twice in his life. Jared then asked: "Dad, if there is a God, how can we know Him?" Joe was speechless. "I'm not sure Jared. I've never really given it much thought before." Jared told his Dad that he'd return shortly, as he headed for the house. When he came back, he brought a balloon he got from the circus, onto which he attached a note: "God, if you're there, please send people who know you to us." Two days later, Dad and Jared pulled into a free carwash planned by a Christian group. That act of service really had an impact on Joe because he had never before received something for nothing. And both Dad and Jared felt that God had answered their prayer. So I told the kids that God is also waiting to answer their prayers, just like he did with Jared. After the concert, we had the kids attach their prayer requests to two helium balloons we planned to release. The only problem was that there were so many prayer requests attached that the balloons wouldn't "take off". Nevertheless, it was still a refreshing time for the kids to see God's love and hope in the face of their circumstances. And if the kids appreciated our time together as much as we did, then it'll be a day they won't soon forget.
Three days after the program, a mother at the cancer unit told me how much that concert meant to her. She even wanted to know where our church meets, though I didn't have much of a response since we haven't had an official regular worship service yet. However, we continue to have Bible study in conjunction with practicing the Christian songs we will sing at the first regular church service. Nonetheless, it's nice to see how God is touching their lives through all of us. Ira, a girl at the unit whose only relative is an estranged mother, had nothing to wear to the concert. So, just before the program, we bought and gave her a new dress. We also helped some of the families there with some medical expenses. Christina is in the same room as Ira, but her Mom is always by her side. Christina's Dad is working eighteen-hour days to pay for her chemotherapy treatments. So, part of this month's benevolence funds went specifically to help them. It is a great joy to be able to help those in need and to tell them that Jesus loves them and someone cares about them. We just wish all of you could see the big smiles and tears of happiness that are made possible by your support for our mission. Please be in prayer for the kids and their families that we are reaching out to, and for our next program which will be in a couple of weeks. Remember, Mark 9:37 (NIV), "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me."
We love you all! John and Ira Murphy - The Odessa Mission