The Angels Rejoice!

We are rejoicing in the salvation of a teen girl during a recent Wednesday evening prayer service! We remember when Oksana came to some of the first services we held in the village Cultural building back in 2006. She attended for a while and then we didn't see her in church much. Once we started a Sunday school for children, Oksana began attending more regularly. Eventually, she stopped coming to Sunday school. 

First Sunday school after returning from furlough-
2009 (Oksana - three from far left)

Sunday school Spring 2010

Sunday School - December 2010 (Oksana - far right)

Then, several years later as one of her best friends began attending regularly she often tagged along. It was during this time that her friend, Tanya, accepted Christ. Oksana simply witnessed the change in Tanya and even started attending our teen discipleship class we started last year. Through the years, Oksana has definitely heard that Gospel numerous times and has learned much about the God who loves her and sent His Son to die in her place.

8th of March (Women's Day Tea)

Sunday School - December 2011

Recently, during a Wednesday evening service, Oksana expressed to me how she has considered repenting of her sins and accepting Christ as her Savior. She said that for some time she has wanted to be saved and then she would forget about it, then want to again after some time had passed. This was all taking place even during the time she was not attending services. Following the service I spent some time talking with her about salvation and reviewing many things she has already learned about the Bible. She was not ready during that service to be saved so I left her with much to think about and promised to pray for her.

Over the next few days, Oksana felt confident that she was ready to accept Christ. She was so excited she wanted to share the news with her Mother who unfortunately did not share Oksana's excitement. The mother's immediate response was that she didn't need to attend services because it was going to "mix up her brains". This is ironic since her mother has been witnessed to by several Christian ladies in the village over the years. Her mother has always been very friendly with our family, even sharing with me how she is happy that Oksana wanted to come to Sunday School. 

Finally, Oksana told her Mother, "Mom, I don't want to go to Hell. I want to go to Heaven!" 

After that she calmly went to her room and started playing on her computer. Her Mom finally came in and told her that this was her business and she could do what she wanted to do. 

That next Wednesday, Oksana came to Wednesday evening prayer service and couldn't wait to tell me she had made her decision to accept Christ! She also couldn't wait for us to be able to talk through the Roman's Road so we sent everyone else into the other rooms while I again shared the plan of salvation with her. Finally, she was ready to bow her head and ask Jesus to come into her heart and forgive her of her sins! We prayed and she immediately said, "I feel as if a weight was just lifted off my shoulders!" We then called the other kids into the room and rejoiced with Oksana. Our son, Ryan, had been able to witness the whole event and as we looked up from praying he was smiling from ear to ear with tears in his eyes. Such a precious moment for all of us to share!

Oksana and Dee just after she accepted Christ!
May 16, 2012

Sisters in Christ!

Oksana couldn't wait to tell David and the adults in the other service of her decision.

After the service most everyone stayed for cake and tea to celebrate her new life in Christ!

Please pray for Oksana to grow in Christ and be a witness to her friends and family!

Answered Prayer!

We wanted to give you all an update on our recent prayer request for our car. It is running well and David has already taken it in to have the transmission fluid changed after the repairs. It is a huge blessing to have our car again! But, the even greater blessing is that as of this past week, we were able to pay for our house siding too! The Lord provided the funds to meet both needs...and then some! We greatly appreciate your prayers for us. 
In the next few days, David has to drive out to a village to purchase some wood necessary for hanging the siding (according to how they do it here). This week the siding will be delivered and then next Monday, May 21st, our Christian builder friend and his employees will be out here to install it! I will post pictures of the whole process on our building blog. 

Catherine Hudson Funeral Change

I am posting this update that we just received from Catherine's family in regards to a change in where the funeral will take place. It is important for those of you who have been keeping up with the updates are able to attend the services. What a blessing that so many are expressing their desire to attend Catherine's funeral!


Thank you for the many notes of sympathy. The God of all comfort has revealed Himself in so many ways!

We have been contacted by several friends and family regarding the funeral, and it is overwhelming to know that so many are planning to attend. I know that Catherine had a special way to touch hearts and lives, and we are grateful that you want to show your love and respect for her, and her family. Thank you!

We are moving the funeral service to the Parkside Baptist Church in Mesquite, Texas, in order to better accommodate family, and friends. The Parkside Baptist Church has a beautiful and spacious auditorium,which seats over 1,000. We are very grateful for their willingness to assist us at this time. The funeral will still begin at 10:00 am, Wednesday, May 9.

The Parkside Baptist Church has had a faithful part in our ministry in Ukraine for over 15 years, and they have been very supportive during my wife's home going! Pastor Mike Wells has been a dear friend for many years.

The address is:

Parkside Baptist Church
1729 Gross Road
Mesquite, TX 75149

http://pbcmesquite.org/
# 972.613.7833

Parkside Baptist Church | Mesquite, TX 

Catherine Gwen Hudson - Obituary

Please read the following update from Matt Hudson and Catherine's obituary. Lastly, there is a link to the funeral home's web site where you can sign the online guestbook.

"Thank you for your prayers! We greatly appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Psalms 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

Псалом 115:6 Дорога в очах Господних смерть святых Его!

The Funeral service will be Wednesday, May 9, 2012, at 10:00 am. It will be held at the Open Door Baptist Church in Mesquite, Texas. "


Catherine Gwen Hudson

Catherine Gwen Hudson was born in Hayward, California on January 21, 1972. She went to be with the Lord on May 3, 2012 at the age of 40.

Catherine and her husband, Matthew Hudson, served as Independent Baptist Missionaries in the country of Ukraine for over 15 years. Since November of 2011, they have lived in Mesquite, Texas. Catherine grew up in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where she graduated from high school and college, and met her husband, Matthew, whom she married on August 13, 1994. They began their ministry as missionaries to Ukraine in 1995. The Hudson’s were due to return to the Ukraine on March 14, but that return was delayed when it was discovered that Catherine was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer March 7, 2012.. A Godly wife, mother and missionary, Catherine graduated to Glory on May 3, 2012.

Catherine Gwen Hudson was preceded in death by both her Maternal and Paternal Grandparents; Mr. and Mrs. Silas Harsell of Missoula, Montana, and Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Ross, Sr. of San Leandro, California.

Survived by husband of 17 years, Matthew Edward Hudson; son, Daniel Robert Hudson, age 16; daughters, Rachel Lenell Hudson, age 13, and Deborah Maelee Hudson, age 11; parents Robert A. Ross, Jr and Cathe Mae Ross; parents-in-law, Bob J. Hudson and Marilyn Lee Hudson; 8 nieces and 13 Nephews; sisters, Cynthia D. Maulsby of Cypress, Texas; Nancy A. Jackson of Sumner, Texas; Emily J. Hanson of Bradley, Illinois; and the dear members of the LIBERTY (Svoboda) BAPTIST CHURCH of Stari Petrovtsi, UKRAINE;

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS MEMORIALS MAY BE MADE TO:
Catherine Hudson Memorial Fund - UKRAINE PROJECTS, checks made payable to BIMI (Baptist International Missions, Inc.) send to P. O. Box 9215, Chattanooga, TN. 37412.

Designate: Catherine Hudson Memorial Fund - Ukraine Projects

Thank you!

Matt Hudson

The Funeral home will be updating their web site with pictures soon.
http://www.newhopefh.com/ASIMAS/newhope/obituaryDescription.jsp?domain_id=5&deceased_id=255571

Visitation and Funeral Arrangements for Catherine Hudson

Here is the visitation and funeral arrangement details from the family of Catherine Hudson.

Visitation and services for Catherine Hudson are as listed below:

*Tuesday, May 8th - visitation from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. at New Hope Funeral Home. The address is 500 E. Hwy 80, Sunnyvale, TX, 75182.

* Services will be held Wednesday, May 9th, at 10 a.m. at Open Door Baptist Church in Mesquite, Texas. The address for the church is 1212 South Beltline, Mesquite, TX, 75149.

For anyone sending flowers, please send them to the funeral home as they are responsible for transporting them to the church on Wednesday.

Thank you to each person who prayed. Many of you will be present in spirit only for the services Wednesday. Please know that all of the family deeply appreciates each prayer, note and thought that has been offered. God's grace is sufficient and it's through a lack of understanding that we are able to learn. Please continue to pray for Matt, Daniel, Rachel and Deborah. Also, Bro. and Mrs. Ross, Cindy, Nancy, Emily, and their families. As well as, Bro. and Mrs. Hudson and the rest of the family. Thank you so much!

No More Pain 5/3/2012

Dear praying friends, we share these latest updates with a heavy heart for the family of Catherine Hudson. We thank the Lord for His promise of eternal life. While we understand that Catherine is no longer experiencing pain, we weep with her family left here on this earth. May God's grace and comfort keep their hearts through the difficult time ahead.

Below is an update from Catherine's brother-in-law:

Please pray for Matt, the kids and the rest of the family as Catherine went to be with her Lord tonight. Please, be respectful to the family and consider their privacy in this situation. No plans have been made so please refrain from contacting family with any questions. We will update the group once things have been settled. Again, thank you all for your prayers! We know that Catherine is no longer suffering and is enjoying Heaven, but again ask that the emotions and privacy of family be taken into consideration.

Catherine Hudson

Below is the note from Matt Hudson, her husband:

"This evening, May 3, 2012, at 8:49 pm, Catherine Hudson went home to Heaven!
She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, daughter-in-law, aunt, friend and most of all a great Christian. Her love for her family, and friends was only exceeded by her love for the Lord Jesus. She was always concerned about others. Her life has touched so many people, and I was privileged to have been her husband for 17 and a half wonderful years. God has certainly been good!

She will be greatly missed!!! We don't pretend to understand what the Lord is doing or trying to do through this, but we are trusting Him and striving to bring glory to His name through it all. That is exactly what Catherine would want. She lived to please the Lord!

Thank you especially for praying for her during the last 2 months. We appreciate all of the thoughts and prayers relayed to us through the many e-mails and cards. I read each card to her, even as she lay the last 12 days in a coma in the ICU. You have been a blessing. Thank you!


Please pray for Daniel, Rachel and Deborah. They miss their "momma".


I will let you know of the funeral arrangements as soon as possible.


Sincerely,


Matt Hudson"