Photo of the Week

We just finished up our ninth annual VBS program yesterday. Here is a pic from one of the two days we almost got rained out but there were still a good group of kids (not all in this photo) who came out in spite of the rain and huddled under a tent to participate.

Update 2 on prayer request shared...

I apologize for the delay in updating about our young boy here in the village who was electrocuted. I have only received three updates from the family but the second one I found out just before our VBS started so I was not able to update right away.
The little guy had to have two toes from one foot amputated in addition to the surgeries when they amputated his arms. At that point, they told the Mom there would be no more surgeries. The doctors had decided to not operate on his stomach. I was also told that he kept asking his Mom where his arms were until she finally told him to ask the doctor. When the doctors told him that his arms had to be amputated the boy started crying, got angry, and refused to eat. That is when the doctor called in a psychologist and a psychotherapist to talk to him. They told the mother to treat him just as she did before the accident and not to make a handicapped person out of him, meaning not to baby him or treat him differently now that he has lost his arms. So, at that point I was told he was still in ICU but was stable.

Fast forward to yesterday, Saturday, June 11th. Our week of VBS had just ended and we made a quick stop at our house to unload all the tables and equipment from the day's activities. then quickly jumped back into the car to make visits to the kids who come to Sunday school but were not at VBS that day. We stopped by this little boy's cousin's house as we do every Saturday to see if he had returned from visiting his Dad in the city yet. While there I thought I would ask the SS boy's Mom (the victim of the accident's Mom) if there were any changes in his condition. She told me the doctors ended up amputating yet a third toe from the one foot, as well as, more of his one arm that was initially amputated to the elbow. Now, he has completely lost both arms and they even had to remove more tissue above the shoulder joint from what the aunt said. She said that the skin cells are dying and the damage is more than it was previously. This just broke my heart. I can not be sure I was getting completely clear information from the aunt but still, the fact remains that now he has no arms at all. It seems to me that he is not as stable if they are saying the tissue is still dying and they had to remove more.
The aunt said she wanted to wait until they put him into a regular room and then she asked if we could go to the hospital together so that we could take him some healthy food and snacks. I wanted to visit him as well, but, we all have been waiting to avoid having to go into the ICU one at a time so that we can visit with him and his mother. We will be sure to update if we hear more news or are able to visit him.

Update (1) on prayer request shared...

First of all, we want to thank you for your prayers for the little ten year old boy who was electrocuted here in our village. We are grateful that yesterday (Sunday) we were able to talk some more with his aunt (the mother of the little boy's cousin. Saturday evening she was able to go to the hospital to at least talk directly with the mother of the little boy. She told her that the doctors said that, as far as internal organs, it is his liver that suffered the most damage. His stomach was also damaged but not as badly. They also decided that on Monday they were going to have to do another surgery to amputate his other arm. One arm was damaged all the way up to the shoulder and the second one up to the elbow we believe. He is awake, able to talk, and is asking for food. As of Saturday he did not understand that his arm had been amputated. He was asking his Mom why he could move his one arm but not the other. The mother is staying in the hallway at the hospital. We pray we can go and see her but we are not sure if they will let us in at this point.
Dee was able to again witness to the aunt as she picked up her son (the patient's cousin) for Sunday school. She agreed that it is a miracle that the little guy lived through this tragedy. She agreed that they will talk further about her salvation. She told Dee that she was walking around in a fog right now and though she understands what Dee said to her about her need of a Savior not only to help her through such dark days but every day, she said she was only able to think about what is happening in their family right now. We pray the Lord is truly working in her heart and that God will use this in others' hearts to turn them to Him.
The family found out that it was 10,000 volts going through those lines. Evidently the shock did throw him off which when we are dealing with 10,00 volts it should not have happened that way. He shouldn't have been able to pull away. But, the electricians said that the roof of the station must have been wet or his feet must have been wet. We had just had strong rains and therefore he would have walked through damp grass just before this incident happened. They told the family that one of these variants caused it to throw him off and not hold him to the contacts. Therefore, he suffered injury and was not killed.

Thank you for your continued prayers for this family. We have shared with them that people around the world are praying. We will continue to provide you with updates as we learn of them.

Please pray...

Sunday school children during craft time

Praying friends we have an important prayer request that we were just made aware of today. We are not going to use names here on the blog, but please be in prayer for this family.
While we were out on visitation, we made a stop by one of Dee's Sunday school student's houses as we do every Saturday. As Dee was leaving the house, the mother stopped her and shared that they "had news". She then started to tremble as she shared with Dee that yesterday (Friday) while her son, his cousin, and another friend were out playing that the cousin climbed up onto a electrical "station" located in our village and grabbed two of the "connectors" and was electrocuted. She said that she was out working in the garden when her son and the friend came running to her with tears in their eyes explaining that he was "shocked to death". The mother (the victim's aunt) and a neighbor took off running to the place and found his body still clinging to the "connections". The mother called for an ambulance and, thankfully, a police car drove by about that time and the mother was able to flag them down. Amazingly, the men who tend that station were not too far away and they were able to turn off the power to the station fairly quickly. The mother of the boy who attends Sunday school mentioned that her nephew was moving as they turned off the power. The men argued with her that it was not possible. Once again she noticed that he moved. Once the power was turned off she started calling out his name to him and he answered! Amazingly he even answered a question for her.
He is currently at the burn center hospital here in the city. Doctors performed a surgery on him yesterday evening and today they had to amputate one of his arms. The aunt told Dee that they have checked his internal organs and told the family that for sure his liver was severely burned. Most of the time, the doctors don't give the family much information so we are not sure as to what degree of damage his body and organs suffered at this point. They have allowed the mother to see him off and on. She is sitting out in the hallway trying to get more information out of the doctors each chance she sees them.
Sadly, this little ten year old boy was never allowed to come to Sunday school. His sister was allowed to attend some years ago. His mother, even though she is related to the aunt, has heard too many rumors about Baptists from the "older days" and therefore, stopped the daughter from coming and never allowed the son to attend. He has wanted to attend so badly. Today, as we have prayed for him, we remembered all those times and it just breaks our hearts. The whole family is not saved. Dee has witnessed to the aunt (the mother of the boy who attends SS) for years. We would like to ask you to please pray for this boy and all of his family that the Lord would be glorified in this tragedy. Pray God could use this to further His kingdom and for us to be a testimony and a help to the family. We so want to use this opportunity to clearly show them Christ's love.

Photo of the Week

"But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 19:14 

Vacation Bible School 2013 Daily Themes

We are sharing another VBS theme with you from, what I believe, was one of our favorite (if the kids could vote) VBS themes from 2013. I had been looking over different ways to incorporate science experiments into our VBS program as a way to really get the kids' attention and help them "see" the Bible lessons we are trying to teach them. Using these Bible stories along with the experiments from Mad About Jesus, was a great success! These experiments are a lot of work to gather and prepare for each day but they add so much to your program and the looks on the kids' faces definitely are only one reason they are more than worth it!

Theme for the Week: Laboratory of Fun

Goal: To use science experiments as visual reinforcement to the daily Bible lessons.

First you will need a Professor to do the daily experiments.

We asked a lady who attended our services if she would be our Professor and perform the science experiments each day. Please meet "Mrs.'Pipetkina' - (taken from the word 'pipette') 

It was a great experience for her to help out and gain this experience. She and I spent much time together praying for each lesson as we gathered together daily over several days to translate the experiments into Russian. Each day I stood by her to help in case she needed something and to hold up verses which we had printed out that went along with the experiment.

Day 1: Theme: Sin separates us from God but by accepting Him as our personal Savior we can receive forgiveness of our sins. 

Story: Samaritan woman at the well

Verses: John 4:1-30, 39-42

Science Experiment:  - Object Lesson 1: "One Sin"

Day 2: Theme: We are saved by faith, not our good works.

Story: Pharisee and the Publican 

Verses: Luke 18:9-14

Science Experiment: Object Lesson 8: "Only the Penitent Man Shall Pass"

Day 3: Theme: Through Christ we can do all things.

Story: Peter walks on the water

Verses: Matthew 14:22-33

Science Experiment: Object Lesson 12: "Leap of Faith"

 THIS was a lot of work but a HUGE hit with the kids!

Even some of the adults wanted to "walk on the water".

Day 4: Theme:He will strengthen us if we ask Him in prayer.

Story: David and Goliath

Verses: I Kings 17

Science Experiment: Object Lesson 2: "Even Little People Can Do Big Things"

NO PHOTOGRAPHER MEANS NO PICTURES FROM DAY FOUR. (Insert sad face)

But, I will take this time to show you an amazing photo booth another missionary painted for our special VBS week. Isn't it awesome!?

Day 5: Theme: Christ died for us because He loves us.

Story: Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch - 

Verses: Acts 8:26-40

Science Experiment: Object Lesson 11a: "Nothing Gold Can Stay"

 This was the greatest object lesson of the week which made it perfect for the final day's experiment. A great illustration that had passersby stopping to watch to see what happened.

We pray this post is a  help and encouragement to you as you prepare for upcoming VBS programs in your area of the world. We would love to hear from you if you use any of these ideas.

Vacation Bible School 2014 Daily Themes

I have so much I want to write about using Vacation Bible School as an outreach ministry on your field of service, whether it be in the States or on the foreign field. I truly believe that as a result of the prayer, sweat, and tears we have put into this part of our ministry, God has blessed and allowed us to see the fruit we have seen during our time here in Russia. I love VBS programs and organizing them can be lots of fun. One major challenge in the planning is figuring out what your theme and lessons will be. It often seems like that is the part of VBS planning that I spend the most time on. Not all ideas you find online will work on every field so most of our themes and lesson plans are developed by us in order to best fit the spiritual needs of the children to whom we minster. Once the theme has been chosen and the daily lessons developed, the rest seems to flow together more smoothly.
I would like to begin sharing our VBS themes/ideas in hopes that it would inspire someone else to be able to put these themes to use in their churches/ministries and see fruit that will remain as a result!

Theme for the Week: Tis' So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

Idea: To have a daily sweet treat to give away at the end of the program.
Goal: To help the children learn more about Jesus and His saving power and grace.

Day 1: Theme: Jesus is the only foundation on which we can build our lives.
Story: Wise Man and Foolish Man
Verses: Matthew 7:24-29
Sweet Treat: 

I don't have a good photo of the kids eating their sweet treat of cotton candy on Monday but you can see the little buckets of cotton candy here in our stack of supplies to take for the first day of VBS.

For each day, our talented daughter made signs which we hung on the registration tables each day so the kids could see what the "sweet treat" was for that day of VBS.


Day 2: Jesus has the power to give sight.
Story: Blind Bartimaeus
Verses: Mark 10:46-52
Sweet Treat:

Chocolate bars!

Day 3: Jesus has the power to give life.
Story: Lazarus
Verses: John 11:1-44
Sweet Treat:

Cupcakes, glorious cupcakes!

I can not tell you how much mileage we get out of cupcakes! My SS kids LOVE my cupcakes!



Day 4: Jesus has the power to forgive sin.
Story: Man with palsy let down through the roof.
Verses: Mark 2:1-12
Sweet Treat:

Bubble Gum!

Day 5: Jesus is the ONLY way to Heaven!
Story: Wide and Narrow Gate
Verses: Matthew 7:13-14, 21-23
Sweet Treat:

Ice cream! It sure was a hot enough day for ice cream! A perfect treat!

 I have yet to post the daily photos from VBS 2014 and plan to do that to give you an even better idea of how the week went. So, watch for those photos coming soon!

Warm and Toasty!

In this post I wanted to update you all about the need we had for a newer and updated heating system in the old house we used to live in which we now use for Sunday school classes. We asked you all to pray for the Lord to provide this need.

We are happy to report that the following month our regular support was enough for us to be able to take care of this need! We were very grateful for your prayers as we were able to purchase all of the necessary items to put together the heating system and get it up and running within a week or two.

As the process began, it was quite the mess!

Eventually, we were able to clear out the area where the old stove stood and move the stove we had first purchased to heat our new house into it's place. We plan on painting the bricks to make the are look more finished. But, just getting to this point and removing all the old bricks was a giant step completed!

For those of you who might be curious, we then go to a store like this one pictured below where they sell lots and lots of parts to piece together a radiator system which will carry heated fluid from the stove all throughout the house. 

This system will be similar to the heating system in our new house but, only much less complicated.

A trip to this store with my hubby always makes me proud of my husband as he knows exactly what he needs and is able to express himself to the store clerks. When you are ready to "order" your items, they scan the product numbers and send those numbers on to the warehouse where you pick them up once you have paid for them.

My husband choosing the parts we need to build the heating system.

So, once you have made your purchases, you take it all home and feel like a kid again with a new Lego set.

Finally, you are ready to put the pieces together.

This is the emergency air pressure release tank (red), gauges, and electric pump
to pump the fluid through the pipes (green).

We put in four radiators under four windows at this point. We might add one more at a later time.

(Please forgive the torn wallpaper in the pics which had to be removed in order to remove mold damage after we moved out of the house and before we started using it for our Sunday school ministry.)

This is the main room of the house where we hold SS classes.

As you can see, wallpaper is pretty close to the top of the "to do" list for the old house!

Once the pipes were all connected, the radiators prepared and connected to the pipes, and the system was checked for leaks, we were ready for a Sunday morning!

Thank you for praying! 

All is working well and the kids are very thankful for a warmer place to gather and learn about God's Word!

A Reason to Celebrate

Today, November 2nd, 2014 is a special day for our family as it marks 15 years of serving the Lord on the mission field of Siberia, Russia. It is truly hard to believe we have been here for that long!

I put together this slide show to share with you many of the blessings we have witnessed over the years. 

God is GOOD!

We would like to express our sincere appreciate to those of you who have prayed, given, encouraged, and loved us along the way. 

We truly could not have stayed here this long without you holding the ropes for us!

We look forward to many more years and many more blessings. 

We have so many dreams, hopes, and wishes that we beg God to allow us to see come to fruition here in Siberia. 

Please pray for us as we continue on in His name.

VBS 2014 Review video!

We are so thankful that this year, James and Amber Pranger were able to come out to help us with VBS. Amber worked diligently to complete a video by the last day of VBS so that I could easily show the highlights from the week to our friends and family. We hope you enjoy this video as much as we did!

To all of you who prayed for God to bless the week, thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Please continue praying with us for each of the children who were in attendance this week. We know God's word will not return void and are excited to see God use the lessons taught to bring more people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ!

Vacation Bible School Posts

I just wanted to let our blog readers know that we have recently been asked to guest post some specifics regarding how to plan a Vacation Bible School program on the mission field for the Baptist Missionary Women blog.

Here are the links to each post for those who may be interested in reading more about planning a VBS program:

1. Scheduling a VBS program - written Feb. 27th, 2013

2. Getting it All on Paper - written March 6th, 2013

3.  Tips for Inviting Children and to Keep Them Coming Back - written March 13th, 2013

4.  Using a Point System - written March 20th, 2013


You can also find great recipes, craft ideas, and even funny missionary stories on the Baptist Missionary Women blog. Stop by and take a look at this great resource managed by a missionary lady and contributed to by other missionary ladies from around the globe!

VBS 2012 - Day 1

Well, I have been completely MIA on the blog scene for the past month and the reason why is that great and exciting time of the year called Vacation Bible School! You can begin thinking and planning months in advance and the planning still increases in intensity the few months before you schedule the big event! I plan on going into more detail on another blog where I guest post from time to time called, Baptist Missionary Women, so you will soon be able to read all about the behind the scenes work that goes on in the weeks leading up to VBS if that part of it all is something you need to know more about or are interested in. But, for now, I want to share with you the fun part...photos of the children having a blast and learning more about God and His free gift of salvation. That is the best part of it all!

This year an Olympic theme was chosen with plans to reward the children with gold, silver, and bronze medals for the team with the most points at the end of the week, as well as, individual medals for Bible verse memorization and to the child who brought the most guests during the week.

We shared the theme with the children in Sunday school weeks ahead of time and encouraged them to invite their friends and be prepared for a fun week!

Posters were printed and hung throughout the village.

Invitations with the dates and permission slips printed on the back
were handed out to parents and children.

We were thankful for several missionaries from the Krasnoyarsk Baptist Church who came out to help with VBS this year. They held VBS in the city at the church last week, they were with us this week, and they plan on helping with VBS in two other villages (where ministries already exist) in the coming weeks. We have noticed a difference in how the children behave when there are more people and especially more men present during the lesson and game times. Even if the adults are not able to speak Russian well or even at all, their presence is definitely a benefit. In addition, this summer two college students were visiting missionaries from the city and they also came out to help in whatever capacity needed.

Matt and Hannah (visiting college students) helping to prepare decorations.

During the first 30-45 minutes of each day we begin VBS with registration time.

This time allows us to listen to the verses the children have memorized and record their attendance and participation in order to tabulate their points earned.

Registration of children.

One of the missionary ladies from KBC, Nancy, is my right hand help with this registration. This year was even more involved since we awarded the children with medals for Bible verse memorization and guests invited. Registration and point tabulation is a very time consuming task but it helps us keep things fair and recorded so that the children can use their points at the end of the week to spend in the "store" to buy toys and other items as a reward. They love this part of VBS and look forward to it each year!

Nancy and I discussing permission slips as the children gather each morning.

This year we were also privileged to have Ryslan, a Ukrainian man who works with youth camps and VBS programs each year be a part of our VBS program and teach the daily Bible lessons. Ryslan often flies into Krasnoyarsk during the summer months to help out with the summer ministries here in Siberia. David usually teaches the older children and I teach the younger children but this year all days but one Ryslan was a great help in teaching the entire group. This allowed me to be able to watch the smaller, toddler children so their siblings could be in the classes. Almost every year we have several older children who must come to VBS with their younger siblings in tow since the parents are at work or in the city.

This first day of VBS was so windy we had a difficult time keeping everything in it's place!

Once the Bible lesson is complete, Nancy does a great job of playing a review game with the children to check how well they listened during the lesson and to allow them another chance to earn points for their teams.

During the review game, the two college students helped set up Kool-Aid and snacks for the children to enjoy. For this first day, a lady from KBC who works in a cafeteria was so kind to prepare special muffins for the children's snack.

Girls first!

Boy's turn!

Once the snacks have been swallowed it was off to the relay races! Katie Northcutt, a missionary wife, was so kind to be the photographer for the week. She was able to get some great shots all throughout the week. Seeing these huge smiles on the children's faces is such a blessing!

The race is on!

Timothy (our son) running the three-legged race with his friend, Sasha.

Determination!

Some of us just needed a little help!

Pop the balloon relay.

Run to the end of the line.

Sit on the balloon to pop it.

Get back up and run back to the others!

Balloon between the heads relay!

Then, last but not least...tug of war!

Then the adults jump in to help for another round!

Left side ready!

Right side ready!

Victory for the left side!

First day done, the workers returned to our house for lunch. 

Everyone drove home to rest up for the next day! 

(I unfortunately had to go the dentist for a root canal! 

Something is just not fair about that!)