Happy Thanksgiving!

Just wanted to say HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all of the Youth of Ukraine supporters and prayer warriors out there! I am SO thankful for each and every one of you! God gave us the ability to be thankful not only to eachother but also to Him. I pray that we all remember Who to truly thank this Thanksgiving season. I realize that Americans are the only ones who celebrate Thanksgiving...but we should all be thankful all of the time...not just on Thanksgiving. I think it is wonderful to have a holiday to remind us, and to help us celebrate...but sadly, why do we NEED a holiday to remind us? We should remember to be thankful all the time. And always to God. Without Him, there would be no turkeys! Without Him, there would have been no Mayflower to bring the Pilgrims over. Without Him, there would have been no Indians for the Pilgrims to meet. You get my point. It all stems back to the One and only true Living God. So while you are busy preparing your meals, eating your meals, thanking your family, watching football (YIPPEE), and falling asleep from the sedative effect that turkey has....don't forget to thank your Heavenly Father, who created all things!! Just a reminder that we all need sometimes! I know I need reminders! We are only human!

Give your loved ones extra hugs and kisses tomorrow!! Enjoy the football...oh...and the turkey and time with friends and family! I guess you know what I am looking forward too!!!

The Future of Youth of Ukraine

Dear Youth of Ukraine supporters,

It pains us to have to tell you that through prayer and much thought and sought after advice, we are going to need to close Youth of Ukraine the ministry. It is not what we wanted, nor what Julia and Sergey wanted, but due to personal problems that the Yaravoy’s are having, we have deemed it fit to close the ministry indefinitely. Without divulging too much information, Julia and Sergey have decided to end their marriage. We are deeply saddened by this, as are they, but due to the feelings that we have and that we feel God has about divorce, we just couldn’t morally keep it open at this time. To my knowledge, the Yaravoy’s are individually seeking professional counseling in hopes to heal their own wounds. If you would like to continue supporting Julia in her work with the orphans, whether it be through English lessons or whatnot, you may still do so, you just will not be able to do it through Youth of Ukraine anymore. Julia will be in contact with her English tutoring supporters regarding payment options. If you are currently not involved with English lessons but would still like to continue supporting Julia, please contact me and I will get you in contact with Julia. I will be closing the Youth of Ukraine account as of December 1st, so if you have money to send to me regardless of the reasons, English lessons, general donation, etc, you can still do so UP UNTIL December 1st, 2009. Our prayer is that you and Julia will have worked something else out by that time. In the past she has used Western Union…however, they charge quite a bit more per transaction…if that is the route you choose, you may need to up your donation by a few dollars to offset the cost for her to receive the money. That is just an idea. We will let you and Julia work that out. We will also be sending each of you a statement after December 1st showing all of the donations you have made for tax purposes.

Thank you so much for your support through the last 3 years of this ministry. We are very sad to see it go, but it is just not in God’s timing right now. He is great and good, He knows what is going on and He will reconcile it one way or another.

If you have any questions or comments what so ever, please feel free to e-mail us. I will be posting this information on the website as well prior to closing it down. Again, I will continue to keep the website open until December 1st.

Finally, please keep the Yaravoy’s in your prayers. Satan has attacked their marriage just like it said would happen in the bible. They are both godly people bringing God to orphans and because of that they are being attacked, please be in prayer for them.

Blessings to all of you,

Jeff and Tonya Filleman

Inter-Varsity

This week the Inter-Varsity students got together to start the school year of their ministry. It was a great time of fellowship, praise, prayer and fun. I was invited to lead worship there and it was the first time I had a chance to lead worship at a bigger event than the home Bible group. I was a bit nervous at first but the guys were really encouraging and I was able to do it fine! I am thankful to God for this ministry to students, one older girl from the orphanage went there with me and this is great when kids from the orphanage can go to such events and learn more about God and meet fine christian young people to become friends with.

Bible Verse

The Bible Verse on the photo below didn't come out very well. Here are the verses, from 1 Peter 4:8-11

8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

FRUIT of the spirit!

This summer I had a special opportunity to serve Jesus. The girls who came for a Bible study and for English lessons shared that at the summer camp they don't get any fruit (they weren't complaining, I asked them myself). So, God put it on my heart to always buy them some type of fruit every time they came over and buy enough to eat as much as they want. So I did and want to thank the donors of our ministry who made this possible. For me this is an example of how the Body of Christ can manifest the grace of God in all kinds of ways. The girls said that it made their summer special to try every kind of fruit possible this summer, unfortunately usually this doesn't happen for the kids from the orphanage because they cannot buy it. I just thought that it is amazing how God can show His grace in any way He wants. Praise God for fruits!

Julia's sister, Katya

I wanted to say special thank you to my sister. She is running a small clothes shop and from time to time gives things to the girls from the orphanage free of charge. It includes underwear, shorts and T-shirts. I want to thank her for all the things she ever gave to the ministry and for her sincere interest in the girls. She always wants to know how they are doing and asks me many questions about them. Her name is Katya, she is 22 years old.

my sister with her doggie

First day of School...ringing the bell!

This picture goes with the story of the first day of school that I spoke about two posts ago! Isn't that interesting how cultures are so different!? I think it is so cool!!!!

Safety in the arms of Jesus

As I got together with one of the girls from the orphanage last week and talked over a cup of coffee. I heard a heart breaking story about her family and life before she came to the orphanage. Her mother was often beaten severely by her dad and her mother was beating her grandfather. Her grandfather was the only safe person in her life since other members of the family were alchoholics. Her life was filled with beating, unsafety and pain. One time her mother simply walked away from the house saying that she will never return to that hell. Her grandfather died after months of beating from his son in law. She was sent to the orphanage and said that it was a safe and stable place for her compared to her home.

As we talked and she literally cried on my shoulder I had a chance to share these words of God with her: Luke 4:18-20 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him."

Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted and kids without parents are definitely on His heart and mind. As I shared these words with the girl I sensed the strong presence of the Holy Spirit. He was there to calm her pain with these words. The word of God always bears fruit and healing of the hearts of His people is one of them . God is almighty so He can heal any wound. I also shared these words with her: Jeremiah 29:11-13 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."

No matter what people might do to us, it can never ruin God's perfect plan for your life.

First day of School in Odessa

School year here starts on the 1st of September (it is officially called "Tha Day of knowledge").On the first of Sebtember it feels strange not to go to school even though I am already 30 years old:) Everyone seems to be going to school. Kids wear white tops and dark skirts or pants and have flowers to give to their teachers. At every school the kids and the teachers line up in front of the school building and a boy from 11th (last) grade carries a girl from the 1st grade on his shoulder and she rings a school bell. Usually they are the most handsome and strong boy and the cuttest and tiny girl.

Alternatives to Violence

Last week I had great time and experience doing training with the kids from Odessa area orphanages and schools on a team of the "Alternatives to Violence" project. All this summer I have been attending their trainings and learned a lot. This time we worked with the kids and it was absolutely wonderful. I am looking forward to more tranings with the kids that we will have this fall and will keep you informed.

God truly DOES provide!!!

At our last Bible study we celebrated Ira's birthday. It was a fun time together filled with laughter, jokes and love. We gave our gifts, had birthday cake and played board games. We prayed for Ira to have a great new year of her life.
One of the cool things was that Michelle left a birthday gift for Ira with me before she left for the States. When I saw Ira she was barefoot and had her slippers in her hand. She broke one of them on the way to the Bible group. When she opened a birthday present from Michelle guess what was there? You are right! A pair of nice new slippes! Thank you Michelle, thank You God for taking care of us even in small things like slippers exactly at the moment we need it!

Julia's Recent Training

This last week I completed a three days course on how to be a facilitator in the program “Against violence”. This program is not Christian in a way our organization is but it uses Christian morals to teach kids to resolve coflicts, to deal with own emotions, build healthy relationships and set life goals. The people who taught us (this is my third training this summer) are all professional facilitators who travel all over Ukraine and organize trainings for the teenagers and for the people who work with teenagers. I believe that all truth is God's truth wherever it might be found and this effective program (it has been used for about 70 years) can be used to explain to kids Christian values using different games, interactive exercises and discussions.

As I have been in the ministry working with youth and kids for a number of years I gained some experience in being a facilitator, still I realize that I have a lot to learn and a long way to go to become all God wants me to be in this area, I am very thankful for this opportunity to learn and sharpen my skills in the area of facilitating.

The next step I will take with this program is going to the orphanage in the Odessa area to have a training with the kids there. I am really looking forward to that. It should happen this month. I enjoyed becoming a part of a great team and pray for effective work and cooperation with this organization in the future.

Please pray that as I am involved in this work I would use every opportunity to glorify God by sharing the gospel with the people on the team and with the kids in my personal encounters with them.

These are someof the characteristics of an effective facilitator that I wanted to share with you:

A facilitator is, someone who is skilled at helping everyone in a group express their leadership qualities. They help things go smoothly without imposing their own ideas upon everyone else. Negotiators are skilled facilitators.

Effective facilitators are adaptive. They modify their small-group activities along critical tensions.

Effective facilitators are proactive. Before using a small-group activity, they modify it on the basis of the characteristics of the participants and the purpose of the activity.

Effective facilitators are responsive. They make modifications during the small-group activity to keep the different tensions within acceptable ranges.

Effective facilitators are resilient. They accept whatever happens during the small-group activity as valuable data and smoothly continue with the activity.

Effective facilitators are flexible. They modify their small-group activities before and during the training.

July Donations

Thanks to our wonderful July Donors!! We are SO very thankful for you and for what you do! I was recently to a Leadership conference here in Omaha, and I was reminded of what Jesus said, "What you have done for the least of these, you have done for me." Wow!! That just blows me away! So, what you are doing for these orphans in Odessa, Ukraine, you are doing for Jesus!! Isn't that incredible!!! Jesus is saying to all of you, "Well done, good and faithful servant!"

Rick and Mary Coates

Ken and Vera Gustafson

Edward Push

Les Stutzman

Russel and Donna Rediger ( a big thank you...$800 donation!)

What's on your mind?

I just wanted to share what has been on my mind this summer. I love spending time with younger girls – listening to them, praying with them and just hanging out with them. Two of the girls I have been meeting with regulary this summer are both 16 years old from the orphanage. Both of them started dating for the first time in their lives this summer and they were sharing all about it with me. As we sat at a cafe or at my place or at the park talking numerous times this summer, as we prayed together,as they called me and shared on the phone I thought that it has been a great priviledge and responsibility for me to be the person they turn to for advice and feedback. I also felt sad at times because every girl should have a mom to talk to about their boyfriends and other things in life.....I felt a strong sense of God's presence during these talks because God wants to fill every empty place in the lives of His children with His love. Emptiness in the lives of these kids and teenagers is great. They dont have a father to give them a hug and take them for lunch, they dont have mother to listen to them and fix them a cup of tea, they dont have grandparents to spoil them. Still God's desire is to lavish His love on them abundantly and He does it through people whose hearts belong to Him. He can do it through you as well. There are many ways to minister to these kids if your heart's desire is to serve them, just pray and God will show you His way.

Ministry Update from Tonya

Hi all! This is Tonya! I thought I would write a quick update on how things are going with Youth of Ukraine. Things on Julia and Sergey's end are going great to our knowledge! I am SO proud of all that they have done and are doing! They have great big ole' crowns waiting for them in heaven some day with all kinds of rare stones all over them!! :-) The work they are doing is making a big difference in the lives of A LOT of kids!!! I get chills just thinking about what they are doing.

On this end, we are still very small...I read a quote the other day. I honestly don't remember where it came from. Just know...it is not my quote, but I am going to borrow it.

"When the idea isn't right, God will say NO. When the timing isn't right God says SLOW. When everything is right God will say GO; because I have created you to love and share the meaning of love to each and everyone "

This quote made me feel better. I don't think the idea is wrong...so I don't think God is saying no...but the timing isn't right perhaps, and that is why God is saying slow. OR...now IS the time...but maybe I am not being obedient in getting the ministry into other people's hearts and minds. Either way, we are going slow...but WE ARE growing...it just is still a bit of a struggle to get everything that Julia and Sergey need on a month to month basis. My dream is that we have around $800-$1000 a month for them...we average about $400 a month...sometimes more...sometimes less. So we have a ways to go in our support...but we will get there. I ask that all of you spread the word of Youth of Ukraine to your family and friends. See if this is something that they might consider supporting. Julia and Sergey are doing wonderful things...and I can only imagine what they could do if they had even more resources at their disposal. Thanks for listening!!! We are SO thankful for each and every one of you for the support you give whether it be financial support or prayer support. All support is SO appreciated!!!

Hope you are having a wonderful day!!

Blessings to you and yours!

Tonya

Small Group Time

These are the pictures of us - the small group girls. We are visiting the only boy from our small group who invited us to his place for a little board games party. We had a great time together. It was so great and fun that we decided to have the day of board games again!

and board games party......

Repentance

Last week our small group that meets this summer got together to share about the creative things that we like to do. We called it our "small talent show". One of the girls in our group has become a Christian this last September and she made a little video about her feelings then. She combined one of her favorite cartoons and a song. I hope you enjoy it too. Be sure to pause the music at the bottom of the page before listening to the video.

Special Donor

I wrote in the previous update that I (Julia) started to learn tp play the guitar to be able to lead worship with the kids we minister to. To play the electric guitar in public I needed the guitar amplifier (a special thing to connect a guitar to so you can play). The one I needed costs 146$. I want to thank a very specal donor - my mother Valentina who gave the whole sum to buy it. We have already sang a couple of times with the girls and this week are going to have worship at the weekly Bible study.

June Donations

The Filleman's are home!!! We had a great time and we are all nice and tan...or burnt. The really white folks in our family (Jeff and Cam) are burnt. The more olive skined people (me, Major, Jake and MaKenna) are nice and tan!!

Thanks to our June Donors!!!

Rick and Mary Coates
Ken and Vera Gustafson
Edward Push
Les Stutzman

We couldn't do it without you guys!!! Thanks SO much!!!

On Vacation

Hi all!! The Filleman's will be on a vacation for 2 weeks! Continue to send your donations...my dad will be retrieving our mail for us, so don't worry about that. But, I just wanted to let you guys know if you call or e-mail with questions or concerns, we will not be able to answer right away. We will be on a boat at Lake Powell, Arizona/Utah. We will have a laptop, but chances are we won't be able to access the internet. Have a great 4th of July holiday!

Blessings to all!!!

In Him, The Fillemans

His heirs!

"We are God's children. That means we are His heirs! (see Romans 8:16-17)........a girl in Christ is a real princess because she is a daughter of a real King. If a King has adopted you as a daughter, then as a princess you are His heir and will receive an inheritance - a mansion in His eternal palace!"

BRIO
I just wanted to thank Tonya for the subscription to the BRIO magazine for the last two years. This a quote from an article that we have just read with one of the girls from the orphanage. She is also my English student so we read it in English. It is a great priviledge from God to see His children grow in His love. As Ira read it she exclaimed: "I see that I am very special to God! I am His daughter"

Friends and Partners of the Ministry

Dear friends and partners of the ministry,

I wanted to share with you what we have read and talked about at our last Bible study. I hope and pray that it will be as strong encouragement for you as it was for us. May God bless you and show you His Fatherly love in a special way today!

A Love Letter from Our Heavenly Father
by One Vike

When asked by His disciples to teach them how to pray as the John's disciples prayed, Jesus gave them this prayer as a model. Luke 11:1-2 “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.” Matthew 6:9-13

When you read the Bible, you are not just reading one book, instead you are reading a compilation of sixty six books. I like to think of them as sixty six love letters from the lover of our soul, our Father in heaven. On this Fathers Day, I would like to present a love letter, from our heavenly Father to us.

My child, you may not know who I am, but I know everything about you. I know when you sit down and when you rise up, and what you are thinking. I am familiar with all your words and your ways, Psalm 139:1-4 I even know how many hairs are upon your head. Matthew 10:29-31 For you were made in My image, Genesis 1:27 and in Me you live, move and have your being. You are My offspring Acts 17:28 whom I knew before you were even conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5 Do not think that you were a mistake or made by chance, because I personally knitted you together in your mother's womb so that you would be fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:13-16 On the day of your birth when I brought you forth, Psalm 71:6 I not only knew the exact time of your birth and where you will live, Acts 17:26 but I also know when you will die. Job 14:5 & Ecclesiastes 3:1

Those who do not know Me have misrepresented Me, John 8:41-44 but let Me assure you that I am neither distant nor angry. Fact is, I am the complete expression of love, 1 John 4:16 and it is My desire to bestow My love upon you. I do this simply because you are My child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1 And because I am perfect, Matthew 5:48 I can offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11

I am the One who provides all your needs, Matthew 6:31-33 all the good gifts that you receive come from My hand. James 1:17 My plan for your future has always been filled with hope, Jeremiah 29:11 because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3 My thoughts toward you are countless as the sands on the seashore, Psalms 139:17-18 and I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 While showing you great and marvelous things Jeremiah 33:3 I will never cease from doing good to you, Jeremiah 32:40 because you are My treasured possession. Exodus 19:5 If you seek Me with all your heart, you will find Me. Deuteronomy 4:29 Delight in Me and I will give you the desires of your heart, Psalm 37:4 because it is I who gave those desires to you. Philippians 2:13 I am your greatest encourager 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 and I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18 Like a shepherd who carries a lamb, I will carry you during your times of frailty and hold you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11 Then one day soon, I will wipe away every tear from your eyes Revelation 21:3-4 and take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4 As I said, I am your Father, and I love you even as I love My own Son Jesus, John 17:23 in whom My love for you is revealed. John 17:26
You see, My Son is the exact representation of My being, Hebrews 1:3 and He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31 He also assured you that if you believe in Him I will not count your sins against you. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 because He would pay the price for all the people. John 1:49-51 My child, I love you so much that I do not wish to condemn you but instead I gave My only Son for you, John 3:16-17 so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 His death is sufficient to cover all your sins, 1 John 4:10 and if you accept, and receive My Son, then you shall also receive Me. 1 John 2:23

It is my promise that nothing will ever separate you from My love again, Romans 8:38-39 and that the good work I began in you, I will perform it until the day My Son returns. So come home to Me now, and I will throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7 I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15 My question to you is, “Will you be My child?” John 1:12-13 Come, I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

I pray that those who have ears to hear will hear His voice and call upon the name of the lord Jesus Christ. Amen

Update from Julia

I (Julia) am very blessed to have a chance to continue my participation in the trainings where they teach how to work with the tenagers in the risk group. This past weekend (20th and 21st of June) I completed a second level of the training and was invited to get a training to be a trainer myself. After I complete a third level of that training I will be able to be in a team that works with people who work with teenagers of the risk group. The themes of this last training were: how to help teenagers deal with anger and agression; how to help parents build relationships with the teenagers who are in the risk groups; how to help teenagers manage their lives, set and achieve life goals. I am very thankful to this program because all the things they teach are very useful and practical in our work with the teens and youth.

Bible Study and picture

At the last Bible study that we had I was really impressed by the openness of the young people who came, they openly shared about their feelings and lives and were at ease with each other. We actually spent 4 hours together talking, drinking lots of tea and reading the Bible. I am thankful for the work of the Holy Spirit among us, Who brings us closer together. No technique or psychology can do it so well! Praise God!

Here is a picture from the last training that Julia attended:

Eyes Wide Open...a book by Jud Wilhite

Recently I was given the opportunity to read and review a book. It was an extraordinary book! I am so happy I got to read it. For the entire review and links to purchase the book go to www.nebraskafillemans.blogspot.com. Anyway, in one chapter he spoke of us all being priests. The Bible tells us that each of us is a priest as a Christian. In Revelation, John wrote "He has bade us a KINGDOM OF PRIESTS for God his Father." Whether you work at a hotel, manage a bookstore, stock shelves at a supermarket, lead a law firm, manage a medical practice, whatever...the same this is true. If you're a Christ follower, then you're a priest. As you realize this, your life will take on new meaning. A simple task at work is suddenly infused with purpose becasue you are representing God in all you do. A conversation takes on greater depth becasue you understand your role in helping to reconcile others to God.

We are ALL priests if we are a Christian, and we should always act like that. People are watching us...seeing what the "Christian's" will do...seeing how we will handle situations, etc. We need to be sure to handle everything in a Christ like manner. We are more than just children of God, we are representing His great Kingdom.

Thank you Julia and Sergey for going out daily and sharing the Good News! You are such a blessing!

Training Seminar

"There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven...." Ecc.3:1

On the 6th and 7th of June I (Julia) attended a training seminar on how to work with teenagers in the risk group. I was invited because of the ministry with the orphan kids. The training was designed to teach how to train the kids to build healthy relationships with others, how to express your feelings in a constructive way, how to understand your own feelings. It talked a lot about how to teach the kids to respect themselves and others around them. We learned many useful exercises and games that we can use in our communication with the kids, in our visits to the orphanages and at the Bible group that we have at our place. I am very blessed that I was able to attend that training and I feel like the last several weeks were filled with many opportunities from God to learn new skills that can be used in our work with the youth and teenagers. There is a time for everything - time to learn as well.....This Saturday I am going to use several exercises and games at our group to talk about the importance of the words we say every day.

Alina's Birthday!

At the last Bible study we had a great time together: played games, had great fellowship and celebrated Alina's birthday. She was very happy to have a little party, she said it was the only celebration she had this year for her birthday and was very ecxited about it. Please continue to pray for us to have a good time together on Saturdays as we study the Bible together, play games and have tea. This last time we talked about the Second coming of Jesus, there were many questions and discussion during the group. We had two students there and it was cool to see the girls from the orphanage and them involved in the discussion together. We hope that the older kids from the orphanage will be able to meet new friends from there with whom they can talk and develop their social skills.

Guitar!

"I will exalt the Lord at all times; His praise will always be om my lips." Psalm 34:1

It was on my heart for a long time to learn to play the guitar to be able to lead worship. For the last 2 months I have been taking guitar lessons. I am very thankful for my teacher who is a worship leader from one of the Odessa churches and am thankful that God provided me with the guitar. It is a good electric guitar. I am very ecxited about this new role that God is giving me. I want to start leading worship at our Bible group in a few weeks. I still need to practice a lot to be able to do that. I wanted to share this with you and ask you tp pray for me to be able to use this skill for God's glory.

May Donations

Thank you to our May Donors!

Whether it be your regular donation, or your donation to help a student learn english...it is all SO helpful and we are just SO thankful to God for each and every one of you!!!

In the future Julia ans Sergey are going to give us an idea of how they use your donations every month! Stay tuned!!

Thanks to:

Rick and Mary Coates

Ken and Vera Gustafson

Edward Push

Les Stutzman

Kathryn Alexander

If you donated for the month of May and you are not on this list, please contact me...that means I don't have accurate records for May and I want to make sure that they are accurate. Thanks so much!!!!!!!

Update from Julia

On the 16th of May, Sergey and I went to a family retreat to Kiev (capital of Ukraine). There were many useful topics presented (conflicts, difference between man's and woman's thinking etc.) It was a very useful time for us to spend that weekend with other couples, in small groups we discussed many things and prayed for each other. There were also times when you had time with your spouse to talk about different things in your family. We liked the closure of the retreat: romantic time in a cafe where each couple could sit at the table and talk over supper with candles. Just wanted to share this with all of you, our dear friends and partners. This past month we were blessed by this special time and we are thankful for that to our God.

More insight

In the same book that I was reading, it talks about the Great Commission and how it is among the most important of the tests we now face...the future of missions. It gives statistics of the church seemingly losing it's "voice" in missions. The late Carl F. H. Henry said that the words of support for the missionary cause are meaningless if we don't produce a new generation of bold, courageous, and committed Christian missionaries. Christians MUST take our stand for the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, who alone has made atonement for our sins. We MUST point to the only gospel that offers salvation. We MUST learn again to define the true gospel in terms of justification by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. This is the sum and substance of the genuine gospel - and the true gospel is always a missionary gospel.

Insight

Recently I (Tonya) read a book that had a lot of reminders and "a-ha" moments for me. One part was the reminder that The Christian's proper assurance of salvation is God's gift, a gift given to the believer by the very God who has accomplished our salvation. True believers are those who have genuinely responded to the call of the gospel, whose belief is evident in a life transformed by God's grace, and whose profession of faith in Christ is accompanied by repentance from sin and an eagerness to follow Christ. Believers DO sin, and may sin grievously, but they can never finally remain in sin. Peter promised that God will guard His own through faith, even as salvation will be revealed "in the last time." In the end, the gift of assurance and the doctrine of perseverance take us back to the very essence of the gospel - we are saved by grace through faith.

Grace alone...

nothing more

and nothing less.

Happy Anniversary!!

I want to take this opportunity to wish Julia and Sergey a Happy 2nd Anniversary! At least I THINK it is their 2nd anniversary!!! Time flies by so fast, but I am almost positive this is their second!!! So HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!! AND MANY MORE TO COME!!!!!

You guys are an extraordinary couple, doing extraordinary things!!! We are SO thankful for you both and the service you are giving gor God's Kingdom!!!

LOVE AND HUGS!!!

The Filleman's!!!!!!!

Christian Counseling

This last week from the 11th to the 15th of May. I (Julia) was attending seminars on Christian counseling. All together there were 20 lectures (every day from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M). on topics such as: anxiety, anger, loneliness, eating disoders etc. The course was taught by professional Christian counselors Birmingham, Alabama Covenant Counseling and Education Center. The information that I got from this week is going to be very helpful for me as I minister to teenage girls in one on one relationships every day. I am very thankful to God for this great week, because I was praying for several months to provide me with helpful counseling information to be a better servant in the area of orphanage ministry.

A simple cup of tea....

Ira (a 10th grader from the orphanage) is the girl I get together with quite often. This month she went camping for a week to the mountains in Crimea. As we got together and got some tea and cakes in a cafe she shared with me about her trip. It was a great time for her and her friends and though they got wet one time under the rain she really enjoyed the trip. We talked for about an hour when she finally said that sitting like this in a cafe with me listening to her over a cup of tea is just what she needed to feel that she is back from the trip, because a real home you return to is a place where there is someone ready to listen and ready to make a cup of hot delicious tea for you.....Sometimes, Sergey and I are wondering whether we are making any difference in the lives of these kids, there are so many of them and they have so many needs....but moments like these make me both - want to cry and want to continue serve to God by serving them. God, thank You for the cup of tea I can offer to these girsl!

Sasha

Sergey keeps on going out to the streets of Odessa looking for the homeless kids. One day he met Sasha. As he talked to Sasha he found out that Sasha has 4 more siblings (2 brothers and 2 sisters). Sasha agreed that Sergey would contact his parents. His mother and stepfather were really anxious for Sasha to come back because if he wouldn't all 4 siblings would be taken to the shelter by the social service. Sergey bought Sasha new clothes, let him take a shower and took him back to his family. It took them almost 10 hours to get to his home village near town Ternopol (first a night on the train, then by car). Sasha's mother was really happy to see Sasha and was thankful to Sergey. He promised to keep in touch with them and wants to direct them to a good loving church. Please pray thatGod would help him to do so.

There are many kids Sergey talks to every week, he offers help to everyone, there are some kids who have homes and orphanages they ran away from and are too embarassed or afraid to go back to. Some of the kids ran away in search of adventures and their parents or supervisors are really looking forward for them to come back. Sasha was one of such boys and God let Sergey be on his path right at the moment when he was ready to go back, probably fed up with the "adventures" of the street life. Please pray that God would use Sergey in this ministry and that we would have enough financial resources to pay the way home for the kids who are ready to go. Some of the kids are open to be prayed for and many ask why Sergey helps them, these questions provide him with perfect opportunities to tell them about the love of God. Today one girl asked Sergey this question and was surprised to hear that Sergey wants to help her because God loves her. It took her some time to understand this, because she thought that when you do something good for God you do it so you look better in His eyes. So, Sergey talked to her about how when you become a Christian God gives you so much love that you want to share it with others. He offered her lunch at the nearby McDonalds and when he asked her whether she wants a cheesburger or a BigMac, she asked what are these? So, he took his time to explain what a cheesbuger and a Big Mac are. She ate a BigMac for the first time in her life. She liked it a lot!

Interested in how you found us! :-)

Hi all our wonderful supporters! I was just curious...I have a few different things out there that help promote this ministry, and I was just wondering what works to bring people to our blog. Could you please post a comment and let me know how you found out about Youth of Ukraine? That would be SO helpful! And also where you are from! There are a lot of hits from different countries and I am just so interested in where you are and a little bit about you!! Thanks!!!!

Blankets

Ira and Alina, after the Bible group at our place. They are happy that now they will have blankets different from everyone else at their orphanage.

Bible Study

We wrote in one of the previous updates about the Bible group that we have started on Saturdays at our place. This group is for the young people to learn more about Jesus, read the Bible together, have tea and good fellowship. At the last group Sergey talked to us about how God never leaves us and wants to help us in every difficult situation. Please pray that it would be a good time for everyone where we can learn more about God and become good friends.

Orphanage graduates

We keep on meeting with the orphanage graduates and trying to see how we can participate in their lives, help them and show that God the Father cares for them. Recently we met with two girls (one is 20 years old, another is 17 years old) to have tea, talk and see how we can help. The older one has three little kids (2 month, 1,5 years and 3.5 years old), another one is pregnant. We had some childrens clothes of different sizes to give to both of them. Please pray for us to have wisdom as we talk to the girls in the situations like that. We are especially thankful to Pat and Sharon who sent us blankets. Now the kids of these girls and the girls themselves have each a blanket to keep them warm and cozy.

April Donations

Thank you to our April Donors! Whether it be your regular donation, or your donation to help a student learn english...it is all SO helpful and we are just SO thankful to God for each and every one of you!!!

In the future Julia ans Sergey are going to give us an idea of how they use your donations every month! Stay tuned!!

Thanks to:

Rick and Mary Coates
Ken and Vera Gustafson
Edward Push
Les Stutzman
Russel and Donna Rediger

If you donated for the month of April and you are not on this list, please contact me...that means I don't have accurate records for April and I want to make sure that they are accurate. Thanks so much!!!!!!!

Definition of Sin

Billy Graham talks about the definition of sin:

The Bible says, "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" and God's request for your life. And you're a sinner. You have to confess it and acknowledge it; say, "Lord, I have sinned, and I'm sorry for my sin." Sin is when you disobey God. … If you've broken God's law, you have to pay a price. It's a terrible price because you're separated from God forever, unless you repent and receive Christ into your heart. … Christ took your sins, He shed His blood for you, and He said the reason was that He loved you.

He Wants You!

What does it mean that God loves us?

Here’s Franklin Graham:

He wants you, He loves you, He created you, He made you, He’s given you life. And you’ve turned your back on Him and He’s wanting to forgive you. He’s wanting to set you free. He wants to give you a new start. But you’ve got to be willing to come to Him tonight. Confessing your sin to Him, telling Him you’re sorry, asking Him for forgiveness, and receive by faith Christ into your heart, God will set you free. You see, Jesus said I am the way, the truth and the life and no man comes to the Father but by me. There is no other way to God, except through Jesus Christ. Why? Because Jesus Christ is the only one in history that paid the debt of sin.

A little bit about Easter in Ukraine

I asked Julia to give me just a small snippet of Easter in Ukraine. Here is what she said....

We actually celebrate Easter this year on the 19th of April. The Ukrainian orthodox tradition is to go to the orthodox church in the night (Saturday to Sunday) and the priest has an Easter service and "sanctifies" Easter bread, painted eggs, honey and other Easter food that people bring to chruch in baskets (he sprinkles it with holy water). Also we have a tradition of taking the Easter fire from the church. This fire is brought to every church from Jerusalem and people take it home and try to keep it for as long as possible. In Russian Easter is called "Pas-ha" which is similar to the Jewish name of this holiday.

Sasha

In 1999 Sasha was 10 years old, he used to come to a presbyterian church where we had a ministry for orphans and a great Sunday school where the kids from the orphanage were welcomed. After the Sunday school there was always lunch provided for the kids from the orphanage. Sasha came every Sunday. After he graduated from the orphanage he went to the construction college in one of the villages outside of Odessa. When he came back to Odessa he realized he has no friends to turn to so he found my number and called. He remembers the "good old times" when he used to go to Sunday school with warmth and is thankful to all the people in the presbyterian church of Odessa who cared for him. We got together several times and Sergey is building a friendship with Sasha. Please pray that he would grow in his relationship with God and get settled in Odessa.

Sveta and Vika

These are two girls Sergey met on the streets of Odessa. They are Sveta and Vika. One of them ran away from the orphanage and lives on the street. She sniffs glue, that is a thing most of the homless kids do. Another one has a mom who has a difficult life and hardly ever finds time for her daughter. As you pray for these girls pray for God to do a miracle in their lives and give them future and hope and please pray that we would be able to help them the best way we can. We want to give them clothes but they didn't come for an appointment.

Bible Group

Sergey and I had it on our hearts for a long time to start a group for young people who are interested in the Bible and spiritual questions. There are many young boys and girls we meet with, invite to our home and have chances to minister to and we want it to be a place for them to ask the questions they have about God and learn more about Jesus. Today we started...we had one friend who came (a 4th year student) - we had lunch together, prayed and talked about Easter and read a Bible passage about Easter. It was a good time and we are praying for more people to come and benefit from this time. Please pray for that with us!

Gypsy family

Almost every day Sergey goes out to talk to homeless kids on the streets of Odessa. One time he met gypsie kids. There are 9 kids in their family. One of the two youngest is with his mother while she is begging for money near the train station. Another is at home, sick (he has burned himself with hot water). The rest of the kids are begging on the streets of Odessa. This is a poor family, they live in one of the villages outside of Odessa but they tried to have a more or less normal life for as long as they could. The kids went to school and this is the first year when they are not in school - the family just got really stricken by poverty. Sergey is going to visit their home and see how the little one with the burns can be helped. They mentioned that the local church has given them christmas gifts so Sergey will try to contact that church to see that maybe they could help them somehow...Please pray that God would really help this family through us and other believers and that they would see love of God. Sergey printed out the picture that is on the blog and gave it to the kids - they were really excited, this is a rare treat for them - have their own picture.

Denis

Sergey keeps on searching for the lost kids on the streets of Odessa offereing them prayer, a word about God's love, some food and warm clothes. He talks to them listening to their stories and if someone has an orphanage to go back or a home he offers to take them back there and pay for their way. He met Denis in one of the McDonalds in Odessa, talked to him and prayed for him. They met one more time and Sergey gave him a coat since the clothes that Denis had on wasn't warm enough for the cold nights in Odessa. Denis spends days looking for warmth and food and some money and in the night sleeps in the internet cafe..Denis siad that the only people who ever did at least something good for him are Christians.......They agreed to meet again but Denis didnt show up on that day, Sergey hopes to meet him someday again.

Paid the debt

Paid the Debt
Franklin Graham talks about the debt that Jesus paid:

There is no other way to God except through Jesus Christ. Mohammed didn’t die for your sins. Buddha didn’t die for your sins. It’s the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. What are you going to do? Are you going to accept Him? Are you going to reject Him? It’s your choice. God’s a gentleman. He’s not going to force Himself into your life. He’s paid the debt of sin. Glory to His Name. He’s paid the debt of sin. All you have to do is be willing to receive it by faith. You can’t buy your salvation, you can’t work for your salvation. It’s free. It’s a free gift from God. And it’s by faith. All you have to do is simply believe.

As Franklin said, all you have to do to receive God's free gift of salvation is to believe in Jesus Christ as your savior.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULIA!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JULIA!!!! I am sorry I didn't post this ON her birthday! I have been having a bout with pneumonia. Her birthday was actually Sunday, the 22nd of March. So...if you think about it could you send her a little note of encouragement and Happy Birthday's!!!??? I know she would appreciate it!!!!!

Thank you Julia for all you do for Youth of Ukraine!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

Christian Student Union, and Holiday's

On the 23rd of February we have a holiday when we honor the men in our families and society. It used to be a Day of Soviet Army but became a day of manhood. On the 8th of March we have a Women's Day when we honor women. So in the CCX (Christian Student Union) we had two parties. The 23rd of February party was at our flat. There were 3 orphanage graduates and two girls who are still in the orphanage. On the 8th of March party came two girls (Alina and Ira) from the orphanage. They really enjoyed the parties and want to come again to the events of the CCX. We are very glad that they can meet other young Christians. This is our dream for the orphanage students and graduates to be involved in this great organization that provides them with many opportunities to study the Word of God with other young believers. Recently I (Julia) started to study the Bible with Ira. Please pray that God gives me wisdom in this and work in Ira's heart so she may grow in her personal relationship with Jesus.