Update from Julia and Sergey

Col. 1:27-28

27 to Whom God would make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the nations, which is Christ in you the hope of glory

28 Whom we announce, admonishing every man, and teaching every man, in all wisdom, to the end that we may present every man perfect in Christ.

As we keep on following God in this ministry we wanted to ask you to pray for us to be the people who have all the needed resources to help the youth we minister grow in the knowledge of our Heavenly Father's love and live in a real vibrant relationship with Jesus. This verse has been on our hearts for a long time and we believe that the true meaning of every Christian ministry is to help every person see Jesus and develop a relationship with Him. It can be done in many different ways and we should use every way possible. We can bring clothes, shampoos and toys, Christmas gifts and crayons to the kids and this is great but to help them see that they can have a Wonderful Friend Who will always be with them is the most important because all those things will end, but a relationship with a Living God will never end. Also, as we meet with the young people to listen to them, encourage them and just show that we care we need to always remember to point them to Jesus, because only He can perfectly comfort them and love them with the love that satisfies. Sometimes we need to be reminded on that because when we see all of their pains and troubles we want to take it all away but in reality only Jesus can do that, so we pray that our love and care would be a window into God's heart for them. Please pray for us to be open windows into our Father's heart.

More and more God has been showing us that He is looking for every lost person in this world and wants to show that He is a good Shepherd Who cares for the sheep. How does He do it? He does it through people who know Him personally. Often we think that pastors should take good care of us (pray for us, listen to us, show compassion to us and guide us spiritually). This is true, but it is also true the other way around - we can all do some of that to every lost person in this world thus reflecting the pastoral side of God's character. There are times when we feel neglected and not appreciated by the church leadership, but we need to remember that there are people in this world who have never experienced God's love and who are lonely and desperate inside, so instead of focusing on what we want and need (even though these needs can be absolutely legitimate and normal) it is importamt to remember that we are called "to announce Jesus and admonish and teach every man in all wisdom to the end that we may present every person perfect in Christ".

Donations

My Mops group is being incredibly kind, and has adopted Youth of Ukraine as their service project this semester. They were curious as to what needs Julia and Sergey have for the kids in Odessa. I asked Julia and she said they need stuff for crocheting (special material, threads, patterns) and also stuff for knitting. Any crafty thing is always a huge blessing. However, Julia wanted me to convey that it is fairly expensive to send things by mail, and if you would rather send money, it is cheaper to buy things there in Odessa. I am MORE than happy to send your items though....I would simply ask for a small donation to help with the shipping costs. Also, there are families that travel to Ukraine from time to time....I could always wait and send things with them too in their luggage. So, whatever it is you wish to donate, please do. We will find a way and make a way for almost anything!! Thanks for your willingness to help! We SO appreciate all of you!!!

From Julia and Sergey

During the month of January we delivered the Christmas gifts to the two orphanages outside of Odessa (both of them are located in the villages about 2.5 hours of drive). The gifts were collected by many churches in the States and shipped to us along with nice Christmas wrapping paper. We had a lot of fun wrapping each gifts (we had a lot of pizza too!!) those "gift wrapping parties" were at our place, so in the pics, you can see some of our place and all of us who One of the pastors of our church drove us to the first orpahange which is for the kids with special needs. Sergey shared about Christmas there, we made a craft together and had a great time. You can see the happy faces of the kids in the pictures. The trip to the second orphanage was even more fun. We grouped together with a small church from the nearby town close to the village where the orphanage is located. They made a puppet theatre show and the pastor from that church prayed for the kids and blessed them in the end of our time with them (the staff of the orpahange gave him an eager permission to do that).

We are thankful for every person who participated in this Christmas project: donated and shipped the gifts, wrapped them, drove us to the orphanages, played with the kids and shared the love of Jesus while we were there. That time was very rewarding for us and next Christmas we want to visit more orphanages and bring some joy to more kids. This year we had gifts for about 235 kids. It is amazing to see how the Body of Christ united in one effort can do so much and can do even more!!!

Prayer

Before I got on with my short "prayer" topic, I just want to apologize for being VERY absent the last month or so. Many of you know that my mom has been very sick. She has had breast cancer for the past 5 1/2 years, and recently it has gotten much worse. She went into hospice care in January, and went home to be with our Lord on the 27th of January. So, our family has been very busy taking care of her, then taking care of arraingements, then taking care of my dad. It is quite the adjustment, but we are managing. I have prayed since the beginning of my mom's illness to "take this cup away from her". I KNEW that Got could perform miracles, and I just KNEW that he would bless us with one in healing my mom. I held out hope for a miracle until her dying breath. My prayer was not answered. I realize that prayers are not always answered, or at least not answered in the way that we would like them to be. Sometimes, looking back on some things, I am thankful to God for not answering certain prayers...but this prayer....this prayer I NEEDED him to answer. Alas, it isn't my will, but His will. His will did not include my mother living past the age of 62 years. I read the following from Focus on the Family today. I wondered...why He didn't answer my prayer. I prayed boldy, often and in faith....

Are you waiting for an answer?
It's easy to think that God's not listening--especially when you've been praying that "one special request" for longer than you can remember.
Don't be discouraged! Here's what He says about prayer...
1. Pray boldy. God wants us to approach Him with confidence! (Hebrews 4:16)
2. Pray often. God desires a relationship with us. (1 Thessalonians. 5:17)
3. Pray in faith. He is able and willing. (Mark 11:24-26)

...so why didn't He answer my prayer? This is the response I have come up with after researching a bit.

Mom had taught all of us that her eternal relationship with God was above and beyond anything that this life could offer. We had all prayed for Mom to live, and God answered with a wondrous “YES!” (John 11:25). Mom is living...just not in the way we wanted her to. Sometimes, God just answers, “No” to our prayers. Any delay or unexpected outcome really shouldn't discourage us. We have to ask ourselves...what is God's purpuse through our prayers...what does He want to complete in us through prayer? God wants us to bring our every need to Him as He answers (yes or no) according to His will. God will never say yes that are contrary to His will. I'll be the first to agree that receiving a “Yes” makes us happy. But God never promised us happiness. Happiness is based solely on circumstances. God wants us to have everlasting joy -- even when He responds, “No, it will be done in My time, not yours.” Don't forget, in Luke 22:41-44, Jesus really struggled with the events leading up to His death. In fervent prayer, His greatest desire was to allow God’s will, not His suffering and pain (Hebrews 12:2). When we pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), God will always respond, and every answer will bring joy, just not always the joy we had in mind. I have to remember though, that mom is in an incredible place. Our little minds can't even wrap around what heaven is like. She has won. She is with our Father, and she will be there with open arms when it is our time.

Below is mom's obituary:

Name: Mrs. Suzanne Stutzman, 62

Died: January 27, 2008, in her home, Omaha, Nebraska

In Memory ofSuzanne Stutzman

Suzanne was born on September 29, 1946 in Milford, Nebraska to Roman Sr. and Edith Jantzi. Suzanne was the fourth of four children, their only girl.

Suzanne attended Milford grade school and high school. She was a cheerleader, majorette, homecoming attendant, class treasurer, class vice president, and a member of the drill team, pep club, Future Homemakers of America, mixed chorus, madrigal, triple trio, student council, drama club, etc. She was crowned "Centennial Queen" of Milford in the summer of 1964.

Suzanne met the love of her life, Les Stutzman, while in high school and married him on October 10, 1964. The first few years of marriage, Les and Suzanne lived in Milford before moving to Portland, Oregon where they lived for 2 years. They moved back to Omaha where their first daughter, Rhonda, was born. Shortly after, they moved to Albany, Oregon where their second daughter, Tonya, was born.

Suzanne spent many years of her life as a stay at home mom, a bank teller, personal banker, and investments assistant. Suzanne and Les moved from Albany, Oregon to Phoenix, Arizona in 1986, then to Omaha, Nebraska in 1995. Suzanne was able to go "truckin" with Les for just over a year after moving to Omaha which she enjoyed a lot. In 1999 her first grandchild was born with six others to follow. Her grandchildren, Cam, Shawn, Jake, Kayla, Brooke, MaKenna and Major were the joy of her life and the focus of her attention. Her passions included God, family, shopping, traveling and camping "luxury" style.

Suzanne was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003. She spent the remainder of her 5 ½ years creating wonderful memories for her, her daughters and her grandchildren! Suzanne fought a courageous battle before passing away in her home on January 27, 2009 with her husband and two daughters by her side. She was 62 years, 3 months and 29 days old.

Suzanne is survived by her husband, Les Stutzman, Omaha; her daughters and son-in-laws, Rhonda and Mike Flanigan, Omaha; Tonya and Jeff Filleman, Omaha; her grandchildren Cam, Shawn, Jake, Kayla, Brooke, MaKenna and Major, Omaha; brothers and sister-in-laws Ron and Linda Jantzi, Salem, Oregon; Dick and Karen Jantzi, Fairmont, Nebraska; and sister-in law Ruth Jantzi, Fairmont, Nebraska.

Suzanne is preceded in death by her parents Roman Jantzi Sr. and Edith Jantzi; brother Roman Jantzi, Jr.; and sister-in-law Julie Jantzi.

The funeral service will be held at Brookside Church at 11607 M Circle in Omaha on Monday, February 2 at 10:30 am with Pastor Tim Wiebe officiating. Interment in Blue Mound Cemetery, Milford at 3:00 pm. Memorials may be directed to Methodist Hospital Foundation/Estabrook Cancer Center at 8303 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE 68114, in memory of Suzanne Stutzman.