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.