Kyiv Calling August 2003

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=165 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="2ef2c2c3.jpg"> <div> <I><B> <TABLE BORDER="5" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="768" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#666699" BORDERCOLORDARK="#990000" FRAME="BELOW" RULES="NONE" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 151 ><NOBR><div> <I><B><IMG SRC="2cf96910.jpg" border=0 width="150" height="145" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM WIDTH="613"><div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#990000" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>Wellspring of Life Biblical Counselling</B></I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#990000" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>      |  </B></I></FONT><I><B>   </B></I><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Wellspring of Life Biblical Counselling"><U><I><B>Home</B></I></U></A><I><B> </B></I></div> <div> <A HREF="help.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Helping People"><U><B>Helping People</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Testimonies"><U><B>Testimonies</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Training"><U><B>Training</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CURRENT COURSES"><U><B>CURRENT COURSES</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Wellspring Associates"><U><B>Wellspring Associates</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Philosophy"><U><B>Philosophy</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id46.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Doctrine"><U><B>Doctrine</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Director"><U><B>Director</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Other Solid Help Resources"><U><B>Other Solid Help & Resources</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CONTACT US"><U><B>CONTACT US</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id30.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Maps Directions"><U><B>Maps & Directions</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id32.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Overseas"><U><B>Overseas</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id36.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Guestbook"><U><B>Guestbook</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id37.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="KYIV CALLING"><U><B>KYIV CALLING</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id65.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Kyiv Calling NEWSLETTER ( photos)"><U><B>Kyiv Calling NEWSLETTER (& photos)</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id129.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SLIDE SHOWS"><U><B>SLIDE SHOWS</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id38.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Another Look (Decades Photos)"><U><B>Another Look (Decades & Photos)</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id39.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Logo Heart Check"><U><B>Logo & Heart Check</B></U></A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#990000" FACE="Arial" ><I><B><IMG SRC="2765d070.jpg" border=0 width="605" height="7" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></FONT></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=315 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="2ef2c2c3.jpg"> <div> <I>Kyiv Calling August 2003</I></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#006633" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>(Kyiv Calling ARCHIVES bottom of page) </B></I></FONT>  <A NAME="top_kc_news_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A> </div> <div> <I>For 8.5X11</I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I> </I></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>PRINTABLE</B></I></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I> </I></FONT><I>(best format) email Linda: </I><A HREF="mailto:rlharris@i.kiev.ua" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:rlharris@i.kiev.ua"><U><I>rlharris@i.kiev.ua</I></U></A><I> telling me the edition (month/year) that</I></div> <div> <I>you desire  (330 KB MAX (usually less))  ~  </I><I>(You would need </I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>Adobe Reader. </B></I></FONT><I>For</I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><I><B> </B></I><I><B>FREE</B></I></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I> </I></FONT><I>download of Reader click here: </I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/re"><U><I><IMG SRC="65920200.gif" border=0 width="32" height="32" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></I></U></A></FONT></div> <div> <I>(This web page you are </I><I><U>now</U></I><I> reading is made with older builder which has limited alignment capabilities and often glitched spacing. Also, I would be pleased if you know how to link the better format ones (Adobe) to web pages and would like to tell me!)</I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><IMG SRC="12cf8070.jpg" border=0 width="760" height="7" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="654" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#660000" BORDERCOLORDARK="#666699" FRAME="BELOW" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 136 ><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="2f191710.jpg" border=0 width="145" height="113" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <B> Kyiv Calling   </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>August 2003</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="2ee90730.jpg" border=0 width="144" height="115" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="668" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#660000" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 441 WIDTH="664"><div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" ><I><B><U>OK. I Hear You!</U></B></I><I><B> </B></I></FONT>Here are some answers to your questions, … offered <I>long style</I> and Harris heart as <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" ><I><B><U>detail readers</U></B></I></FONT> requested, and as always, offered with <I>headings</I> for those more <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" ><I><B><U>selective readers</U></B></I>.</FONT> </div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Usually you hear from the </FONT><I><B>students</B></I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >, but for a change, comments from our Ukraine Family Institute </FONT><I><B>staff</B></I> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >as well. </FONT><I><B>All only by God's Grace! Humble, exuberant praise to our wondrous God almighty!</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" ><I><B><U>WOW!</U></B></I> </FONT>Going in to Module 3 of our 12 Ukraine Family Institute modules, I felt much the same way as Artyom did. How could the students be transformed and energized so significantly <I><U>yet again</U></I> as they were the first two modules? He said this (and I include more from him later in this letter):</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> “After first two modules I would expect another "routine" presentation of next module </div> <div> without any surprises. But God is much more wonderful than this. This time </div> <div> God surprised me personally with very unique experience. …”</div> <div> <I>IFI/UFIOperations Manager Artyom Klutchnikov</I></div> <bR> <div> “I have never heard Artyom so "jazzed," so personally moved with God's work, </div> <div> and the privilege of being a part of it!”</div> <div> <I>UFI President Mike Linville on the phone with Ron after module 3</I></div> <bR> <div> “It is rare that I have such an experience. Module 3 opened heaven for me”</div> <div> <I>Student</I></div> <bR> <div> “You have helped us become deeper Christians. You have helped us even with </div> <div> each other in this class of different denominations”</div> <div> <I>S</I><I>tu</I><I>dent</I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP ROWSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 1 WIDTH="664"><div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I><B><IMG SRC="68d68ea0.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="234" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="7" VSPACE="0"></B></I></FONT><I><B><U>Job Jollies</U></B></I><I><B> ~</B></I><B> </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >(As in book of Job) Yes Ron structured fun things, but spontaneous bonding  was visible and audible everywhere. I was totally surprised. Between weeks I fired off a brief email that included the following:</FONT></div> <bR> <div> “Ron was too moved with gratitude to close the week. I felt the same, as did Artyom. However, Artyom and the students themselves closed us all in much prayer, followed by the warmest, most touching goodbyes amongst students and staff that I have yet seen. The depth of teaching and personal change, moments of levity (even hilarity), and obvious further bonding of this group was wonderful to behold. Truly we Praise God from whom all blessings flow. BUT … this did not happen without GREAT opposition!...”  (Health / life hurdles for students & staff, apartment hassles,etc.)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 158 WIDTH="664"><bR> <div> The same thing happened the second week, which was even more amazing to us given they tended to be a stiffer, more sceptical group with wonderfully challenging questions. But God reached right into their hearts. So many spoke much more freely and talked of a deeper heart engagement with God. There were nods of agreement throughout the class at such testimonies. Both groups (week 1 and week 2) were so thankful to Ron, closer to each other, and just generally awed by the life changing truths offered from scripture. The stiffer group 2 softened as group 1! It was humbling and heart-warming for me and apparently the entire UFI team. “Wow. This is great” said amazed Artyom. </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>Me, Linda </I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 305 WIDTH="664"><div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="68fcad30.jpg" border=0 width="202" height="211" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="7" VSPACE="0"></FONT><I><B><U>Truth To The Heart Right From The Start </U></B></I><I><B>~</B></I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Our brand new Team member Olga Matvichuk (called Olya) jumped right in with both feet. Her view after module 3 (not having taken module 1 or 2 yet) is “I praise God for letting me be a part of this project, I also thank Him for bringing up a number of personal matters in my heart during this Module and by means of this new and in a sense different material.” Also “The students' hearts were open …what Ron was teaching now was completely `new and different'. At first I even started doubting: Is this really what the Bible teaches us? Is Ron sharing the right doctrine? Then I was greatly surprised to realize the fact that it is true, it is the right doctrine. Only it is pointing out the things (both in the Scripture, in our hearts or in our actions) that seemed unimportant or secondly. God using those things can greatly change our lives. … They really are the main and important issues”. Olya liked the two groups, commenting that one “was really active, …they saw the goal, they knew what was to be done”. The other “was really a `heart' group. They had deep insight and understanding. It was so amazing to see how much the groups `looked like' their TAs. “ </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> (TA: Teaching Associates, presently Sergei and Valya with more to be trained as UFI expands)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 1115 WIDTH="664"><div> <I><B><U>Leaders Love</U></B></I><I><B> ~</B></I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#993300" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >A young lady aspiring to be part of the UFI teaching team, spoke of her approach to the week. "Lord, show me something that I need for me personally." This is the attitude God has been growing in all of the UFI leadership and students (leaders throughout Ukraine and into Russia) since day one.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Teaching Associate Sergei Kaplin reported that the students encourage each other outside modules - visiting and staying with each other! He also said that it was clear to him that a lot of students were very touched by this module.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Team Unity</U></B></I><I><B> ~</B></I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I><B> </B></I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >UFI teaching is compassionate yet solid. God's Word is never watered down to pacify people, or skirt the challenges of working in a different language and culture, speaking to various denominations. Those difficulties foreseen or experienced just make us pray and work harder.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>“</B></I>As individuals, they seem to have nothing in common (except, of course, their faith in Christ). You even wonder how come they all work together and love each other, … but that's only until you see them work. Another striking thing is their unity, which is not some idea or general concept. Their unity is `alive'. What I mean is, they care, they love one another, they sympathize, they laugh and suffer together. They know each others' needs, they pray and encourage each other. They share Christ's love. They shine. If you get closer they'll share the light with you.”</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>Olya commenting on our Ukraine Family Institute “team”</I></div> <bR> <div> “In our Institute there are at least four denominations represented. We know for a fact that often people from those denominations don't talk to each other. Ever since the first module our team's prayer has been for unity among our students and God seems to be blessing us with His awesome wwork in the midst of our ministry. It is such a blessing to hear and see how the students relate to each other and how they treat each other. The other highlight for me was the reflections of the students about our team. With our team we have tried to model this unity despite all of our differences. We have been praying and promoting this in our office. But being right in the middle of it it's hard to see whether we are succeeding or not. So, the students' reflections were also a blessing. They said that one of the notable things about our team was unity: the way we treated each other and cared for one another.”</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>UFI Operations Manager / translator / Interpreter  Artyom Kluchnikov</I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Team Unity Formula ~</B></I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > “It was usual lunch. Several people just had small talk and I listened to them. Suddenly one lady asked me the question I was very surprised by. She said: `What is your special plan for building such wonderful relationship among your team?' The reason I still remember that lunch is we have down nothing special for strengthening our team's relationship. We just live as Christians and trying to love God as much as we can and He as faithful and full of grace God gives us fruit of Holy Spirit.” </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >(Linda note: Sergei does include daily UFI prayer time in “just live as Christians”.)</FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>Sergei Kaplin</I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Immediate Action</U></B></I><I><B> ~</B></I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I><B> </B></I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >During intercessory prayer, the students were increasingly opening their hearts to one another and acting on the “one-anothering” teaching of the day before. One thing that continually strikes me is that matter-of-fact immediate use of what God shows them. This is refreshing. What they learn, they immediately use in ministry. I tend to be cautious: take time, think things through. They are filled with joy, and cannot but gush forth from their full hearts!</FONT></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>Ron ("Amened" by Linda and UFI Team)</I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U><IMG SRC="69709f90.jpg" border=0 width="265" height="249" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="7" VSPACE="0">UFI Expansion Invitations</U></B></I><I><B> ~</B></I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I><B> </B></I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Much interest from our students who come from all across Ukraine, but the following are so far the best results from student action and inquiries, all done on their own initiative. </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>*Krasnodar Russia ~</B></I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I> </I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >We continue to follow up on the 100 men possibility for Krasnodar Russia this September, though struggle with the timing being so soon.  Political windows have closed for evangelicals to work in other regions of Russia and 3 UFI students fear the same may happen in their area. It is not easy to just scoot across THAT border to teach. The spiritual climate in Ukraine is much more open. (Krasnodar/Sept would be a unique UFI plan.)</FONT></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> *Scroll to near end for more Krasnodar, location/stats. </div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 251 WIDTH="664"><div> <I><B>Rovno, Western Ukraine</B></I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><I><B> </B></I></FONT><I><B>(from Kyiv 5 hours by train) ~</B></I><B> </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >A senior pastor from the Rovne area has invited the UFI team to present a one-day promotional conference to a number of leaders and people on November 15, 2003. Vladimir, an excellent and conscientious UFI student had talked with our team during module 3 and then within a few days had networked with leaders in his area. This is the first promotional conference opportunity that we have been given. The “cement” of our program is solidifying (having completed 3 of the 4 foundational modules). The students are beginning to network in specific ways. Growing interest in our work is bringing forth ideas and now invitations, including offers of facilities and food free of charge. Pray for wisdom as we are challenged and stretched to think through a philosophy of expansion. Mark November 15</FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > for Rovno prayer.</FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Zhytomir (West of Kyiv maybe 2.5 hours) ~</B></I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Times New Roman" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >They are starting pastoral training program there and as part of their program they would like to have our three years training. It's going to be a mandatory to those who enroll to pastoral program. Due to the nature of our relationship with Zhytomir project we </FONT></div> <div> will also have the use of their facilities and will be provided with meals.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 3177 WIDTH="664"><div> <I><B>Other Cities, Other Projects ~</B></I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Others have expressed desire right from day one but of course there is time needed to train more Teaching Associates and always a concern of money <I>(increase in UFI funds through Mike, </I></FONT><I><B>but just more balanced Harris donor base without increased financial need</B></I><I>)</I> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >HOWEVER, Ron and I and the UFI team are also greatly encouraged by (as expressed in “Immediate Action” above) the creative, immediate ways that students are sharing and reaching out into their communities to do their part in alleviating the immense and widespread suffering and help people rebuild their lives. Ron teaches 30 hours per week, with most minutes of every break and mealtime filled also with students sharing their visions and questions. Needless to say each module is exhausting for all, since usually translation is also required for these individual or small group meetings. So far all of this year (2002-2003) and the year of specific preparation (2001-2002) has been worth every minute of effort. We have no regrets; only unspeakable gratitude to God and all of our supporters without whom none of this would happen. We DO hope YOU (extended “team” in Canadaland) are enjoying this fruit of your faithfulness!!!</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>First Combined Module: October 13-18</U></B></I><I><B> ~</B></I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >The UFI staff has been wrestling over the pros and cons of a combined module for months. This week we decided unanimously to bring both classes of students together for the last of the foundation modules, and to add one day to the study week. We will need prayer and wisdom for the unique dynamics of 2 bee hives of enthusiasm. God seems to be knitting each group more tightly. We shall see how they work together!  Ron will devise a unique seminar format with “break-out group” interaction and study projects, alternating with the regular lecture - Q&A format. This may be the only time that ALL UFI students from our inaugural group will be together in their 3 year program with us. This will be a special time! Pray for wisdom, and attentiveness to administrative challenges. This will be held 30 minutes outside of Kyiv at a sanatorium retreat centre where we launched UFI in January.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>First Report Of UFI to NANC: October 6-8</U></B></I><I><B> ~</B></I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >As many of you know, Ron has been a member of the National Association of Nouthetic Counsellors since 1982. (NANC is mostly American, some Canadians and others. This past winter our UFI began ABCU: Association of Biblical Counsellors in Ukraine. It is similar to NANC.) Each year the annual NANC conference brings together various teachers and speakers, including the pioneer Jay Adams, to present plenary sessions and workshops to members and interested people. Ron has been in discussion with the NANC director, Rev Randy Patten, and there is a possibility that Ron and Artyom (UFI Operations Manager) can bring a brief greeting from UFI and overview of God's blessings through the first 3 modules. UFI may have a promo booth for distributing materials to interested people. Last year there were 1100 in attendance. What an opportunity to expand awareness of our work, invite passionate people to join our prayer team, and possibly resource the UFI work financially. Pray for this as we continue to discuss this possibility.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Krasnodar City</U></B></I><I><B> ~</B></I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > (Also see “UFI expansion” item Page 3) It's a city of nearly one million and has recently celebrated its bi-centennial. It is the administrative center of the Krasnodar Krai Region or Kuban Region which is situated in the South West of the Russian Republic (population over 5 million in 1998) It is one of the biggest regions of Russia. The region borders the Rostov and Stavropol regions and Georgia and is washed by the Azov and the Black Seas. We don't know much about the area except that communication is sometimes an issue. Today I found this web warning (which is in keeping with our UFI office experience staying in touch with students)  </FONT><I>“… the radio and phone communication can become worse, be interrupted or jammed outside or inside buildings, in tunnels, cellars and different underground structures due to some peculiarities of the radio transmission, special features of local relieves, meteorological terms etc.”</I> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Hmmm, sounds like Ukraine used to be and in many areas still is, though millions of dollars have been poured into Ukraine's telephone systems so things are much improved. Cell phones everywhere though often the owners cannot afford to use them. Kind of like the classy clothes styles, though many owners may only have a few outfits to rotate. But they have lots of brains, ambition, education, talent, class, and heart! We love these Ukrainians!</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="692fb250.jpg" border=0 width="251" height="293" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="7" VSPACE="0"></FONT><I><B><U>Deep Questions Good Thinking</U></B></I><I><B> ~</B></I> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >This country has been fed lies for so long. Ukrainians are a smart, educated, people. We have always been impressed with the diligence and challenges of these students. They truly examine to own and apply what UFI teaches. (The BEAR does belong to one of our best. She's speaks English wonderfully, moved to Kiev, and her heart is in UFI ministry. She almost died today. See “facing Death”.)                      </FONT></div> <div> (PHOTO: Seriously Wired Students: UFI's Finest)</div> <bR> <div> The students asked Sergei deep questions about counselling cases during breaks. He was impressed and very much encouraged with the way they were thinking. </div> <bR> <div> Says our other Teaching Associate, Valya, who had to leave for surgery just after these observations,  “The material got my attention right from the very beginning. We studied the book of Job and it made me think since we looked at people's problems from another angle and very important one. The same I noticed among the students…. It was a very good timing for studying the book; and it perfectly complemented the previous two modules”</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Door Busters, and Other Stressors</U></B></I><I><B> ~</B></I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > It's just such an involved, crazy story that I'd have to write a page on this alone for you to understand it, and if I summarize it you'll be upset with me for letting the guys in. Clearly they were angry, being bad boys, breaking laws, and we all knew it at the time, but I sensed the danger level being minimal by the time I actually opened the door. Of course there were English speaking people I could phone for help (not the police), whether I trusted the lines or not, but I've been through much worse and this night it just seemed logical and reasonable not to call anyone. (We have since decided though, since later our lines were dead for 7 hours, that a cell phone would be useful, and the emergency Canadian embassy number.) Maybe I can try to summarize. The periodic severe phone problems started days/weeks before the “visitors” arrived. The 5 guys and lady who hassled me in the afternoon, then for hours one night, finally deciding about 11:30 p.m. to take apart the downstairs street level door, then tapping into my phone line and claiming to be police, were of course NOT police. I knew that much at the time, but by then their presence had become public enough that I decided to risk unbolting the door. Presumably they were not mafia either though any connection with such is anyone's guess in any country, but definitely here in Ukraine. There was mention of that on the phone while they filled my stairwell, used my phone, and argued (in Russian or Ukrainian) about how to get through another locked door four feet from mine. I got along OK with 1. Two others were particularly angry at me but I was NOT going to let more than one into my flat to use the phone (ignoring the obvious fact that 6 against 1 were losing odds on my part) Eventually I sent them on their way with both landladies' numbers, though I've never totally trusted those ladies either, even though they are very sweet and seem to like us. After midnight here was cop car crawling through our back courtyard and the next morning another out front. There was also a ladder out front leaning against our tree. Then I left for a few days, back to where Ron was teaching the module. When I came back to our flat (with Ron this time) there was a new ladder INSIDE our totally locked apartment. Mystery. No landlady answered Artyom's phone calls. There was an unusual amount of activity around the flat that week including an increased police presence. Finally the landlady gave us (through interpreter Artyom) an explanation of the apartment across the way changing ownership. Fine, but I can think of better ways to get people moved out, and yourself in!  The phone is behaving better (no clicks, Ukrainian strangers calling, string of hang-ups, and other voices) but there is still no explanation for the ladder INSIDE our flat while we were away, and no excuse for messing with peoples' doors and phone lines. Welcome to Ukraine? I don't think most Ukrainians are like this. We love Ukrainians and are still very happy to live here. Every week has its challenges and downers, but overall we have no regrets moving here.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>String of Stress Relief</U></B></I><I><B> ~</B></I> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >The staff and student sick are well, including Valya who is back to work after her operation. Thanks for your prayers. The needs were more openly shared and prayed over throughout the weeks, part of the evidence of increased bonding of students with one another and us with students and staff. (“Impossible” working & living conditions are chronic student challenges.)</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Facing Death</U></B></I><I><B> ~</B></I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > Today, one of our finest students almost died. She is 27. Inna's  heart stopped while she was in hospital undergoing a blood “cleaning” for a chronic sickness. She saw black and couldn't breathe. Her attitude is wonderful. Truly mature in The Lord. Later she cell phoned UFI, got an instant surprise visit from a few flower bearing UFI team members, and is home now. It is the way it is done here. Last week I read of no water in the hospital. (It happens even there.) Doctors make $47 Canadian per month. I carry $25 worth of food home in one backpack. Life is unbelievably tough for so many here. Some do try to drink and drug away the pain, but so many quietly, graciously, work extremely hard, pushing through it all. Our students are those kind of people. They are so grateful for any and all support they get, and make it go a very long way. Praise God.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="694f4eb0.jpg" border=0 width="244" height="235" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="7" VSPACE="0"></FONT><I><B><U>Farewell Leanna! Sob Sob!</U></B></I><I><B> ~</B></I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > It was a sad and hilarious time saying goodbye to Leanna. The students made up a song for her which they sang in class on her final day with them. It's not yet translated so I don't know all the meaning but it was clearly a LOT of fun as were the comments and jokes that flew that entire parting time. God's blessings to Leanna as she studies in USA! Her personality, extremely excellent work, and delightful laughter were such special blessings for UFI.       </FONT></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> (Photo: Leanna with Lost-looking Artyom!)</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="69645f40.jpg" border=0 width="325" height="244" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="7" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>The Students THANK YOU! </U></B></I><I><B>~</B></I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I><B> </B></I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >One stood up with a message to me, Linda, on behalf of the others. It was simply gratitude for the “sacrifice” of leaving my 3 children & others in Canada to help Ron offer this teaching for which they feel so blessed. To YOU who support in various ways they also expressed their deepest, sincerest gratitude. These are not formalities. These were all spoken from the heart. Their diligence, bonding, expansion action, changed lives, are all testimonies to their sincerity. </FONT></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>“Not by might, nor by power,</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>but by my Spirit" says The Lord Almighty</B></I></div> <bR> <div> Zechariah 4:6</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" ><I>Serving Christ … from Kyiv</I></FONT><I>: </I><I><B>Ron & Linda</B></I></div> <div> <I>from Ottawa Ontario: </I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" ><I><B>Angela </B></I></FONT><I><B>Marie & Dawna Laurie</B></I></div> <div> <I>from Ancaster & Waterloo Ontario:</I><I><B> Noel Adam</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="2ebcc0a0.png" border=0 width="460" height="10" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Dr. Ron Harris: <A HREF="mailto:rharris@iGlide.net" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:rharris@iGlide.net"><U><U>rharris@iGlide.net</U></U></A> ~ Founder of Wellspring of Life Biblical Counselling Service: wellspringoflife.com   Academic Dean Ukraine Family Institute:ufi_kiev@yahoo.com , rlharris@iptelecom.net.ua<U> </U>   </div> <div> World Team Canada :<B>NEW 2003:</B> 7575 Danbro Crescent, Mississauga, ON L5N 6P9 </div> <div> (905) 821-6300; (800) 610-9788, www.world-team.org ~</div> <div>  International Faith Initiatives Inc. (USA) www.internationalfaith.org ~ Rev. Linville: mike@internationalfaith.org</div> <div> <U>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</U></div> <div> We send out <U>email</U> newsletters which <U>differ in format</U> from this <U>web page</U> and from the <U>8.5" X 11" snail mail</U> format.</div> <div> For information, problems / changes / deletions regarding these newsletters, please tell me, Linda: rlharris@i.kiev.ua</div> <div> Apologies for misalignments / spacing. New software would be nice. This one too often (but not always) glitches.</div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="672" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#FFFF99" BORDERCOLORDARK="#CC6633" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#CC3333 HEIGHT= 156 ><NOBR><div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000BF" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>PHOTOS</B></I></FONT><I><B> </B></I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFF80" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>PHOTOS</B></I></FONT><I><B> </B></I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000BF" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>PHOTOS</B></I></FONT><I><B> </B></I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFF80" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>PHOTOS</B></I></FONT><I><B> </B></I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000BF" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>PHOTOS</B></I></FONT><I><B> </B></I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFF80" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>PHOTOS</B></I></FONT><I><B> </B></I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000BF" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>PHOTOS</B></I></FONT><I><B> </B></I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFF80" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>PHOTOS</B></I></FONT></div> <div> (These ones work well.No bells and whistles but I chose to make them this way </div> <div> to eliminate computer and time problems for you. No downoad concerns!)</div> <div> <B>For</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id70.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Kyiv Calling Images"><U><B>FALL 2002 KIEV </B></U></A><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFF80" FACE="AmerType Md BT" ><A HREF="id70.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Kyiv Calling Images"><U><B>photos </B></U></A></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFF80" FACE="AmerType Md BT" ><A HREF="id70.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Kyiv Calling Images"><U><B>(</B></U></A></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFF99" FACE="AmerType Md BT" ><A HREF="id70.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Kyiv Calling Images"><U><B>Our arrival and settling) </B></U></A></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000CC" FACE="AmerType Md BT" ><A HREF="id70.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Kyiv Calling Images"><U><B><U>CLICK HERE</U></B></U></A></FONT></div> <div> <B>For</B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFF99" FACE="AmerType Md BT" ><A HREF="id106.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Ukraine Family Institute Is Born!"><U><B><U>WINTER 2003:</U></B></U></A></FONT><A HREF="id106.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Ukraine Family Institute Is Born!"><U><B><U> UKRAINE FAMILY INSTITUTE IS BORN!</U></B></U></A><B><U> </U></B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFF80" FACE="AmerType Md BT" ><B><U>photos</U></B></FONT></div> <div> <B><U> </U></B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000CC" FACE="AmerType Md BT" ><A HREF="id106.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Ukraine Family Institute Is Born!"><U><B><U>CLICK HERE!</U></B></U></A></FONT></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <A HREF="id66.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="KC Archives"><U><B><U>KC NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES</U></B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#top_kc_news_1" TITLE="Kyiv Calling August 2003"><U><U>Top of Page</U></U></A></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="6988f060.jpg" border=0 width="655" height="6" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>