Praise God! “…the most significant module in my life!...”

“…a huge personal benefit for me! As usual the material taught works immediately in my life. I then use and see the benefit of this great material. Every module for me is an honest conversation with God… a difficult conversation, but then it results in great value..”

“My work with dependent people and addicts was previously very chaotic, but after this module everything is in order, in sequence. The teaching presented a very clear, vivid structure…”

Ukraine Family Institute Students on Module 5

(more later in newsletter and attachment/enclosure)

Module 5: “You Are My Life!” ~ The year is number 2 of 3 for our Ukrainian and Russian students. They completed the 4 foundational modules in year one and now the first of 8 “Issues” modules. The subject was Addictions, and the focus once again was the root idolatry and ways to and from that for both counsellor and counsellee. (ie. a “comfort idol” lies behind all sorts of addictions. Human hearts manufacture countless idols) Guests Ursula and Dan also taught (see page 2) and shared an Addiction program called “The Most Excellent Way” (not to be confused with Ron's course on spiritual warfare: “A More Excellent Way”).I, Linda, contributed more morsels to the teaching this module than any other for which the students were grateful, giving me hugs and chatting with me through interpreters between classes. There are no strangers teaching unapproved material but not all details can be known ahead of time of course. It was amazing that though none of us knew exactly what the other was going to say and all come from a very wide variety of backgrounds and cultures, God seemed to drive home “grace over legalism”. Besides through scripture, each speaker knew this through painful life experiences of ministering and being ministered to in wrong ways, and then the contrasting power and beauty of living and receiving ministry more faithful to the bible's commands to love. The law without love is deadly. Yes you have to be tough but “better to not even try to minister to addicts if it is without love” said one and all agreed. This perfect judge plus perfect love aspect of God's character came up again last night as university aged young adults from our church meet here in our flat every Sunday evening. (See “Young People…” later in this newsletter.) The caption “Heavy Hearts” refers to soul searching and working with messy lives, while” Heavenly Highs” are seen in their smiles, comments, and singing and such, as they discover even more truth to set hearts free.

Will We Have To Pry Them Apart? The way things are going the students are becoming more and more “family”. These students from all across Ukraine and 3 from Russia, truly “one-another one another” from “iron sharpens iron” discussions to hugs and tears. Also we have now added a guitarist (UFI student) and provide a rented keyboard for other talented students to help enhance the daily worship/prayer time between breakfast and 1st 9 a.m. class. Voluntary attendance for that segment seemed very high if not 100%! (“More on Module 5” later in this newsletter)

100 New Student Applications Being Processed ~ Please pray for the Ukraine Family Institute Team as they process applications that are arriving for modules to be taught here and in other cities. (See previous Kyiv Calling on those locations.) The application process has been tweaked not to exclude people unfairly but to ensure applicants that they are aware of the intensity of study and high expectations, and to help UFI groom leaders as we continue to focus on duplication of leaders. Past newsletters can be requested or can presently be found at http://www.wellspringoflife.com/id66.htm

(You are near that page right now if you are online. This posting is taken from snail mail material)

Light In The East! This ministry began November 10th, 2003. Their goal is to “prepare Christians in practical ministry in churches and establishing new churches” They invited Ron and the UFI staff to teach the counselling segment of the training program on a regular basis. Dmitri appreciates the approach to counselling in striving to be consistently biblical. (His parent are UFI students) The basic course will be offered in 2 segments of one 20 hour week per year. March 15-19 will be the first week that Ron and TA Sergei teach. Spring 2005 will be, Lord willing, the second week.

Wisdom Needed in Accepting Teaching Invitations ~ As our ministry becomes more known and the fruits more visible, there are more comments of delight form distant places and requests as well. We must keep our mandate clearly before us and not over-extend ourselves. The above (Light In the East) particular opportunity is a bite-size realistic time commitment with great potential as we help equip future leaders.

MORE ON MODULE 5

American Ex-Biker & German Medical Doctor / Biochemist Help ~ Dan Shaw and his wife Nina (who is Ukrainian) and Dr Ursula Muller-Erberhard, shared their unique stories and specialized ministries in the area of addiction. Ursula you read a lot about in the last newsletter. Dan has been in Ukraine for 10 years (Dneprozerzhinsk near Dnepropetrovsk, south east of Kiev a day or so train ride) Now he has some stories to tell! though said little about those until he and his wife stayed overnight at our flat after the module. (His gang is defunct, as most members are now dead.) I wasn't born yesterday so scepticism lingered awhile but eventually I relaxed and enjoyed the blessing of this fine couple. Every day is living faith here in Ukraine, and frequently surprising.

More Student Comments ~

M-5: the most significant module in my life! God broke my heart, … (See extra Kyiv Calling Student Response attachment / enclosure for the rest of this and more excerpts)

If I had not been equipped by knowledge that I received at UFI I would be angry before God for the pain which He brought for me. Now I know how to think about pain in the Christian life…

Before this module (M4) I almost killed my CE with the Law, but after the teaching I decided to rebuild my relationship with him, and this has greatly helped my ministry. (Use of Grace)

M-5: I was impressed by the rich theological understanding of nature and action of addiction, but also the true help for addicts according to the Word. It's important that 5th module was built up on the previous four.

…M4 helped me personally and in my counseling; warning about misuse of the Scriptures; the “farmer” and “doctor” concept help to diagnose correctly and to prepare the soil of the heart in order to sew the needed seeds in the right time.

(M4) Law and Grace. The result of understanding the connections was wonderful…the way to use Law and Grace in proper time, proper place and proper quantity.

M-5: light bulb about anatomy of sin; the alcohol addiction is very typical for all the rest of addictions; “king-priest-prophet” concept help God to reveal my own addictions.

…this module was stuffed and informative … useful for my ministry; it will be used in small group study; …The new team (expanded UFI Team) is with integrity, strong in the unity and love and very inspiring. My soul was healed through the people by God

Excerpts of excerpts of Modules 4 and 5 STUDENT RESPONSES (UFI:Kyiv)

For these exciting responses click this link:

Sickness, death, darkness, trial and triumph ~ Besides the material always being challenging even for these bright, dedicated leaders, the UFI Team and students alike seem always to face surprise challenges each module. Specific prayer in this regard has become part of our office life. Thank YOU too for prayers sustaining us all through the challenges. One never knows quite what to expect. This time we experienced …

The first day two students received the bad news that a father-in-law died suddenly and a student's mother had a stroke. These two students left with prayers, tears, hugs of comfort, and homework plan “B” since the modules are so intensive that missing one is very serious. One student had been told before she came that she had cancer. Many ministered to her as (as she did to us by her courageous words of faith) and even set her up to go to another doctor in Kiev. So part way through the module a second opinion was announced. She does NOT have cancer after all, but something else. Praise God if this is indeed true! Several times the electricity went off but of course was taken in stride. Only the hour or more in the early morning when it was still dark out and everyone was wanting to get ready for breakfast and worship was it a bit troublesome. I did some exercises in the dark. Ron couldn't do those because of his back, but praise God it was getting better every day! God answered those prayers in grand style. One of our students is a physician employed by her church in Poltava, one of the poorest Oblasts in Ukraine. Previously she laboured as a surgeon, and part of her training and her work now is chiropractic. God used her three massages to improve and sustain Ron's back through this gruelling week. He had no time at all for therapeutic walks (since all non-teaching or sleeping hours were filled with one-on-one and group meetings, even through meals) but these massages were, as Ron says, “messages” showing the hearts of our students.

One Happy Man ~ (…which delights his wife!) Ron was very satisfied and grateful for the week. His students are now off with new counselling ministry projects to complete in the setting of their local churches. Then there's the constant stream of reporting and support. We both really enjoyed seeing the new Teaching Associate, Tanya, in action. (The others' turns next time?) Our students now pray for the 3 extension sites likely beginning as they remember what it was like stepping into the unknown, and being confronted with huge light-bulbs from Scripture. It's not just us who stepped out on faith; so did the students! In applying they decided to trust these foreigners!

Young People Delighting in Truth! They say we are a blessing to them, but so often they are just as much to us! This university aged group is invited to our flat every Sunday after church, which is just a 10 minute walk away. (3 churches worship there.) It's a small group (tiny Harris flat) but they enjoy the teaching, discussions, peaceful warm home atmosphere, Ron's roses and hugs for his wife, classy music, light usually healthy refreshments, and generally warm fellowship. They prefer this challenging material and their commitment to prayer often surprises me. Last night they watched and discussed an RC Sproul film segment on “Choosing Your Religion”. We show this English language film here in our flat once per month as part of our outreach aspect of these meetings (pausing if the translators need to catch their breath) The other weeks have a different focus. Besides enjoying the content and immediate usefulness in speaking to their unsaved friends, such that they want to watch all of the segments immediately and not wait, they also shared other interesting comments. They noted that while it seems western non-Christians and even some believers have a hard time believing that God is JUST and needs that part of His holiness satisfied (and so often feel they don't need God or that He just loves everyone regardless), the Ukrainians have a hard time understanding God's LOVE. (They said this, not me) It is understandable given the history of brutal oppression, present poverty and corruption struggles, and rituals of repentance and works to try to earn God's favour. However, praise God that these young people deeply and personally understand freedom in Christ. Pray many of all ages experience this freedom and joy we can know because of the heart-wrenching incredible gift of Christ crucified. Pray the older of our Ukraine Family Institute leaders also deeply understand God's LOVE. Their work and comments indicate they know His love more and more with each module. Exciting times, for these all influence the future of Ukraine and beyond! We hope you are enjoying being a part of this! Praise God!

Another Visit From President Mike ~ March 8-15th is the scheduled whirlwind visit from our Ukraine Family Institute president Mike Linville. This is for team building and other very important UFI business. His schedule looks very full but after you're done praying about this important week you might want to sneak in some prayers that Ron scoot him and the UFI team off to a hockey game?

Harris Family ~

ALL 3 Harris offspring are working in the SAME Ottawa doctors' office! Hah! Adam is sleeping on a sofa when he is at Angela's and I think has a bed when he is at Dawna's. He is still working towards going to Redeemer University College next Fall (2004) but it seems to me he needs a whole lot of prayer to get everything done. He HAS finished High School!!! though I anxiously await his promised marks and photos. I think the delay is that his hair-dressing school sister Dawna (Dr. office is part time for her) is “working on his head” for some surprise grad photos. Angela is working full time and studying for Med School. All seem fine and are walking with The Lord. Us? We're fine too but that would take another entire attachment.

Angela Marie 23

Noel Adam 18

Dawna Laurie 22

(Sorry, this photo not included in email version

but probably will be some newsletter soon)

Thank YOU! Thank you for YOUR prayers and funds which truly serve others. “The future is as bright as the promises of God!” Fear not, but in faithfulness rejoice!

“You my brethren were called to be free.

But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature;

rather, serve one another in love. ”

(Galatians 5:13)

Serving Christ … from Kyiv Ukraine: Ron, Linda

from Ottawa, ON, Canada: Angela, Dawna & Noel Adam

Dr. Ron Harris: rharris@iGlide.net ~ Founder of Wellspring of Life Biblical Counselling Service: wellspringoflife.com Academic Dean Ukraine Family Institute:ufi_kiev@yahoo.com , NEW : Ron.Harris@worldteam.org

World Team Canada : NEW 2003: 7575 Danbro Crescent, Mississauga, ON L5N 6P9

(905) 821-6300; (800) 610-9788, www.world-team.org ~

International Faith Initiatives Inc. (USA) www.internationalfaith.org ~ Rev. Linville: mike@internationalfaith.org

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We send out email newsletters which differ in format from this web page and from the 8.5" X 11" snail mail format.

For information, problems / changes / deletions regarding these newsletters, please tell me, Linda: rlharris@i.kiev.ua

Apologies for misalignments / spacing. New software would be nice. This one too often glitches.

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NO MARCH NEWSLETTER. Instead I sent Kyiv Jollies For Your March Blues

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