Dancing in the Rain: An application

7/5/12 My morning devotionals for the leadership team in Ukraine dealt mainly with living a life of abundance (John 10:10) in the midst of a struggle. A hard place. A storm. Living a life to the fullest was labeled a dance. The dance steps were given that could offer a universal approach to answering those struggles. All humans have similar problems, especially women----they just take on different forms.

One of the quotes I wanted to share “left” me as I was speaking. I see it every day at home but was unable to retrieve it from the recesses of my mind.

So….this picture is for the Ukrainian women who are choosing to dance in the storms of life by choosing to learn the steps and applying them .

FREEDOM BIRTHDAYS

7/4/12 Today in America we celebrate our country’s birthday. A day of independence and freedom. Freedom comes at a great cost. There is often a battle so warriors need to continue to be honored and "founding values" need to be upheld.

Flags adorn storefronts and homes. Neighborhood’s have parades. Patriotic color abounds in our red, white and blue decorations and dress. It’s indeed a celebration.

Last week in Ukraine we too celebrated a birthday. Every Christian has a “spiritual birthday” and for one of our campers, it was her first. (John 3:1-7) An event worthy of celebration. A celebration of freedom. Freedom from the penalty and power of sin.

A gift is given. A gift of God’s peace for the present and assurance of life with Him in eternity.

At camp we honored the event with a cake and “happy” candles as we celebrated this spiritual birth of a sister. We celebrated her freedom.

Humili-TEA: a cuppa worth pursuing

7/2/12 Being a tea gal in a coffee world has its moments---many of which are disappointing. However, one of my most affirming moments in my last-minute decision to go to Ukraine was the revelation that tea, the hot variety, would be available 24-7. I’m sure that revelation seems pretty insignificant to most folks, but to me it shows just how personal God can be in his care for us.

Today's morning cuppa  jogged that memory for me and I spent time praying for my “new-found” Ukrainian friends. I thanked God for the privilege of being found faithful and put into ministry at Kompas Park  by Him.  In Ukraine, which I first considered uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8) because it was so far from my Memphis address, I felt at home---a home full of good neighbors---always reaching out and caring for you.  Neighbors of joy, unselfishness and love, united in Spirit and bound together by a single purpose: to know God better.

I was humbled by God’s goodness for me during those 12 days abroad. I was humbled by the acceptance of “hard places” by many of the women at the Mom and Me Camp. I was humbled by the generosity of time and energy that the Ukrainian leadership "babies team" used to benefit me. I was amazed at their “humility” reservoir.

HumiliTEA, needs more than just a sip or two. HumiliTEA is the cuppa all should drink deeply from because our Savior was humility personified.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: (Philippians 2:3-5)

I mulled over this scriptural definition of humility with my  cuppa at my fingertips. I encourage you to do the same!

As Isaiah 57:15 reminds us: God dwells with those who have a humble and contrite spirit and revives both the repentant heart and the spirit of the humble. Glory to God.

Слава Богу!   (For Ukrainian sisters) When I hear you praying this, it sounds like Slava bohja----but regardless of the language, may we all choose to glorify the Lord.

Glory to God who showed me more of Himself, through the humility in your lives, which I saw so clearly last week.

Humili-TEA---a great cuppa for us all!

Sabbath snapshots: Kompas Park

I’m back. I’m blessed. I’m “bushed”--- Bed Beckons. 

Will post Sabbath Snapshots: July 1 2012 soon. SORRY IT'S TAKEN SO LONG!
7/4***No Matter how hard I tried to put these PIX in order, the computer would not let me reposition. I numbered them for anyone who cares that there is an order.
So many pix that I am dividing entries. Today's are a partial overview of a camp day---Days always began with my "Dance" devotionals, exercise and breakfast and campers' room checks. Kids crafts and classes began while mom's had a spiritual message from Shirley followed by their craft times and master classes of cooking or massage lessons. Lunch and quiet time then small groups for the ladies while children were tended. 4:00 snacks of fresh fruit. YUM! More master classes on some days, supper and then "fun time" of skits and songs for moms and kids. 9:00 snacks of the BEST yogurt!
Not sure when "lights out" actually occurred because I was always in bed after our 9 pm "recap the day" leadership mtgs. while others continued on.

#9 Dima practicing sneezing a block off of his head after I had just sneezed it off of mine. Sneezing and laughter---universal in language

#4 Morning exercise at 8:30am. Participants from 14 mos. to 70+ enjoyed this "kick-start" to our day.

#5 Morning groups sectioned by age. Guess who was "blessed" with the babies (0-2)? Matthew was our youngest camper.

#6 Room ck for the campers----Oskar (age 18 mos.) and mom, Stacy, shared the bottom bunk.

#7 Neatness is essential when 4 families share the same room---with 4 bunk beds.

Dima learns the joy of the "sneeze" game.

#3 Back to the house with the day's pickings.

#2 View from my room--early morning gathering of the day's sustenance.

First rule I learned in Ukraine---Always remove shoes at the entryway of a home.

Ukraine sunset at Kompas Park. Nothing quite like it! Note scarecrow on right still keeping watch on the "necessary" garden.

Shirley's lecture on living under God's umbrella and organizing life's priorities accordingly.

Mom's small groups--- recapping truths and sharing insights from morning message.

Leaving our worries at the foot of the cross and praying for each other. Thanks to Pam Seymour for the button and a great "pre-camp" haircut.

SIDEWALK CHALK SAYS IT ALL!

Next Sabbath snapshots (7/8, if I have wifi in mtns.) will be of Ukraine Beauties. I met so many beautiful ladies. I can only share their faces but their hearts are beautiful as well.

Sabbath Snapshots: A World Away

Pix to follow on Mom's return
6/24/12 Pix of first 3 days in Cherkasy, Ukraine to offer a glimpse of the city in which Katya and David Bute minister. Ministry projects organized by Kreativitiy include English and Russian youth groups, Translator Club, Teddy Bear Club for young mums, and mission impossible – a project to motivate young people to get excited about missions.
David and Katya also run a camp for Ukrainian youth every summer called ‘Mission Impossible’!

My first "view" of Ukraine.

Serious about their "football" (soccer) as they hosted, with Poland, the EURO 2012 championship. BTW, Spain won 4-0 over Italy. 

View from my window at the Bute home---where son Tim gave up his room on my behalf.

Produce and brooms from a vendor who wanted me to take her picture.

Shopper purchased his needed bread and pasta for the day.

Hay wagon on the road to the campgrounds.....one of the better roads. Lots of cows, goats and chickens shared the road with us.

Watching the world go buy---though not much traffic goes by on this dirt road near camp entry.

Ukrainian women in traditional babushka. Note well behind them---all water outside city limits comes from wells so you see them in every front yard.

Ukrainian team extend warm welcome.

 

Psalm 133:1

6/23/12 So much to say----so little time----we're headed out the door to drive 1 1/2 hours to the camp at, Kompas Park where we will assist the Ukrainian women in hosting a Mom and Me camp for children 2-8 years of age. Shirley, our team leader, will provide a Woman and Her World "talks" from God's word. Small group follow-ups based on the morning lecture will be headed by Shirley & me & 2 other women on our team---April and Graziella. I will provide (8) daily devotionals for the leadership teams' morning meeting and prayer time. "All Aboard" and here we go......loaded with every imaginable supply we could think of and armed with the prayers of the saints from 4 continents.

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1) 

....only part of 2 bus loads---more for our stuff, than the number of people. It's why each member on our team brought a large suitcase filled with 50 pounds of camp supplies.

There is a fellowship among believers---a unity, a love connection shared among followers of Christ. Praises for that fellowship.

GREETINGS from Cherkassy, Ukraine

It's Friday morning (June 22 here in Ukraine & son Buddy's 42 nd birthday!) Doh-brah-yeh oo-trah! (a phonetic good morning) So rested and ready to share the love of the Lord with Ukrainians! Campers. We go to set up tomorrow. Campers arrive before noon on Sunday or Monday. No longer having to lug around the (7) 50 lb. bag of supplies that the team brought for the camp, which will start tomorrow. Katya had prepared a lucious dinner for us and their lovely home is housing 5 of us til we leave for camp tomorrow. What a blessing this ministry is......(Philippians 2: 3-7)

Kiev arrival

The Ukraine Team arrived in Kiev safely and were met by David Bute and Jordan Fichthorn. Now the drive to Cherkassy. Pray for their stamina and quick adjust to the time difference. 

Answers from the airport

Mom just called with an update. Everyone's bags were checked without any problems. Mom was really concerned (mainly because she is a Liles and we don't know how to pack light) that her bags were going to be too heavy. Well, she is happy to report her bags weighed in at 49.5 lbs (the limit was 50) and her carry-on was 17.5 lbs (the limit was 17.6). She also is happy to report she now has a confirmed seat on the flight from Dusseldorf to Kiev. This was really good news considering the agent in Memphis warned the group to not leave the international secured area because if they left the area they would be arrested and sent to prison. Mom is happy to now have confirmation (she likes her confirmation ahead of time). She wants you all to know she is rested, refreshed, and hopes to flourish (an answer to Aggie from France Psalm 92 prayer). I will keep you posted as I hear from mom, Molly

UKRAINE BOUND

6/20/12 UKRAINE BOUND---FLIGHT LEAVES AT 10:40 am. Headed to airport in 15 minutes.

HOORAY! HOORAY!! We’re on our way---our summer vacation (mission trip) begins today. That’s a Liles tradition so my kids will “get it”.

These verses and lots of prayers are "packed" and going with me!
Philippians 2:3-5, (team verse) John 10:10, Psalm 92

For updates on the trip, “my” Molly will blog updates as she receives them though contact will be very limited. For regular updates, in interested, you can send your email address to "Jennifer Baumer" <jenbaumer@gmail.com>, or If you do FaceBook check out the church FB page at FirstEvanUkraineTeam.

All prayer “donations” certainly appreciated by this old lady.

Excited and shaky----but God......is clearly in control for which I am so grateful.
Love to all---