Dear brethren
Skvyra church of Christ greets you. The
average attendance for Sunday worship in Oct-Dec of 2015 was 11-14 people 5-6
at Wednesday Bible class. At our Wednesday Bible class we study the book of
Jeremiah.
In the general all members are Ok. We had
several more visitors during second part of fall and beginning of winter. The
weather in Oct-Dec was mild and it was raining often. But in most it was warm
weather comparing with previous years. With last day of 2015 and till today the
weather changed to severe winter - strong frosts (about -5 by Fahrenheit) and
snowing and because of that we had lower attendance today.
We had several preachers visiting us in
October. James Sherman from Shady Valley church of Christ visited our church 11
of October with his granddaughter and Sergiy Sergienko from Kyiv church. James
visited first time our congregation at beginning in far 1993. It was
interesting to hear his sermon and after the worship we talked about the times
when our congregation started. James Sherman was teaching classes at Bila
Tserkva Ukrainian extension of Bear Valley Bible institute. He told that he
plans to teach in the institute also next year so we hope to see and hear him
again.
In December we had guest preacher from the
Bila Tserkva Bible institute Alexey. Alexey is a secretary in the institute he
also youth leader in local church. It was second time when he visited us (first
time he visited us about year ago with his family). He also like Andriy
Zhuravlev moved from ocupated Gorlovka and settled with other christian
families in BilaTserkva.
Today
(3 of Jan 2016) we had Andriy Zhuravlev coming to us. Andriy moved to Bila
Tserkve in September more near to the Bible Institute where he teaches. He also
continue to preach in the church in Kyiv at Shevchenkovsky area. In October
Andriy was visiting his parents and church members that still stay in Gorlovka.
It was quite dangerous to go to area that is not controlled by Ukraine but DNR
rebels. Andriy told how hard to survive for the people in ocupated area
especially its big danger to be killed any moment because Gorlovka is located
on the line of the front. It was risky trip but Andriy did that and also
encouraged his parents and members of the church that still stay in Gorlovka
(mostly old people). He stayed about 1 week in Gorlovka and returned safe from 3rd
attempt (because it was problem to cross block posts on the way back to
Ukraine).
Vladimir Ilnitsky I also taking active
participation in life of the church. At times when he feels better he even can
tell small sermon. He likes to come to the church. His health condition is
stable but its not easy to keep it because he needs allays much of expensive
medicine which is not accessible always especially when government shortened
support of handicapped people. Thanks Yuma church of Christ and preacher Denney
Collins they helped Vladimir with medicine funds last time.
Our older sisters Valentina Filipovna and
Nadiya Oleksandrivna still non walk well so we visit them at home. The missing
the church very much even cry sometime because of that. Its very sad situation
but we visit them and try to encourage them.
Our young sister Ira (that is also
handicapped from childhood times) . Her diagnosis is Thomsen myotonia. For last
few years he started to have complications and it also causes problems with
walking and also other health complications. This fall Ira had very bad
complications and was prescribed strong medicine that cased bad side effects.
She lost her consciousness several time during the worship. Currently we
discovered that she needs surgery. Thanks Johnny Mack Young that he already
helped financially and we believe it will help Ira to pay for the treatment and
recover soon. Ira is also one of the members that do not miss services. She
enjoys to be at church and each Sunday she brings new christian poem to
encourage brothers and sisters.
Vladimir Koval recovered from health
problems that he had several years ago. He also participate in leading of
prayers from time to time. He is dreaming to restore his bee keeping business
in Pustovarivka this summer. Because of his disease and depression 2 years ago
he lost all his bees during winter. But now he is much better and shoves
interest to the things he like to do. We are glad for our brother.
Older ladies Maria, Luba, Valentina,
Lidia, Antonina are not bad in the general. Svitlana and Ivanka Koval also visit
each worship.
My daughter Vlada broke left hand 10nth of
December. In two days we will visit a doctor to take off the plaster.
The price of heating for this season is
extremely high comparing with passed season.Thanks Jim Orisson for the funds he
helped with heating, water and electric bills at church building. It
helps us to have meetings in warm place and also old lady Vera thankful a lot
as she stays at church building (sister in Christ that moved from Gorlovka from
ocupated area and have no house so we offered her living in one of the room of
church building). Thanks to Johnny Mack Young also for willing to help in that
situation.
In the end of this letter I want to
express the words thanks from all members of our church to everybody who
supported us in word and deed in 2015. We wish great health, happiness and many
Gods blessings in 2016!
with love in Christ, preacher of Skvyra
church of Christ, Andriy Pomaz
