Hangout with our new friends :)

On Wednesday when we had our kid's service, we bumped into six teenagers that were on the school grounds where we normally spend time with the kids. We started talking to them and invited them to join us for the activities that we had planned out for the day. To our surprise, they agreed to stay and were involved in all that we did. Afterwards, we invited them to our house for a hang out so that we can get to know them better. Today, they all showed up and we were excited. We started off with a few ice breaker games so that we can get to know their names. However, we felt it was necessary to share the Gospel message with them, and so we did. Natasha, a local from Kiev shared the Message with them and asked them all if they wanted to pray the repentance prayer. One boy, named Andrey courageously raised his hand. The others looked at each other, and also wanted to pray the repentance prayer. After the prayer, Natasha explained to them how important it is to remain in fellowship with the Lord and read the Bible daily. We gave each teen a Bible of their own and invited them to come over next week. Together we all enjoyed Smores' and sang songs around the bon fire. It was a wonderful time that we had with the teenagers. 

We thank God for opening a door and giving us the opportunity to get to know the teenagers and share the Gospel message with them. We ask that you continue to pray for our team and the people here in Baryshivka. May all the Glory be to God.

Kid's Service: Water Balloons

For the past two weeks it has rained on the days we had kid's service and most of the kid's were not able to show up because of the unexpected weather. However, this past Wednesday we were blessed with sunshine and more kid's showed up. The lesson that was taught was about Heaven. For a craft project they all had the chance to color  and decorate the gates of Heaven that we printed out for them. The children were all so excited to color and decorate with glitter, stickers, and paint. After the fun craft project, we all decided that it was time to pull out the water balloons and play some games while the weather was great. It was so much fun and yes, we all ended up getting wet. The following Sunday the sunshine was out again and it was very hot so we played with water balloons again :)

When it rained, plan B was putting the parachute over the trampoline

Kid's tossing water balloons over the net :)

Homemade Jam

One elderly lady from the church named Mariya Joseph has given us a whole bunch of plums and walnuts. We knew that we were not going to eat all the plums before they get bad so I really wanted to try and make some jam for the first time. I went to the market and bought some strawberries to make the jam taste more flavor full. Who knew that plums and strawberries would make such a good combination. The jam had a sour, but very sweet taste, making it perfect to spread on bread and drink tea. 

Our lovely ladies have been so kind to provide us with potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, beets, and soo much more. So as a thank you for all that they do for us, we gave them the homemade jam that I and the girls made together. 

 And this was the end result of the jam :) yummmy!!

Prayer

We go to a prayer service every Thursday evening. usually, it takes place at one of the local lady's house, but for the last 2 weeks, it was at our house. We had a very blessed time, even some ladies that usually do not come showed up. We have interesting discussions during our meetings, and its always nice to know that you have a support group, so to speak. Some of the ladies had special prayer requests, and we take those very seriously. Each of them also prays daily for their families, as some members of their family have not yet come to the Lord. please support them and us in prayer.
Every meeting with them is a bit funny to me personally, because I'm not fully accustomed to the way they talk. At times, it seems as though they are telling each other off, even though one is just explaining a point to another. And they love debating. They make me think of sisters =D
They pray for and encourage one another, though, and that makes me so happy. Yesterday, for instance, one mentioned that she has been upset with the Lord; and two or three others began a pep talk right away. "Don't worry," they said. "Just trust in the Lord, believe that He knows what He's doing. We will pray for you together, and we'll keep praying. Hang in there, sister."
It's just so sweet. Our leader also read psalm 27 for us, and said that its a very good psalm to read when we're feeling down. It is. David was truly a man after God's own heart.
They stayed for tea last week, but this week hurried off, probably because it was getting dark. We didnt let them leave, however, unless they at least tried our new jam. They loved it.
We love our local ladies, and wish them and their families blessings in abundance!
Continue to pray for us, we are always in need of a blessing. Thanks so much

Kid's Camp

Getting Ready

drew him, painted him, and cut him out

we love DIY projects

"more left. no, more up. hold it straight!"

With the Kids 

bracelet making

 lesson with the youngest group

story of the good Samaritan

 

 "Jonah, wake up!"

they love helping

Praise God! Kid's camp was a huge success. About 50 children were registered, and they all loved it. We were sad to end, but we didnt finish forever. We now hold lessons with the kids twice a week. Every Sunday and Wednesday we gather them up again and teach something new from the Bible. We have 15 to 20 kids each time. Please pray for us, so that we have the wisdom to teach them correctly, and according to the Lord's will.

Week 2

Thursday, we went to see the elderly lady again (we’ve taken to calling her grandma), and sang more songs for her. The guys helped her out with some physical work she needed done in the garden, and the girls talked to her. We also went to prayer, which was very blessed. On the way home from prayer, Vadim, Lena, and Elona met a few locals, and agreed to hang out soon. Friday, we went to Kiev for the day, to see the city and hang out with the youth from the church in Kiev. We walked around, visited many interesting places, and met a few girls from the church youth. We watched the soccer game as well, and had an all around good time.

Saturday was a day of preparation to church. We prepared a program in which every member of the group was somehow involved. At night, some of us went to hang out with the local youth to build closer relationships with them. We sat in the park, played guitar, and sang songs, and two or three different groups came up to us to listen to us, talk to us, and ask us who we are and what we are about. We had a great time, and one of the groups even ended up singing for us. When it was time for us to leave, they did not want to let us go.

On Sunday, we had a great service, filled and very blessed. We had prepared a short skit about how we need to let Christ shine through us without our having to say anything to people; two sermons, and we sang a song for the church as a group. Everyone seemed to love the service, even the two unchristian elderly women that came to visit the service. Sunday night, we held a bonfire at our house, and invited the youth over. We had about 12 guests, and we had a great time sitting around the fire, talking about God, eating, and teaching the new people how to make and eat s’mores. They loved it and said they would come again next time. We all went to bed feeling honored to be able to serve and be a blessing for others. Praise the Lord.

Monday, Danyyil went to Kiev to pick up a trampoline for kid’s camp (read below), and the other guys went to a local ladies house to dig a hole for her, as she is unable to do it herself. The girls were preparing for the camp at home.

Tuesday, we had our main group meeting, the guys did some physical work for some of the ladies, and we went to bible study in the evening. We read and discussed Acts chapter 17 and had a blessed time.

Wednesday, 3 of us (Danyyil, Angie, Elona) went to Kiev to stock up on supplies for the kid’s camp. We spent about six hours there, and bought just about everything needed. The rest of the group stayed home, and prepared for camp there. They designed invitation fliers, went to have them printed, and Lena visited grandma again.

On Thursday, two of the guys went to finishing digging the hole they started on Monday. They came home exhausted but did not complain. The girls were all at home, preparing the program for camp. In the evening, we wnt to prayer at the house where the guys were digging. We took one look at the hole and understood exactly why they came home so exhausted. It was HUGE!! We were very proud of them.

We are planning on holding a kid’s day camp next week. This past week was completely immersed in preparing for it. Sunday is opening night and registration, and the camp itself will be held Monday through Thursday. We want to get to know the kids of Baryshivka a bit, and a day camp is a wonderful chance to do so. We are very grateful to the school director for giving us permission to use the school grounds for such an occasion. We are all incredibly excited for it, and each member is very involved in the planning.  We even have a trampoline, and it is bound to be a hit with all the children. We spent today (Friday) hanging up and passing out fliers. We do not know how many kids to expect, but I have a feeling there will be quite a few. Please pray that everything works out, and that God may open the hearts of the children and their parents to hear and accept His word.

Thanks to everyone who supports us and prays for us. We are so grateful for all of you. Please keep praying, and we will keep you in our prayers.

-Angie

Week 1 Update

It is day 7 here in Baryshivka. We are adapting, some slower, others faster, but surely nonetheless. Personally, I feel as though I'm in a dream of some sort. It is just so unreal, even though I'm adapting quite quickly.
We arrived here on friday the 8th, and spent 3 days and nights as guests in the house of the local pastor. We moved out, and into our "own" house Monday morning. It really is very nice. Running water, hot water, gas stove, inside and outside bathrooms, a big yard, 3 usable bedrooms; pretty much the whole shabang. It is so nice to live in a house we can call our own.
Very quick rundown on our week, as I am in a hurry. I do not have much time today, but it has been a week, and weekly updates are always good.
Friday and Saturday, we were just getting used to the new surroundings, the people, and the time zone. We're actually still working on that =). Sunday, we went to church service. It was very blessed, and an elderly lady repented and gave her life to the Lord. Praise God. Monday morning we moved into our house, and spent the day settling in. We also watched the soccer game out in a restaurant/cafe. It was a very good and interesting experience. Tuesday, we did a bit of visiting. We visited an elderly lady, and went to a Bible study at another lady's.
Wednesday, we did some more visiting. We visited a member of the church, a lady that had recently had surgery on her broken leg, and then an elderly lady who lives alone. We sang a lot, and just talked to al the ladies. They are such sweet women, it's just impossible not to love them. They may be a lot older than me, but they are just so cute.
Today, Thursday, we will do some more visiting, and we will go see the elderly grandmother. She doesn't have much visitors. I am excited.
I will try to have pictures for the next update. Till then, God Bless!
-Angie

Short Video on Baryshivka

Fundraising at Port Orange

This Saturday we went to Port Orange to fundraise money for our mission trip. It was a very hot and beautiful day. We thank everyone who blessed us with their donations. May God bless you abundantly!!

Please visit our Facebook page, we accept donations online :) facebook.com/lighthousemissionarygroup

We're almost at reaching our goal! $$$

A Bit About Baryshivka

Geography

Baryshivka is a beautiful little town that is located on the right bank of Trubizh River and on the left side of Dnipro River. Locals call it a village of city type, which means Baryshivka is not a city neither a village, but something in between. It is 6km north of the main highway of Kiev-Kharkov and 66km southeast of Kiev and with a total area of 5km square. Baryshivka is the capital of Baryshivkan region; the region has 39 villages and 1 village of city type.

Transportation / Population

Baryshivka has a great transportation system; it has its own railway station as well as many buses that they call “marshutki” that travel every hour. Marshutki are a common transportation for residents that do not own a vehicle. The population of Baryshivka has really grown over the past years. In 1959, there were 6,000 residents. However, 42 years later in 2001 there were a total of 11,178 people. The number continues to grow today.

Landmarks

There are two secondary schools, a “House of Culture” also known as a community center that includes a choir, orchestra, dance teams and many other activities. Baryshivka has two libraries, an after school program for children called “Mriya,” and a stadium where children can play soccer. There is also a Youth Arts Centre, and Taras Shevchenko Museum.

Lifestyle

Baryshivka is a quiet environment, but at the same time a very busy town. In the morning, people are normally in a hurry. Children go to school, parents go to work, and the market place is enclosed with people from surrounding villages that come to sell their good’s or buy. Train stations are crowded with people as well as the buses that go to Kiev.

Many people work in Kiev and young adults go to Kiev to receive a higher education. During the daytime, it is usually very quiet in the town, but later on it becomes busy again; children come from school and parents from work. In the evening, the youth spend their time in the local park located in the center of Baryshivka while other youth hang out in the center of town on Friday and Saturday nights. A lot of the times the youth come home on the weekends after being in school for a whole week.

On Sunday morning some people go to church, but not many because on Sunday mornings the whole region is a selling complex called “bazaar.” Many people from near by villages come to sell things and buy. Because of the busyness of the their schedules, people often are not interested in attending church. A lot of the people are empty inside and try filling their void. Even though, they realize that they need something more, not all of them search and do something to change their life.

Barishivka is potential town, it is very beautiful and it has all the access that is needed. There is great capability of the church growing because the population is growing steadily. 

Who We Are?

Lighthouse is a missionary group composed of seven young adults from all over the US, with one mission in common: to serve those in need and spread the ‘good news’ of Jesus Christ. Last year, a missionary group traveled to Baryshivka, Ukraine and worked there for about 5 months, and this year our group will return to Baryshivka to continue the work that was started there.

The reason to why we are called lighthouse is simple: a lighthouse is a tower displaying or flashing a very bright light for the guidance of ships in avoiding dangerous areas, in following certain routes, etc. In Matthew 5:16 it says, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven". We want to be the light to those who are in darkness and lead them to God who is the only source of eternal light.

During our time in Baryshivka, we will be focusing on three areas. We will work with children, youth, and the small church that already exists there. Our plan is to set up a children’s camp for a week and afterwards continue weekly gatherings with the children that will be planned with fun activities and biblical lessons. Our hope is to build genuine friendships with the youth and get to know them personally so that we would be able to share the gospel and be of any help to them. We plan to do this by having bonfires, movie nights, picnics, sport tournaments, etc. Our last focus is working with the church. There are currently fifteen members that attend and are mostly older women and a few men. Our prayer is that we would be an encouragement and blessing so that they would continue to grow spiritually and so the rise of membership would increase in the house of the Lord.

Please pray for our group so that we would be the lighthouse to Baryshivka and walk in God's will. Thank you for all the support!