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There were lots of tears and hugs as we big goodbye for now to Chaplino town. It's always particularly difficult when several Ukrainians come to you and urge you to come back and run a camp in their home village next year. The only answer that could be given was, "We will go where God sends us." While in Kiev we toured and ate and had some debriefing time. Larry read over all the prayer requests we had asked of God before starting the trip. It was great to see how God had answered all of our requests with a "yes" except one. We had prayed and prayed for a building for the camp, but God had greater plans in mind. We realized by the close of camp that the park-like setting across from the church was by far the best place to have the camp in Chaplino. All the youth of the town had access to this area and many joined the camp after observing for awhile. This could not have happened in a closed school building. What a blessing to know that God orchestrated every detail and His ways are higher than ours.

We also were pleasantly surprised by God's appointments on the way home. While in the Kiev airport, Valerie met Roger, the conductor of the Kiev Symphony that is coming to Calvary soon. She introduced him to the other team members and we were able to have great conversations both in Kiev and in New York after landing. Please pray for him as he undergoes medical testing in the states before the concert tour.

We hope to see you all at the International Cafe at Calvary on July  24th at 7 p.m. as the team reports on all God has done. Thank you for your prayer support!

Beyond all we could ask or think…

We have just arrived by train back in Kiev after finishing our week at camp. There really are no adequate words to express our final two days in Chaplino town. The weather was beautiful Tuesday through Friday and the camp attendance increased every day. On Friday morning, we intended to show the Jesus movie with the church projector but had ongoing difficulties. The team came up with a plan to have the children view the movie simultaneously on five different laptops. Despite the enemy’s attempt with another roadblock, God was working in the children’s hearts and many repented. The evening outreach to youth also yielded about 17 new believers. These young people are the future of their village and we are thankful that God saved so many. We will have many stories to tell of the individual children when we return, although it was particularly touching when one of the gypsy girls came up about an hour after the invitation had been given and said that she now wanted to trust Christ. Obviously the Holy Spirit was working in her heart and she could no longer resist.

The young father who requested we come to his hometown will now be looking for workers who can help with a new Tomorrow Club in Chaplino town beginning September 1st. We are also hoping that some young people will be drawn to the local church.

Please pray for our safety as we travel throughout Kiev today and back to the U.S. tomorrow. None of this would have possible without your prayers and gifts. We are so grateful for all your support

More Fruit in a dry land

We are rejoicing again today that God has reached down into little Chaplina town and has saved about 10 more children today. These children responded to invitations given in two of the classes today. Tomorrow, Lord willing, we plan to show the Jesus film which will also give the children an invitation to repent.

We had another beautiful day of weather. More than 100 children attended the camp today. The kids loved cooling off with the water balloon launch. The camp celebrated Ukrainian day by sampling national foods, learning Ukrainian history and playing a game. Please be in prayer for Friday's camp as the parents have been invited to the closing program. The kids will be demonstrating some of the English phrases and songs they learned as well as spiritual truths. It is a great opportunity for parents to hear the gospel.

We can't believe we will already be saying goodbye to these dear children and other dear friends from over the years. God has been so faithful to begin to harvest His fruit here. Our prayer is that workers will be found to begin a Tomorrow Club in this remote region in order to follow-up on the decisions that have been made this week.

Thank you for your ongoing prayer support! It has been felt throughout the week in a mighty way.

Camp day 3

Yesterday was a good day. Four youth repented at the youth outreach and several children repented (trusted Christ) in their classes. Praise God! The weather has been perfect, not too hot and not too cold with no rain. Please continue to pray about good weather as, the English lessons and the Bible lessons are being held outdoors. Please pray for Nickolai, a 12 year old camper whose family is involved in witch craft. Nickolai wants to trust Christ but is conflicted because his family is involved in witch craft. Nickolai also has a drinking problem. Pray that the love of Christ would shine through the darkness that is in his life. Many campers come from difficult family situations, and God is speaking to their hearts. We plan to show the Jesus movie on Friday. We appreciate the prayer support. Please continue to pray.

God is Good, in Sunshine and rain

Trip Verse
Deu 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Praise God we had good weather and a good second day of Camp. We had American day, which is a day that we get to tell about the American Culture, over all it went well. It appears as if some kids didn’t come back to camp…most likely because of the rain storms on Monday. Please pray for more Kids particularly some of the older teenage boys, there was a group of them that came to see the closing program, we invited for them to come back to the camp, tomorrow, please pray for these boys. Yesterday, before the rain, a branch unexpectedly fell from a tree near where one of the camp classes was seated, the branch narrowly missed one to the Ukrainian translators, had the branch hit someone it would have seriously hurt them. Please pray for continued protection as we share the love of Christ. People in the village don’t like Christians. Please pray that they would be able to see Christ as camp continues. We are to have a clear day tomorrow, with rain the rest of the week, please pray about that. Please pray for a great harvest, and lasting spiritual fruit in this dark place. One of the American team members fell during a pick up soccer Game and has some brush burns, please pray for quick healing. We are grateful to you who are praying for us. Please consistently pray for us WE NEED IT.

First Day of Camp - Praise and Storms

First day of camp went well praise God we had between 50 and 70 kids. However we did have a rain storm at 3:30 lots of wind and rain.We were forced to take the children inside the small church. We lost Power for a while during that time we sang songs and worshiped God together. Despite the rain Children are excited about the first day of camp, and are planning to bring their friends tomorrow. The weather forecast is calling for rain for the rest of the week. Please pray bout this. We know our God is God of creation, and is able to change this.
The opposition is strong but God is stronger still, we are waiting to see what God will do at this camp. Please pray for great weather for the rest of the week. And that God’s word and love would land in the fertile soil of these children’s hearts and the seed would bear eternal fruit. The team is doing well, we are staying in host homes, these people are extremely poor but Love God and trust him.

FIrst day Church service

Sunday - We finished our overnight train ride at 6:30 am. Traveled 2.0 hours on bus. Went to church service, Had service outside, Very small church. We had service outside 50-100 people more than half camp team, service was 3.0 Hours. Wendy Keener, Jonathan Ferguson and Valerie Hoopes gave testimony. America team gave 2 songs. Larry Ferguson Gave a small message on Jn 4, two other messages in Russian. Then we had a camp organization meeting and met the teams that we will work with. Three teams, one American and Two Ukrainian teams. Praise God no rain and not much rain in the forecast. We put up the large tent quite a feat. Pray for the first day of camp today. Pray that the camp would go smoothly.


Pray for the first day of camp to go well. Children are afraid of the camp because they think it is a cult. Please pray that God would be glorified.

activities for the day July 3rd

Arrived, Rested, went to the resturant, ate, watched world cup Germany wins 4-0 came back to the room, spent some time with Max and Vica. Getting ready to go to the train for the overnight train.

Arrived safely in Ukraine resting then over night train to village pray for good weather and good harvest .

Wating at the airport

We have been at the airport for the last 3 hours we should board delta flight 88 in about 15 minutes.
Keep praying for us every step of the way. God has led us thus far. Keep praying about the weather and travels

The team at a rest stop

In the van

We are on the way

We are in the van heading toward N.Y. Thank you Lord for your provision.

Thank you Jim Landis for providing transportation to New York.

Larry Ferguson

Prayer Request - Weather in Ukriane

Looks like the weather in

Dnepropetrovsk oblast, Chaplino
Is going to have some rain, this will be a challenge since we are having camp in a tent.

Please pray that we wouldn't have rain at camp from July 2 - July 11th

Calvary Church

The 2010 trip is 100% funded! praise God.

Thank you Heavenly Father for providing 100% of the funding for the Trip to Ukraine, It's you and you alone that has done this. I give you Glory!

Ukraine 2010

We are getting ready for this years trip. There has been many challenges.The most recent is that we don't have a building in which to do camp. We are still short on finances. But we know God is able, according to his riches in Glory. Here are our prayer request and Trip verse

To the left is where the tent will be for the camp.

Prayer requests
a.That the group would be protected and not be afraid
b.Ukrainian children would trust Christ as their Savior.
c.We would get to know more people, especially Ukrainians.
d.Ukrainian leaders would be encouraged
e.That we would have Christ’s strength
f.That the family members would have a time of bonding.
g.That some of the trip participants will be called to Ukraine.
h.We would see God work in the hearts of the people.
i.That the trip would have a long lasting impact.

I.Trip Verse - Deut 31:6  Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he [it is] that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.