In Odessa

We arrived safely in Odessa. We got a little sleep on the train Thursday night and the coupe was fairly comfortable. We are staying at the seminary for 5 nights and have a very comfortable room on the outskirts of town. We even have a balcony overlooking a small lake. We had a day to rest, prepare, make some plans and take a walk to the market to stock our little refrig. for breakfast. We took a walk down to the lake tonight & were greeted by a few cows on the path, but headed for home because the mosquitoes were carrying Teresa away....We were excited to find computers and the internet at the libary. Tomorrow we are taking the bus into the downtown area and to the Black Sea to explore Odessa. Today was at least 75 and sunny & we are praying for another nice day tomorrow. Ministry plans are coming great...we talked to the seminary today & will be teaching 35 students for 2 hours on Monday night. Sunday evening we will be at a small church in Odessa and Tuesday will be having dinner with the zurBerg's (a missionary couple from Barb's church). We are trying to connect with the Women's Ministry leader from the Baptist Union in this region to meet her for lunch, explain the ministry & set up future plans. Pray we can get through to her...she sent an email to us and was very supportive & open to help us with a future conference.
We saw God open some Big doors for future ministry in Kiev - an answer to prayer. We had a very sweet time of prayer with Larissa (Regional Director of Life International) behind the church in Kiev...it backs up to the hospital property & we were told that on that little grassy spot by the dumpsters they dumped thousands of unborn babies from abortions...sigh.....we prayed over that place, the city of Kiev and the country of Ukraine. It was a very powerful & moving time together. We know that God's heart is for the hurting women in this country!
Barb is feeling better & so glad to not have ended up in a Ukrainian hospital with doctors that don't speak English...smile. Our team needs a good night of sleep tonight...we are enjoying a great sense of purpose & unity & fun!
We are excited to have talked to Valentina (our Ukraine HH coordinator) from Pervomaisk today & have great plans set up with her. We will meet with our HH leaders all day Friday (about 25 of them) and then do a half day outreach on Saturday. Julia our translator is a sweetheart & a great help to us...she is 19 and on a great adventure with 3 crazy American moms!
Ways to pray:
Pray for safety, good health, productive ministry, productive bathroom time...smile (it's not for Kathy & I....sorry T.)
Pray for our preparation & planning for our teaching opportunites - Sunday evening at King Cross church, Monday evening at the seminary & the Pervomaisk leaders meeting & outreach on Friday & Saturday.
Pray for our travel by train...23 hours Wednesday night arriving in Odessa Thursday afternoon. The trains are an adventure, but the bathrooms are not so great...we roll up our pant legs...smile. Then a night train Saturday night arriving 8 AM into Kiev and directly to Transformation Church Sunday morning...pray for a sweet time of fellowship with the Marchenkos.
Thanks so much for your prayers,
Serving Him....Barb (Teresa & Kathy)