Thursday morning, we drove to a smaller town called Inkerman, where we met Pastor Andrei. He and his church members pursued the Sevastopol and Inkerman council for land to start a church. At the time, his church had about 70 members, as well as a sponsoring church from America. Amazingly, they were given land with an agreement that the council would provide an architect to produce plans for a church that would fit the surrounding buildings of the small town of Inkerman, as well as the larger, more famous city of Sevastopol. Because it was a Baptist request, the council also wanted a church that looked more Russian Orthodox.
Building began, then the global financial crisis hit, and the church lost its American church sponsor. A couple of men have stayed to continue building, but as you can imagine, it is a slow process. Church membership has dropped to 30 members. A local charismatic church siphoned off a majority of their people, and the local Russian Orthodox Church and city council are pressing Inkerman Baptist Church to sale the land and unfinished church to them.
This is the fellowship hall at Inkerman Baptist Church, but is currently used as the sanctuary, until the actual church building is completed.
We met with Pastor Andrei and his family, toured the unfinished church building, then had this AMAZING lunch at a restaurant just outside the church. They served us the BEST borscht soup we had all week! Janice asked the servers and cooks for the recipe....which hopefully will come by email very soon =)
Since this was our last day in Sevastopol, we nixed our afternoon break, and hit the mall for souvenir shopping. We saw the hockey team practicing, which was pretty cool. I didn't get a picture, but we both purchased Ukraine soccer (futbol) jerseys in honor of the 2012 EURO CUP, which will be held in Poland and Ukraine this summer! So neat!!
Last night at Musson Mall, so a large portion of the demonstration was involving the crowd, letting everyone who wanted break boards with as many different techniques as our number of boards allowed. The kids absolutely loved Todd....a fantastic father-figure in the making =)
Scott Corum stepped out on a limb, and shared his salvation experience.
Aside from the week-long bouncing basketballs in the background, it was
dead silent, with all eyes focused, and all ears fixed on what he was
saying. Seeds planted.
This is Temy. He has a martial arts background, which we quickly recognized during our demonstration at School #3. He was told by Grandmaster Mills, that if he attended each of the demonstrations, he could attempt breaking concrete on our final night.....and that is exactly what he did =)
This is Pastor Igor. He is the pastor of Open Hearts Church, which is the first church we attended in Sevastopol Easter morning. We first met him at the ESL class Saturday night, and he came to many of our demonstrations throughout the week, and he always joined us for dinner afterwards.
But...
his presence at our last demonstration tonight was of even greater meaning. Today is his birthday, and in Ukraine, it is a very strong tradition to stay home, prepare your own birthday celebration meal, and let your family and friends come to your house and give gifts and well wishes for your birthday. It is probably fair to say that it's "against the norm" to leave your home, especially at dinner time on your birthday, to go to the mall for a karate demonstration. Nonetheless, that is what Pastor Igor did. He spent the evening of his special day, which only comes once each year, with us, and not just for a few minutes, but the entire time, including dinner again afterwards. Humbled.
This is Lydia. She alternates weeks with Helen teaching a secular English class at Open Hearts Church. This is the class we were able to attend Saturday night. She is so sweet, and truly made my heart smile every time we talked.
This is Alina, who if you remember, translated Grandmaster Mills' testimony at Light of the Resurrection Church (2nd service) Sunday. She too, was so so sweet, and loving. I am so thankful to have met these amazing women.
Group photo, plus an additional little one to the right =)
At the closing of our last night, just before saying goodbye to Nick (left), and Alex (right), we presented them (and Randy) with official "Pete Mills School of Karate" shirts. They were beside themselves. We can't say it enough, but Nick and Alex, you were the most respectful and God-honoring young men we have ever met. Blessed to have met you both =)
Alyosha and his family, plus sweet Avie to the right, and Ginny to the left. So thankful to know you, and also to know we will one day see you again in Heaven (if not in America, or maybe even Ukraine again).... =)
Todd made great friends with Vladimir. He has an engineering degree as well, and works as a security guard at Musson Mall. He unlocked the back/outside entrance to the gymnasium our first night, and immediately offered his assistance in unloading the vans and setting up benches, mats, etc. He came every night, even when he wasn't on duty.
This is Rita. We also met her at the ESL class Saturday night. Her dad is the runner =) They too, came every night to our demonstrations, and joined us for dinner, as well as a ride back to the guest house. Rita made this doll for me (in 30 minutes might I add) and gave it to me our last night in Sevastopol. I love it, but I love her more, and hope to see her again as well in the future.
Friday morning came early, VERY early in fact, as Randy and Helen arrived to pick us up at 330am for our 2hr commute to the airport in Simferopol. Oh, our hearts are so overwhelmed with love, gratitude, humbleness, and sincere appreciation for Randy and Helen, and their service to God, to Ukraine, to us, to everyone they meet. They truly do have servants hearts, with the most joyful spirits you could ever imagine. Todd and I would love nothing more than to return to Sevastopol again in the future, and serve Jesus and others with your family. We pray God's greatest blessings abound over you and your family and friends. Much, much love from the greatest depth of our hearts.
Time to board our first of four flights back to America. You knew we would say it...Janice still LOVES boarding the plane from the ground! It's just the neatest thing....really! Oh, and a few fun facts from our airport/flight experiences this time around the world....
1-Janice got the security pat down in Simferopol because a bobby pin set off the sensor....her first ever!!.... but not too terrible of an experience. Hah! That's what Todd says.... >:( I guess it could have been worse. One thing that's true, despite the humiliation of a security search, she never stops smiling.
2-Sprinting through O'Hare international airport in Chicago, only to include a "Go outside, across the sidewalk, down the block, into the next building" kind of direction, to get through security at 9pm CST, and make your departing flight at 9:21pm CST three gates away (not an issue in Knoxville, but a HUGE issue in Chicago), is just a hair stressful. But we made it....ALL of us.
3-God is impressive. His works are far greater than we can fathom. On our knees in humbleness to His Mighty Plan.
