CHILDREN'S MINISTRY IN RUSSIA

 Pavel and Tanya Gerashenko are Ukrainian friends we've known for some years.  They worked with Muslim people in Turkey for a time and now are settled in Russian where they work with a Turkish group.  The Lord has blessed us in being able to come alongside and help them.

 Tanya is meeting with children four times a week, twice with boys and twice with girls. She tells stories and does crafts.  I've sent her several small packages to help with this.  She sent these pictures to show me what she's doing.  I just had to share with you since so many of you have helped in sending me supplies.  I'm grateful that I can help her.

 So cute what they've done.  Below is a letter from Tanya.  I know it reads funny, but that is because it was written in Russian and translated through Google Translate.

 Are these girls darling or what?  Tanya says they love doing crafts, but then I think all kids do.

Thank you very much and also for the craft book you are sending!

New list: paper adhesive, color that you despatched before. Plaiting bracelets, beads, rubber thread on which to string beads, girls love, rhinestones, ribbons, stickers, yarn for knitting .. Boys stickers, various small items for decoration. Scaffold and others for key chains. (Only with crosses and Jesus we do not use.)
Another very different interesting. I use it all there is. They all come up with and try to do something. The local children are not spoiled and the first time doing crafts. They are very happy and pleased to come. I read to them from the beginning of the creation of the Holy Scriptures of the world. They had never heard of. And happy to listen. It's wonderful! Thank God that He has given the desire and through you to implement.  We went to Dagestan., (husband is translating the Bible into Lak), she worked in the church needlework, donated some materials (crystals, tissue paper).
Now children come four times a week. Half girls and half boys. there are different children that come. There are Kabardian, Turks, one Russian girl. On average, one lesson come 5 to 8 children. Boys more.

Thank you!!
With love Tanya.

FABRIC POST CARD

Made this little pretty a while back.  Everything is done by hand, no machine.  The flowers are hand cut and glued as well from old jeans.  I had fun doing it, but it was the first and probably the last. My patience is not so good to stay with something like this for so long.  Hope you like it. Let me know what you think.  Your comments are always an encouragement.

TENT CAMP IN UKRAINE

 July is tent camp month.  I say that because in Ukraine's climate the nights in June and August generally are too cool for tent camping even though the days might be quite hot.  This shot is the camp leadership.  On both ends is Dan and Cindy Williams from Antioch Baptist Church of Conway, Arkansas.  The center four is the Dektyarenko family, all in ministry. L-R Nick, Sasha, Julia and Lena.

 Even the boys and their moms got into crafting.  Look at those happy faces on those cute boys.

 I can tell you these are still in use as it is still hot in Ukraine, but next week is to be cooler. Yay!

Last day camp picture I took.  What a group.  Thanks to the Williams for bringing the T-Shirts and lots of other fun stuff.  What a blessing they were.

FLYING FROM UKRAINE

I made this artist trading card to swap with another artist.  The card is the one on the right while the left is the little envelope it went in.  Creating is one the the things I do that gives me joy and relaxation, but in summer there just is not as much time for it with camps and the garden.  That's OK because I love those things too.  The garden is just another expression of my love of beauty and God's creation.    The camps are so fun because the children love to create and I'm blessed that I get to be a part of that in bringing them the art projects they do.  It's all part of the plan.