SUNDAY SCHOOL AT BETHANY CHURCH IN UKRAINE

 I must admit that I'm not sure who has more fun.....the kids or me.  Today they got to try their hand at collage.

 This is the biggest class of the four classes I do.  We had twelve today.

 Our project is a practice run of collage in preparation for the next project which will be a folder they will collage to keep all their work in from the school year.

 They are learning about colors, placement and juxtaposition.

 I think I shall have to come up with some sort of prize for whoever collects the most pieces over the school year.

 Or, maybe we'll do an art show at the end of the school year.  We did that several years ago.

 This is our oldest children's Sunday school group.  I did crafts with them all last year as well.  Of course, I've done crafts with them from the time they started Sunday school since I've been doing this for about 15 years now.

So this is my last years with these sweet kids.  I do four classes alternating two each Sunday.  Next week, if I don't forget my camera, I shall take pictures of the younger two groups to show you.  They are so much fun.  Thanks to all of you who send supplies for me to be able to do this ministry.  It is my joy and love it.

LAST WEEK'S SUNDAY SCHOOL

These are two of my classes from last week in Sunday school.  The top kiddos made wreaths.  Someone gave me some glow-in-the-dark flowers and stars.  We incorporated those with construction paper flowers.  When they were done we turned off the lights (basement room so dark) to show them. Lots of ohhs and ahhs.  So fun.

The middle picture is my sweet helper, Anastasia.  She's instructing the 10 year old boys.  They are always a handful, but fun.  Notice her heavy coat.  Still very cold here in Ukraine and rooms just never get real warm so everyone has their coats on.  The babies above have an extra electric heater.

Lastly the boys and one of the Sunday school teachers having fun with the photographer.  I think he looks good with rabbit ears.  Interesting how things like this cross cultural barriers.

My thanks to you who send materials for me to do this ministry with the children.  I couldn't do it otherwise.  You are a blessing to many.

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES

 Today I"m sharing with you the classes where we do crafts every Sunday.  This group of little boys are always wild and fun.  Of course, one is too cool to do crafts, therefore, one or two more also sometimes don't, but they really do like them.  It was a particularly cold day when I did these pictures so all classes were pretty small that day.

 This class usually has six, including some girls and they are always excited for crafting.  As you can see by the shot, these were taken just a couple weeks ago. Christmas in Ukraine is celebrated well into January with the old calendar.

 These babies are my favorites.  They don't do much more than glue and scribble, but they love it.

 Surprisingly, the teens like doing crafts too, but we don't do them as often.  These photos are going into cards that they will decorate next week.  I was blessed by another missionary who gave me lots of photo paper so I could do things like this.

This last class usually has about 6 to 8 kids. Notice the computer.  Technology is coming to the classroom.  Every Sunday they have tea and cookies.  I think that is such nice touch for Sunday school.  My deepest thanks to all of those who send craft materials so I can do this ministry.  Without your help I couldn't do much since there are no craft stores here.  Blessings to all of you in 2013.

Sunday School Crafts ~ Ukraine

This is our Sunday school director Helen leading her class of 4 and 5 year olds in a flannel graph lesson.  We had already done their crafts which are laying on the table and seen below.

 Every Sunday I lead a team that goes into the various classes to do the crafts.  I have two ladies and myself that help prepare and two youth that go and do the crafts.  Training up the next generation to do this.

 The verse in Russian says: "Jesus loves the little children."

This is a picture of Liza with the 6 and 7 year old class doing the same project as above.  Liza is great with the kids and very creative herself.

THE DELIGHT OF CRAFTING

Many of you know that I have a ministry of teaching arts and crafts here in Ukraine. We have been here for 17 years, but I have only done this the past 13 or so years. It started with my sitting in church not fully understanding the Russian language yet, when the light bulb came on one day, I thought I could do crafts with the kids. I never have been good at sitting for long periods so this was perfect. Now I speak the language well enough to instruct them and communicate most of what I need. The shot below is some of the little ones with the proud pieces they will take home. I just love it when they are so happy about what they created. It is my joy to share this with them.

CRAFTS IN SUNDAY SCHOOL

Even Elena Bandura, our great Sunday school director got into the fun of making bookmarks for a keepsake. Each craft always has a verse on it so there is a witness that goes home. I love doing this with the kids. I always leave feeling so blessed. God is good.

Preparations

I know you haven't seen much of me lately on here, but there has been so many exciting things going on that it's just hard to juggle it all. Tomorrow will be our 4th session of Sunday school(SS) . We are doing things a bit different this year. Each year SS has been rather demanding for my team and I. Therefore we are making changes. Actually, it started last year with all the older classes scrapbooking their SS year. This year they are already underway with their new books. Last week we scrapped in the pastor (and wife) along with the picture of the church. Now, what we are doing differently this year in the younger groups is supplying them with crafts for them to do instead of us coming in. Of course, that takes a lot of preplanning so we shall soon see which is the easier method. Since my team goes up and down with who helps, the new system should work better for the teachers since they will be more in control of when they do crafts whether we are there or not. I would certainly appreciate your prayers for my wisdom in how this all goes this year.

The other projects are a new website, new endeavor, being creative, a November women's conference (with prayer scrapbook) and much more. I will share more of it here as I can in the near future. May your day be bright and beautiful, filled with His joy.

Bucha, Ukraine

Sunday School has started right along with the new school year. This past Sunday we passed out new scrapbooks (actually small notebooks) for most of the older classes. They will document their church experience throughout the year with lessons, photos, verse, pictures, stickers and just whatever they come up with that they want to remember from the year. Last year I saw some truly lovely books. I am always amazed by the talent in some of the kids. Next Sunday they will put in a picture of the pastor and their church to start their books. Stickers and embelllishments are always something we can use for the kids if you want to help with this. Please pray for the teachers and the children in the Bucha church and for Leah and I as we work with both.

Easter Children's Play

I am so often amazed at the talent and spirit with which children are so freely creative. Of course, a play like this takes a lot of work and is a credit to the people who work with them. This was the story about the risen Christ from the tomb and we even had a cardboard tomb. The gold soldier costumes were made by one of the teachers and myself from poster board one church so graciously sent us. My thanks to all those who sacrifice to send us materials for the work with children. It certainly adds to their joy and ours.

Bethany Church, Bucha, Ukraine

These cute little bags were sent to us by dear ladies at First Baptist Church at Carthage, Texas. We filled them with candies and some small trinkets to give to the children in five Sunday school classes for an Easter treat. Just a small expression of the true gift of the risen Christ. Thank you ladies for you love and generosity.

Sunday School Bouquet

This was a fun project the kids did in Sunday school not long ago. I think the Craft Team had just as much fun doing them as the kids.