Quote from Forum Archives on March 16, 2003, 3:54 am

Posted by: btolliver <btolliver@...>

  HOPE 4 KYIV

                       NUMBER SIX

                       March 16, 2003

 

       The “In-Pact” Prayer Newsletter of

             Bob and Jo Ann Tolliver

           Missionaries to Kiev, Ukraine

 

 

Dear Friends, Family, and Intercessors:

 

Nearly a month has passed since our last letter, and the cold winter days are slowly relaxing their grip.  The past few days have actually seen temperatures rise above the freezing mark.  Most of the snow is gone, and we are starting to enjoy the thrills of mud and the sights of dirty gutters, and the layers of grimy litter, long hidden under the frequent light blankets of snow.  Two or three light snows a week are common until mid March, but then we enter what some people call the "ugly weeks", a period of about five to six weeks between the snow and the greening of Spring.

 

Urgently Important Exhortation:

 

Anytime you write to us, please do NOT include the phrases IMB or International Mission Board (or any similar phrase) anywhere on the package.  This is an extremely important request for all IMB missionaries, especially in light of world conditions.  While we personally are in a safe environment, both political and religious zealots who are opposed to evangelical Christianity or America in general are always looking for opportunities to harass, hinder, and steal.  As a result, we try very hard to keep a low profile as Americans and evangelicals.  That is the reason we do not receive any mail at our apartment, and why we are officially listed as teachers instead of missionary or pastor (which is, of course, very true). 

 

You can help us by not drawing attention to our office location, which locally is called International Board.  When sending mail, simply put our name and the street address on the package.  You can put International Board as well if you like, but no reference to missions or denomination.

 

Thank you!

 

What a special thrill it was for Jo Ann to receive so many birthday cards, both by e-mail and by regular.  It gave us a new appreciation for the prayer calendar that is listed in various denominational periodicals; she got letters from children, teens, and adults we don't even know, as well as several friends and most of our family.  Those little notes mean so very much to us.  We encourage you to write to all those you know who do what we do.  It is a simple and inexpensive way to lift one's spirits at just the right time.  Holidays, anniversaries, and birthdays can often become some of the loneliest times of year when you're far away from your state side home.

 

In Case You Missed It:

 

We've had numerous responses to our listing of websites you can visit.  As a result, we post them again as follows:

    www.uazone.net for general info on Ukraine and Kiev

    www.ukraineinfo.us for general current info

    www.hope4cee.com for our type of work in central and eastern Europe.

    www.peopleteams.org/ukrainians and www.reachukraine.org for a couple of good virtual prayer walking sites.

 

We hope to have a site up and running by the end of Spring, so will let you know.  One is currently being developed for the Kiev Oblast, and we'll link to that.

 

Personally:

 

Both of us have had ongoing battles with sinus infections; just about the time we begin to clear up we seem to have a setback.  Bob is currently working his way through his second major bout.  Otherwise we're doing fine.  We're working hard on the dehydration problem, trying to avoid coffee and black tea, drinking more green tea and water, etc.

 

The annual meeting in Paphos, Cyprus was wonderful.  We were so blessed by the numerous Americans who came to minister to us via medical attention, child care, worship, and Bible study.  Dr. Steven Wright and his worship team from Houston Northwest blessed us wonderfully with incredible worship and a timely study on leadership from Nehemiah. 

 

We celebrated Jo Ann's birthday the 27th while we were in Cyprus.  Unfortunately she wasn't hungry that day, so Bob wasn't able to carry out his plans to take her out to a nice dinner in a restaurant overlooking the beautiful Mediterranean.  He got to take her out in Kiev, however. 

 

He also bought her flowers in Kiev . . . . but this time he didn't buy an even number.  For our anniversary he bought a half dozen roses not realizing that buying even numbers of flowers in Ukraine means that either someone is dead, or you wish they were.  So this time he bought seven.  That didn't quite fill the vase, so he went back and bought five more.  We don't have a dozen; we just have two bouquets in one vase.  Cut flowers are abundant both in variety and in quantity in Kiev, even during winter months.  And they are relatively inexpensive.  A common practice here is to give a flower to someone just about anytime you are meeting for the first time, or just when you want to express friendship.  Flower giving is almost as common a practice as shaking hands.  So, the flower vendors are in a good business.

 

Last week we enjoyed our third musical program since we've been in Kiev . . . . a troupe of over 200 professional Cossack singers and dancers who did three hours of traditional Cossack, Russian, and Ukrainian folk, patriotic, and religious music and dances.  Absolutely astounding!  The Ukrainian people, like most eastern Europeans, place a high value on the performing arts, done well.  We've attended "The Swan Lake" ballet, an instrumental duo of piano and the Ukrainian national instrument (the name of which evades us), and now the Cossacks. 

 

Next week we will attend a presentation of Mozart's Requiem by the Kiev Symphony, led by American Roger McMurren.  He and his wife have lived in Kiev since 1991.  They are from Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church (James Kennedy, pastor), and are well loved by the Ukrainian people.  They hold regular Bible studies in their home.  Bob plans to attend one in a few weeks.

 

Ministry:

 

Now that language school is concluded, things are beginning to pick up at the church.  While we'll continue language study with a weekly tutor or language helper, we're now able to devote much more time to why we're here.  In spite of a four-week-long flu epidemic, Sunday attendance has remained strong, and the finances have significantly increased.  New faces appear in virtually every service. 

 

Our three "Journeyman" prospects are still working through the process that will hopefully bring them all to us by Fall.  In addition, we've had another former team member from some of our Balkan trips who is seriously considering coming to Kiev, and also another SBU student whom we met in a missions conference prior to our coming to Kiev who is also interested in coming.  We are also talking seriously with a young couple from here in Kiev (he's American and she's from Khyrgistan) about taking a staff position with the church as part of our church planting team.

 

Each letter we hope to feature a particular aspect of our multi-faceted ministry.  This issue, . . . .

 

The ESL classes continue to draw people.  Tuesday Jo Ann begins substitute teaching ESL for the Intermediate level class while the two regulars are back in the States for two months.  Both of us try to attend the optional study group that follows, using the Bible as a text.  American Ricky McCreight leads that study on Romans which concludes in about three weeks.

 

As soon as the Romans study concludes,  Ricky will teach from the Gospel of John and Bob will begin an "apologetics" class dealing with significant issues of interest to the secular mind (such as "Is God real, and does He know and love me?"  "Why?"  "Can the Bible Be Believed?"  "What's the Difference in Religions?"  "What About Faith?"  "Is Sin Real?"  and so forth).  We believe these studies will increase attendance.  We're also considering another optional Bible study class in Russian for the many students in Beginner ESL who do not yet understand enough English to profit from a Bible study in English.

 

When the American family returns to resume their class, Jo Ann will then begin another level of classes based exclusively on themes from the Bible. Later we will add more specialized classes.  English as a second language is one of the best ministry opportunities a church has in non-English speaking countries, so that's why we place so much emphasis on it.  Here's what our program will look like by the end of Fall:

    Beginner ESL, already in existence for those who speak no English.  Basic scripture references are introduced.

    Secondary ESL, to begin probably in May where Bible as literature is primary text.  Jo Ann will teach this.

    University ESL, already in existence where emphasis is on grammar and learning the English language with Christian witness is more spontaneous and incidental.

    Advanced ESL, already in existence where emphasis is on advanced levels of the English language such as the use of idioms.

    Medical ESL, to begin probably in Spring or Summer for people fluent in English but needing to know special medical terms in the field of medicine.

    Business ESL, to begin in Fall for people fluent in English but needing to know business terms for international transactions.

    Optional Bible studies, already in existence following classes for those wanting to use the Bible in an English speaking setting to improve English skills and study the Bible.

    Sunday worship services, already in existence for those wanting further exposure to English and wanting, for various reasons, to attend an English worship service.

 

The interest in English is very high here.  These classes provide a wonderful opportunity for initial contacts, the development of relationships, and the introduction of Christian thought into the lives of people, especially youth and young adults, both of whom are searching for answers to their emotional, vocational, and spiritual needs.

 

Prayer Requests:

 

  1.  Bob's father had a CAT scan and biopsy this past Wednesday (12th) which showed no trace of the previous cancer, but the presence of a small tumor.  The report came Friday that it is malignant.  Surgery to remove the lymphatic system in the neck is scheduled for March 31.  He remains in great spirits, but pray for him.  He preached, played piano, and sang in his home church a couple Sundays ago . . . . thrilled everybody, as usual.

 

  2.  Pray for Jason, Keri, Kyle, Gerri, Ricky, Marina, and Amber, as they continue prayer and the process for coming to Kiev through the Journeyman and ISC program.  We need them all.

 

  3.  Bob has been asked to write a series of short articles for a new pocket-sized church planting newsletter to be translated into Russian/Ukrainian and distributed to pastors and other church leaders.  Pray that he will find the time to do so.

 

  4.  Joel and Mary Ellen Ragains have arrived to develop a practicum program at the Baptist seminary.  Pray for them as they endure the three-week survival Russian class we just finished, and as they settle into permanent housing in a couple of weeks, and as they settle into their ministry.  [REMOVED] returns soon to assume her ministry again, specializing in ESL and evangelism.  She comes at a good time in that one of our ESL teachers, Sharon Manning, returns to the U.S. in June. 

 

  5.  Several missionary families have had to leave the field recently for serious medical or family reasons.  Sometimes their hopes and dreams have been interrupted and turned upside down.  Pray for these nameless people.  Having to return home under such conditions is far worse than having to leave home to come to minister.  Also, pray for the Monty Self family as they return to America this month; we are really going to miss them here.

 

  6.  The church's leadership team meets again Sunday afternoon to consider further some of the possibilities of ministry before us.  There is so much that is needed, that we must have God's wisdom as we try to zero in on what is most important, and what needs to be immediate.

 

  7.  There are so many needs in the church.  Bob really needs wisdom regarding selecting men for mentoring and training to become leaders, and for discernment in topics for preaching and teaching.  Jo Ann needs wisdom in choosing women to mentor, and in determining her involvement in Bible teaching.

 

  8.  Pray for Jo Ann as she joins with two or three other missionary wives in developing a mentoring, training, and encouraging strategy for the wives of national pastors in the region; they get very little opportunity for fellowship, encouragement, and development.

 

  9.  Potential development of evangelistic Bible study groups:  Pray for three single young men who are guards at our apartment; one speaks good English and we have become friends.  Several high school and college aged girls at a pizza restaurant near the church building.  A young waitress with whom we've become friends at another restaurant.

 

10.  Pray for us in our regular weekly schedule.  Here's what a typical week is like.  Remember that we are eight hours ahead of Central Time Zone.

    Sundays:  Breakfast, quiet time, prayer, and prep for services.  Leave house at 11:30, eat lunch, Bible study at 1:00, worship at 2:00, Bible study groups at 3:45, special leadership meetings on certain Sundays at 4:30, supper around 6:00, home by 8:00.

    Mondays:  Breakfast, quiet time, prayer, and prep for meeting with missionaries.  12:30 working lunch meeting with Church Planting Team of IMB personnel.  3:30 stop by office, meet one-on-one with missionaries as needed.

    Tuesdays:  Breakfast, quiet time, prayer, office work, shopping as needed.  5:00 leave for ESL classes, 5:30 ESL classes, 6:40 Bible study groups, 8:30 supper, 9:30 head home.

    Wednesdays:  Breakfast, quiet time, prayer, office work. Every other Wednesday an 8:30 prayer breakfast for men.  9:00 Valja comes to clean house, work and shop with Jo Ann as needed.  2:00 language study with language helper/tutor.  Supper, then hopefully relax for evening.

    Thursdays:  Breakfast, quiet time, prayer, office work.  Miscellaneous work, meet with nationals, develop relationships, personal mentoring, etc.

    Fridays:  Same as Thursdays.

    Saturdays:  Same as Thursdays.

 

Finally:

 

Thanks to so many who write us by e-mail or regular.  We so appreciate it.  While our letters may still be longer than we prefer, we want you to know what is happening in our lives and work, and how important your prayer support is to us.  Never a day goes by but what something happens that reminds us of the strong "In-Pact" prayer team we have.  We thank God for you.

 

In His Bond and For His Kingdom,

 

Bob and Jo Ann

IBC - Hope4Kyiv
Bob:  lifeunlimited@pobox.com

Jo Ann:  grandma11@pobox.com

For weekly spiritual encouragement and current updates on our work here, ask us to subscribe you to "Shoulder To Shoulder" letter (e-mail only).