Odessa Mission
May 2003 Newsletter
Hey Friends!
Well, we're finally in the saddle and it feels great, though there has been
some adjusting for me. It's been three years since I've been here and that
speaks for itself, but being married has also thrown a spin on things too.
I'm sure that also speaks for itself. When I was here before, I lived with
a Russian family who took care of the grocery shopping themselves. Now, I
live with my own family, and let's just say that grocery shopping is becoming
a family affair these days. I was a bit rattled when I was reminded of the
smells and sights of the marketplace. It's definitely a far cry from Wal-Mart.
Many of us probably have not had the privilege of seeing so many "delicacies"
in one spot. On one row I saw pig heads lined up like soldiers on the counter.
On another, I saw goat brains waiting to be wrapped up for a customer.
And then, on another, I saw cow tongues, available in all sorts and sizes.
It was like the cereal isle at Food Lion. And what shocked me more than
anything else wasn't the fact that the lady in front of me was waving a
big cow tongue in front of my face in an attempt to whet my appetite,
but that the lady along side of me (my wife Ira) was actually negotiating
a price with her. We actually wound up buying the smaller specimen.
That's when my arrival here really hit home.
Though Ira and I are still getting settled in, as you can imagine, it looks like
we have at least two to three opera majors who will be working with Ira to
develop our music program. We will soon be purchasing a synthesizer and begin
choosing some appropriate worship songs to translate and use. Praise the Lord,
the funds for the purchase of a synthesizer have already been donated.
We've also decided that meeting in our apartment will be fine for starters
because we'll just be targeting friends at first. Once the group begins
expanding some, to include acquaintances, then we'll rent a facility. Ira
said that housewarming parties are very common in Ukraine. So, we're planning
to have one where she can invite many friends from school over to celebrate
with us, and find out about our intentions regarding the church plant.
We'll keep you posted.
Finally, one of Ira's close friends died of cancer two months ago. Her name
was Lena and she was only 23. Lena left behind a four-year old son named Alyosha,
who will turn five on June 5. Alyosha lives with his grandpa in a small flat,
containing only one piece of furniture. That happens to be the sofa on which his
mother passed away. Grandpa works full-time, but only makes about $30 a month,
which barely covers the day-care payments. They have no television, no radio,
no toys, and hardly make enough to keep the lights on.
Ira and I have decided that they need our help. Alyosha, whose Dad wants nothing
to do with him, has seen nothing but pain all his life. We visited with them the
other day and gave Alyosha a bag with a couple of toy trucks, some small paint
supplies, a few coloring books and some crayons. So, the majority of this month's
benevolence fund expenses was devoted to Alyosha and his needs. He's a very
precious young boy with whom, I hope and pray, you'll become well acquainted.
And because of that $9.38 worth of gifts that you provided, Alyosha was able
to show Ira and I his million dollar smile. Thanks for making it happen. If
you would like to help support Alyosha and/or other benevolent needs, see
Al's comments below. Blessings and Love from us to each of you.
John and Ira Murphy
The Odessa Mission
From Al's Perspective
Currently, all funds received go toward fulfilling the basic Odessa Mission
budget of $32,160. This amount was made many months before John and Ira went
to Odessa and was based on a "best guess". The amount budgeted for the benevolent
fund was set at $100 per month, however, it now appears that there may be a need
for a larger amount. Anyone that would like to give a special "extra" one time
gift directly to the benefit fund, please let me know. All such designated
funds will be added directly to the $1,200 annual benevolent fund budgeted
amount and used only for that purpose. That is the way the designated special
gift for the purchase of a synthesizer was handled. Praise the Lord, He
will supply all our needs.
In His Service, Al
Mission Area Facts: Odessa, Ukraine is located in the time zone that is
seven hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Savings Time so when it is 8:00 a.m.
on the east coast of the U.S. it is 3:00 p.m. that same afternoon in Odessa.
To mail a letter from the U.S. to Odessa will cost $.80 for the first ounce
(which would be a small envelope + two sheets of 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper) and
$.75 for each additional ounce. It will normally take between four and seven
days for the letter to make the trip to Odessa.