Odessa Mission
September 2005 Newsletter
Gotovimsa k otyezdu! (Preparing for departure!)
Many of you have been praying for our trip back to the U.S. , which has turned
out to be both a blessing and fairly successful overall. First, we obviously
arrived safely even though it was a day late. As we were waiting for our connecting
flight in Warsaw's airport, we couldn't help noticing fire engines surrounding our
plane. We were only about an hour from boarding time when we heard that there
would be an additional two hour delay. About an hour later, we were informed that
the flight was cancelled. Apparently our plane had a flat tire on the runway,
which partially explained the fire engines but at that point we just wanted to get
to a hotel. Well, due to Ira's Ukrainian passport, that was a rather tedious
process. It was approximately 4 p.m. and while I could easily have been at
the hotel within an hour's time, my wife wasn't going anywhere until a transit
visit paperwork could be issued. So, guess what I did. That's right! Like
any loving husband I went to the hotel and made sure that everything in our
room would be to her liking: perfect temperature, enough towels and blankets,
soft bed, big bath, etc. Ah, okay back to reality! We both waited eight long
hours in the terminal until Ira got the green light. Finally, we migrated
across the parking lot to the Marriott with something less than a skip in our
step, just happy to have a place to crash for a few hours. While some folks
were told that they might have to wait days in order to get on a flight to
New York because all the flights were booked, we were able to get on the
same flight the following evening (but a day late). So, some prayer and a
little patience paid off yet again, as usual.
Since we came home primarily because of Ira's required interview with the Department
of Homeland Security in order to obtain her ten-year green card, we consider this
trip to be a personal one. Thus, Ira and I have covered all of our expenses this
time around, including the plane tickets, the monthly charge for our rental car,
and all traveling expenses such as gas, tolls, parking, etc. Aside from Ira
receiving her green card within just five minutes after the start of the interview,
which was a total surprise indeed, God also gave us the chance to visit four of
our supporting churches for the purpose of reporting on the work in Odessa .
We were able to visit East Northport ( Long Island , NY ), Northampton ( Hampton , VA ),
Tidewater Christian ( Virginia Beach , VA ), and Mechanicsville ( Mechanicsville , VA ).
I mentioned earlier that this trip was a personal one, however, several individuals
from the Northampton Church of Christ made special donations to help offset some of
our personal travel expenditures during this trip, which is greatly appreciated.
Their names are Jacob and Julia Longtin, Roger and Ruth Grimmett, Doug and Beth
Wolkowich, David and Sharon Jones, and Walter and Marie Stallings. Ira and I
just want to say, "Thanks a bunch for helping to lighten our financial burdens
during this time." We continually praise God for His many unexpected blessings
through all of you in so many different ways. Several people have also taken
us out for dinner along the way and that has really been an added bonus too.
Nothing beats good Christian hospitality! Amen!
It was also great getting to see some old friends from Tidewater Christian Church of
Christ and Mechanicsville Church of Christ this time around. At Tidewater I shared
thoughts with a small group and we had a good meal and some great fellowship
there, which is always the case. At Mechanicsville, I shared during the Sunday
school hour to a nice-sized group. I really got the impression that some good
things are happening there and we rejoice with them about that. It was certainly
a pleasure meeting their minister, Mark Coffee, and his lovely wife. In fact,
they even extended the invitation for us to stay with them whenever we're in
the area. On top of that, we were invited to someone's house after church for
a scrumptious fish-fry that blew any restaurant in the area out of the water.
Again, the Christian fellowship we experienced was just the icing on the cake
there. Please be praying for us as we depart on September 9th and know that
you will all be missed. Thanks goes out to everyone of you for all of your
love and support. Thank you for being so faithful all the time! As missionaries
and partners with you in the cause of Christ, let me just say that it's
really hard feeling especially loved all the time but someone's got to
do it! Right? May the Lord bless you all as you continue to serve Him
wholeheartedly.
Love, John and Ira
Kind Road Christian Church
From Al: Plans for a trip to Odessa , Ukraine in mid to late June 2006 are now
being formulated. Stops in Vienna , Austria and St. Petersburg , Russia also
are being considered with the timing of the trip coinciding with the "White
Nights" festival in St. Petersburg . If anyone is interested in possibly
joining the tour, please contact me for more information.