| Fight the good fight for the faith. Keep your hold on eternal life, to which you were called and about which you gave a good testimony in front of many witnesses.1Timothy 6:12 |
| I have been...praying for the River of Joy project and had a vision from the Lord this morning. There was a pebble dropped into a pool of water, and I watched as the ripples expanded. I believe God was telling me that the pebble is the River of Joy project and the ripples are Christianity and the heart of God spreading across the Ukraine. I got the sense that He is pleased and He will Bless this project. A Vision the Lord gave Annette Longhi ~ October 17, 2007 |
| Testimonies ~ Can I get a witness? |
Thank you for praying for us, and for sharing that encouraging and confirming vision Annette, and
thank the Lord for Judy Martin, your friend who not only showed me how to do a website the easy
way, but along with her husband Vernon, actually funded this one for us! Thank God for their
adoption success. We started trying to make a website several years ago. It all seemed so very
expensive and time consuming, until now! We believe it is a great instrument for accomplishing the
task God set before us. I surely see His hand in it.
~ David Gerry Hallowell, founder, River of Joy Foundation.
thank the Lord for Judy Martin, your friend who not only showed me how to do a website the easy
way, but along with her husband Vernon, actually funded this one for us! Thank God for their
adoption success. We started trying to make a website several years ago. It all seemed so very
expensive and time consuming, until now! We believe it is a great instrument for accomplishing the
task God set before us. I surely see His hand in it.
~ David Gerry Hallowell, founder, River of Joy Foundation.
I am excited about the way God is leading us to bless regional villages with special events that help
villagers accept us and our message of salvation. Half of the children at camp this year came to us
unsaved and went home new believers. Parents and other grown-up villagers came in for our
evening meetings too. River of Joy has already made a spiritual and social impact, and has the
potential to make a big difference in Crimean village life. Seeing the way Peter got right to work at
the River of Joy project site also gives me hope that the project will be moving forward at light speed
soon. Right now I am working on some legal issues concerning some of our property and the tax
payments due on it, but I know that God will take us through them. He is ever faithful.
~ Alena Navitski, Director River of Joy-Crimea
villagers accept us and our message of salvation. Half of the children at camp this year came to us
unsaved and went home new believers. Parents and other grown-up villagers came in for our
evening meetings too. River of Joy has already made a spiritual and social impact, and has the
potential to make a big difference in Crimean village life. Seeing the way Peter got right to work at
the River of Joy project site also gives me hope that the project will be moving forward at light speed
soon. Right now I am working on some legal issues concerning some of our property and the tax
payments due on it, but I know that God will take us through them. He is ever faithful.
~ Alena Navitski, Director River of Joy-Crimea
So far I haven't figured out how to make a blog on site so I guess this is it. Send us your own testimony concerning God's grace, your River of Joy insights, or something God gives you to share. Go to Contact Us page to write it. |
I have many dreams and goals. My global dream is to save and help orphans in Ukraine. I want to
help the parched and famished orphans in need. I want them all to have loving families and a good
life. I will do this with my little sister. We will pray, raise money and awareness and do the best we
can to help them. I am planning to adopt my own children when I grow up. I will also work to help the
orphan situation in Ukraine. This is my mission statement for my life, I will work hard to achieve
these goals.
~ Jeffrey, VA 11 year old
help the parched and famished orphans in need. I want them all to have loving families and a good
life. I will do this with my little sister. We will pray, raise money and awareness and do the best we
can to help them. I am planning to adopt my own children when I grow up. I will also work to help the
orphan situation in Ukraine. This is my mission statement for my life, I will work hard to achieve
these goals.
~ Jeffrey, VA 11 year old
As I came to visit you the first time (2002) there was lots of (spiritual) opposition. It manifested physically. I got stranded in
Kiev with a severe stomach ache, didn't think I would make it down to see you. Then God worked it out (as only he
could). A prophet with a healing gift was staying with us. By God's grace, the Lord answered that Prophet's prayer and
I was healed. When we finally got to your office, a vision came to me as a strong wind. I saw a huge flaming arrow shot
forth from your office. It landed in dry grass, caught fire and spread quickly like an awesome wild fire bringing revival.
Interestingly, even though it was only one arrow shot out, it hit many places and impacted more than one area.
Prophetically, it seems God was sovereignly going to shoot out this arrow, the ministry God gave you there, and many
lives will be touched by it even in the Tatar community. Later we went out to the River of Joy site (you called it, "Living
Water" then) and from the events that occurred there, and the Prophetic revelation God gave there, we were able to see
more of God's unfolding picture. [George goes on to say he will share more about that later.]
~ George Gotman, Upstate NY
Kiev with a severe stomach ache, didn't think I would make it down to see you. Then God worked it out (as only he
could). A prophet with a healing gift was staying with us. By God's grace, the Lord answered that Prophet's prayer and
I was healed. When we finally got to your office, a vision came to me as a strong wind. I saw a huge flaming arrow shot
forth from your office. It landed in dry grass, caught fire and spread quickly like an awesome wild fire bringing revival.
Interestingly, even though it was only one arrow shot out, it hit many places and impacted more than one area.
Prophetically, it seems God was sovereignly going to shoot out this arrow, the ministry God gave you there, and many
lives will be touched by it even in the Tatar community. Later we went out to the River of Joy site (you called it, "Living
Water" then) and from the events that occurred there, and the Prophetic revelation God gave there, we were able to see
more of God's unfolding picture. [George goes on to say he will share more about that later.]
~ George Gotman, Upstate NY
In the last couple of years, God has turned my heart toward children, especially the orphans.
River of Joy captures the heart of God toward orphaned children and families in need. What a
tremendous blessing we experienced while in Ukraine adopting our daughter. It was not by
chance the flat we rented was sublet from David. Spending time with David, the founder of River
of Joy-Crimea, was a wonderful blessing. God has called him to the Ukraine and anointed him to
minister in such a variety of ways to Ukrainians. He recognizes the needs and prayerfully carries
out God’s plan. God is using him to awaken and make known the burdens of orphans and the
people of Ukraine. In my opinion, there is no greater way to invest my time and finances than
touching these people with the love of Jesus. We are blessed to have our family become life
long partners with River of Joy-Crimea . ~ Judy Martin, new River of Joy Partner, Virginia
River of Joy captures the heart of God toward orphaned children and families in need. What a
tremendous blessing we experienced while in Ukraine adopting our daughter. It was not by
chance the flat we rented was sublet from David. Spending time with David, the founder of River
of Joy-Crimea, was a wonderful blessing. God has called him to the Ukraine and anointed him to
minister in such a variety of ways to Ukrainians. He recognizes the needs and prayerfully carries
out God’s plan. God is using him to awaken and make known the burdens of orphans and the
people of Ukraine. In my opinion, there is no greater way to invest my time and finances than
touching these people with the love of Jesus. We are blessed to have our family become life
long partners with River of Joy-Crimea . ~ Judy Martin, new River of Joy Partner, Virginia
David, the very thing that you are involved in - to dispense the father heart of God to those no one
adopts - is very close to Gods heart; however, as the traditional church (CAWKI: Church As We
Know It) has moved away from Gods heart so much, folks like you feel strangely alone, almost
back-stabbed. Adoption is at the heart of the father in heaven, and I believe that Christians
reflecting this heartbeat therefore need to be world champions of adoption. The early church took
heed to the words: "Look after orphans and widows" (Jam 1:26), and Christians where famous for
picking up kids sometimes literally thrown away on the garbage dumps of their cities. These garbage
dumps of a society that throws away its own children are today more full than ever.
adopts - is very close to Gods heart; however, as the traditional church (CAWKI: Church As We
Know It) has moved away from Gods heart so much, folks like you feel strangely alone, almost
back-stabbed. Adoption is at the heart of the father in heaven, and I believe that Christians
reflecting this heartbeat therefore need to be world champions of adoption. The early church took
heed to the words: "Look after orphans and widows" (Jam 1:26), and Christians where famous for
picking up kids sometimes literally thrown away on the garbage dumps of their cities. These garbage
dumps of a society that throws away its own children are today more full than ever.
Millions of children on the planet are orphans, because their parents are either victims of AIDS, war, alcohol, divorce,
violence, or the children are half-orphans, kids who theoretically do have a physical place they could call home, but they
are unwanted, not cared for, ignored, or even ill treated and regularly abused. They need a place of refuge, and where
should they run to if not to that heavenly invention of the divine family of God that the father in heaven has invented to
provide parenthood for those without parents, the church.
If orphanages have been the main way CAWKI has dealt with the issue, I propose that adoption into Christian families
and house churches as forms of extended families is the main way CAGWI (Church As God Wants It) picks up the
challenge. Thorsten Moritz says it like this: "The ultimate basis of a biblical theology of adoption is found in God's love for
his creation and his determination for his people to emulate this love. Through Jesus, and only through him, God's
people can finally succeed in demonstrating to the world God's adoptive intent for fallen humanity.
Incorporation into God's model for humanity is the only hope the world's waiting children have. Adoption lies
at the heart of Gods concern, and we can see it in salvation: God adopts us in Christ; Christology: Jesus the foremost
son of God; evangelism: finding the lost [adopting them] for Jesus; ecclesiology: the community of the adopted ones.
What sort of salvation are we advertising if we keep our doors shut to the orphans of this world? This would be a serious
caricature of God's grace. Just because we already have our own children, adoption does not have to be the exception.
Not even a biological child can prosper without being adopted by a life giving community. Biology alone does not secure
that. The church is the family of God united by its common bond in Christ, its bloodline, and commitment to that new
family of God, as in the case of Jesus, is more important than the commitment to our lineage. God entrusts children to
our care. Whether he does so by 'biology + adoption' or 'adoption irrespective of biology' is spiritually and biblically
irrelevant. We therefore need to encourage and facilitate child adoptions by Christians wherever possible, and prioritize
child adoption as a truly Christian core value."
So let us therefore be as creative and strategic as possible in seeing that it becomes the normal habit of Christian
families to adopt a child or two, raise them up in the fear of the Lord, and disciple them into mature followers of Jesus,
that same Jesus who said to his disciples: "I will not leave you orphans!" (John 14:17). Yes, we will be able to change the
world by planting millions of house churches. But also by changing the world through extending Gods supernatural love
and parenthood - one orphan at a time.
~ Wolfgang Simson, Author of the landmark book,"Houses that Change the World" and "15 Theses"
violence, or the children are half-orphans, kids who theoretically do have a physical place they could call home, but they
are unwanted, not cared for, ignored, or even ill treated and regularly abused. They need a place of refuge, and where
should they run to if not to that heavenly invention of the divine family of God that the father in heaven has invented to
provide parenthood for those without parents, the church.
If orphanages have been the main way CAWKI has dealt with the issue, I propose that adoption into Christian families
and house churches as forms of extended families is the main way CAGWI (Church As God Wants It) picks up the
challenge. Thorsten Moritz says it like this: "The ultimate basis of a biblical theology of adoption is found in God's love for
his creation and his determination for his people to emulate this love. Through Jesus, and only through him, God's
people can finally succeed in demonstrating to the world God's adoptive intent for fallen humanity.
Incorporation into God's model for humanity is the only hope the world's waiting children have. Adoption lies
at the heart of Gods concern, and we can see it in salvation: God adopts us in Christ; Christology: Jesus the foremost
son of God; evangelism: finding the lost [adopting them] for Jesus; ecclesiology: the community of the adopted ones.
What sort of salvation are we advertising if we keep our doors shut to the orphans of this world? This would be a serious
caricature of God's grace. Just because we already have our own children, adoption does not have to be the exception.
Not even a biological child can prosper without being adopted by a life giving community. Biology alone does not secure
that. The church is the family of God united by its common bond in Christ, its bloodline, and commitment to that new
family of God, as in the case of Jesus, is more important than the commitment to our lineage. God entrusts children to
our care. Whether he does so by 'biology + adoption' or 'adoption irrespective of biology' is spiritually and biblically
irrelevant. We therefore need to encourage and facilitate child adoptions by Christians wherever possible, and prioritize
child adoption as a truly Christian core value."
So let us therefore be as creative and strategic as possible in seeing that it becomes the normal habit of Christian
families to adopt a child or two, raise them up in the fear of the Lord, and disciple them into mature followers of Jesus,
that same Jesus who said to his disciples: "I will not leave you orphans!" (John 14:17). Yes, we will be able to change the
world by planting millions of house churches. But also by changing the world through extending Gods supernatural love
and parenthood - one orphan at a time.
~ Wolfgang Simson, Author of the landmark book,"Houses that Change the World" and "15 Theses"
Your website is a delight and I am so happy for you that you have it. Its so
good to finally catch up again with you a bit. I'm especially delighted with the
8 church meeting in Simferopol !!!! May the Lord bless you, give you
strength, keep you warm and provide sustenance!!! --- For you and the
orphans. ~ Dorothy Stewart [Note from David: Dorothy and her husband Russell
Stewart - now graduated to glory- followed me to Crimea in 1994 after a lifetime of
missionary work in Zaire. At that time Dorothy was approaching 80 and Russell was a
feisty octogenarian. I met them at the US Center for World Mission in Pasadena. They
wanted to go to "Russia," but said no agency would pick up their option...too old! They
learned some Russian at the university here and preached through interpreters in the
Korean Presbyterian Church in Simferopol for five years before retiring to Maryland.]
good to finally catch up again with you a bit. I'm especially delighted with the
8 church meeting in Simferopol !!!! May the Lord bless you, give you
strength, keep you warm and provide sustenance!!! --- For you and the
orphans. ~ Dorothy Stewart [Note from David: Dorothy and her husband Russell
Stewart - now graduated to glory- followed me to Crimea in 1994 after a lifetime of
missionary work in Zaire. At that time Dorothy was approaching 80 and Russell was a
feisty octogenarian. I met them at the US Center for World Mission in Pasadena. They
wanted to go to "Russia," but said no agency would pick up their option...too old! They
learned some Russian at the university here and preached through interpreters in the
Korean Presbyterian Church in Simferopol for five years before retiring to Maryland.]
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| ...to fly higher |
Blessings
from YOU!
from YOU!
I really enjoyed your website - went all over it. Thank you to your webmaster. It is so
accessible. I loved your photos of Crimea. What a blessing to see fairly recent pictures of
Husen, Ruth Bell and your mom. Mary helped and housed Husen during a very serious series
of operations in Seattle a few years ago. My friend Carol and I are involved with 20-25 year old
Ukrainian orphan ladies, who were raised in the schola internat system. They find it so hard
to get a job and keep it. I now understand much more of what you are doing :)
Mary wrote: “Mission trips always provide opportunity for learning. I have learned most (maybe
all), people carry deep wounds. Bringing them to the Father, ultimately to the cross brings
healing and peace. Mission trips always show me God’s greatness, His providence and
control. This time I came to understand His redemption of mankind, beyond salvation;
salvaging in people’s lives what Satan has tried to destroy; bringing beauty and purpose out
of ashes and grief.”
accessible. I loved your photos of Crimea. What a blessing to see fairly recent pictures of
Husen, Ruth Bell and your mom. Mary helped and housed Husen during a very serious series
of operations in Seattle a few years ago. My friend Carol and I are involved with 20-25 year old
Ukrainian orphan ladies, who were raised in the schola internat system. They find it so hard
to get a job and keep it. I now understand much more of what you are doing :)
Mary wrote: “Mission trips always provide opportunity for learning. I have learned most (maybe
all), people carry deep wounds. Bringing them to the Father, ultimately to the cross brings
healing and peace. Mission trips always show me God’s greatness, His providence and
control. This time I came to understand His redemption of mankind, beyond salvation;
salvaging in people’s lives what Satan has tried to destroy; bringing beauty and purpose out
of ashes and grief.”
It takes very strong people to work in foreign countries cross culturally and that character quality can cause problems among missionaries.
That is something to remember when praying for our missionaries. I rejoiced to see the united church service of 7/8 groups that you
showed in a picture." (Oct-Nov 2007 Newsletter) You are always included in my prayers for missionaries and workers I know in Ukraine.
May God bless and keep you healthy in body and spirit this 2008. ~ Mary Schaefer, Musician & Missionary
Mary has traveled to Ukraine, the Russian Far East and Argentina, for 12 years, working with the Slavic Mission,"Good Samaritan" which
originated in Rivne, Ukraine. She prayed all over Crimea with us on the Crimean International Prayer Walk we lead in 1999. From 2004 to
2006 she came to Ukraine to teach Bible to women and young people. Now she is involved in training Asian Christian workers in Thailand.
She wants to come back to Ukraine and teach some more. Mary plays a synthesizer for a Ukrainian church in the USA.
That is something to remember when praying for our missionaries. I rejoiced to see the united church service of 7/8 groups that you
showed in a picture." (Oct-Nov 2007 Newsletter) You are always included in my prayers for missionaries and workers I know in Ukraine.
May God bless and keep you healthy in body and spirit this 2008. ~ Mary Schaefer, Musician & Missionary
Mary has traveled to Ukraine, the Russian Far East and Argentina, for 12 years, working with the Slavic Mission,"Good Samaritan" which
originated in Rivne, Ukraine. She prayed all over Crimea with us on the Crimean International Prayer Walk we lead in 1999. From 2004 to
2006 she came to Ukraine to teach Bible to women and young people. Now she is involved in training Asian Christian workers in Thailand.
She wants to come back to Ukraine and teach some more. Mary plays a synthesizer for a Ukrainian church in the USA.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Mother's testimony of her mission trip to us.]
David and I met in New York to fly to Kiev and were upgraded to 'First Class'. The trip concluded the same way for me returning from Kiev to
NY in first class. What a treat!
We were met in Kiev by a wonderful Christian, Ivan, who works in a large building where he cares for missionaries, as well as needy, and
ministers in hospitality and rehabilitation. He took us to his 'place' where we were able to take a nap and a shower, (both needed). I also
witnessed to a couple of people there from Russia, who spoke good English. In the evening Ivan took us to the train station, and we saw
this major city in Ukraine; with its many Orthodox churches (with gold roofs); many very high (8 to 18 floors) apartment buildings, lots of
both new and old run down dirty buildings, streets, and lots. We had an overnight train ride south to Simferopol in Crimea. (Slept on bunks
and got a good night sleep). Several young people met us at the train station in Simferopol and helped us to a taxi. Igor, the driver is a
friend of Davids (formerly LOC Foundation driver) and not only took us to David's apartment, but unloaded the baggage with us to the 2nd
floor (22 steps up), but also took us to a market to get food. Interesting markets - meat hanging, no carts, etc.
Like Kiev, Simferopol, has beautiful buildings and dumps beside each other, bumpy sidewalks and streets in places and good in places;
women ~ mostly in dresses ( classy, fancy!!) and men in sport pants and shirts. Traffic is dangerous, but saw no accidents. All of them
drive fast as they can and pass in the tightest places. I would have been afraid if I hadn't had such peace from the Lord.
Some Highlights of the 3 weeks!!
Visiting River of Joy camp grounds, which is about 26 - 30 miles east of Simferopol. Camp was going on the first week and we went out on
Sat. (opening) and mid -week and also on the last day, to see their closing program. I did get to pray for each of the leaders and helpers
David has prayer with his staff and others who want to join at his office each Monday. We prayer with Husein, a Christian Tatar, Katya,
office manager; Kiril and Valya (newly engaged) are on David's Laser Team, who go weekly to minster to street children (made me think of
my Child Evangelism days). These are children the police gathers off the streets daily, who are abandoned by their parents (or care
takers). David's office is on the 3rd floor. It is fifty steps+ up to it. Good workout. We usually took a bus to the office. There is a lovely path
next to a river, with many trees along it, that we used to walk home from the office, most of the time. On the 8th, my 66th wedding
anniversary, David treated me to a lovely lunch at a river-side café by that river.
We didn't go to church the first Sun. I was there as David was not well, but the next two we enjoyed a very Charismatic service. Dr. Tatiana
and her daughter Dr. Julia were there and Julia translated for me. These ladies have been friends of Davids since Julia was in High
School and have been a great help to him through the years. They also had us come to their home for a meal (awesome)!!! David also
entertained friends, invited or uninvited drop-in guests to dinner a number of times. One guest was the widow, Tamara, who rented him a
room for a number of years. He says she helped him a lot with learning the language, also. Two other doctors, who specialize in herbs,
also came a few times to wrap David's sore leg (at dinner time), so they ate with us, too. Very interesting life!! David has done a wonderful
job transforming his apartment from 'a mess', into the nicest of any I saw while I was there. David's leg really got better after Dr. Julia took
him to the hospital and they gave him elastic stockings to wear.
Another highlight, ~~ David was invited to a fairly good sized city (Belogorsk) about 30 miles east of Simferopol; to give a devotional to a
group of pastors and their wives from villages in the area. Several had helped at camp. We rode the bus out, and sat in a small room on
the floor and a couple of mattresses and enjoyed lots of singing. One of the wives knew English and offered to translate. I declined, as I
didn't want that interference for the rest ~~ but after David had finished a great message (he shared with me in English, later); one of the
leaders asked if I'd pray for him (he had not been at camp). Gladly, I did. Then he was followed by almost all present. What precious
people!!! What a pleasure!! They really blessed me (us).
One day we went to visit Husein's mother. They live in a Tatar Village (on the outskirts of Simferopol) and experienced an area that is
soooo poor!!! They did have several pieces of furniture that had been sent to David in a container from Ruth Bell in No. Ireland (She has
sent much to help the needy there). Husein's mother has pea size bumps all over her face (really deformed) but, was so glad to meet me
and we had a sweet time together. Husein has abandoned his 'Muslim' background and been BAPTIZED. Not so, his mother.
She says she has received Jesus as Savior, but doesn't want to be baptized; as that is too much of a severance from the Muslims.
Victor Semichkov came to pick us up and take us to their home which was quite a long way out in the country to visit. His wife, Natasha and
he have 13 children that they have taken in to raise and five grandchildren were visiting. What a treat to see the large house, full of kids
being taught the Word of God and loved in a home setting. I played a little with the children, while David and Natasha carried on a long
conversation. Victor and their 18 yr old son, plus some other workmen were busy putting a second floor on the house. (The gov't granted
some money to people caring for abandoned children). We have had special offerings from some of our donors for two different families
who do this kind of ministry. I could tell it was money well given!!!! I am so blessed to have had that 3 weeks "on the mission field".
~ Mother Ruth Hallowell is David's mother and teacher, 85 year old Forwarding Agent and Intercessor. She always wanted to be a
missionary herself. We were amazed at all the grace poured out on her trip...and we were greatly blessed by her visit as she followed her
heart and the heart of God to us. (my leg is better now P.T.L.)
[Mother's testimony of her mission trip to us.]
David and I met in New York to fly to Kiev and were upgraded to 'First Class'. The trip concluded the same way for me returning from Kiev to
NY in first class. What a treat!
We were met in Kiev by a wonderful Christian, Ivan, who works in a large building where he cares for missionaries, as well as needy, and
ministers in hospitality and rehabilitation. He took us to his 'place' where we were able to take a nap and a shower, (both needed). I also
witnessed to a couple of people there from Russia, who spoke good English. In the evening Ivan took us to the train station, and we saw
this major city in Ukraine; with its many Orthodox churches (with gold roofs); many very high (8 to 18 floors) apartment buildings, lots of
both new and old run down dirty buildings, streets, and lots. We had an overnight train ride south to Simferopol in Crimea. (Slept on bunks
and got a good night sleep). Several young people met us at the train station in Simferopol and helped us to a taxi. Igor, the driver is a
friend of Davids (formerly LOC Foundation driver) and not only took us to David's apartment, but unloaded the baggage with us to the 2nd
floor (22 steps up), but also took us to a market to get food. Interesting markets - meat hanging, no carts, etc.
Like Kiev, Simferopol, has beautiful buildings and dumps beside each other, bumpy sidewalks and streets in places and good in places;
women ~ mostly in dresses ( classy, fancy!!) and men in sport pants and shirts. Traffic is dangerous, but saw no accidents. All of them
drive fast as they can and pass in the tightest places. I would have been afraid if I hadn't had such peace from the Lord.
Some Highlights of the 3 weeks!!
Visiting River of Joy camp grounds, which is about 26 - 30 miles east of Simferopol. Camp was going on the first week and we went out on
Sat. (opening) and mid -week and also on the last day, to see their closing program. I did get to pray for each of the leaders and helpers
David has prayer with his staff and others who want to join at his office each Monday. We prayer with Husein, a Christian Tatar, Katya,
office manager; Kiril and Valya (newly engaged) are on David's Laser Team, who go weekly to minster to street children (made me think of
my Child Evangelism days). These are children the police gathers off the streets daily, who are abandoned by their parents (or care
takers). David's office is on the 3rd floor. It is fifty steps+ up to it. Good workout. We usually took a bus to the office. There is a lovely path
next to a river, with many trees along it, that we used to walk home from the office, most of the time. On the 8th, my 66th wedding
anniversary, David treated me to a lovely lunch at a river-side café by that river.
We didn't go to church the first Sun. I was there as David was not well, but the next two we enjoyed a very Charismatic service. Dr. Tatiana
and her daughter Dr. Julia were there and Julia translated for me. These ladies have been friends of Davids since Julia was in High
School and have been a great help to him through the years. They also had us come to their home for a meal (awesome)!!! David also
entertained friends, invited or uninvited drop-in guests to dinner a number of times. One guest was the widow, Tamara, who rented him a
room for a number of years. He says she helped him a lot with learning the language, also. Two other doctors, who specialize in herbs,
also came a few times to wrap David's sore leg (at dinner time), so they ate with us, too. Very interesting life!! David has done a wonderful
job transforming his apartment from 'a mess', into the nicest of any I saw while I was there. David's leg really got better after Dr. Julia took
him to the hospital and they gave him elastic stockings to wear.
Another highlight, ~~ David was invited to a fairly good sized city (Belogorsk) about 30 miles east of Simferopol; to give a devotional to a
group of pastors and their wives from villages in the area. Several had helped at camp. We rode the bus out, and sat in a small room on
the floor and a couple of mattresses and enjoyed lots of singing. One of the wives knew English and offered to translate. I declined, as I
didn't want that interference for the rest ~~ but after David had finished a great message (he shared with me in English, later); one of the
leaders asked if I'd pray for him (he had not been at camp). Gladly, I did. Then he was followed by almost all present. What precious
people!!! What a pleasure!! They really blessed me (us).
One day we went to visit Husein's mother. They live in a Tatar Village (on the outskirts of Simferopol) and experienced an area that is
soooo poor!!! They did have several pieces of furniture that had been sent to David in a container from Ruth Bell in No. Ireland (She has
sent much to help the needy there). Husein's mother has pea size bumps all over her face (really deformed) but, was so glad to meet me
and we had a sweet time together. Husein has abandoned his 'Muslim' background and been BAPTIZED. Not so, his mother.
She says she has received Jesus as Savior, but doesn't want to be baptized; as that is too much of a severance from the Muslims.
Victor Semichkov came to pick us up and take us to their home which was quite a long way out in the country to visit. His wife, Natasha and
he have 13 children that they have taken in to raise and five grandchildren were visiting. What a treat to see the large house, full of kids
being taught the Word of God and loved in a home setting. I played a little with the children, while David and Natasha carried on a long
conversation. Victor and their 18 yr old son, plus some other workmen were busy putting a second floor on the house. (The gov't granted
some money to people caring for abandoned children). We have had special offerings from some of our donors for two different families
who do this kind of ministry. I could tell it was money well given!!!! I am so blessed to have had that 3 weeks "on the mission field".
~ Mother Ruth Hallowell is David's mother and teacher, 85 year old Forwarding Agent and Intercessor. She always wanted to be a
missionary herself. We were amazed at all the grace poured out on her trip...and we were greatly blessed by her visit as she followed her
heart and the heart of God to us. (my leg is better now P.T.L.)