We made it back to Ukraine!  We are all safe and sound and our luggage even made it, after being lost for two days.  We are just trying to get settled back in and are re-acquainting ourselves with the language, culture and everyday life.  A few things have changed in just one year - especially the cost of living.  We were very surprised to find that everything is much more expensive than it was when we left for furlough, not just the rent.  We found an interesting article about that - it should help to give you a sense of how much things have changed in the last year.  Please click on the following link to read more:  http://blog.kievukraine.info/2006/06/rising-living-costs-place-kyiv-high-on.html

 

Speaking of changes, we were finally able to talk to our landlord about his ultimatum - "pay double the rent or move out" - but he said there was nothing more to discuss and we needed to make a decision immediately.  He already had someone willing to pay the higher price, so he was not willing to negotiate.  We told him we would stay for now and pay double, but we will be looking for a more affordable place in the meantime.  The only problem with this is that everything else is going for the same price, or even higher, so finding something else may not even be a possibility.  He said we can stay, at the new price, for another year, then we will have to move out because our contract is up at that time.  Just continue to pray that God will provide a way for us to just build our own house so we will not have to worry about all of this anymore!  And pray that He will provide the finances to pay the higher rent in the meantime.

 

We are also getting ready for our first group to come over in August, so the next few weeks should be pretty busy getting ready for that.  We have about 20 people coming from Texas - most are from Pleasantview Baptist Church in Arlington.  We are so excited to have them come and we hope that we can be an encouragement to them about missions and the many different opportunities there are to work in a foreign country.  

 

We received a letter from the director of the orphanage that we work with in Komarovka.  The following is a copy of what she read in English to the group of Americans from Manna Worldwide (an organization that financially supports our work at the orphanage) that came over to build a new playground for the children.  We wanted you to see the impact that some of you are having, with your prayers and finances, at this orphanage.

 

Dear American Friends,

 

On behalf of all the pupils of this orphanage, the teachers, and all the workers I would like to thank you for this wonderful playground.  It's not just a playground, but it's the trace of kindness left by you in our school.  We will remember you for many years.

We are grateful to the Lord for choosing you and sending you here to help the children.

It's a great pleasure to get such nice presents from you as the playground, refrigerator, bathrooms, clothes and some other gifts.  We believe that you won't forget us and hopefully this meeting is only the beginning of our friendship.

I would like to thank Doug (our partner that works with us there and took care of everything while we were on furlough) and his friends too.  They have been supporting us for three years already.  You don't just know our problems, but you help us solve them.  We are sure everything was done from the heart by you.  We wish you good health, family happiness and success in all your deeds.

Sincerely, Ludmilla Vasilovich, Assistant Director

What a beautiful confirmation of the ministry steps we have taken.  Please continue to pray for the Lord to open the eyes of the staff and children there that they might realize where this kindness comes from. That they might find their hope in Jesus.  And we thank you for having a part in this - only in Heaven will you know the total impact you have been able to have on the precious children and the staff there.  Thank you so much!!

 

Please take a few minutes and visit our website at www.sullivansukraine.com - we update it with new pictures, news and prayer requests every so often, so be sure to check back every once in a while.  And pastors, please let your church members know about it and encourage them to visit it, as well.  Thank you so much!

 

It was so good to see many of you while we were home on furlough.  And for those we weren't able to see - thank you for being so understanding - we just couldn't squeeze everyone in in just one year!  Hopefully we can see some of you that we missed on our next furlough. Thank you all so much for your love and prayers and faithful support for us these last several years - we appreciate that so much more than we could ever tell you.  God bless you!!

 

In Christ,