Prayer need

Please, pray for our team - as we are comming to the end of our trip. Pray, that God may give us strenght, as we all tired...

Drakenstain

We visited drakenstain prison another time. This time we did a programme for them. They enjoyed it very much.

They were older guys than our usual B4 guys, but it was a nice change - to get attentive listeners. We were just sorry that we did not have more time to spend with them...

On the end we had lunch with prison pastor and discussed the problems of bringing christianity into a prison. It was a nice to receive all of this information. The doors for Christ are open in South African Prisons.

Saturday 16th of September

De Novo detention centre

This detention centre is like a little prison for light criminals. The staff there is really friendly people. Kids were listening well to the programme. One thing I have understood. Many criminals are not stupid people. Even some of them are not able to read and write, some of them are really clever. The only problem that they are clever in a bad way…

Bbq at Justin and Ingrid

It was really good time of fellowship with youth leaders from St. Peters Church. Especially for me. Me and Justin discussed different subjects of life and ministry. Wow! It was great. You know, I started to find out that I really enjoy talking…

Johny

Bunnies – that is how gay people are called in prison. We have 3 of them coming for our programme. I do not know their stories, but from what I have heard they were raised as “girls”. The life is hard for them in prison – every one laughs at them, sometimes they beat them up…

But there is other point about it. I was talking to the guy named Johny, and he pointed at them and started laughing. And the theme of the day was “Sin”. We read the place of the scripture in Romans 3:22-23 “Because there is no difference…” . And I pointed that when God looks at him, He does not look at Johny any better as he looks at one of those “bunnies”. And Johny stopped laughing and had deep thought…

South African Lifestyle

This is the type of houses black and colored South Africans mostly live in...

Devotion in Medium A

It was so great to worship God again with guys from Medium A. But we also missed our groups from B4.



Summarizing the work done

On lunch time we went through the work that already been done. Praise God, everyone was enjoying their time ministering to God.

St. Peters Youth

We had another meeting with St. Peters youth, and it was another opportunity to share our testimonies.

Mans breakfast

We had to wake up at 6am, as we had breakfast in the church at 6:30am. To tell the truth I did not want to go for it, as I was really tired and wanted to have spare hour of sleep.

The message they guy was speaking on the meeting was not really relevant for our mission trip, but one thought really touched my heart. It was interesting idea: “What we do and how we behave have impact only on ourselves, but on our children, grandchildren down to 4th generation.” And the children you are having the impact are not only your children, but it can be your nephew, or the friend of your children… Really interesting and truthful thought.

Another B4 day

Those young people are amazing. It is really hard to believe that many of them have murdered someone…

They pretend that they are very open with us. But talking to different people you realize that actually they are lying to you. But from another side it is a strange feeling of God’s love inside in you – you still love them even you know they are not honest with you.

Small group

We went to the one of St. Peters Church small groups. It was really great to have fellowship with other believers. The group consisted of few middle aged and senior people, who were very pleasant. We shared our testimonies and told them about our mission. They were listening with real interest, asked many questions. Again, it was really great to have fellowship with the other believers.

Small group in B4

Today the programme went much better. We knew the people we were working with. We knew their names, a little beat about them…

Some of them were just kids, who were lost in this life. Some of them were people who were looking for God. Many of them know about God, but may be just one or two of them really know God. They were asking many questions, and we came to understanding, that many people know the facts, verses, passages of scripture, but they are not sure about how to interpret them… Some of them were saying that they wanted to change their life…

Ocean View

After lunch we went to the Ocean View, which is colored community not far away from Fish Hoek. Yes, it was real Africa. Africa I know. Africa I have been to before. Poor houses, dirty streets, many kids on the streets…

We visited white family, who decided to live in that colored community. They have shared their story with us.

They are kind of missionaries. They preach the Gospel with their life… They just want to show those people that God is the same for blacks and whites. They are living the life not many people would agree to have… But their life is the powerful testimony.

Tuesday 12 of September

In the morning we had another programme in the prison. Oh, It was great. The guys behaved themselves much better than yesterday, and there were more of them coming.

After general meeting we had small group time. It was really interesting to hear that they know very much about the Bible, they have many interesting and correct thoughts, but they do not know Jesus yet.

We discussed the topic of sin, some of them knew that they were sinners, but they did not want to do anything about that.

We set up the contact with many guys, and it is so hard to remember their names. Johny, Rhyno, Michael, Ashley, Clinton, Clayton, Usher, Carlo, Nicolas… Every one have their own story, thoughts, hopes…

Monday 11 - B4 Devotion

This morning we went to Pollsmoor prison to B4 section. There were young leds age from 15 to 18. In the begining they were not very organized, and it was so hard to draw their attention. But in the end they were quite interested and when the programme was finished we had good conversations.

I was talking to a guy named Johny. In the begining he said he was a christian, but in the end I found out that he cals himself a christian, but is affraid of his friends and do not devote his life to Christ... He knows thet is he decide to give his life to Christ, he really have to follow Him. Otherwise he would experience some troubles with other people.

There, in the prison, you can not be 50% christian. You should be not a christian, or 100% christian...

Sunday - St. Peter's Church

Sunday morning and Sunday evening we visited St. Peter's Church. It is really nice Anglican Church in Fish Hoek. We enjoyed services, and in the end of the service many people were coming to us and greeting, asking different questions about our ministry and about Ukraine. It was real pleasure to be there...

Day 5 - Fabian

In Drakenstain prison we were introduced a guy whose name was Fabian. He was in prisong for some time already, and he has 4 other years to spend there.

He was a gangster before he was imprisoned. He did the same stuff in prison as he did outside. But in one moment he understood that he was doing wrong. And he decided to change his life. He decided to became a christian, and Christ totally changed his life. Now he have gone through different christian courses they have in prison, and even managed to study in the college via internet...

Now in prison he's trying to preach to all other guys, that they may have their life changed too...

He said he was not in hurry to get out of the prison, as he knows that everything is in Gods hands and he wants to used by Him as much as possible in prison.

Day 5 - Drakenstain Prison

Drakenstain - is the prison that is situated 100 km from Cape Town. This morning we went there.

It was rather hard day because we had to get up at 6am in order to be there at 8:30.

In the prison again we received the warm acceptance. It is so interesting - why prison staff in Ukraine is not taht friendly?

The prisoners did a programme for us. WOW!!! It was so great! They sing so beautiful! Their testimonies were powerful. Some of them had such long sentences... 28 years... 42 years... But they were free in Christ.

Day 4 - Youth Meeting in St. Peter's Church

In the evening we went to St. Peters church for a youth evening.

There were around 15-20 young people age of 14-18. And we joined their programme.

Whe shared about the situation in Ukraine, about the life and about christianity. Showed them some pictures and video of Cherkassy.

Young people in South Africa are not different from other young people of the world. They are looking for intertaiment, and that's all... As in Ukraine, as in UK here they need Christ to change their life. We are not different.

Day 4 - Prison - Medium A

This morning we went to the prison.

The prison was not as I expected. Here, in South Africa they are not as strict as they are in Ukraine. Prison workers were friendly and the prisoners themselves were not so scary. They reminded me of a children who did something wrong and were punished by their parents. But... some of them murdered few people... others commited other types of crimes...

The Devotion time went well, and after it we had time speaking to prisoners.

I remember one of them, whose name was Vergil. He was converted in a prison. The told his story that he use to be a gangster, but now decided to turn avay from criminal world and want to serve the Lord.

Day 3

In the morning again we had a meeting at Adrian’s, where we discussed the way of sharing Gospel in prison.

After lunch we went to Cape Town city. Visited Table mountain and again were amazed with the beauty of God’s creation.


After that we were taken to the Waterfront – a really large shopping centre in the middle of Cape Town. We went through some shops, and had a nice meal at the restaurant.

2nd day

This is the 2nd day of our missionary trip to South Africa.

Even we have not started working in the prison, God have already blessed us with many blessings. We have met many wonderful people. Friday is the day we are going to the prison the first time .

We know only a little what to exect there. So, please, pray for me, that I may be Lords servant where ever he sends me to.

President Putin

In the afternoon we went to Cape Point. As local people “The most Westerly Southern place in Africa”. There we all were shocked, as just before getting there we saw president Putin motorcade coming, and even saw president himself looking out of the window of his limousine. Galya was almost jumping of the joy.


But the important thing was not the president of Russia. When we got to Cape Point I was amazed by greatness of my God. I was looking down from the cliff and saw waves of Indian and Atlantic oceans together. The waves were so great. And I thought: “Oh, God! Only You can control this mighty waters. And I am just a little human, who can not do nothing. Who am I that You remember me? Who am I that you gave me such an important mission – to spread Your Word all around the world!!!”

In the evening we had another wonderful meal with Marylyn and James. Had another discussion of what we are going to do in a prison. Have seen 2 movies about ministry in a prison.

Day 2

We started the morning in Adrian’s place again. Discussed the situation in the prisons. Found out about gangs and prison rules. It was interesting to find out all this strange systems they have.

Another interesting thing we found out. We are here not only to serve people from poor community that is in the prison. The first day we had meal with Marylyn and James we had another couple with us – Justin and Ingrid – they were doing youth work in St. Peters Church. Adrian thought it would be helpful for the church if we are going to visit some of youth events in the church. So, we are here not only to serve the poor, but also to serve those who are on the top of society.

After meeting in Adrian’s place we went to have a lunch, and after it went to see some penguins. Wow! I saw penguin first time in my life.

Day 1 - Fish Hoek

Guys, forget everything you know about Africa. I woke up in the morning and went out to the street. And… I was in England…

I never expected to see England in Africa!!! Houses, people, shops – everything reminded me of one of Western European countries.

Adrian came to pick us up to his house. There we had good meeting where we were discussing plans for next 3 weeks. We were asking different questions, Adrian and Sybil were asking different questions. We found out that we have very much in comment between Ukraine and South Africa. Same problems all around the world.

I found out that not all South Africa looks like Fish Hoek. We were staying in the town where lived mostly white people. There are areas of Cape Town where blacks and colored people live. Those areas are much poorer. The Cape Town itself is a large city and Fish Hoek is kind of a region there.

There is a large problem with gangs in the city, and they mostly deal with drugs. Most of the young people we are going to work in the prison are the members of those gangs.

After lunch we went to see the town. Wow!!! Such a lovely place God prepared for us to be in. Indian Ocean was laying it’s waves in the bay. Sea breeze and seagulls around. There is nothing better that to worship God in this place.

In the evening we had a meal in Marylyn and James. Lovely couple. We discussed different issues about South Africa and Ukraine.

Airport

We had successfull trip from Cherkassy to Borispol Airport.

And... good news - they have free wireless internet in the airport.

After few attempts I succided to connect...

So, here I am online...



... and others are there too...

30 minutes

It is 30 minutes before we actually go to airport.

Dear friends who read this blog : please, pray for the safety of our trip...

Our hope is in the Lord

"...but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."

(Isa.40:31)