+ 6 - 13 | § ¶Look at Land to buy for starting an Street Center for kids
Here is something you can keep in prayer...
Mr. Earl De Cloux and Micky Jordan, with Earl's assistant Julia and Sasha (my friend and seller of real estate) - went around all day on Thursday looking at land for a possible site to start a street kid's center here in Kiev, with ACT-UA. We have been meeting all week and it has been exciting. There are still many, many details that need to be hammered out, and I would appreciate your prayers on this...Micky who wants to run the center and Earl who wants to fund the center...and I - are all trying to see how this can work and what to do exactly. Ukraine is a strange place for things like this to be started and of course it takes money and dedication...so, since we are all just becoming friends now...we will need much prayer and wisdom for the days, months, and years ahead. And we need prayers about land, what land to buy, how to buy, where, how much to spend, etc. Thanks for your prayers and concern in this matter...it is very important. See below a possible site...or two.
+ 10 - 11 | § ¶Giving gifts with ACT-UA and Skating Party
As part of the "gifts for orphans" projects...
I have teamed up with ACT-UA - this organization is lead by Mr. Earl De Cloux...and he donated the money for the gifts shown in these pictures...although Oleg and I tried to arrange this project...with the help of the director of this Orphanage. It was a good time...and all the kids told us their names and something about themselves...and we talked about life in America...and I told about my days working on the farm. Anyway, the next thing...we something Lloyd Hanebury, US (you and I), and Earl gave to...it was MP3 players for the older kids at the Father's House...and then we paid for them to see a movie, go ice skating and have some good food and treats at the large mall called Caravan.
+ 10 - 9 | § ¶English Club New Year's Party
Hello...
a little late...but This is just a few pictures of our New Year Party with the English Club, actually I purchased little gifts for everyone, but they are not pictured here. He had a good time and talked about "gifts" we have recieved. Most people figured out that the person who gives it is better than the gift and spending time is one of the best gifts. I then pointed out the verses in Isaiah where is says, "unto us a child is given, unto us a Savior is born" and talked about asking Jesus into our lives and hearts this Christmas season because He was the ulitmate gift to Mankind...and we should accept this gift and spend time with Him and the Father. Anyway, we prayed together...and played some Xbox games together...and had a merry old time. Still praying for more funds to make my third room into a "sitting room"/English club room. Consider sending a little something for this project...cost is around $2,000. Blessings to you and yours...Merry Christmas from Ukraine (they celebrate Christmas here on the 7th).
+ 14 - 9 | § ¶Will you marry me? Of course, yes...
Hey Friends,
Sure, it might seem like just a few days ago I told you about Tanya Govoroha, but I have been serious about her since the beginning of our relationship. Since September - actually September 6th...we have been communicating for sometimes hours a day. On September 26, I told her that I liked her...in which she responded that she liked me too:) Which is a huge step for me...because I have rarely had that moment when both I and the girl liked each other at the same time, etc. Anyway, the rest of our story is simple, that was the biggest step, probably. From then on, we saw each other almost every night for some amount of time, she has to be back in her dormitory be 12 am, because the doors lock...so, we usually got to her place around 9-10pm and walked around her square. We must have logged in hunderds of miles. Little did I know she was getting sick of walking, while I was "enjoying my cheap dates". So...that's how it began...then I went to the States from October 26th to December 15th. During this time...our relationship grew as we logged in some serious time on the interent, with 2 emails each day, and average about 4 hours of MSN messager on Saturday, a few hours on Sunday and many hours during Thanksgiving Holidays (just ask my brother Jason...I was at his house and he was sick of it)
Anyway, I purchased a nice ring for her, after Thanksgiving...
Then, waiting until after I talked to her father, Pastor and brother...on Christmas...
Then, finally for New Year's...2007.
The plan...first, I had to buy some nice dress clothes, but my sister Teresa helped me with that by giving me a Christmas gift...of black pants, a black shirt, and red tie...thank God...I actually don't have many dress clothes for a pastor...this is beside the point though.
On Sunday, December 31st, we went to church at International Christian Assembly...then to TGI Fridays for lunch with Lloyd and Natasha Hanebury. Lots of my friends here knew about this plan...to ask her, so they kept coming up to me in church, (right next to her) and winking, or saying, "we are praying for you" and I began to get nerivous from this point.
Finally, I took her to her dormitory, and then went home to get ready...I asked God for some snow...and it started a little bit while I was ironing my clothes around 7pm. But it only turned into rain soon after. However, it was a nice sign, because I prayed for it, and saw it for a little while and fell on my knees because I couldn't be happier...praising God for Tanya and all His blessings...actually cried for a while as the ironing board as my alter. Then, I got ready, called my neighbor who speaks English, Russian and some Ukrainian and had her teach me and repeat many times "ti vedish za mena zamish" - which is Ukrainian for "will you marry me?" kind of...and how to say "I love you" in Ukrainian - However, when the moment came, I forgot how to say "I love You" - because I only know it in Russian. (I only could remember the word for "Kitchen", which sounds close to the word, 'love" and I don't think, "I Kitchen You" would have went over too good:))
I picked Tanya up, and she was so beautiful - she normally never wears make-up and dress clothes, like skirts...this was the first time I actually saw her dressed up...and she looked wonderful. The French resturant, L'amore, was closed and the chinese place...so, I took her to Japanise...had some great sushi. I love sushi, Teresa should have never introduced me to it in LA back in April 2006...at my brother's wedding. Anyway, we drove downtown, the main square here, where thousands of people were. She wanted to see the president speak...and so I knew she wasn't expecting it...she was thinking more Feburary. But, I got her to take a 15 minute walk in the cold, 35 degrees weather to "Lover's Bridge" - where we walked on one of our first meetings. It was beautiful, and just before 12 am, I told her how much I loved her and then reached for my ring, and kept eye contact as I went to one knee and asked in Ukrainian if she would marry me. She said, "Of course, Yes" Then, the fireworks started going off, the main ones for Kiev, only 400-500 meters away...and in perfect view. They lasted about 15 minutes, it was wonderful...and I had purchased a little firework myself, which we lit off.
Then, back to my place for a little party with friends, cake, and more fireworks, tons of calls all night to congratulate...etc. So, it is official, I am ENGAGED!
Thanks for all your prayers all these years...as to dates for marriage...we will keep you posted, but in 2007 for sure!. Thanks for the "dating money" too, Mr. Dwight. Peace in Christ this New Year! Rick
