tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56464428607630019762024-02-02T07:12:55.368-06:00Kremenchuk MissionHi! Welcome to my mission site about the work in Kremenchuk, Ukraine. This city is also spelled Kremenchug, which is the Russian language spelling. I will share about what we are doing along with pictures and stories of our lives and mission here.Doug Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07983941450475666360noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646442860763001976.post-76481674382507323492021-04-28T09:59:00.000-05:002021-04-28T09:59:26.463-05:00Lord Willing, Returning Is A Reality!<p> Dear Friends,</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>You know the ride that I have been on and you have
blessed me so much by your loving support, prayers, and encouragement! Thank
you!</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">The day before I had planned to return to Ukraine on April 12, I tested for Covid and received a positive result. Obviously, my plans to return were delayed again!</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>I have completely recovered from Covid and had a negative
test. My symptoms were light and I’m in good health. I will still have to be
tested again next Monday before I leave. Please pray that this test will also
come back negative so that I will be able to make my trip.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Lord willing, a week from today on May 5<sup>th</sup> I’ll
fly out to Ukraine! I’ve been so blessed to find a direct flight from Dallas to
Frankfurt and then on to Ukraine after an hour layover. This will cut my travel
time down a lot! I have a Brother in Christ, who is also a missionary to
Ukraine, that recently had no people on his flight home from Amsterdam to
Atlanta!</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The same Brother that I mentioned above was able to find
and purchase a ventilator for the Church that he works with in Ukraine. I think
that this a great way to serve! I’m going to look into this when I get to
Ukraine. Also, I hope to work with an organization in Kremenchuk, run by one of
our Brothers, that helps displaced people that have come out of the war zone in
Ukraine. I want us to find more ways to serve and reach out to our community.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Love in Christ,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Doug Berry<o:p></o:p></p>Doug Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07983941450475666360noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646442860763001976.post-86086911002384514232021-02-05T16:16:00.000-06:002021-02-05T16:16:07.746-06:00Return to Ukraine MAY BE Insight!<p>The Mission work in Kremenchuk continues to be positive
and ongoing. I have remained in York, NE with my son and family. Over the last
few months I have shared in a Zoom Bible Class and Worship on Sundays in
Kremenchuk. We have also had Zoom English classes at least twice a week and in Ukraine
they have had more. Recently 12 people, including 4 people not members of the
Church went to Lviv in western Ukraine for a retreat/seminar on the Second
Coming of Christ. Reports said that it was great!</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The COVID numbers have greatly decreased in Ukraine over
the last month. This week I was added to the list to get the COVID vaccine. I’m
not sure when I’ll get it, but hopefully I’ll be able to get to Ukraine MAYBE
by the first of April! You know how it is for making plans these days!</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I plan to lengthen my stay in Ukraine to a more permanent
living arrangement by not returning to the States for my next visit to maybe
July 2022 and then returning to Ukraine by the first of September 2022. Please
pray that we will be able to carry out all our goals and plans!<o:p></o:p></p>Doug Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07983941450475666360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646442860763001976.post-78205448994000452102020-11-28T15:45:00.000-06:002020-11-28T15:45:31.934-06:00PRESSING ONTO THE UPWARD CALL<p class="MsoNoSpacing">In my last report I talked about my upcoming hip replacement
surgery. I had that on done on September 3<sup>rd</sup> and it was successful.
I spent about 3 weeks in recovery hospital, then had 2 weeks physical therapy
at home (my daughter’s home where I was staying) and almost another month of
outpatient physical therapy. I have come through strong and healthy.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>Back in Ukraine the Family English School (FES) opened on
September 3<sup>rd</sup> to good and growing numbers! I am so proud of the team
we have in place in Kremenchuk of our preacher and 2 English Teachers! They
have and are doing such a great job!</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>The number of COVID-19 cases in Ukraine have continue to
skyrocket, as they have in the world. By the end of October, we had to make the
hard decision to physically close the doors to the school and church building.
The English classes and church service have continued to meet through Zoom. The
numbers are down some because not everyone has access to Zoom, but most do. For
the worship service, we moved the meeting time to 4pm so that I could join them
at 8am (8 hours difference). The last 2 Sundays, Artur has been teaching a
Bible Class from Acts and I have been preaching through a translator. I am so
thankful that I can stay active and be with them this way.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>Artur (Ukrainian preacher) and one other sister have
gotten the COVID and have recovered, but many in Ukraine have not recovered. COVID
has grown to such a point in Ukraine it would be extremely dangerous and
foolish for me to try and return at this time, even if I could. As soon as the numbers
have decreased to what might be a safe level, then I will return. Our work
continues, but just on a different level. I am sure everyone understands this
as all face COVID every day! Of course, we can cut our expenses some, but we still
need your constant continued support for the work to go forward. Thank you for
all you do!</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>As of this writing, I am in York, Nebraska with my son,
Ben and family for the foreseeable future. People ask me what my plans are and I
am taking that day by day. Please keep me and the work in Ukraine in your
prayers. The work of the Lord goes on and forward!</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Doug Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07983941450475666360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646442860763001976.post-74462525409245457952020-08-08T07:10:00.000-05:002020-08-08T07:10:15.139-05:00MOVING FORWARDAs Christians, we are to “fix our eyes on Jesus” and as the Apostle Paul says, “we are to press on to the upward call.” This indicates that we should be always moving forward. <div><br /></div><div> I arrived in Coppell, TX three weeks ago with the hope of being able to have hip replacement surgery. After more than 2 weeks of seeing Doctors, I am moving forward with my surgery which is scheduled for August 27th! Now, I have almost 3 weeks to wait! I’m enjoying staying the Grottis home with my daughter Jenise and family! They are so exceptionally good to me! After surgery, I will have at least a 2 months of recovery time before I can go back to Ukraine, but after surgery that is my next goal. </div><div><br /></div><div> Back in Ukraine the Church and Family English School (FES) are also moving forward! I want to point out that Ukraine has divided the country into 4 different sections as far as the seriousness of the COVID-19. The Poltava Region, which Kremenchuk is in, is considered the less serious and therefore is the most open to nearly everything. The public schools will all be open this fall! </div><div><br /></div><div> The Church has been allowed to meet in public now for more than 2 months. The FES is in the ramping up to open on September 15th with an Open House on Saturday, September 12th. We will soon be putting major advertisements on Facebook, Instagram, in apartment buildings within ½ mile radius of the school. The great majority of people in this part of the city of Kremenchuk live in apartment buildings. We will also be putting flyers for our school in public schools as well. </div><div><br /></div><div> My involvement, even though distant will be ongoing. I will make a video welcoming people to the school for the open house. I’ve continued to meet with my English Teachers and Artur our preacher while I’ve been gone. I will Zoom in on classes from time to time, even though our two English Teachers, Olya and Yulya will do the majority of teaching until I can get back. I’m very confident that Artur, Yulya and Olya will continue to do an outstanding job of leading the Church and teaching until I return! </div><div><br /></div><div> I will keep you updated on future developments as they happen and Lord willing the news will all be great!
</div>Doug Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07983941450475666360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646442860763001976.post-29477713477125338322020-06-02T01:17:00.000-05:002020-06-02T01:17:40.250-05:00Change Can Be Growth<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Things are beginning to change here in Kremenchuk. I hope
all for good, but some because of summer and some because of the change in
attitude about COVID. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
First, our Family English School has come to and end for
this spring and will start up again in the fall. For most of March, April, and
May we held classes online on Zoom. During this time, we had two groups of
adult students: a beginners 2 group of 4 and an intermediate group of 3. I
worked very closely with my two Ukrainian English teachers and translators.
They did an exceptionally good job. This past year we covered much of the
gospel stories and with the intermediate group we got into Acts 1-6. We had 2
classes a week with each group. The English and Bible progress was good! Right
now our plans are to start up our school again about September 15<sup>th</sup>.
We will do a large advertising program in August in September to kick off the
school year!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
For the same period, we continued to meet online with
Zoom for our Sunday Bible Class and Worship and Wednesday night Bible Study.
This past Sunday, May 31, 2020 we had our first meeting together at the church
building in almost 3 months! We had 9 in attendance with several more choosing
to stay online for the worship. It was great to be back together again!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Unfortunately, because of all the COVID, we will not have
the Bible Camps that we had planned for this summer. The start of those will
have to be next year.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Even though the numbers of COVID continue to grow, the
numbers have flattened out and are not increasing. The number of new people
with it are between 400-500 daily. In our city, the numbers have been
relatively low.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The government offices opened today for me to get my
temporary residency papers done. This will take 2-3 weeks to finish. After that
I will fly back to the USA, Lord willing to get my hip replacement done and
then to return to Kremenchuk about October 1<sup>st</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very few of my plans have worked out so far
this year, so please be praying that they will now!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Doug Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07983941450475666360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646442860763001976.post-67721881923649337332020-05-01T02:47:00.002-05:002020-05-03T22:16:33.104-05:00Freedom From Isolation! <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I feel trapped. I feel trapped inside my apartment in
Kremenchuk, Ukraine where the number of COV-19 cases is growing in Ukraine by
400-500+ a day. Oh, I have Christian friends and neighbors that are taking care
of me. I have started going out for early 5:30 in the morning walks when very
few are out and about. I’ve been in isolation, like many, for nearly 2 months
now. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I feel trapped in a body that wants to be useful, but my low
back and hip hurt a lot. I guess that is what age will do to you! The going for
the walks does help. I don’t sleep very well any more.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I feel trapped in my mind because I feel I have a lot to
share and to teach, but it is harder than ever to get that done. I am much
better face to face with people. I am going a bit crazy. Some of my friends and
family would say that’s nothing new! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The difference is that I know that I have been set free in
my soul through Jesus Christ! I hear God speaking to me through His Word every
day and I can talk to Him about all things with trust and confidence that He
hears and answers my prayers. I have been set free in my apartment because we
are worshipping together online and teaching English Classes there too! I can
call and talk to my children and friends in the US when the time difference is
right without much problems. I have outlets of entertainment that is good and
clean on my computer, iPad and phone that was unheard of 20 years ago! I can
get any book I want to read and a lot of them are free! I have all the food I
want and all I need is the incentive to get up and do some cooking. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One day I will be set free from this world to go home to be
with God forever! I will no longer be trapped in this world, but I will be with
Him with no pain, sorrow or hunger. Praise His Holy Name!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Doug Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07983941450475666360noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646442860763001976.post-53971660617917589372020-03-23T04:33:00.000-05:002020-03-23T04:33:01.915-05:00Encouraging in a Time of StressI started writing daily encouragements a week ago to give people positive, Biblical messages to lift our spirits in trying times. In the following post you see 7 of these for a weeks worth. I hope that they are blessing to you. I found that writing them and searching out God's Word was definitely a blessing for me!Doug Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07983941450475666360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646442860763001976.post-36992389669124747542020-03-23T04:28:00.001-05:002020-03-23T04:28:52.998-05:00ENCOURAGEMENTS March 16-22 2020<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>Monday
Encouragement</b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Read your Bible
every day! Read God’s Word and let Him speak to you to encourage you and
convict you to live your life better so you can be more like Him as the day of
Jesus’ coming comes close to us. Read not to fulfill duty, but to learn what
God wants to tell you. God is waiting for you to pick up His love letter to
you! Today, be filled with Him and His love for you!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Tuesday
Encouragement<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Prayer holds me
together and keeps me connected to God. Sometimes it <i>“seems”</i> like I’m
all alone. In reality, I KNOW that is not true. When it seems that way, I know
that God is always there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Psalms 142:1-5 “I cry aloud with my voice to the Lord; I
make supplication with my voice to the Lord. 2 I pour out my complaint before
Him; I declare my trouble before Him. 3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within
me, You knew my path. In the way where I walk, they have hidden a trap for
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>4 Look to the right and see; for
there is no one who regards me; there is no escape for me; no one cares for my
soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>5 I cried out to You, O Lord; I
said, "You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
When we rely upon the Lord and cry out to Him we can know
that He knows our path and our walk in this life! We know that He is righteous
and Holy for He is our refuge! I know God is true for He cannot lie!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Then as the writer finishes this Psalm in verse 7,
"Bring my soul out of prison, so that I may give thanks to Your name; The
righteous will surround me, for You will deal bountifully with me." God,
without doubt surrounds us with the righteous and is bountiful to us! Praise
God!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>Wednesday Encouragement</b> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I don’t know about you, but I am a planner. I like things
ordered and planned out for today and for the future. However, most of our
plans have changed or at least been altered by the circumstances of life. James
4:14-15 says, “Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You
are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do
this or that.” This is one of the keys about life and time. That key is putting
everything in the Lord’s hands and realizing that it is the Lord’s will we need
to be trusting in.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Another key to understand time is found in 1 Peter 5:6-7.
It says, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may
exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He
cares for you.” Did you get that? Humble yourself to God and give Him ALL your
anxiety! Why? Give Him your time, your life and your future because He cares
for you!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>Thursday Encouragement </b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">James 1:12 “Blessed
is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he
will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
God is speaking to Christians that are under trials of life. Now our world is
under trial. We as Christians need to stand strong and faithful through these
trials so that the world can see our strength comes from faith in God, Jesus
and the Holy Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In the same
light, Christians, when we stand faithfully, obedient and strong in Jesus
Christ, God promises us the crown of life which is eternal life! This promise
is for those who love Him! Jesus said in John 14:15 "If you love Me, you
will keep My commandments.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Friday Encouragement</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">It is time for
Christians to really make a difference! What a great opportunity God has given
us! That means to stand up and proclaim Jesus. That means it time to serve and
give. That means it time to love like God loves us. It’s time show the world that
we are who are and what we stand for. The world needs faith, hope and love but
the greatest of these is love!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Saturday
Encouragement </span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I was thinking
how great it would be when everything gets back to normal. </span>I don’t want
that! I don't want things to get back to normal, I want the world to be better
than ever! To turn to God! To be kinder and more loving! The Apostle Paul said
in Philippians 3:12-14 “Not that I have already obtained it or have already
become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I
was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having
laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and
reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the
prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Let us become greater than we
are and become all that God wants us to be! <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>Sunday Encouragement </b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Everyone is loved and important to God. We all know that
all people don’t care about God, but maybe more and more people are starting to
turn to God than ever before. I recently read that because of the very
difficult times in Italy, many of the atheistic doctors and nurses are turning
to God for help. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 (read the whole context of 1 Timothy 2) says,
“This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all
men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
God wants ALL to come to Him and be saved through Jesus
Christ! True righteousness is life in God. Proverbs 11:30 says, “The fruit of
the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls.” As Christians,
we have our part to play to remind the world that God does love us and care for
us. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ to die on the cross for us to take our sins
away!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Doug Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07983941450475666360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646442860763001976.post-7615377690516686902020-02-25T11:55:00.001-06:002020-08-07T10:09:35.655-05:00PLAN YOUR WORK AND WORK YOUR PLAN!<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">My Dad always
told me to “Plan your work and work your plan.” Sounds good, right? That great advice
didn’t really work out for me – at least NOT like I planned it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In my last blog,
I said I was going to the USA to visit my family in 4 different states and
visit some supporting Churches, right? That’s about all that worked out! Let me
tell you a little bit of the “rest of the story!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I arrived in the Dallas,
TX late December 2<sup>nd</sup> where my oldest daughter, Jenise and family
live. On the 6<sup>th</sup>, I saw my new hip doctor for I needed a hip
replacement. He sent me to a family Dr. to get an EKG, x-rays and blood tests.
The EKG showed something abnormal in the left part of my heart. I was going to
stay with Jenise through the hip surgery – that now cannot happen because of
the heart. So Jenise & I decided that I should see the rest of the family
and then come back for the hip surgery after I got the heart thing straightened
out! Not quite how it worked out! I had a great time with Jenise, but my time
there was too short. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I flew to
Janessa, my youngest and family in Bettendorf, IA and I would get the stress
test done there. Easier said than done! I was there a little over 3 weeks and
finally got the stress test done – not good results. I did have a wonderful
Christmas time with Janessa and family, but now I had to move on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">From IA I fly to York,
NE to be with my youngest son Ben and family. I also had made an appointment
with a Cardiologist in Lincoln, about 45 miles from Ben. The Dr. told me that I
had blockages in the 3 main arteries and that 2 of those needed help. There was
blockage of 80% and 90%. On January 24<sup>th</sup> I had 2 stents put into my
heart. While in Nebraska for 5 weeks, I also spent about a week and half with
natural path Dr. doing some treatments on my heart, lymph system and liver. I
am thankful that I did that and feel it was of great benefit! While with the
family, I again had a great time with the family even with all the heart stuff
I had to do!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">On February 13<sup>th</sup>
I flew into Spokane, WA to visit supporting and overseeing Churches. This was a
wonderful time of renewing old friendships in Spokane, Ephrata and Cashmere. On
Sunday afternoon I met up with my oldest son, Douglas Jr. and family! I’ll be
here for 10 days and fly back to TX on March 5<sup>th</sup>. I know that I will
be blessed here too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I will see my hip
Dr. on the 6<sup>th</sup>, get a shot in my hip for pain on the 10<sup>th</sup>,
fly back to Ukraine on the 11<sup>th</sup> and arrive back in Kremenchuk on the
12<sup>th</sup>! I’ll have to wait at least 6 months to a year before I can
have the hip replaced because of my heart. I would really appreciate your prayers!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div>Doug Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07983941450475666360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646442860763001976.post-62951776950166729162019-11-30T00:08:00.000-06:002019-11-30T00:08:02.570-06:00HOW TIME FLIES! We’ve been so busy! The last blog post was October 5<sup>th</sup>?!?!
So much has happened with the Church and School over the last 2 months. God has
been so good to us! He’s blessed us, loved us, strengthened us and guided us
through many things. I’m so thankful to be His son!<br />
<br />
Let’s start with the Church. Over the last 2 months we’ve
had our ups and downs in life and in attendance. Twice in the last 2 months
we’ve set record attendances. We’ve also had a couple of Sundays when we had 6
or 8 people. This is the life of a small and growing (spiritually and
physically) Church. We’ve had some of our church family go through tragedies
and major health struggles. Some of these are still on going. It is through
blessings and trials that we continue to grow in Christ and becoming closer
together. We had a nice gathering for my birthday at my apartment with 30 in attendance coming and going! Then we had a Thanksgiving feast last Sunday after services at my apartment with 18 people coming.<br />
<br />
Our Family English School continues with faithful
teachers and workers teaching classes 4 days a week. We’ve also had regular fun
and movie nights that are a lot of fun. People from other Christian English
Schools told us we would have larger numbers to start with and that some would
drop out. They also told us that we would develop a strong core group that
would stay with us through thick and thin. They were right on both situations.
Those that are staying with us are becoming more and more like family all the
time! We have 3 classes a day with 12 classes each week.<br />
<br />
Time flies when I think that I have now been in Ukraine
for 9 months! My original plan that I am keeping was to be in Kremenchuk for 9
months and in the USA for 3 months. I go to Kiev tomorrow afternoon and fly out
to the US on Monday, December 2<sup>nd</sup> to visit my family and friends,
returning to Ukraine in March. Everything is in place. My two English teachers
will take care of my classes that I have been teaching. I have written all the
material necessary for the next 3 months for their classes. Artur, our faithful
Ukrainian preacher, will guide the Church spiritually. He has been doing a
great job for us the last 6 months! <br />
<br />
I will keep you updated as I am in the US. I’m going to
Coppell, TX (by Dallas) first to visit my daughter Jenise and family. Then I go
to York, NE to visit my son Ben and family. From there I’ll go to Bettendorf,
IA to visit my daughter Janessa and family. Then I fly to WA to visit my son
Butch and family. Along the way, I hope to visit several of my supporting
Churches and individuals and share with them of the Lord’s work in Kremenchuk!
Then I’ll come back home to Kremenchuk.<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Doug Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07983941450475666360noreply@blogger.com0Unnamed Road, Poltavs'ka oblast, Ukraine49.031213573867575 33.41791865810500947.685099573867575 30.83613165810501 50.377327573867575 35.999705658105007tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646442860763001976.post-6157798676951162062019-10-05T09:21:00.000-05:002019-10-05T09:21:09.204-05:00Good News! Good News!
<br />
<b></b>Great things are happening in Kremenchuk! Nine months ago, we began our
Church plant here in Kremenchuk. Over that 9 months the Church is growing. We
have had 5 baptisms! We have found a place for our worship and English School.
Our first worship service in the new building was in mid-September and now we
have just finished our first week of our Family English School which we began
on October 2<sup>nd</sup>.<br />
<br />
In our Family English School, we have conducted 12 classes over 4 days with
51 people coming to these classes! That’s 51 MORE people than we would have
been able to teach the gospel to if it wasn’t for holding our family English
School! More than one half of these attending are adults! We have had a
wonderful fun time teaching English AND the Bible in every class! God is so
good and blessed us so abundantly. We are just getting started!!<br />
<br />
Most everyone in our congregation has helped in someway in the establishing
and running of the church and school! We have such a great family atmosphere!
This has been a very successful group effort. I’m so thankful to have Olya and
Yulya assisting in teaching the younger classes at the school and translating
for me when I need it! <br />
<br />
Some prayer requests: Our sister Inna’s sister has a very bad health issues
with cancer. We need to raise more support as our success and outreach grows.
We expected growth but with growth comes unexpected expenses. Our brother Sasha
R. has had some real struggles with his health and his mother recently passed
away. <br />
<br />
Thank you for your love and participation in the work of the Lord here in
Kremenchuk.<br />
<br />
In Christian love,<br />
<br />
Doug Berry<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Doug Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07983941450475666360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646442860763001976.post-6884564889074351982019-08-25T00:28:00.000-05:002019-08-25T00:28:47.769-05:00Where We Are & Where We Are GoingWe have been blessed by so many in the States and in
Ukraine to help the work of the Lord here in Kremenchuk move forward! God be
praised! We want to take a quick look at where we have come from to where we
are. Then we will look at where we will go with the Lord’s help and those that
work with us and support us in this work.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
Phase 1: Establish and plant a new church of Christ in
Kremenchuk. This has been clearly and successfully begun! Over the last few
weeks, even with summer vacations, we have averaged 14. This last Sunday we had
15, the week before 17 – and this is with several out of town. Our contribution
has been growing and steady as well. This shows a growth and maturity of the
local congregation. </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
We have been to two Bible Camps this summer with great
results and blessings. We have had 5 baptisms in the month of August. Other
Bible studies are ongoing with other people as well. A final note is that we
have had an online fund raiser to help Inna, the Christian mother of 5 teenager
Orphans raise the money she needs to fix her roof. We raised over $1,200.00 in
under 3 days for needs for the home.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
Phase 2: Find and hire a native Ukrainian preacher to
work with us. Artur Litvinenko joined us in the work on June 3<sup>rd</sup>.
Over the last 2 ½ months we are becoming more aware of what a jewel of a
Brother in Christ we have! He handles ½ of the preaching and Bible Classes we
teach along with working with the youth.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
Phase 3: the establishment of a church building to also
be used as an English Bible School. We have found a building that we think will
fit our needs very well! This is more than what we have budgeted but we do believe
that God will provide through the generous support from our Christian family of
the Church in the USA. I’ll put the budget plans shortly in an email to everyone
on my email list, but not here in the blog. If you want more information about
these financial plans and budgets, please let me know.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
There are 3 very successful English Bible Schools being
run in Ukraine right now by 3 different churches of Christ. In September, myself and
2 others are going to visit 2 of these schools to see what they are doing so we
can incorporate their successes into what we want to do here in Kremenchuk.</div>
Doug Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07983941450475666360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646442860763001976.post-83767989397060585112019-08-09T23:38:00.000-05:002019-08-09T23:38:28.829-05:00What Do You Do When You Meet an Atheist? <br />
<span style="margin: 0px;">I’m getting to
know a young man through English classes. We started talking about people
having different values and I found out he was an atheist. I’m not really
surprised because a lot of younger people in Ukraine have come to this same
conclusion because of so many reasons. Reasons like evil and pain in the world.
Reasons like so many different and confusing religions including so many
different Christian types of churches. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;">So what do you do?
I’m definitely not sure of all the answers and I haven’t gotten very far as of
yet. I started by getting him to talking about his feelings and values and why
he believed what he believed. I didn’t really try to answer all of his objections
and reasons for being a atheist. That would have only started an argument. I
don’t want to argue, I want to understand so I can find a way to show him the
way to Christ. I listened to him and really tried to understand him. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;">One thing that I
did tell him that I think got him to thinking. I told him that a lot of people see
atheism as a religion! That really took him back a bit! Then I told him that
the early Christians were persecuted by the Greeks and Romans because they had
many Gods and Christians had only one God. They said that Christians were
atheists because they believed in only one God! Hopefully this will be a place
that we can go from here. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;">When atheists
become Christians, they are usually very strong Christians because of the transformation
that takes place in their lives. Please pray for my new friend (name omitted for
understandable reasons). Please pray for me as I strive to show him the way to
Jesus!</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Doug Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07983941450475666360noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646442860763001976.post-56879246613536817582019-07-09T02:26:00.000-05:002019-07-09T02:26:03.212-05:00Mid Summer’s Night Dream <br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;">Most of June was
pretty “hot” by Ukraine standards with the temperatures ranging from mid-80s to
mid-90’s. When many don’t have air conditioning it is hot. Fortunately, there
is an air conditioner in my apartment that works well! Now our temperatures
getting back to more normal with low to mid 70s! I like this much better!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;">In my last
writing I told you about preparing for some street evangelization. Artur, a
friend from the Bear Valley Bible Institute, Taras, and our own Sasha took twice
to the streets the week of June 17<sup>th</sup> and handed out a lot of
literature and invitations. I wasn’t feeling great, so I directed from home (I’m
much better now!). They said that about ½ of the people they reached out to
received them well and took literature!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;">Early on the
morning of July 1<sup>st</sup>, 15 of us, including 5 small children, left for the
Amerikraine Bible Camp about a 4-hour bus ride southeast of Kremenchuk, along
the Dnieper River. We arrived at camp 1pm. I was very pleasantly surprised to
find it more of a Ukrainian resort than many “camps” I have seen in Ukraine
with the facilities being very nice! We had our first meeting and devotional at
4pm with about 350+ mostly Christians from across Ukraine! There were 40+
congregations and 4 countries represented at this camp! It was amazing! One of
the things that was most amazing to me was that there were over 30 Christians
from the Donetsk region that is now held by the occupying forces backed by
Russia! They had to go through a lot to get here and to back but they made the
extra effort! They are such great people of faith and fortitude! It was such a
great blessing to meet them and get to know some of them!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;">The camp gets its
name from Americans and Ukrainians working together to make this great family
camp work! Jeff Abrams, a gospel preacher from Alabama has been the moving
force behind this camp for 17 years. This is something that the Churches of
Christ in Ukraine have needed for a long time – the unity and fellowship for us
to know that we are a big family that can love and work together for Christ’s
great cause and purpose! It was only about 4 days long, but it was so worth it!
I’ll be sharing some pictures with you here in this post. You can also see many
more pictures by going to my Facebook page and checking them out there. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;">Artur will be
taking 6 teenagers with him to another Bible Camp in western Ukraine in the
Carpathian Mountains. They will leave by train on Sunday afternoon, July 21<sup>st</sup>
and return on July 31<sup>st</sup>! None of the teens that are going have yet
to be baptized into Christ, so pray that this will be a very good learning and
growing experience for them.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;">Now that we are
back, we are moving forward with evangelism which centers on outreach through
street evangelism and English Clubs and Schools. More to come on the English
School as time goes on. Let it be known that the Church in Kremenchuk is moving
forward in a very positive way!</span></div>
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They were all laughing at a skit that Yulya, Olya, Sasha and I put on for the talent night called, "The Bula, Bula King!"<br />
<br />
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This is a picture taken on Tuesday, with everyone there in their camp t-shirts!<br />
<br />
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;">Artur, Marina and other singing a hymn that one of them wrote to the tune of the Ukrainian national anthem!</span></div>
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From a recent Sunday morning worship service in my apartment.Doug Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07983941450475666360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646442860763001976.post-74393623998962568522019-06-15T10:06:00.000-05:002019-06-15T10:06:28.869-05:00
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-size: 20pt; margin: 0px;">Summer Has Come on June
1<sup>st</sup> </span></b><span style="margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;">Summer arrives
early in this part of the world – they don’t go by the solstice but from June 1
to the end of August is summer! </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;">On Monday, June 3<sup>rd</sup>,
Artur Litvinenko arrived to begin his work with us! He stayed with me until
Friday as he hunted for an apartment. He found a nice apartment on the 9<sup>th</sup>
floor in a building across the river, about 15 minutes or so from where I live.
It will give him another opportunity to reach out to people in another part of
the city. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;">We have ordered
extra Bibles and evangelistic materials from EEM for outreach to the city.
Artur did this kind of street evangelism often in his work in L’viv before
coming here. Artur preached his first full time Sunday here and will preach the
next 2 Sundays as I finish up our Bible Class on “God’s plan to save us.” Then
we will switch off every 2 weeks between preaching and teaching. We’ve had 16
in attendance the last 2 Sundays.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;">We began mid-week
Bible Class with singing, study and prayer time at 5:30 on Wednesdays. We had 11
our first night out! I was very pleased!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;">Other activities
have been going on for me. On June 1<sup>st</sup>, I went to the village where
our Orphan family live and spent the afternoon and evening with Olya (a Christian
sister and her family), Sasha (my translator Brother) and of course the family.
It was very nice! One of the things I love about Ukraine, if people can, many
times the meal is planned outside and is ALWAYS very good! This was a
combination of 2 birthdays and 2 graduations. Another activity just happened yesterday
and was the result of another birthday celebration. My next-door neighbors
invited me to a village dacha (a 2<sup>nd</sup> home in the country) to
celebrate. We arrived about 2pm and were there until about 9pm. It was very
relaxing, great company and a little swimming as their place (actually a fairly
rich uncle’s place that they are caretakers for) is next to the Dnieper River. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;">We will be taking
15 people to an all Ukraine Bible Camp called Amerikraine designed to strengthen
Christians.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This will be July 1-5. We
all are excited about going! I’ll tell you all about it when we get back! </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;">In Christian
love, Doug</span></div>
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Doug Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07983941450475666360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646442860763001976.post-7097844032089244642019-06-01T06:40:00.000-05:002019-06-01T06:40:04.057-05:00<h1 style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #202020; display: block; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 26px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
Who Held the Ropes?</h1>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #202020; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
by Steve Higginbotham</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #202020; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
May 31, 2019
</span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
Who was the U.S. President that was shot on March 31, 1981? Surely, most people reading this would be able to correctly respond, "Ronald Reagan." But what if I were to ask for the name of the Washington D.C. police officer who stepped in front of President Reagan and took a bullet that was intended for the President? Could you tell me his name? I'm guessing that most people would not be able to recall his name.<br style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;" />
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This is just one example of countless individuals who have made notable differences in the world, but who have all but been forgotten by history. The Bible records one such example in Acts 9:23-25. The Jews in Damascus were so angry with Paul, they plotted to kill him (Acts 9:23). The Jews had all the exits to the city watched, day and night, to catch Paul. But learning of the plot, some nameless brethren let Paul down through the city wall in a large basket (Acts 9:25). Had these nameless brethren not been willing to hold the ropes for Paul, his ministry may have been snuffed out before it even started.<br style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;" />
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Then there's your story. You may never be in the limelight. Your name may never become a household name, but you can make an eternal difference in the lives of countless people. You may not be the next "apostle Paul," but you can hold the rope, can't you? May I encourage you to stop focusing on what you can't do and your limitations, and look around you and "grab a rope!"</div>
Doug Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07983941450475666360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646442860763001976.post-13761715224193531172019-05-27T01:57:00.000-05:002019-05-27T01:57:19.353-05:00<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Keep On Keeping On</span></span></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: blue;">Philippians
3:12-15</span></b><br />
12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already
become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I
was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having
laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and
reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the
prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. <br />
Every day is a choice to become more Christ like through
the ups and downs of life. Another verse that has stayed in my heart and mind
lately is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue;">Galatians 2:20</span></b> "I
have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ
lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the
Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” <br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
Just some notes of some good things that have been going
on here.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "wingdings"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Ø<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span>Our
Sunday Bible Classes and Worship have gone well. We have been encouraged over
the last few weeks. We’ve had a low of 8, with an average of 12 and a high this
last Sunday with 16! Normally we have had a 25-minute Bible Class followed by
our worship. This last Sunday we changed things up a bit with more songs in our
worship. Then we had a farewell fellowship our dear Sister Sasha as she and her
husband, who won a Green Card, will move to the US on May 31<sup>st</sup>. Sasha
Revakin and I were the only men present, so we took care of everything in the
worship.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "wingdings"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Ø<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span>I’ve
had the opportunity to reach out to our local Teacher’s College (there is
another name for the teacher’s college, but I can’t pronounce it!) and they have
reached out to me. I’m excited to be involved with them! A couple of weeks ago
I was invited to go and speak to an 8<sup>th</sup> grade and 11<sup>th</sup> grade
English classes. Then on Saturday, I was invited to go to a resort close by with
them and taught a couple of English classes of 8<sup>th</sup> graders. It was
fun and a blessing! I believe this is opening great things for the future!</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "wingdings"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Ø<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span>I’ve
had opportunities to make re-acquaintances again with several people that God
is already blessing! This too is opening more doors for the future! Along with
this, I’ve been having more people over for home cooked meals and this is a lot
of fun too. It is joy doing the work of the Lord!</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "wingdings"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Ø<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span>On
June 4<sup>th</sup>, Artur will arrive in Kremenchuk to begin his ministry here.
God has brought us together for His purpose to carry out His work in all we do!</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
Thank you for your love and support through thick and
thin! It’s like a marriage isn’t it? “For better or for worse, in sickness and
in health, till death do us part!”</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Doug Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07983941450475666360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646442860763001976.post-2600765883410016292019-05-15T01:35:00.003-05:002019-05-15T01:35:51.234-05:00<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">ARTUR COMES TO JOIN US!</span></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b></b><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="color: red;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: blue;">The Kremenchuk church of Christ would like to announce the hiring of Артур Литвиненко or in English Artur Litvinenko to serve as the Ukrainian preacher alongside Doug Berry, Michael Braswell and the Church in the work of the Lord in Kremenchuk, Ukraine. Artur will be joining us in Kremenchuk in early June. He is a graduate of the Bear Valley Bible Institute in Ukraine and has been working alongside 3 gospel preachers in L’viv, Ukraine this last year. We are excited to have him come and join us in this work!</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: blue;"> The young lady in the picture is Artur's Christian girlfriend, Mariana Medvid and she also will be moving to Kremenchuk in the near future.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: blue;"> We are very excited to have them both come and be a part of the Church!</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"></span><br /></div>
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Doug Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07983941450475666360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646442860763001976.post-12535751996478719952019-04-26T01:13:00.000-05:002019-04-26T01:13:37.336-05:00
<br />
<h2 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: red;">What Do You Do with Disappointment?</span></h2>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
Many times, and sometimes with me, disappointment leads
to discouragement and discouragement leads to quitting. Are we going to face
disappointment in life? Of course! Everyone does! At one point in John 6 Jesus
had a large crowd of disciples following Him and they all left except for the
12 and Jesus asked them if they would go too. Peter answered, “Where shall we
go? You have the Words of Eternal Life.” What about the Garden and Jesus said, “Let
this cup pass from me! But not my will but Yours be done!”</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
It’s always good to report successes. I like to tell successes
and I’m guessing you like to hear them. We’ve had some successes. 2 Sundays ago,
we had 14 in attendance but last Sunday we had 5 – a lot of people gone for
various reasons. Our Bible Club’s attendance has been disappointing for me. We’ve
now gone through 2 weeks of “starting” our Bible Clubs with very small or no
attendance. I’m not exactly sure why but I tend to spend time thinking about it.
Even in these situations I have to decide how to respond or react. We’ve had
some positives even with this – we’ve had some new people to come! We’ve had 1
good beginners Bible Club after Sunday worship where we had 7 in attendance! </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
What do I choose? First and foremost, I’ve been praying about
all of this and the work here. Please continue to join me in prayer! I don’t
have the answers, but God does! I’m striving to look at new ways to meet people
and reach out to them. I refuse to go down the negative road! </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
We’ve had one young preacher come and spend the weekend
with us and he did a nice job. Pray for Ivan. This weekend Artur L. and his fiancé
Mariana from L’viv comes in today and leave Sunday night. Pray for Artur L.
Next weekend we have Artur M. come in from Dnipro. Please pray for Artur M and our
decision making about a Ukrainian Preacher to work with us here. </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
There is a LOT to be encouraged about! Satan will NOT win
for “If God for us, who is against us!?” Romans 8:31.</div>
Doug Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07983941450475666360noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646442860763001976.post-48739794883945692442019-04-19T23:32:00.000-05:002019-04-19T23:32:26.974-05:00<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Whit Sasser of Appleton, WI posted this. It spoke strongly to me and I wanted to share it with you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="yiv2510421388" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span class="yiv2510421388"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><b>THE WORK GOD HAS GIVEN US TO DO</b></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv2510421388" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span class="yiv2510421388"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Lord has given every man his work. It is his business to do it, and the Devil's business to hinder him, if he can. As sure as God has given you a work to do, Satan will try to hinder you. He may present other things more promising. He may allure you by worldly prospects; he may assault you with slander; torment you with false accusations; set you to work to defend your character; employ pious persons to lie about you. You may have Pilate and Herod, Annas and Caiaphas against you, and Judas standing ready to sell you for 30 pieces of silver.</span></span></div>
<div class="yiv2510421388" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span class="yiv2510421388"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But, keep about your work. Do not flinch because the lion roars; do not stop to stone the Devil's dog. Do your work. Let liars lie, let the Devil do his worst; but see to it that nothing hinders you from fulfilling the work God has given you.</span></span></div>
<div class="yiv2510421388" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span class="yiv2510421388"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He has not sent you to make money. He has not commanded you to get rich. He has never bidden you to defend your character. He has not set you to work to contradict falsehood which Satan and his servants start to peddle. If you do these things, you will do nothing else; you will be at work for yourself, and not for the Lord.</span></span></div>
<div class="yiv2510421388" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span class="yiv2510421388"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Keep about your work. Let your aim be steady as a star. Let the world brawl and bubble. You may be assaulted, wronged, insulted, slandered, wounded and neglected; you may be abused by foes, forsaken by friends and despised and rejected of men. But see to it with steadfast determination, with unfaltering zeal, that you pursue the great purpose of your life and object of your being, until at last you can say, "I have finished the work you gave me to do." </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Author Unknown</span>Doug Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07983941450475666360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646442860763001976.post-64533430762338421932019-04-05T04:10:00.000-05:002019-04-05T04:10:04.780-05:00
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">One Month Today!</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>Yes, I’ve been in Kremenchuk one month today! Sometimes
it feels like I never left and other times I realize that this first month has
flown by!! Rather than try to tell you lots of events, I thought I would share
a day – Wednesday to be exact. My days differ a lot, but this last Wednesday
was rather busy!</div>
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<span style="color: red;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">A Day in My Life</span></b></span></div>
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I started with the normal stuff of cleaning up and eating
– can’t leave those out. I’m getting ready to go with Sasha R., he’s my translator
and fellow worker here, to reach out to at least 3-4 schools and ask if I can
be involved with their English programs and also invite pupils (anyone in school
of 1-11 grades is a pupil) to come to my Bible Clubs starting April 13 at my apartment.</div>
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After breakfast, I’m printing 12 full page advertisement/invitations
to the Bible Clubs. I met Sasha and we went just across the street to School
#19 (there are about 35 schools in Kremenchuk). The director (directors have a
lot of authority in their individual schools) was not available, so we made an
appointment to talk to him on Thursday. We walked about a mile to school #11
(this is the school that I had worked with the most when I was in Kremenchuk before).
We were able to meet with the director and she remembered me from when I was
here in 2008. She was the new director then at School #11 who had told me that
we couldn’t teach Bible in the school anymore. She was very polite to me and
asked me if I was angry at her. I told her of course not. She was very kind and
encouraging! On the way to see her as we walked through the school, I met Tonya,
who had been a 9<sup>th</sup> grade pupil when I first came to Kremenchuk in
the summer of 2000. We had kept in touch on Facebook, but I didn’t know she was now teaching at the school! It was a joy and a surprise to both of us. After talking
to the director, I met Natalie an old friend and English teacher at the school.
She was a 2<sup>nd</sup> year teacher when I started there in 2002 and I went
to her wedding. What a joyous surprise! Such a joy to renew old acquaintances. </div>
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Then we got on a bus (Marshutka – like a large van bus)
and went to the north central part of town to school #27. I had met a few
pupils from this school at an English school and I had promised them I would
come to their school. The director here was very nice and friendly! She, along
with the director of school #11 said that there was nothing they could do about
letting me teach at all in their schools unless I got the permission from the
Minister of Education in the city.</div>
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By now it’s about 10:30am and we are a “short walk” by
Sasha’s standards – a long one by me to McDonalds. Sasha was hungry since he
hadn’t eaten breakfast, so I took him there and fed him. I had a McFlury! Sasha
helped buy time for my phone (another story for another time). We parted ways.
He went home and I got on another Marshutka and went to Yulya and Sasha’s house
(yes another Sasha!) We had a great home cooked meal and a very nice first
Bible Study with Sasha. He’s a very smart man and is also very open.</div>
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While at their home, I got a call from Serge and he asked
me to teach 2 of his classes in the evening. I agreed. I got home about 2:45pm,
took a short nap and then left at 5 to go to Serge’s office and classroom to
teach. I had 7 11and 12-year old boys and girls, including a set of twin girls
for the first hour which was a lot of fun! I don’t think they had ever met an
American before! Then I had an adult class of 8 mature adults wanting to learn
English. It was a lot of fun and the class lasted for 1 hour and 20 minutes. It
was all a blast but by now, around 8pm, I’m hungry and tired. I stopped and ate
at a restaurant close by and got home about 9pm. Sleep was very welcome! </div>
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P.S. Sasha R. and I went to the Ministry of Education this morning and
he gave us his blessing to do what we had planned to do if the directors of the
schools agreed!! Wow, what a great blessing!</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Doug Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07983941450475666360noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646442860763001976.post-75147686850487335562019-03-23T03:09:00.001-05:002019-03-23T03:09:25.917-05:00
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<span style="color: blue;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0px;">Catching Up & Looking Forward </span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: red;">Catching Up:</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The
last time I wrote was on March 11<sup>th</sup>. Michael left on the 12<sup>th</sup>
and got home yesterday after a few days in England and France. We all miss him!
He did a great job of starting things up!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">On
Saturday, the 16<sup>th</sup>, we had a fun night at my place and we had 19
people – including 6 kids I think! It was a lot of fun!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">On
Sunday, the 17<sup>th</sup> we had 13 for Class and Worship. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">I
decided to have my Bible Class – Series on Growing A Christian Family and my
sermon – Series of Growing In Christ – translated and handed out. It was well
received! I also started a new newsletter/bulletin. The newsletter was kind of
rough but I think this weeks will be better!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">On
Monday morning I left with my friend and translator Sergey for Krakow, Poland
to get my Visa. This is so I can get my Temporary Residency which is good for
one year. Then I can get my Permanent Residency, which sounds a whole lot
better to me! With some trials and extra costs, which we didn’t expect, we got the
Visa! We returned to Kremenchuk around 4pm on Thursday. The last day and half
have been real busy working on lessons, bulletin, add for future Bible Clubs
and now this!</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: red;">Looking Forward:</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Sunday
we will have a new look bulletin and outlines (you can have copies for the request!)
for Sunday. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Next
Sunday the 31<sup>st</sup>, will be election day for President and many people
will work extra for extra income on that day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Saturday
and Sunday, April 6-7 we will have our first young single Ukrainian man, come
and be considered for the Lord’s work with us. His name is Ivan. Please pray
for him and for us.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We may have a 2<sup>nd</sup>
man ready to come on the 21<sup>st</sup>. We’ll see. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">April
13<sup>th</sup> and 14<sup>th</sup> we will begin our Bible Clubs!! I have been
working on an advertisement to take to the schools and distribute other places. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">One
step at a time, right? Things are going pretty good but the busy level is about
to escalate! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">God
bless you always!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Love
in Christ,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Doug</span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Doug Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07983941450475666360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646442860763001976.post-33277743899549918862019-03-11T08:52:00.002-05:002020-08-07T10:30:37.073-05:00
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Busy First Week!</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; margin: 0px;">My flight arrived
into Ukraine on time without my luggage! We had been delayed over an hour in
leaving from Atlanta to Paris and so my luggage did not make it the last leg of
my flight to Ukraine. Nickoli, a friend and brother met me at the airport and
drove me to Kremenchuk. I hadn’t slept but an hour on the plane, so I was
really tired and slept about 1 ½ hours in his back seat as we made the trip to
Kremenchuk in about 4 hours.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; margin: 0px;">We were greeted by
19 people over the next couple of hours at my flat! It was so
wonderful to meet so many great friends again! The next couple of days are kind
of a blur as I was getting over jetlag. I changed some money, did some food shopping
and a few other needed things. On Thursday night we had our first singing night
and had 10 people present, which is a nice start! On Friday, we met with the
owners of the flat and it went great! They support us using their flat
(apartment) for how we want to use it. It was a very friendly and encouraging
meeting!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; margin: 0px;">Sunday was a very
good day but different. With our services not starting until 12:30, it was a
morning of preparations and rest. We had 17 people present all together, even
though 5 had to leave early for different reasons. Our neighbors across the
hall, who we know, came over mid-day for a few minutes of nice visiting. Then 2
ladies, who are sisters also stopped by for about an hour. They also are old,
great friends!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; margin: 0px;">The hardest thing
to adjust to is the money. With such a large difference in the value of the
money, it’s hard to figure out how much I’m actually spending. It will be ok, I’m
sure. It seems like I’m spending so much, when in fact it’s not so much at all!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; margin: 0px;">I’m really never on my own because of 3
things. One, God’s great presence with Jesus and the Spirit are always with me.
Second, I have so many Ukrainian friends that lovingly support me. Third, I
have such easy access to my family and friends in the USA.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; margin: 0px;">If you want to
dial me direct, you can call +380 66 481 4586. You need all of that to call.
You can download the app, Viber and contact me that way or you can use Facebook
Messenger to reach me too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; margin: 0px;">God bless! I’ll
talk to you soon!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; margin: 0px;">Doug</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Doug Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07983941450475666360noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646442860763001976.post-31876056966835804482019-02-27T11:12:00.002-06:002020-08-07T10:15:02.514-05:00
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>6 Days!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yes! 6 days and I will land in Ukraine about 2pm and be in
Kremenchuk probably by 7pm or so!! You all have made this possible and I am so
thankful to all of you for joining me in this mission and making this work come
alive! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Right now, I’m sitting in my oldest son’s home (Butch – Doug
Jr.) and writing this to you. Butch has gone to work, the kids are at school,
except for Eli the youngest, which my daughter-in-law, Erin has taken to a
Doctor’s appointment. So much has happened the last couple of weeks. I’ve sold
most all my possessions that I could, have packed out my house with TONS of
help from my brothers and sisters in Christ from the Ephrata church of Christ.
Several also saw to it that not only was the house emptied out, but they did a
tremendous job have doing most of the cleaning of the house so that I could get
my deposit back. One sweet sister is still selling some of my things online for
me! My family here, Butch and Erin are going to continue to sell my car. There
has been so much to do, and I have had so much blessed help!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saturday, March 2, about 1pm I fly out to Dallas where I
will spend a couple of days with my oldest daughter, Jenise and family and fly
out of there for Ukraine about 2pm the 4<sup>th</sup> and arrive in Ukraine about
2pm the 5<sup>th</sup>. It’s actually about a 16-hour trip with short layovers
in Atlanta and Paris, France. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> I will make a trip
into Poland to get my visa (I can’t even begin to explain all the reasons behind
this, but it is what I must do.) After I get my 90 day visa, then I apply for Temporary
Residency which is good for one year. At the conclusion of that one year I will
then be able to apply for Permanent Residency. These Residencies will allow me
to come and go as I want or need to without any more visas! It is a hassle, but
I think it will be worth it! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once I’m back from getting my Visa, then I will begin my
work in earnest. I will strive to pick up where Michael left of and build upon
that. I will start going into the schools around the area where I live and
offer my English and Bible services to those schools. I will also advertise our
English Bible Clubs as free English lessons in the schools and Universities to
be held at my apartment (church building for the time being). We will also advertise
the English Clubs in newspapers and as World English Institute on line. We are
setting ourselves up to be a contact source for the WEI.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are striving to strengthen the Christians that we are
working with and reaching out to the lost. I’m so excited to be involved with
this work again! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I will be taking a lot of pictures as I go along and will
post them here on my blog and I’m sure I’ll be posting them as well online. If
you want, you can contact me on Facebook as Doug Berry. I’m the one wearing a
blue sweater and holding my youngest granddaughter! Another way you can contact
us is on the phone app: Viber. My phone number will be changing to a Ukrainian
number, but if you connect right away with me on Viber you can find me at:
509-761-1375. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ok. Bye for now! I will write a short blog, hopefully next Wednesday
after I get up and around! I will be 10 hours ahead of PST, 8 from CST and 7 from
EST. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">God bless!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Doug</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span>Doug Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07983941450475666360noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646442860763001976.post-58852354888767411002019-01-29T17:18:00.001-06:002020-08-07T10:16:05.793-05:00Beginning AgainIn the summer of 2000 I made my first trip to Kremenchuk, Ukraine as a sponsor of 3 college girls from York College, York, NE. We were there for 6 weeks teaching Bible classes and at a Bible Camp at the Black Sea. I was invited by the Director of the School where we taught our classes to come back full time and teach Bible at their school. After being there for 3 weeks I decided to return.<br />
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I did return for 6 years from September 2002 to the end of July 2008 to live and teach in Kremenchuk! Please go to my website to read more of the details of this work. It was some of the best years of my life!<br />
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After six years, I decided to return to the States. I have preached for 3 churches of Christ in the last 10 years, but have returned 6 times to Kremenchuk for short mission trips in the last 10 years, the last time being the summer of 2016.<br />
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I have felt a need for some time to go back and live in Kremenchuk and work there for the Lord full time. My dreams are about to be fulfilled! I am planting/starting a new church of Christ in Kremenchuk. I arrive back in Kremenchuk on March 5th and I plan for my first stay to be for about 9 months. As of now, I'm planning to be there about 9 months out of the year each year.<br />
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So, I am "Beginning Again" my life in Kremenchuk! I couldn't be more exited and happy about the opportunity that God has provided for me to go! Right now at this writing I'm just a little over a month away until my flight leaves for Ukraine.Doug Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07983941450475666360noreply@blogger.com0