[b]Oleg[/b] I emailed you about the camp. It's exciting to have a Ukrainian registered on here! Hopefully we'll continue to see you around on Sermon Index. And hopefully you will eventually get to go back to Ukraine. Great things are happening in that country! [smile]

[b]Greg[/b] I'm continuing to pray that God would provide the finances for you to pay for the cost of this trip. The praise report is that I have raised/saved a little more than $1,600 which covers the cost of my $1,300 plane ticket and $150 Ukrainian visa. I just have to pay for the camp expenses, which may be about $800. So it looks like God will provide enough support for me to help you out a little, buddy. [smile] That was my original hope and prayer.

[b]Concerning My Visa[/b] I have a Ukrainian friend in the states who emailed the Ukrainian embassy in San Francisco yesterday concerning my single entry visa situation. I need a bi-entry to get back in Ukraine after visiting Belarus for a few days. But with what's going on in Belarus with the government lately ([url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/03/25/world/printable683067.shtml?CMP=ILC-SearchStories]Police Suppress Protest In Belarus[/url]), we may have to stay in Ukraine for those few days after camp, and just help out a local church, or maybe do a follow up ministry to the street kids after camp, which I think would be really cool! So... God knows why things are working out like this. Maybe we could pray for Belarus, since we know dear Christian brothers and sisters there, who are having to deal with the corrupt government. God did an awesome work in Ukraine... He can do it in Belarus!

_________________
Yolanda Fields

[b][u]Prayer Meeting[/u][/b]
Greg and I got together with Kelly, our church's Missions Coordinator and Team Leader, yesterday evening to pray for our upcoming mission trip to Kiev, Ukraine from June 18th to July 6th. I was totally in awe of how encouraging it was for us to get together, in unity of heart and mind, to allow God to continue to prepare us and direct our steps for this trip in prayer. It's so easy to be so consumed with day to day life, and this time of prayer really renewed the excitement of seeing these kids again, and made our departure so much more nearer and tangible. We plan to continue to meet weekly for prayer until we leave. The team members from Washington D.C. are also planning on getting together for prayer. And I would like to invite you to continue to join us in prayer for this trip, as the Lord leads. A special thanks to Geraldine, her family, and her church for being interested in our trip and keeping us in their prayers.

[b][u]Ukrainian Visa[/u][/b]
I still haven't gotten much of anywhere concerning needing another visa to be able to leave Belarus for a few days after our 2 week camp, and return to Ukraine to catch a flight back home. I've emailed the Ukrainian embassy in San Francisco, CA, but they gave me a silly answer, obviously not understanding what I was writing to them about. Kelly, our Missions Coordinator, tried calling, emailing and faxing. She either hasn't gotten through or hasn't received a reply. I have a Ukrainian friend, Sasha, who is also trying to help me in this matter. I will let you all know when I receive word about this situation. I'm not worried at all. I'm actually planning on staying in Ukraine those extra days between the end of camp and our scheduled flight, unless God provides a way for me to get the visa I need. I'm looking forward to God's plans.

[b][u]Financial Provision[/u][/b]
As I think I've mentioned, I've raised enough money to pay the church back for my airfare and my visa. About $1,600 was spent to cover those costs, leaving me with about $50. I still need to raise money to cover the cost for camp which will be around $800. God [i]is[/i] providing, but I continue to pray over this matter as I'm not quite there yet. And as for Greg, he's had to pay for his visa and his airfare. He has raised a few hundred dollars, I think, but not nearly enough to cover these expenses. So please continue to pray that our financial needs would be provided for through our supporters and by any other means God would provide.

[b][u]The Kids and Team[/u][/b]
Greg and I are planning on putting together prayer cards for each of the kids we expect to attend the camp and the team members so you can commit to pray for us now, and even while we're in Ukraine. Prayer is going to be the [i]biggest[/i] part of this trip! We need to continue to rely on God's strength and His Holy Spirit to accomplish His purposes and plans through us. What was begun in the Spirit we don't want to finish in the flesh. So that will be coming your way soon!

_________________
Yolanda Fields

It quite something to see you guys fight the good fight of faith in front of the whole world. may Jesus get the glory, go guy and gal.

Believing with you,

_________________
Zeke Oosthuis

Im not the most intelligent person on the planet but what exactly are prayer cards? :-?
If it has anything to do with the prayers needs of individuals then great!! Have the children individual and specific prayer needs that maybe an individual in our church could commit to pray for? I know one lady in our church who is a very commited prayer warrior who would be interested in praying for the children and staff before and after you leave.

Yay, Geraldine! It's great to see you in this topic again. I was specifically thinking about you and your church when I posted about making available a PDF of prayer cards for each child we may minister to at the camp, and even for each of the team members, or some of them, who work with the street kids in Kiev, Ukraine full time, or who will be serving at this camp.

To answer your question about what these prayer cards are exactly, they will give the kid's birthday, age, brief description of their living situation, and then a list of specific prayer requests. I hope to have them done within this week.

_________________
Yolanda Fields