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OUR LOCATION:
burnsmission Canada
333 Parkside Dr.
Petrolia On N0N 1R0
Can 613-829-8341
burnsmission Ukraine
Svyatoshynsky Provulok Bldg 3. Kyiv Ukraine 03115
Tel. 38095 1851545
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FLU, FEAR, and FINANCES
Hello everyone,
This picture says it all. Ukraine is in the midst of an H1N1 quarantine. The Ukrainian federal government has shut down ALL schools and institutions for 3 weeks. We have
been affected as our school is closed to students although we are
running an online session. The institutions (e.g. orphanages, rehab centres) that we would normally
visit are closed until at least November 23rd.
The World Health
Organization is here investigating and there is widespread speculation
about whether or not this flu epidemic warrants the drastic action the
government has taken. Some suggest the quarantine is related to a
national election on January 17, 2010. Ukraine is also struggling
financially and it is expected that no further IMF payments will be
made to Ukraine until after the election.
Last
week, Heather
and I traveled to western Ukraine to preach at a church anniversary
service. I
won't mention the name of the city for legal reasons relating to the
quarantine. The church was packed full of people celebrating their
sixth anniversary, and there were no masks being worn in the service.
Were they not concerned?
I asked
a number of people in the church about their take on the quarantine, to
which they replied, "As Christians, we have taken off our masks and given up our right to be
fearful!" These folks truly meant it and also expressed that this is their witness to their community.
We are making the best of
our "down-time" and are having daily prayer meetings. We are just
simple enough people to believe that we can pray just like Elijah did
(James 5) and influence weather, health, and governments.
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Ministry Happenings
Luts'k
I had the opportunity to preach in Luts'k,in western Ukraine in late October. This
vibrant, Pentecostal Union church of 300 currently hold services in a
rented cultural hall. They have an opportunity to purchase a theater
for $1M. Two years ago year at this time the theatre was worth $12M. I
want to encourage churches and families to consider giving to these
larger and "legacy projects." Pastor
Prakhor would appreciate your prayers and financial support as he and
his church seek God for a permanent location for their church. Once
again the Lord was faithful to His word. We seldom minister in Ukraine
and not see the Holy Spirit powerfully at work. A young doctor chased
me down after the service and asked to pray as he gave his heart to the
Lord.
McJoyful Christmas
We
are absolutely amazed to hear (via facebook) that many of you are
already listening to Christmas music and counting down the shopping
days. We have some Christmas plans here as well. It's our plan to get
new orphans to McDonald's for a Christmas treat and to hear the
Christmas story. We expect the quarantine to be over soon and McJoyful
will be in full swing. We are going to concentrate our effort on the
north, Chernigiv region, and to the west of Kiev. A local pastor from Zhytomyr,
who has heard of McJoyful, has asked that he be able to bring a couple
of bus loads of orphans to Kiev. We would love to include the Zhytomyr
orphans in this ministry this year and bless them. Remember, each $15
donation will send a child to McDonalds and provide them with a year
supply of vitamins. This is a year they will need vitamins!
You can check out our promotional video on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/burnsmission#p/a/u/1/am5dyzvPz_o
Or just type in "burnsmission mcjoyful" in the youtube search bar.
Church Planting
We have taken on support of another church plant here in Kiev. This week, Heather and I met with the Matveyev family, who many of you know. If you have been to Ukraine in the past few years, you would know Vova Matveyev. Vova's father Victor Matveyev has begun a new work here in Kiev.
He and his team are planting a church in the heart of Kiev. There is
estimated to be 500 evangelical churches in Kiev, so they are
affectionately referring to themselves as "501". I think that's great
branding, Project 501! They need funds for rent and musical instruments, but mostly what they would really love, are teams
to come and support them in evangelism and to be intentional and
encouraging prayer partners. Project 501 will be our third new church
planting partner that we have engaged this fall.
An Amazing Opportunity
Our children's ministry partners are advising us that there is a new openess in the Ukrainian public school system
for church organizations to go into schools and present Christian
ethics classes and specifically teaching on the 10 Commandments. They
are, of course, cautious as to who they let in, but our partners are
credible and honorable. The Lord has given them a great opportunity.
Please pray for these Ukrainian children's ministry workers for: favor
(with school administration and the children) and protection.
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Family Matters
On
the family front, we have some exciting news. I trust the PAOC informal
communication network is functioning effectively, but let me just
confirm some of them. Our daughter Caroline will be married to Dean Welten
this summer in Petrolia. It is a long and funny story, but I think you
can all do the math and understand that Dean would have had to have
been persistent and patient to make it through family scrutiny.
Terry Jr. and Julia also
have some exciting news. (To be updated Monday)
Stephen
is in his last year of high school and has just finished his university
applications. His choice of Carleton University in Ottawa, our alma
mater, is his first choice.
In the immortal words of Bing
Crosby, "I'll be home for Christmas...." We all will be as a matter of
fact. The Burns family will be home in Petrolia for 3 weeks this
Christmas on Parkside Drive. We will look forward to spending some
quality time with family before they spread out even further across
Canada. If you are looking for me personally, I will be returning to my
familiar woodland haunts, where no creature (animal) on earth really
has anything to fear! Can't wait!
That's all for now,
Taking you with us, everywhere we go!
Terry, Heather, and Stephen
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burnsmission | 333 Parkside Dr. | Petrolia | On | N0N 1R0 | Canada | | |
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