March 22, 2017

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Greetings from Ukraine! The brothers and sisters of New Life Church also send you warm greetings. The winter is now past for us and spring is bringing about many changes for us and especially for the church. Before I tell you about these changes, I would like to let you know how our winter months went by. God has again and again shown His providence and protection for our family personally. In the late fall, our well water got majorly contaminated. For about a month we carried in water from other places while we tried to find a resolution. We drilled down to 100 meters (that is

about 328 feet!), and still no water. It was a big disappointment for us because money was given for us to fix this water problem and we were sure that God was going to give us a huge fountain flowing in our back yard!! I am not sure why He did not give it in that way—but He still provided. We made it through the winter and our well cleared up a bit. And even now, as I am writing this letter, people are working outside to plumb water into the house from our neighbor’s land. The neighbor was kind enough to let us dig for water in is yard and there is water! We pray that it will be good water and a blessing to not only us, but our neighbor lady that shares the courtyard with us…..she has been without water for years! One thing I have learned—to be content and thankful for even water. We are

thankful to God that He provided the money to dig for water and that there is water!

This winter I (Maranda), got the hepatitis A virus. We still to this day are not sure where it came from, but probably from one of the homeless people we work with. Thank God for His protection that no one else got it! And thank you God that I feel good and am hoping that I have fully recovered. It was about a month of treatment in the hospital and at home, but I believe that now all is well.

The “Feed the Hungry” program has been flourishing with up to 24 people coming twice a week to church to eat a meal and hear the word of God. We are happy that up to half of them come to church on Sunday mornings as well. We are truly thankful to God to see the changes in many of them. We have helped one man (over 70 yrs. old and homeless) get into an old people’s home. Some have gotten jobs, have improved in appearance and smell, stopped drinking, and are starting to seek God. The groups that are coming are not all homeless,

but all are very poor and have had a problem of drinking too much alcohol. It is a very mixed group. There is a man about 50 yrs. old without a home, and young woman of 23 that has had her three children taken away by government authorities. There is a woman named Anny age 43. She lost her job when on her way home from work she got beaten and stolen from. She now has brain damage and begs for money. This past Monday, at our meal together, she cried and asked God to please help her get out of this ‘hole’ that her life is in. Please pray with us for these

people—especially that they would become believers in Jesus Christ and then He will give them a new life.

This winter was a harsh winter for these people and for most Ukrainians. It was a very cold winter. We had people freeze to death throughout Ukraine and even in our town. One of our prayers has been to have a house that would be a shelter for which people could come and have a meal and a bed to sleep in. It is not easy on the conscience to sleep in a warm bed knowing that in the freezing temperatures—a homeless man is trying to sleep but not die. And so—the changes that spring is now bringing about—we are building! We are building a small house not far from the church that will be used for humanitarian purposes (a shelter). It will not be large but it will be nice. There will be showers, a kitchen, and two large rooms for beds. It is a step of faith (obedience?) for us. We pray that it will not only help in taking care of the people we meet and work with, but help to for people to meet Jesus.

Another huge change that we are now in the process of undergoing is the addition that we are building onto the original church building. The plans and preparations have been going on already for almost two years. Even in the building plans, God has shown us His authority. In Ukraine, because it is a very corrupt country, it is difficult to do even small things (like getting an international passport) without having to pay somebody a bribe. To do big things, like building a public building with public standards, it is impossible to do unless you pay money into somebody’s pocket. To get the government’s approval, you pay a bribe even though it is officially free. We sent our churches building plans three times to the government authorities and the plans got rejected every time.

Everything was in order with the papers, but the man who had the authority to put the plans into action wanted at least 1,000 euro. The church prayed and we sent the papers back a fourth time. And by God’s grace, we got the approval to build!!! Included below are pictures of our start to build (just last week we started) and the finished product for which we pray and will work towards. By God’s grace He will build it and He will use it –His kingdom come!!

The church is continuing to grow in doing discipleship with youth and adults through

Bible study groups and to reach out to children through a kid’s club. This is a steady work that we hope will bear fruit with the younger generation becoming disciples of Jesus—ready to serve and follow him.

And now for the prayer list!!! Please pray with us!!

*Thanks to God for His protection and providence for our family. He is so generous!

*For the homeless and poor people we work with. Pray for them to have saved and changed lives.

*The building of the church addition and the “shelter” house. Pray for God’s provision and protection. This is a large project.

*My husband Vasya – God’s blessing on Him in doing pastoral work and in the overlooking of the building projects. A lot of work for him!

* Three months ago, a family (Mark, Sveta, and son Danik) and a single young man named Artom came to Tyachiv. They felt called by God to come and live, work, and serve in the church as well. They have been a help to us but have been having a hard time in getting settled. Please pray for good jobs for them, and God’s leading and blessing on the ministry they will be doing.

*God’s blessing on me (Maranda) getting a new American passport and the Ukrainian documents that I need to live here (usually a hassle).

*God’s blessing and grace on me—I have taken up trying to play on the piano (never too late to learn right?). I have not much spare time—so I especially need His grace and blessing!

I would like to end this letter with a thank you. We are so incredibly blessed by the churches in America. We feel your love and support and generosity so completely. I am ashamed to say that we really do not say thank you enough. Thank you and thank you. May God richly bless your churches, and homes, and families. May God richly bless you with His presence (which really is the utmost blessing is it not?). We really are humbled by God and His rich providence.

Sincerely,

The Heytsi Family –Vasya, Maranda, Natan, Mihae