Happy Sunday from a hot Odessa.
We have enjoyed a superb 24 hours since arriving. Welcomed as family, the chat around the meal table vintage as we exchanged greetings from many of you I know would love to be here. Today is a rest day with many joy filled conversations and precious moments with our friends at grace church. The church is 25 years old and it is like a fine and expensive wine (not that I've ever been able to afford that), it just gets better and better. Here are two highlights...

 

Chat more soon,
Blokski

Small people on big business YNWA

Today is like Christmas Eve was as a kid. There's no point in going to bed - I won't get any sleep anyway!!! I'm too excited, and besides... what's the point when you need to leave by 3am and you have your mates over for a sleepover? O.K when I say "mates" yes I am referring to 2 Septuagenarians, but don't underestimate the fun involved. 
We'll try not to keep the dog awake too long.

A Saturday like any other ?
As we drive at 3 - there won't be much going on in our world will there? There's a woman called Meghan who'll be excited about her new frock (also struggling to sleep because the world is watching her). There will be Liverpool fans dreaming of also going to Ukraine, and lifting the Champions league trophy in Kiev. In this world's interests, 3 blokes getting on a plane (with a good selection of knee pads and lots of sweets / little gifts for children) wouldn't rank well on Huffington post. BUT.., I believe we're part of something really big - GOD's PLANS.

GOD has a plan for this world which is far greater than what can be seen or touched. A new beginning and a certain future for every person who will trust in him. He is gathering people together from every background, country, language and ethnic mix to sing a new song of joy. A song of mess forgiven, of reconciliation with their maker, and a certain hope for this life and the next, This is a song louder than any bunch of scousers can sing (and boy they can sing!). It is a song that will never stop because it is conducted by the maker of this cosmos who came into his creation, to live with us, love us, lay his life down for our eternal safety, and then take it up again to defeat death and the enemies of GOD for eternal resolution. That's BIG!!! It is this big plan which has united us with God's family in Ukraine. 

We are so obviously small people in the grand scheme of things, with very limited gifts and often failing abilities. In Christ however we are on a mission which will reap big results. We offer small prayers but in faith to a big GOD who can do immeasurably more than we can think or imagine. So we go with full and expectant hearts.

This will be a time to thank God for his amazing provision over 10 years and to look forwards to what he will do in the lives of 60 or so young people who come to find shelter not just with our friends in FONTANKE, but we hope also in the loving arms and care of the one who controls all things. 

Our mission is clear...
ENCOURAGE - We hope to encourage those who spend their energies doing wonderful things in the name of Jesus Christ for those folk this world has no time for. We hope that some small gifts, some finance for building materials, some time spent on our knees laying some laminate, laying a few tiles and building the odd bathroom might encourage them to keep going.

BE THANKFULL - We want to give our praise to a GOD who has supplied our every need - quite miraculously at times. We go with the attitude of gratitude not least because an insurmountable project has become a completed one.

LOOK TO THE FUTURE - With the building phase complete, our relationship is just getting going for the true work seeing young lives changed for the better and set on a good course for many years to come. We want to find out in what ways we could be helpful in the future as the real work starts. 

On June 3rd transition house opens (officially for the first time) and we will celebrate. Not just the completion of this work, but those new family friends who will baptised in Church and have become part of this amazingly Big story. Then we will move on to what can be done at the Black Sea camp.

Please come with us via this blog - we will do our best (when wifi and 3g allow) to keep you well updated.
Please pray - 

• Pray for Dennis and Ken who need to endure me for 18 days. 
• Pray for Mo, David, Liz and Emlyn as they join us in week 2.
• Pray for our health and strength please, our ability to get a lot done. 

In the big scheme of things we are small people, a small team but we are on a mission for our great GOD. As we walk up the plane steps I am tempted even as an Evertonion to sing the anthem from across Stanley Park. I do not walk alone, I walk with an army of wonderful people who work with us (sending gifts, praying, coming with us (over 80 have come out on these trips)) and most importantly we walk in the purposes of a God who comes with us. 

If you have a boring Saturday planned, or just a few snacks stocked up for a day in front of a glass screen... remember that in these things we are part of something much bigger. Thank you so much for being with us. 
Walk on with hope in your heart, not blind optimism but firm conviction that GOD is fulfilling his purposes in history, and every day you are alive is one step further in his plans. 

Catch up soon, 
BIG LOVE BLOKSKI

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.                       (2 Cor 4:18)

Finishing Well !

We are about to cross the white line. The question is ...
are we nearly finishing the final lap or about to start a new one? 
As I drive down Iffley road Oxford, and pass the running track on my left, I see the sign which commemorates Roger Bannister breaking the 4 minute mile on May 6, 1954. 

He returned there in 2012 for the track to be renamed after him. Last month he died aged 88. One of the remarkable things (among many) about this man was his ability to finish well. Very few comment on the 54 years of endurance and hard work that Sir Roger completed as; a Neurologist, Consultant teacher, founder of the Autonomic Research society, Editor of textbooks on clinical neurology, Chairman of the sports council, President of the International council for sport and physical recreation, and writer for the Sunday times and American sports illustrated. It is fascinating how we can re-edit history, to say less about 54 years than we do about 4 minutes of time. 

One of the most endearing things about Roger finishing well, was that he had Parkinson's disease in later life. For all of us, the ageing process waits for no man, and every new lap of life is a sober reminder that there is 1 less stretch to run. 

As we prepare the team to go out to Odessa Ukraine, we are wanting to "run well" on this lap of the race. In many ways we are reaching the finishing tape. Our initial work is to prepare transition house for it's official opening on June 3rd. We have run something of a relay marathon with this project. Approximately 80 men and women have worked on this project (around 60 from the UK)  that I am aware of, and maybe many more from the US / around the world I don't know. Like Caleb in the bible the issue is not starting a project with enthusiasm, but trusting in God at the finishing line, when things have been tough and gruelling. We want to be "Calebs." (Numbers 14:24)

Many of the team this time are over 65, very much not retired in serving God, and the biggest encouragement and recharge to my spiritual life. I want to be like them (in the not too distant future :) ). To be available to God for servant works at their stage of life  speaks loudly to the younger generations about their love for Jesus Christ and also his greatest passion - love for people. I have lost count of the younger men who sprint up to me with enthusiasm,after a presentation - saying "I am interested in going". If I had a quid every time I've heard that line, I'd be a wealthy man. What ultimately matters however, is not initial and individualistic enthusiasm but grit and godly determination to roll up your sleeves and get the job done by fitting in with everyone else. I thank God for an amazing team of people gifted in rolling up their sleeves. The generations who knew wartime, have a lot to teach us on these things, and I pray that "wimpy self centred Christianity" will not prevail when their race is done.

During our second week in Ukraine, we hope to further the work of "grace camp" near the Black Sea, by completing the internal sections of a family block, For many years this camp has been massively used of God to encourage young people and foster families as they grow together and in the knowledge of him. The work to complete the task is significant - internal walls, plumbing, bathrooms, tiling, flooring, wallpaper, decoration, electrics. However, the pay-off would be massive if it can be achieved. 3000 young people head to the camp for August alone.

We will of course keep you updated on the blog now the trip is near. Some of us are out there for the duration (May 19th - June 4th) Some will be there for part of the time. At the time of writing the team of 12 are involved, 9 of whom form the work party,  3  are also hoping to join us for the opening celebrations and to encourage the ongoing work. 

Please come with us on this final lap, however please be aware that we have only completed our 4 minutes worth. We are very aware that God is preparing us for another race yet to begin. We hope to "firm up" over this trip, exactly where that track meeting (project) will be... one thing is for sure -  the presenting opportunities are exciting and yet will require some dogged determination. We do not start anything likely - knowing that those things which are left unfinished are not glorifying to God. We are hugely encouraged however by 6 churches / men's ministries committing to the possibility of supporting the next project before they know exactly where it is. It has been one of the greatest privileges of life to be involved in this, and so I thank all of you who have carried the torch...

• Some of you have been incredibly faithful in your giving and prayers. Thank you! Everytime an envelope is opened, it has been a huge encouragement to get this finished. Bless you for your relatively unsung involvement - God sees what is given in private and hears what is prayed in the confines of a room at home.
• Some of you have helped set the pace. Thank you for kicking things off and passing on the torch, it is a privilege to run alongside you and we run on enthused by the inspirational warriors of faith who ran before us. 
• Some of you have just uttered the words of Caleb and meant it  - "God is big enough." The gospel message is that Christ is big enough to deal with us as people,  the big issues of life, death and the world we live in. This is not only our belief but also our experience. 

And so we run on in faith, not as young (and naive) maybe as we once were, but with a renewed determination and enthusiasm that the one who carries us in his strength is a finisher not just a starter.

Phil 1:6

...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Heb 12:1-2

 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverancethe race marked out for us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus, 

the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

With love, your friend and running mate,

Blogski

10 years of partnership on this "little project", and 10 things I thank God for.

10 Years ago 2 guys (who I love deeply for their gospel hearts), took a trip to Ukraine to see if there was a possibility of "killing two birds with 1 stone". They wanted to see if in God's plan its was possible to serve the global church with encouragement and deeply practical help, whilst at the same time develop their own men's ministry. After all church is often about kids and families isn't it? What do quiet blokes (who only talk about power tools, sheds and DIY projects) get to do together / talk about. On first inspection Ian and Mark were daunted by the possibilities of Ukraine, but in only the way that God can, he reassured them that their availability and willingness was all they needed for fruitful gospel work to begin. 10 Years later, I have just left Ukraine with our first construction project essentially complete. I have been encouraging men over the last 8 or so years to join me in what I think is the most profitable thing I've ever done with my time and energy. 
Why did it take so long you ask? A number of reasons...
1) Our "little project" turned out to be not so little. Housing up to 60 teenagers takes some significant space and resource, especially when practicalities are thoroughly thought out. Transition House is a BIG HOUSE!

2) Ukraine has not been without its "ups and downs" over the last few years. Wars, economic rollercoasters, DIY and building supply companies pulling out, embassies and mission agencies advising not to travel ... are just a few of the obstacles that we've negotiated by God's grace along the way. It is ironic that when people are going through really tough times, less people come to help because it is against the logic of health, safety and human wisdom.
3) When you start a gospel project, it is not long before you discover that the real substance of ministry is about people not bricks and mortar.  Ministry is beautifully more messy when people get involved, the theory is augmented by the reality of God working in time, space and characters. In addition to all the parents, grandparents and children of multiple children families who we now call our family, there are the church families, seminary staff, translators and not forgetting many team members from the UK. These people are God's people, they have become my people, my family, the reason I love to get up early for - the church in Ukraine is a pleasure to serve and to pray for.
4) The vast majority of guys who have come to serve on this project come with a heart to serve and rarely any qualification other than the enthusiasm to fit in. We have learned skills on the job. Some of us are now "skilled"  through practice. If you need some metal work fitting for a stud wall or ceiling, a bathroom tiled or a bit of plasterboard cut, these guys have a DIY qualification second to none.
5) I believe God has his timing (which is not always the same as ours). Had we quickly completed the project, had sponsors not moved on, would we now have the profound depth of relationship we have with these wonderful people? We have seen children grow into men and women. We've seen our friends from troubled backgrounds develop into youth-workers, children's workers, classy individuals with much to give and in some cases, wonderful families of their own. No amount of money can buy this stuff. When God saw our need, he came himself (John 3:16) and the golden jewel of all gospel ministry is relationship. Relationship grows and blesses when submitted to God's plans. 

In short this is much more than a building project. In God's plans this is an extension plan of his church, where new people are coming to trust in Jesus Christ all the time. It is a growing family, where each meal is both more open and yet more appreciated. Mealtimes in transition house are a complete joy. They are a rehearsal for heaven, when people from every nation will testify extreme gratitude to the God who brought them all together, for a purpose much bigger than themselves. God loves to take us out of our self centred comfort zone, and make us fit in with his much better plan. 

We will recount some major stories that will make you both laugh and cry over the coming months. This great family house will open in June 2018, and our involvement on a relational level will continue. However now the construction phase is complete, and we are looking to God with ready eyes, as he directs what he wants from us next as a group of blokes. We are very excited about all the possibilities on the table, however the bible studies we have done in Joshua over these last 3 weeks have really challenged us to expect to be taken out of our comfort zone again. When apartments are pristine you forget what it is like to ascend a 4 floor building without stairs, what it's like to travel on an outside "pully-lift" with a cement mixer, and  40 bags of cement. God is teaching us as a group of guys to man up again and be strong and courageous. So in an attempt to remind the fellas how good God has been to us - here is my personal top 10 things I thank him for today. The God who is the same yesterday, today and forever will not let us down, his gracious faithfulness is beyond comprehension. He is seeking people in trouble who need grace, he is bringing together his global people for great purposes. He is growing his family beyond what we can understand, so it's about time we started looking bigger, getting on board with his mind, and thinking his thoughts after him. After all his heartbeat for this world is still thumping with love, his Son has given everything - so who are we to hold back?

10 THINGS TO THANK GOD FOR in our 10 year partnership.
1) That many. many children have grown up in the amazingly loving context of grace baptist church, their three "Priut "shelters and multiple children family homes. Across Odessa there are trophies of God's goodness - people whose lives are on track because someone went out of their way to care in Jesus' name. God is good !
2) Peter and Lydia. Now the much loved grandparents to many many people. When they answered the call of God to love children in need many years ago, I don't think even they had a vision of what God would do. Now their children have children, now those they have cared for are caring for multiple children families. God is good !
3) That children and adults who have mental and physical disabilities have not been forgotten or sidelined in a desire to look after kids. The church do an absolutely amazing thing in looking after those for whom care is demanding and constant. They are in a good place under the shelter of God's people just north of Odessa. God is good.
4) We have had the opportunity to share God's truth in so many different contexts. I am always amazed at the end of a Sunday morning preaching at grace church by 2 things. 1) The Holy Spirit's presence at work through his word, into peoples lives. 2) That people come to kneel publicly before hundreds and confess that Jesus Christ is LORD. I shouldn't be surprised, this is what we pray for - this is the kind of God we serve. He is active and dispensing his grace and mercy which is fresh every morning. I thank God for all the opportunities we have had to tell of his love, and every individual who has committed their life to him, including our dear friend Alina last Sunday morning. God is good!
5) We have opportunity to be real with each other ... both in our morning devotions and throughout the day. Blokes get tired of pretending. Being honest about who you are with those you can trust is life affirming, exhilarating and beneficial, especially when done under God's word. The friendship we have after being on a team together is on a different scale of affinity and closeness. My team mates have become my best mates for life. God is good!
6) Blokes go home different. Whether it is seeing those who are in a struggling situation who make you appreciate all you have (especially in family) or those who are just out and out stars for the gospel... whatever it is, we all go back with renewed vigour to live for Christ where he has put us. I will never forget the wife who phoned me to ask "what have you done with my husband? He is washing up, he's spent the day with the family, I have a cup of tea in bed now, and the bloke who used to zone out in front of the telly is now zoning in to read the bible with his Kids." God is good... we have so much to be thankful for and so many opportunities to live well for him.
7) All our needs have been met and we have been given the privilege of passing on God's money. There are many times a new expense has arisen, yet God has enabled all the guys to fly out on their own expense, and all the materials to be provided for by the gifts of God's people. There are also time when individuals have responded to the prompting of God to give for needs of people. Is it coincidence that someone gave me £150 to pass on to the work just before I got on the plane 3 weeks ago?  The exact same day, a little friend needed some money for some help with his eyes / opticians. When I arrived - I heard about it for the first time and asked "how much it would cost ?" - how much do you think they said ?... Yes you guessed it £150 ! It is this kind of thing that turns even the hardest sceptic on our teams into committed followers of the God who knows and provides. I shouldn't be surprised, the bible says he knows how many hairs still remain on my head... (Matt 10:30) God is good! 
8) There is an army of people praying for us. The texts, the private messages, and the people I know who are praying for us, have been the fuel in our tank. The God who answers prayer has been with us, answering every sort of prayer we can think of, from that of eternal significance to issues of power and water. God is good to you and me today.
9) The generosity of those who have given. I will never forget my niece being one of the first to give of her pocket money in a desire to get "project Odessa" off the ground. God is not interested in how much you give, but how you give. The cheerful gifts of those who don't have much are precious to God, and many have given in this way. Pocket money gifts will never make the business pages of the broadsheets, but they have been invested in the God who is never our debtor. He knows, and has taken the loaves and fish and done something massive with the little we have brought before him.
10) In thinking we have come to serve, we have been served. There are those; who wash up for 3 weeks, those who clean our toilets, those who get rid of the dust we create, those who cope with 10 hours of SDS hammer drill banging into their living room floor from the basement. The servants of Christ carry a towel, bowl and a heart of humility to wash the messed up with grace. We have been blessed to discover more servants of Christ than we could've ever expected. Odessa has some messed up people, and some messed up situations in it, but Jesus is the answer and Christlike servanthood is the method to win a nation... these folks have it in skip loads. We've learned so much from your willingness to get down in the mess and lift others up. Thank you for teaching us the profundity of Jesus' grace in such obvious and practical ways. God is SO GOOD!

We could go on, but you've listened long enough. 
We'll keep you up to date with our growing plans for 2018, but for now ...
BE THANKFUL, 
with love, 
BLOGSKI.

Project near KOMPLETE... 3 weeks komplete... schnips kaput, back nearly kaput but BIG SMILES ALL ROUND!

As we come to the end of our 3 week stint in transition house, things have progressed exceptionally well. Our hope was to fix metal frame-work in a number of places (very time consuming), so that ceilings and walls could be completed as individuals had capacity. As it turns out, despite a number of individuals struggling (with bad backs, knees and joints etc), God has helped us achieve some tangible finish points.

• Main hall, electric,  metal work,  and all ceiling boards - KOMPLETE
• 2nd hall, electrics, metal work for ceilings and boxing in, all ceiling plasterboards - KOMPLETE
• Changing room, metal work for ceiling, electrics and all plasterboard- KOMPLETE
• Back entrance Hall metal work and OSB walls and 2 doorways KOMPLETE
• Rear Hall, metal work and boarding for walls metalwork and plasterboard (+electrics), plus floor-tiling KOMPLETE
• Technic room, metal work on walls and electrics KOMPLTE
• Large Communal room, flooring, feature walls (tiling) walls, electrics, ceiling, ceiling cannopy (for presentation area) metal work and plasterboarding  - KOMPLETE
• Kitchen area, Flooring, metalwork ceiling Komplete (awaiting electrics)
• Front hallway, flooring KOMPLETE
• 2 Bathrooms, TILING KOMPLETE
• STAIRWELL CEILING metal work KOMPLETE
• LARGE Front hallway into MAIN HALLS and CHANGING ROOM, boarding, electrics, ceiling metal work and plasterboard KOMPLETE..
• Entrance stairs are now also tiled and looking GOOOOOOD!

 In short the basement is nearly KOMPLETE in construction, what remains in the main is cosmetic (filling, plaster and paint). This means that the building is just about KOMPLETE

We are so looking forward to 2 things
1) The day (expected to be JUNE) when the building has its grandopening
2) Going bowling again with  the children. Tonights 10 pin bowling was the funniest thing you have ever seen - We were able to take 25 of our friends to PAPASHON, a lively (loud DJ'd) alley whcih just ramped up the hype (and children ready for bed) more and more. Mark was singled out by the glamorous compare to win numerous prizes which he kindly donated. The coolest of the prizes was definately the lollipop, closely followed by the free time in the ball pool.

Our bodies have some aches but our photocards, hearts and spirits are full - full of gratitude to GOD.
GOD IS GOOD - Hope you can enjoy these pictures of some selected work, the photos may not mean a lot to you but they do to us. Please stay tuned as we fly home tommorow, more will appear hear - including before and after comparisons and hopefully news of our next projects and steps. Full of gratitude to God - this is BLOGSKI logging off in Ukraine for the moment, ready to resume in the world of less bumpy roads (you try typing in a minubus on the way to the black sea camp)

Much love
 BLOGSKI
PS (oh and I forgot to tell say... Mark won the bowling - he wooped the kids - no compassion - but we're not talking about it!)

Amazing day of progress in the big house, even without our best buddy!

This week has been full of challenges. On Tuesday our great friend Emlyn had to fly home becuase his lovely wife was unwell and needed help. We praise God for Emlyn and Carol, and everything they have sacrificed and contributed to this project.  Emlyn contributes way more than his work (which features throughout the building)., His enthusiasm, love and generosity towards the children, endless supply of sweets, banter, arias and practical jokes are but a few of his best gifts. Most of all he has the servant heart that sets the tone for a team to set off on the right foot. We miss him and pray for him, but rest assured the team have carried on with the tone he set (just with less sweets.)

This evening we have been to Priut (church home) to share some fun with our younger friends, it has been the best if times. Mark introduced them to the electronic shock game (I hope they don't need counselling). There were more giggles per hour than I can ever remember having anywhere. It was also fab to chat to some of the older teenagers about them getting into transition house soon. I look forward to making them a brew next time I visit transition house. I will post more photos tomorrow of the completed work and our evening out.
...However... today we would really appreciate your prayer as we consider the very important decision making we are contemplating. You will see from the photos tomorrow that we really are very near completion of this big house. Over the last three weeks we have met some amazing people who have helped us explore future projects both here in Ukraine and further affield. We do not know where God will send us next and how things will pan out, we just know these 5 things.
1) God is speaking to us and teaching us to trust him for the way ahead, and the completion of Transition House will mark the end of an amazing journey of faith, We don't know how God has done this really, we look back and trace his amazing goodness. We would love to have other adventures like this in his plans if that is what he wants.
2) We want to carry on supporting our friends here to keep going. We see this as a family thing, This is not a project, these are our people, we love them, and they are God's people which means our friendship will last into eternity.
3) We know that the world is a very broken place so we are not ruling out those places where war and relational mess leave a trail of destruction.
4) There are some small projects which would make a huge difference, we might look at these in the interim before the next project starts.
5) We can't comprehend how much more God has given us than we have given him. We've done a bit of glorified DIY and yet we have gained lifelong friends, met some of the lovliest people on the planet, and had the privelege of meeting some absolytely  fantastic kids who appreciate everything they have.

Thank you for your prayers, especially in the decisions we make,
speak tomorrow as we sumize our trip,
Big love from the BIG HOUSE
BLOGSKI

Tag building, a growing church family and the start of week 3.

The last 48 hours have been an emotional rollercoaster, but an amazing testimony to how God brings people together for his glory. Friday night was the start of our Airport trips the other side of the city (in the swanky new arrivals terminal) . I really appreciated some quality time with my wonderful brothers Pieter and Sergio. We talked about many things (some deep lessons from life, and some not so deep things like how to grow apples and pick them in a proper way). Pieter has sown unsparingly into the orphanage work. He is now reaping the fruit of a life well lived for God. Those he has invested in are now having their own wonderful families and blessing Pieter with them.

On Friday evening we welcomed 6 great fellas from Gwersyllt, and started tucking into pizza as midnight approached. Blurry eyed, early Saturday we said goodbye to John D, Rob, Nick, Dennis and Ken. I thank God for each of them, their work, their encouragement and genorisity to God's people here in Odessa.

They leave behind much more than a load of pristine and perfect metal work. They leave behind a legacy for a future generation. When people ask - who built this wonderful home, they will say - good men who put their heart and soul into it because they loved Jesus Christ and they love people.
Saturday morning we also collected another 4 fellas from Gwersyllt.

The new guys got stuck in immediately in the basement - this is tag ceiling construction.

Sunday morning we started by praying together; for the week, our families and churches at home, and the church here in Odessa. I had the privilege of preaching the good news of Jesus Christ and how we can have a new start in him (as individuals and churches). Praise God one of our young friends from the shelter at Church publicly commited her life to live for Jesus Christ. God is good. We then had lunch with our good friends pastor Igor and Svetlana Kucher. It was wonderful to hear of both what God is doing in Ukraine in his church, and the great possibilities of the growing orphanage and transition house work in the future. This afternoon we went for a walk and did all the "touristy things" in the city center. We also drank some seriously good coffee for 60p.

I will post more of our final week's projects tomorrow (internet providing), but for now there is a need for rest.Yours with love, gratitude and now also with the Barry White voice, BLOGSKI.