Slobodian Prayer Letter November - December 2005
“When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son….” Gal. 4:4
Dear Pastors and Friends,
As this year rapidly draws to a close, we would like to take this opportunity to extend to you our warm Christmas greetings. This has also been a historical year for our family since Sam’s dad and BIEM’s founder, Dr. Peter Slobodian, went to be with the Lord in June. We rejoice in that he lived long enough to praise God for expanding BIEM far beyond his original vision. Our oldest Sarah continues to work in our office, where she has been a great blessing in BIEM’s ministry. This year Susan was able to purchase a home in Franklin, Indiana, where she works. Steven and Sharon are both at home and attending local colleges. When time permits, they help out the ministry with tasks around the office. Stephanie our youngest is now a Junior in a local Christian high school, where she is involved in sports and also has progressed on the piano so that she plays an occasional special at church. Sam keeps busy directing BIEM, and Amy continues to do our bookkeeping. We are grateful and thankful for our family and friends, who are a wonderful encouragement in our missionary service, which is now approaching 25 years.
In our ministry we rejoice that this past year, by God’s grace and with your help, we have seen some extra-special milestones:
● The 10th anniversary of the Theological Seminary in Kyiv, Ukraine. (Some 195 graduates now serve in 65 various locations.)
● A record number of children and teenagers attending our 2005 Christian summer camps (800+ campers, with 108 making professions of faith in Christ).
● The purchase of a site for use as a permanent camp in Farcasa, Romania.
● The acquisition and renovation of a building in Kyiv, Ukraine, for use as a children’s ministry center (with an emphasis on reaching out to homeless children).
● The addition of an experienced missionary couple to spearhead a new outreach into Central Asia.
● The acceptance of another couple to begin deputation for ministry in Romania.
● Church planters sent to entirely new areas: Goncharivske and Ternopil, both in Ukraine.
In addition, each of our church planters has witnessed the blessing of new souls coming to Christ and following Him in baptism. Church-building programs continue at various sites, and the church in Fastiv, Ukraine, recently dedicated their new building for the glory of God.
Thank you very much for your part in our lives and ministry. May God give you a blessed and wonderful New Year!