Please continue to pray for Julia, infant daughter of Dima Bintsarovsky, our new Director of Online Development. They are still in the Netherlands, where he's been studying, and her heart operation went well. However, they have just put her back in the hospital for observation, since her circulation isn't good.

Dima had to defend his thesis on that very day, which went well, but it was very hard for them -- in a foreign country and far from family. They had planned to return to Ukraine before the end of the year to join the ERSU Staff. Please continue to uphold them in prayer for wisdom, comfort, and healing.

Great News from our daughter-in-law Irene in Hampton, Virginia -- she finally received her Green Card! That's her official immigration card for the USA, so she doesn't need to worry about getting a job, going and coming from the USA, etc. Praise the Lord for this long-standing answer to prayer! And please continue to pray for Irene and Ty as they continue to make their new life in America. We sure miss them!

Please pray for Valentina Vittyuk, one of the counselors in our Odessa Counseling Center. Just 4 days ago, her 35-year-old husband, also a believer, came home from work feeling bad, went to bed, and never woke up. He had a cardiac arrest, and leaves her behind with four children to raise. She had just been added to the Staff of the counseling center to help children and adults with psychological trauma, aggression, neurological disorders, and behavioral problems.

Lena Kolker, head of the center, just dropped me this note: “Today I called Valya. She thanks everyone for praying and supporting her. She says that God has really sent her comfort. Although, certainly, it is very hard for her now.” 

Please pray for this young widow. You can see her picture on their English site at

       http://familycounseling-odessa.org/en/counselors.htm

PTL that our Ukrainian daughter-in-law Irene was able to get an appointment with the Immigration Services to help track down her Green Card process. The Sentor's office helped, so we wait and pray. PTL for progress! Pray also for Ty and Irene to sense the Lord's peace in the meantime.

Our son and Ukrainian daughter-in-law, Irene, are in the U.S., but she still has not received her green card. It appears that her papers have been lost somewhere between her entry in May at Dulles Airport in D.C. and Immigration Services. She has not been able to find out any information about what to do or even WHO can tell her what to do. Please pray that she would receive this soon or find out what to do about it. She isn’t free to even look for work until she has this in hand.

     [UPDATE 9/29/09] Irene has received an appointment for October 6th. This is hopeful! Keep praying. 

Please also pray for our church plant in the North part of Odessa that got kicked out of their building this week. After renting this place for several years, doing a lot of cleanup and repairs, they have been told unexpectedly that they can no longer meet there.


    [UPDATE 9/29/09] The church is meeting in Pastor George's apartment. Around 30 people attended last week in their small home!!


We know that God is in control of these situations and pray that we would trust him in the midst of the trials, claiming His promises of His faithfulness.