Posted January 12, 2012
Paetkau's Place
Previous editions of the News & Notes are posted in the News Archive
# 125 December 2011 Paetkau News & Notes
Our past six months of home service have had many moments like that - attempting to bridge our kids from their world in Ukraine into this foreign country (to them) called Canada. It has created a few interesting conversations.
It has been a while since I sent out the news and notes. You may say that we have been in a bit of an information sabbatical, as these past six months have been good but challenging in many ways. So I am going to start playing a little bit of catch up over the next while, giving you short updates of the present, the future, and the past both here in North America and in Ukraine.
Home Service is always a challenging time, with a lot of travel and meetings in various locations. On one hand, we really were looking forward to winter (because it was predicted to have lots of snow). On the other hand, I wasn't looking forward to travelling through blizzards. So this morning, as I write it is +9 C (48 F) and there definitely isn't any snow on the ground. Of course, we have winds of 50-60 kms (30-35 mph) blowing constantly…. A bit different living on the prairies in a small town and not in a high rise in the middle of a city.
We have been very blessed with the many opportunities that God has given us to share and minister during these past few months. Many weekends we have been travelling, at times with kids and at times without, to various points both near and far. During the week, local life and ministry is keeping us busy. One new item is that I am teaching Bible two afternoons a week at our local Christian school, where Alicia & Daniel attend. It is a bit challenging, as I am attempting to do Bible Survey with Gr 4-6's and 7-9's. So far, so good - and my kids still acknowledge me as Dad so I guess I haven't embarrassed them too badly.
In the meantime, over in Sumy it's Christmas time - the celebrations continue thru till mid January. Which means that our missionaries there participate in a number of ministries that will be held by the churches, reaching out to the community in multiple ways. Food & gift bags will be given to the widows & widowers in the congregation there. Christmas gift bags will be taken by members of the church and given to the families whom have disabled children, who the church has been working with since this past summer at camp. A number of other events also will take place. This past week at Grace Camp a Jr High Winter Camp was held. 35 campers braved the above freezing temperatures to come together to enjoy fellowship, activities, worship and teaching at the conference center. They had snow for one day - just long enough to make a few snowmen - before it melted and made the winter camp more of a "spring-like" camp. But overall, a great week was held. Praise the Lord!
Our kids are growing and taking on new challenges as seen in the conversation below that I had with Lanae:
"It moves by itself…." (as she looked at me)
"Turn the wheel…."
"that is so different than the red van…
"Turn THE WHEEL.."
….followed by John (sitting in the passenger's seat) spinning the wheel quickly to the left so that our vehicle would miss the car parked in front of it.
Lanae wasn't accustomed to an automatic, as she had a bit of experience on a standard in Ukraine. So the words "when you take your foot off the brake the car will move" didn't really register until we almost scraped the paint on the bumper of the car parked before us.
When your child gets their driver learner's permit life gets very interesting….. Oh the joy.
Summer Stories…..
May 2011
"So, you are all from that church over there - what do you think? Why didn't the world fall apart yesterday?" That was the question that was posed to Leanne and me by the fellow who was walking near us. The May 21 prediction regarding the end of the world was news over in Sumy too. This chance meeting became a twenty minute discussion about life, eternity and the Gospel. His name was Ivan, and the drinks he'd had the night before (and probably that morning) had given him just enough courage to speak boldly to us. As we talked, he told us about his life and work (he was a crane operator, a veteran of the Russia/Afghanistan war, and struggling with various issues), open to questions about his view of God but unwilling to consider that forgiveness was possible. "I have done bad things….." How many times have we heard that statement. It doesn't completely close the door, but definitely is something that holds them from making a step towards God and His forgiveness.
We wrapped up our small group bible study for the year prior to summer by having everyone over for supper. Leanne made simple North American food for everyone to try (spaghetti, stroganoff, soft tacos etc), all which were new for everyone. It was a real hit, and a great way to wrap up as a group.
Upcoming…..
Here is our ministry schedule at present for January & February. For the latest update, please go to our calendar at www.thepaetkaus.net. If we are going to be in your area, please contact us. It would be great to get together.
January: primarily in southern Alberta
Jan 29: Etzikom/Orion EFC morning services
Jan 30-Feb 2: southern Manitoba
Feb 3-6: Thunderbay, ON
Feb 12: Brooks, AB - Brooks EFC morning service
Feb 18-26: Northern Alberta
- Feb 18-22: Valleyview, Grande Prairie & Sexsmith area
o Feb 19: Valleyview Alliance Church a.m. service
- Feb 23-26: Edmonton area
That's all for now.
Talk to you soon,
John
4 the 5 of us travelling Sumites
Please use this link to partner with us - either long term or thru a on-time donation. Any questions, let us know.
С Рождеством Христовым и С Новым Годом!!
(Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!)
"Canada has mountains?" This question from Daniel in the summer prompted us to make sure that he had the opportunity to observe the Canadian Rockies this past Christmas break. On our way north to the Edmonton area to spend Christmas with John's side of the family and meetings with supporters we took a side trip for one night to Banff. A great deal on a room just prior to the Christmas rush made it possible for our family to enjoy the beauty of God's creation in its snowy glory - a perfect setting for Christmas.(Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!)
Our past six months of home service have had many moments like that - attempting to bridge our kids from their world in Ukraine into this foreign country (to them) called Canada. It has created a few interesting conversations.
It has been a while since I sent out the news and notes. You may say that we have been in a bit of an information sabbatical, as these past six months have been good but challenging in many ways. So I am going to start playing a little bit of catch up over the next while, giving you short updates of the present, the future, and the past both here in North America and in Ukraine.
Home Service is always a challenging time, with a lot of travel and meetings in various locations. On one hand, we really were looking forward to winter (because it was predicted to have lots of snow). On the other hand, I wasn't looking forward to travelling through blizzards. So this morning, as I write it is +9 C (48 F) and there definitely isn't any snow on the ground. Of course, we have winds of 50-60 kms (30-35 mph) blowing constantly…. A bit different living on the prairies in a small town and not in a high rise in the middle of a city.
We have been very blessed with the many opportunities that God has given us to share and minister during these past few months. Many weekends we have been travelling, at times with kids and at times without, to various points both near and far. During the week, local life and ministry is keeping us busy. One new item is that I am teaching Bible two afternoons a week at our local Christian school, where Alicia & Daniel attend. It is a bit challenging, as I am attempting to do Bible Survey with Gr 4-6's and 7-9's. So far, so good - and my kids still acknowledge me as Dad so I guess I haven't embarrassed them too badly.
In the meantime, over in Sumy it's Christmas time - the celebrations continue thru till mid January. Which means that our missionaries there participate in a number of ministries that will be held by the churches, reaching out to the community in multiple ways. Food & gift bags will be given to the widows & widowers in the congregation there. Christmas gift bags will be taken by members of the church and given to the families whom have disabled children, who the church has been working with since this past summer at camp. A number of other events also will take place. This past week at Grace Camp a Jr High Winter Camp was held. 35 campers braved the above freezing temperatures to come together to enjoy fellowship, activities, worship and teaching at the conference center. They had snow for one day - just long enough to make a few snowmen - before it melted and made the winter camp more of a "spring-like" camp. But overall, a great week was held. Praise the Lord!
Our kids are growing and taking on new challenges as seen in the conversation below that I had with Lanae:
"It moves by itself…." (as she looked at me)
"Turn the wheel…."
"that is so different than the red van…
"Turn THE WHEEL.."
….followed by John (sitting in the passenger's seat) spinning the wheel quickly to the left so that our vehicle would miss the car parked in front of it.
Lanae wasn't accustomed to an automatic, as she had a bit of experience on a standard in Ukraine. So the words "when you take your foot off the brake the car will move" didn't really register until we almost scraped the paint on the bumper of the car parked before us.
When your child gets their driver learner's permit life gets very interesting….. Oh the joy.
Summer Stories…..
May 2011
"So, you are all from that church over there - what do you think? Why didn't the world fall apart yesterday?" That was the question that was posed to Leanne and me by the fellow who was walking near us. The May 21 prediction regarding the end of the world was news over in Sumy too. This chance meeting became a twenty minute discussion about life, eternity and the Gospel. His name was Ivan, and the drinks he'd had the night before (and probably that morning) had given him just enough courage to speak boldly to us. As we talked, he told us about his life and work (he was a crane operator, a veteran of the Russia/Afghanistan war, and struggling with various issues), open to questions about his view of God but unwilling to consider that forgiveness was possible. "I have done bad things….." How many times have we heard that statement. It doesn't completely close the door, but definitely is something that holds them from making a step towards God and His forgiveness.
We wrapped up our small group bible study for the year prior to summer by having everyone over for supper. Leanne made simple North American food for everyone to try (spaghetti, stroganoff, soft tacos etc), all which were new for everyone. It was a real hit, and a great way to wrap up as a group.
Upcoming…..
Here is our ministry schedule at present for January & February. For the latest update, please go to our calendar at www.thepaetkaus.net. If we are going to be in your area, please contact us. It would be great to get together.
January: primarily in southern Alberta
Jan 29: Etzikom/Orion EFC morning services
Jan 30-Feb 2: southern Manitoba
Feb 3-6: Thunderbay, ON
Feb 12: Brooks, AB - Brooks EFC morning service
Feb 18-26: Northern Alberta
- Feb 18-22: Valleyview, Grande Prairie & Sexsmith area
o Feb 19: Valleyview Alliance Church a.m. service
- Feb 23-26: Edmonton area
That's all for now.
Talk to you soon,
John
4 the 5 of us travelling Sumites
Please use this link to partner with us - either long term or thru a on-time donation. Any questions, let us know.
Drop by our home page for our upcoming ministry and home service updates
Drop by our home page for our upcoming ministry and home service updates