"How many books in the New Testament?"
- Silence -
"No one knows?"
Suddenly a voice from the silence, "27."
"Well, at least the Pastor knows... [chuckle chuckle]"
Although this is not life changing information it is part of the biblical information so many of us have picked up along the way through Sunday School, Bible clubs, etc. This is totally missing for this first generation of new Believers in Ukraine.
The truth of the matter is that with the majority of believers either new or quite young in their faith in our churches, the level of Biblical knowledge is very low. DBI has an awesome opportunity to help change that. Every Wednesday I have the opportunity to teach Colossians at Word of Life Church here in Dnepro. It is incredibly exciting to see these 8-10 believers coming every week to add to what the Lord is teaching them. We see this as an important opportunity to build into the Lords church here. There are a great many people that can't come to Bible School full time. This lends an opportunity to those people to also have some Biblical study classes.
We hope and pray that this ministry will continue to grow and spread to other churches in and around Ukraine. We look forward to being involved in such discipleship style courses more often in the future. Pray with us for the spiritual growth and maturation process among our young churches.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
The "New" DBI
It is hard to believe that we are already four weeks into the semester [five if you count the orientation week]. So much is new and exciting. It looks to be shaping up into an excellent year.
There are some significant differences this year over the past years here at DBI [Dnepropetrovsk Bible Institute]. The first major difference is that we are in a place of our own. It is quite small and cozy [or should I say squishy :)], but adequate for now. With one of the mission families leaving the field, we were able to take up temporary residence in the mission owned home that they lived in. It has shaped up very nice and is conducive to good study. It also enables us to set the surrounding atmosphere. There is a much greater air of freedom and openness as we study God's Word.
The second major difference is that enrollment is down significantly over the past several years. Bible Schools all over Ukraine are faced with the same trend. Even large Christian Schools and Universities are faces with dramatically declining enrollment. Much of this is due to increased opportunities for work. While this in itself is a good thing [more work being available] it is reducing the amount of students willing to take two or more years of Biblical Studies. Another reason is the "backlog" of students is now caught up. When the Iron Curtain came down Bible Schools sprang up all over Ukraine seeking to train the pastors who had no training. This need has primarily been filled. All this goes together to create a situation where there are fewer and fewer students for the schools that remain open.
Praise the Lord that He is still working at DBI and is still providing students. We have four returning students this year and two new students. We were reminded recently of the song, "Little is much when God is in it..." and God is definitely still in DBI. He continues to touch the hearts and daily lives of our students, staff and faculty, alike. He has given no indication that His plans for DBI will change in the near future. We already have three or four prospective students for next fall and so continue to look for Him to provide all that is needed for His work here.
Thanks for your continued interest and prayer on our behalf and for DBI.
There are some significant differences this year over the past years here at DBI [Dnepropetrovsk Bible Institute]. The first major difference is that we are in a place of our own. It is quite small and cozy [or should I say squishy :)], but adequate for now. With one of the mission families leaving the field, we were able to take up temporary residence in the mission owned home that they lived in. It has shaped up very nice and is conducive to good study. It also enables us to set the surrounding atmosphere. There is a much greater air of freedom and openness as we study God's Word.
The second major difference is that enrollment is down significantly over the past several years. Bible Schools all over Ukraine are faced with the same trend. Even large Christian Schools and Universities are faces with dramatically declining enrollment. Much of this is due to increased opportunities for work. While this in itself is a good thing [more work being available] it is reducing the amount of students willing to take two or more years of Biblical Studies. Another reason is the "backlog" of students is now caught up. When the Iron Curtain came down Bible Schools sprang up all over Ukraine seeking to train the pastors who had no training. This need has primarily been filled. All this goes together to create a situation where there are fewer and fewer students for the schools that remain open.
Praise the Lord that He is still working at DBI and is still providing students. We have four returning students this year and two new students. We were reminded recently of the song, "Little is much when God is in it..." and God is definitely still in DBI. He continues to touch the hearts and daily lives of our students, staff and faculty, alike. He has given no indication that His plans for DBI will change in the near future. We already have three or four prospective students for next fall and so continue to look for Him to provide all that is needed for His work here.
Thanks for your continued interest and prayer on our behalf and for DBI.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Ryan's Baptism
As I looked out my bedroom window on the morning of my baptism, all I saw was wind and rain. Not the ideal conditions for getting baptized. But there was still hope that it would cease as I still had two hours to go. A little while later the rain stopped, but the wind continued to blow. But I still planned to go ahead with it.
Later, down by the river, the wind was still blowing and the water looked colder than ever! :) Before going down to the water, we sang some songs and I gave my testimony. Then the time came when I would go down to the water. The air was cold as I approached the waters edge. Then I stepped in. It was warm! The water was warm! The river hadn’t cooled off from the summer’s heat yet! I thanked God for that. Earlier on during the week, I’d prayed that there would be nice weather for my baptism. And he answered it in a way I didn’t expect. At first I wasn’t happy about the weather. But then Dad told me that with this weather it presented more of a choice. It would be harder to make the choice with that weather. So God answered my prayer better than I’d hoped.
Once down in the water, I was baptized by both Vova, the pastor of my church and Dad. Coming up out of the water, my heart felt like it would burst. I was so happy! No, ‘happy’ isn’t the word. ‘Joyous’ is the word!
Well now that I was baptized, it was time to celebrate! After a quick change, the church, as well as my guests, went back to church where we spent most of the afternoon. All in all it was a very good day. An excellent baptism, weather and all! A fun time at church afterwards. A day full of God!
Ryan
9-Sept-07
P.S. There are pictures of my baptism on our photo site if you are interested
Later, down by the river, the wind was still blowing and the water looked colder than ever! :) Before going down to the water, we sang some songs and I gave my testimony. Then the time came when I would go down to the water. The air was cold as I approached the waters edge. Then I stepped in. It was warm! The water was warm! The river hadn’t cooled off from the summer’s heat yet! I thanked God for that. Earlier on during the week, I’d prayed that there would be nice weather for my baptism. And he answered it in a way I didn’t expect. At first I wasn’t happy about the weather. But then Dad told me that with this weather it presented more of a choice. It would be harder to make the choice with that weather. So God answered my prayer better than I’d hoped.
Once down in the water, I was baptized by both Vova, the pastor of my church and Dad. Coming up out of the water, my heart felt like it would burst. I was so happy! No, ‘happy’ isn’t the word. ‘Joyous’ is the word!
Well now that I was baptized, it was time to celebrate! After a quick change, the church, as well as my guests, went back to church where we spent most of the afternoon. All in all it was a very good day. An excellent baptism, weather and all! A fun time at church afterwards. A day full of God!
Ryan
9-Sept-07
P.S. There are pictures of my baptism on our photo site if you are interested
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Family and Team
It is soooo good to have the family all together again. Trish and the kids all arrived safe and sound Monday morning [6:45 am] on the train. It was a very happy reunion! Although I did enjoy the personal retreat time at home and everyone else enjoyed being at the Black Sea, it was excellent to be reunited again. Health continues to be a bit of a concern as Trish and the kids are still not 100% [stomach and chest coughs]. They are improving day by day, however.
Tomorrow [Sunday, 26-Aug-07] we begin a four day retreat close to Dnepro. This is a time when our Ukrainian mission team gets together for a time of fun, fellowship and mutual encouragement. This time will be a little bit different as it will be the final retreat for the Pope family. They are leaving Ukraine and returning to Canada in a week and a half. Please pray for us as a family as we prepare to say good-bye to these good friends and for the Popes as they tend to last minute details of life in Ukraine.
Orban
P.S. new pics coming by the first week in September
Tomorrow [Sunday, 26-Aug-07] we begin a four day retreat close to Dnepro. This is a time when our Ukrainian mission team gets together for a time of fun, fellowship and mutual encouragement. This time will be a little bit different as it will be the final retreat for the Pope family. They are leaving Ukraine and returning to Canada in a week and a half. Please pray for us as a family as we prepare to say good-bye to these good friends and for the Popes as they tend to last minute details of life in Ukraine.
Orban
P.S. new pics coming by the first week in September
Friday, August 17, 2007
Great News!
I just received a phone call from Trish at the camp-out. Four people accepted Christ as their Saviour and Life tonight at the camp-out. Three men and one woman. There were also several others who returned to Jesus as their way of life. PTL! There is a party going on in Heaven tonight! Pray for these people that they would continue to learn the Truth and life in the light of God's amazing love and sacrifice for them.
First Update
Welcome to the new venue for "Keeping Up With The Bellamys".
As I [Orban] write this the rest of the family is spending their last few days at our denomination camp-out at the Black Sea. Their time there with many of our Ukrainian friends has been enjoyed by both Trish and the kids. Health has been a major concern, however, as there have been several "bugs" going around. It really isn't major health concerns but having a fever or needing to visit the toilet frequently during a 10 hour overnight train ride is definitely less than pleasant. Please pray for all those at the camp [260+ people] that full health would be restored before they all leave on Sunday [19-Aug-07].
For me this has been a personal retreat time. Up until a week before camp started we were planning to all be there together - just like last year. However after spending a couple of days in prayer about it Trish and I really felt like God was asking me to stay at home this year. It was a hard decision as the time at the sea can be very fun and refreshing. However, my time rumbling about our now quiet apartment has been very relaxing and spiritually refreshing time. Some of my thoughts from this time are recorded at my personal blog site http://orbanisms.blogspot.com/.
DBI starts again in just a few weeks - 10-Sept-07. Please continue to pray for more new students. Enrollment in Ukrainian Bible Schools is down nationwide and many schools are struggling to find new students. Please pray with us that the Lord will provide the students that He wants to touch through DBI.
This also means a huge jump in activity for me personally. I am filling the role of Academic Dean and registrar for DBI as the Popes leave the field to return to Canada. [Wayne Pope was our Academic Dean and Registrar and has been for many years.] On top of teaching a new course again this year [Pentateuch] there are many additional responsibilities and tasks associated with this new role for me. Please pray that I would fully rely on God in me and through me to accomplish what He desires in these roles and courses this semester.
Thank you for your continued prayers for us.
Orban
As I [Orban] write this the rest of the family is spending their last few days at our denomination camp-out at the Black Sea. Their time there with many of our Ukrainian friends has been enjoyed by both Trish and the kids. Health has been a major concern, however, as there have been several "bugs" going around. It really isn't major health concerns but having a fever or needing to visit the toilet frequently during a 10 hour overnight train ride is definitely less than pleasant. Please pray for all those at the camp [260+ people] that full health would be restored before they all leave on Sunday [19-Aug-07].
For me this has been a personal retreat time. Up until a week before camp started we were planning to all be there together - just like last year. However after spending a couple of days in prayer about it Trish and I really felt like God was asking me to stay at home this year. It was a hard decision as the time at the sea can be very fun and refreshing. However, my time rumbling about our now quiet apartment has been very relaxing and spiritually refreshing time. Some of my thoughts from this time are recorded at my personal blog site http://orbanisms.blogspot.com/.
DBI starts again in just a few weeks - 10-Sept-07. Please continue to pray for more new students. Enrollment in Ukrainian Bible Schools is down nationwide and many schools are struggling to find new students. Please pray with us that the Lord will provide the students that He wants to touch through DBI.
This also means a huge jump in activity for me personally. I am filling the role of Academic Dean and registrar for DBI as the Popes leave the field to return to Canada. [Wayne Pope was our Academic Dean and Registrar and has been for many years.] On top of teaching a new course again this year [Pentateuch] there are many additional responsibilities and tasks associated with this new role for me. Please pray that I would fully rely on God in me and through me to accomplish what He desires in these roles and courses this semester.
Thank you for your continued prayers for us.
Orban
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