August 15, 2010

Dear Praying Friends,
   This summer has been a busy three months but it has also been full of excitement.  This letter is to up-date you on some of the more recent and more highlighted events.
   THE HEAT:  I really need to start this letter off by telling you of the extreme heat wave we have been experiencing and battling with here in Ukraine.  The infrastructure of Ukraine is not capable of handling this kind of extreme heat.  Most people live in high rise apartments and almost no one has an air conditioner.  Some don't even own a fan.  In July & August, we have seen temperatures far above normal -- going into and staying in the 100's. Most of you have heard of the fires in Moscow and the 700 people plus dying daily from the heat and smoke. They do need our prayers.  There are also fires here in Ukraine and people have died.  We really could use a break from the heat and some rain would be nice.  
   DEAF CAMP (July 26 - 31):  Deaf Missionary Mike Green (SWM) was here for deaf camp.  He assisted Pastor Slava and Bro. Oleg in directing the camp - Mike was a big help and the kids formed an instant bond to him.  Thirty-one deaf campers plus workers came for the six days.  Since several of the campers were saved last year, there was an immediate respect and order among the campers.  On the first night, a few of the deaf were already asking how they could be saved; however, we needed to build a more solid foundation.  Praise the LORD that ten were saved on Wednesday, four on Thursday and three on Friday (a total of 17)!   Slava, Oleg, and Mike were up late into the nights talking Bible with these eager young boys.  It was a blessing to see the kids become attached to their Bibles.  You could see them walking around camp reading their new Bibles.
   Some of the campers from Donestk even stayed through Sunday.  On August 1, the deaf held special services after their regular Sunday morning service.  This was at the lake so that three more could be baptized.  Several weeks ago, one of our dear deaf ladies was shoved in front of a moving car and she missed out on the  baptism in early July.  Praise the Lord she has had a full recovery and now is eagerly serving the Lord.
   TEEN CAMP (Aug 2-6): We had two days to rest up and then teen camp began.  There were 87 campers from Belarus, Odessa, B.T. and Simferopol.  The special speaker this year was Ryan Thompson (son-in-law of Pastor Jack Trieber in California).  This camp is aimed at saved young people to stir them into full time Christian service.  Even with that emphasis, three young people were saved.  Two of these were from our church.  The third was the teenage daughter of one of the cooks. Praise the LORD! **Notice: Next year's teen camp will be August 1-5.
   NURSING HOME MINISTRY:  Just a quick note to say that seven precious nursing home residents have been saved in the past month. PRAISE THE LORD!  This is a very important ministry.  Marfa was saved two weeks ago and yesterday went home to be with her Lord.
   From July 20 to Aug. 9 we enjoyed having BIMI missionary Sarah Sager visiting. She was on a survey trip. While she was here we kept her busy in all the ministries and camps. She was a blessing. Please pray for her as she is now beginning the process of deputation.
   Simferopol Baptist Church has a Face Book page. We update it nearly everyday. There are pictures there as well. Check it out.
   Thank you so much for keeping us and the work here in your prayers. God is doing great things and it is a blessing to be a part of it.
In His Service,
Bob and Judy Van Sant
Simferopol, Ukraine
www.simferopolbaptist.com