Latest news from East-West Fellowship

We were not able to go on a mission to Ukraine during 2009.  This is partly because our director, Colin Dickson has been in hospital for knee replacement surgery.  He has recovered well and your prayers are much appreciated.

A group including one of our trustees, Paulene Dickson visited Churches in Brest, Belarus in July 2009. They met Pastor Sasha Baran at The Will of Jesus Church.  He is a little man with a big vision.  They visited this church first in 1996 and reported that it was good to meet him again.  He is having problems with the Belarus authorities.  They do not act favourably towards Christians and churches and do everything possible to close them down. Please pray.

(See pictures click >here<)

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Some of our readers will remember Maria Bósz from Miskolc, Hungary. We received an email from Uli and Katie Decker 17th March 2009. Katie is Maria’s Daughter:

This morning Mama Bósz departed to be with her Lord and Saviour.

Maria Bósz and Laslo, Maria’s husband worked tirelessly for the Lord all their lives. Laslo went to be with the Lord some years ago. They worked during communist times transporting Christians, bibles and tracts and aid into Eastern Europe. They freely gave hospitality to hundreds of Christians who travelled from the west to Eastern Europe. Their help and contribution to the work of E.W.F. was invaluable. Please pray for the family.

Maranda Heysti nee Hoogland is now married to a Ukrainian pastor, Vasya. They work in Tyachiv Baptist Church, Western Ukraine.  Maranda gave birth to Nataniel, a baby boy in December. Maranda has been the E.W.F. representative in Ukraine for many years.

We hope to continue the work in Nikopol for the Widows Project. The Central Baptist Church in Nikopol has approx 400 members, 140 of whom are widows with about 50 being bedridden.  Ukraine is a very poor country and the elderly really suffer terribly in the bitter winter weather.  The project provides food, medicines and home care for these ladies. We have received many grateful letters from widows who have been helped. Please help us to carry on for another year.

We have recently sent gifts to support the work of Vasya and Maranda in Tyachiv and also for Pastor Valentin and his wife Tanya who work in Beregovo and Uzhgorod. Please pray for all the friends mentioned in this update.

Colin Dickson 14th June 2009