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Chapel Mission: Central Asia
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June 13, 2007
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Dear Friends,
It is the eve of our departure from Kyiv, where we have been living since March 19th. For me, it marks the completion of a chapter in our lives. I would like to let you know some of the events that have happened since we have been here, where we are going in the near future, and prayer requests.
In retrospect, I believe the decision to come back to Kyiv in March was God's plan for us. We (Jon, Aaron, Kristen, and I) have been sharing an apartment with George, Sharon, and our little Samuel. The Lord provided a 4-room apartment from a missionary who was moving to Prague, and she kindly had it all ready for us to move into when we arrived.
In the first week we were able to enroll Kristen and Aaron in the schools they were attending before we went to Bishkek last June. Since the school systems (Kyiv and Bishkek) are the same, there was no problem in transferring. The main difference is that Bishkek schools are taught in Russian, and Kyiv schools are, of course, in Ukrainian. Since both children can function in either language, it has worked out well. At this time, Kristen has finished the school year and has been promoted to the 4th grade, and Aaron has finished his 9th grade exams. I chose to have them finish up in this system to keep our options open as far as where we might be for the next school year. They would be able to start either in Ukraine or Kyrgyzstan with no problem, since they finished the year in this system.
There was a memorial service for George a few days after we arrived. Jed and Renee were able to come from Bishkek and attend it with us. The service included several video clips of George from the last 15 years put together by one of our young men, several pastors sharing (missionaries and nationals), worship (by Jon and the team here), and some church members sharing. The hall was full, and many stood in line afterward (we were there for over 4 hours) to offer words of encouragement and share tears. That Sunday Pastor Alosha had Jed share the message, and the Lord spoke through him.
The people in the church here have been a wonderful support, and going to Sunday services and being involved has been truly healing. I met with some of the women leaders about two weeks after arriving, and we set up some times for me to share with the women of the church. I did several seminars on child rearing (one just outside of Kyiv at the Calvary Chapel in Borodyanka) and two women's Bible study luncheons including all the women of the church. I have also been privileged to do a fair amount of one-on-one counseling. Yulia (Pastor Alosha's wife) and I have been able to spend some time together. She is young and feels unequal to the task of being a pastor's wife, so we have spent time in prayer, answering questions, and, in one instance, we counseled a young woman with marriage problems together. They (the women and church leadership) have made it clear that there is a place for me here, and I am needed. I don't necessarily take that as a calling from the Lord, but I do receive it as a reaching out from a loving body of believers who for 14 years were our church family.
The National Conference was both wonderful and difficult. There were more in attendance than last year! What a blessing to see all the churches come together and to see the conference led by Pastor Alosha and hosted so well by the Kyiv church. One of the main emphases was missions, and we had, for the first time, tables set up to show the missions the churches are involved in and people there to answer questions. George and Paul Billings did two missions seminars and had a really great response, with several young people standing to show a desire to be used of the Lord in that way. I did one of two seminars with Pastor Alosha on child rearing and discipline (we have so many young families in the church wanting to know how to bring up their children in a godly way), and then I did the general seminar for the women while John Chubik did the one for the men. The study was from Hebrews chapter 11, covering only the "women of faith." At the end I shared about George (I knew they all wanted that personal information) and God's sovereignty, love, and faithfulness. Then I opened it for questions. They asked how God was comforting me and how to deal with loss without bitterness. I knew so many of them; I could look out over their faces and remember their personal losses of husbands, brothers, fathers, grandchildren, and children. It was a precious time of ministry as afterward many came forward for prayer or to offer a word of comfort. Jed shared the final message on Sunday morning. It was so anointed! He reminded us that at the last conference George was there, and it was the 7th conference, a number that indicates completion. This conference was the 8th, a number indicating new beginnings. Before I spoke at the conference I experienced such oppression and depression that I truly questioned whether I could go on. I actually asked the girls (Melanie and Renee) if they would take my place speaking if needed. After I spoke, the oppression lifted, and I felt such a sense of release and victory. I can only praise the Lord for His unfailing love and faithfulness.
Jon is finishing up his master's degree at the Kyiv Conservatory of Music. He took his state piano exam and passed with excellence. He was one of only two foreign students to receive an A. He will defend his master's thesis on June 16 and has been given a recommendation to enter the Ph.D. program in piano performance. We had been praying about his future and what to do. He had a desire to continue to study with his piano professor, and this invitation to continue was necessary in order for him to do that. At the same time, Pastor Alosha approached Jon about the possibility of him leading the worship team here in Kyiv and discipling young musicians for the team. This also would involve outreach concerts in Kyiv and possibly other cities. Once a month he is planning to go to Ternopil to help with the new work George and Sharon are beginning there this August. Just "by chance" (God's appointment?) he was in the church office and received a call for the worship leader. The caller was wanting our worship team to come to Ternopil to lead worship in an outreach there! God is so good to answer and confirm.
The next question we had to face concerning Jon was when he would get married. Before staying in Kyiv became a possibility, he was thinking of getting married this winter. As we talked and prayed, we felt that it would be better for him to get married this July, move to Kyiv with his new bride (Stephanie) in August, find housing (they can stay in our current apartment until they find a smaller, more affordable one) settle in, and be ready to take the entrance exam for the Ph.D. program in October. So plans for the wedding are in the works. Her family is doing wonderfully as they plan for a wedding this July 28th. We are blessed that he is marrying a young lady from a godly home whose family is missions minded, very supportive, and have themselves spent some months in Russia as missionaries when Stephanie was 12.The wedding will take place in New Port Richey, Florida. (For more information on the exact location and times, contact Jon at jonchikm@gmail.com.)
A word on the future for the rest of us (Aaron, Kristen, and me). We will be spending the summer in the States at my mom's home in Grayson, Kentucky. I would like to go through personal papers, notes, etc. I feel I still have stuff scattered over several countries. There has been some talk and prayer about a book being written about George's life. Putting things in order would of course help when it comes to researching such a project. As I need to consider where Aaron and Kristen will begin the school year, I have set the end of August as the time to know what our further plans will be. Some possibilities---Paul and Jed have extended an invitation to come to Bishkek and serve there with them. I would, among other things, work with the women in the church and disciple the young women on the team. Of course, the church here in Kyiv has made it plain that they would like for me to stay (return) and minister here again in a discipling area for women and families. The Scriptures say that "in a multitude of counselors there is wisdom." If any of you have godly counsel for me, I am certainly open.
Prayer requests: Re-entry to the States---especially for Aaron, guidance for the future, the Lord's will about a book on George's life, continued healing and comfort for all of us.
I am so grateful for all of you and for the support and love that you continue to show to us. May the Lord bless you abundantly and continue to guide you in His ways.
In His precious name,
Pamela Markey
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