Dr. Igor Repyakh proudly carries the Army's colours
In the last three weeks several FSAOF members in
Canada and the USA have requested information on current Mission Project. This
is the first time in five years that the FSAOF has not journeyed to Latvia and
the celebrated Christmas with our 53 ‘adopted’ families in Seda and
Sarkarni. We’ve in fact made 12
mission project visits and turned our vision further south to Ukraine and
designated it a FSAOF mission destination.. It’s a country with which I have
some very intimate knowledge in that my then wife Kathie and I ‘opened fire’
there in 1993 and it is in fact the largest country entirely within Europe
Our mission focus is three-fold; a Bible – Music
and Arts Camp in the Crimea, a young people’s band in Kiev’s Light House Corps.
Both projects are under the direction of Salvationist recruited and trained by
me 20 years ago. One is a SA officer and the other two musicians product of the
SA’s very first music camp in Ukraine, and now successful professionals in
their own right, and soldiers of the corps.
Our Christmas mission focus is on a very
different project, it’s on two un-sung heroes
in the Simferopol Corps, Ukraine. We met some very special SA soldiers, Doctors
Igor, his wife Elena and their eldest son, all registered practicing dentists,
but with a unique list of patients.
About eighteen months ago Igor’s and Elena’s
youngest son developed a form of cancer. In order for him to receive the very costly
USA prescriptions and treatment needed they sold everything; their home, their
dental practice, their car, anything that would fetch even a few coins in order
to maintain the treatment. Sadly, in spite of the treatment, their boy
died six months later, and they had lost everything. They still grieve
over the loss of their son. Nevertheless they continue to move forward
resolutely seeking to learn from the cruel lessons the death of their son
presented. They asked God to help them understand and respond to His leading them
through their tragedy.
Captains Zuev and Drs. Igor Repyakh
William Cowper, the English hymn writer, said,
“Grief is itself medicine.” Grieving is a necessary part of God’s pathway to
healing and we can take comfort in knowing that Jesus has experienced all of
our pain. As our good Shepherd, He leads us safely through “the valley of the
shadow of death” (Psalm 23:4b). And we need to remember that a shadow confirms
that there is a light on the other side. Faith in Christ infused their grief
with the hope Jesus promised. It was God’s sign that He has called them to care
for others in a way they had not ever anticipated. They believe God has told
them that He does not want them to return to their earlier relatively
comfortable lifestyle but to move to a new calling.
They now work four days a week voluntarily
providing free dental care particularly for children and the elderly, and also
for others who urgently require dental care but can’t afford it.
Both Igor and Elena travel about the Crimea and
beyond in a seriously dilapidated car, hauling their dental tools and
medications with them, in full SA uniform.
Glad and I traveled with Igor in his 1991 Lada,
and the crunching of gears could be heard well in advance of the car’s arrival.
The car has had 4 major overhauls and the odometer reads 719000 km. (420,000
miles) and its reliability is in question. They receive no SA or other funding
and rely totally on donation, hence our focus on their ministry.
A
bit of background-
A
private message from Ruslan
Zuev,
SA Commander – the Crimea, Ukraine teads:
Hello
brother Sven,
in
our case there are 2 problems. Do you remember the man Oleg who has a minibus
and 5 children. He drove us in his van when you were here, and he delivers food
and clothing for the corps. Oleg broke something in his car and no money for repairs.
Sven Ljungholm
How much $ does Oleg need?
And has Ukraine
reinstated
Paypal? (In 2012 we lost a donation sent to Captain Ruslan Zuev–
Mafia identity theft and Paypal pulled out of Ukraine)
Ruslan Zuev
Hello Sven - to repair the van Oleg need for $ 400 there
many broken
Sven Ljungholm We will send $500.00 using PAYPAL
(Again
the moneys MONEYS WERE STOLEN BY
MAFIA but refunded by Paypal several weeks later subsequent to many emails and
telephone calls)–
Sven Ljungholm
We will try a bank wire! (three weeks and no success)
Ruslan Zuev
Thanks Sven for that that you're helping our people out of
the corps, Oleg and Dr. Igor.
Sven Ljungholm
We will send using Western Union
ещё
раз со словами благодарности от семей из Армии спасения Симферополь. Получено,
согласно банковским выпискам 459,78
долларов США, при обмене в гривны украинские это сумма составила
3774,79. Олег получил 1887 грн.,
Игорь получил 1887 грн.
С
уважением, Зуев Руслан и Зуева Марина. (translation below)
Sven,
December 3, Igor Repyakh received your money in the bank in the amount of U.S.
$ 470, in 3760 Ukrainian hryvnias. Igor and Oleg received 50% each, Igor and
Oleg 1880 hryvnia hryvnia 1880.
Let
God's blessings on you will be generously.
Once
again, Thanks for your help.
Blessings
to you.
_________________________________
DONATIONS:
(Sven & Glad Ljungholm)
August, 2013 given to Dr. Igor in August $150.00
Dec 3 300.00 GBP Pounds $480.00 includes WU fee
Total: $530.00
My hope is that the FSAOF will support Drs. Igor
and Elena Repyakh in the amount of $400.00 per month via WU on or about the 1st
of each month beginning Jan 1, 2014. None of the funds will be diverted to the
SA or any other entity.
If you would like to join in supporting this
unique ministry please consider a one time or monthly recurring gift. All gifts
will be acknowledged publically and a monthly financial statement available
from the FSAOF Treasurer.
Please send your donation to Paypal at selmoscow@aol.com.
The Paypal address displayed will be FSAOF – FORMER SALVATION ARMY OFFICERS
FELLOWSHIP.
Or you may donate by check to:
Sven Ljungholm
202 South
1100 Ponce de Leon Blvd.
Clearwater, Fl. 33756
Many blessings!
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