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| PRESCRIPTION: 4 SHOTS VODKA - INSERT PLIERS - YANK! Ukraine Farm Worker |
The 2014 FSAOF mission focus is three-fold; a
Bible – Music and Arts Camp in the Crimea, a young people’s band recently
formed 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.
Both hold Master's degrees in brass instrument performance.
Our third mission focus is on a very different
activity, it’s on two unsung heroes in the Simferopol Corps, Ukraine. We met
these very special SA soldiers, Doctors Igor, his wife Elena and their eldest
son, all registered practicing dentists, but with a unique list of patients.
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| FREE DENTAL SERVICE CITY SQUARE |
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 in order to maintain the very expensive
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.
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. And they wear a Salvation Army badge
on their dentist lab coats to encourage conversation as they repair the teeth
of people in need.
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 donations, mostly the FSAOF’s, hence our focus on their
ministry.
Ruslan Zuev Commander, Crimea
“Sven, December 3, Igor Repyakh received your
money in the bank in the amount of U.S. $ 470, in 3760 Ukrainian hryvnias.”
Let God's blessings on you be generous.
Once again, Thanks for your help.
Blessings to you. Captain Ruslan Zuev
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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
Jan 2, 2014 $370.00
Total: $1,000.00
The FSAOF has begun receiving donations but we
are at the moment in the red and need your help. All donations will be
acknowledged weekly beginning January 5th.
My hope is that the FSAOF will support Drs. Igor
and Elena Repyakh in the amount of $400.00 per month via WU beginning Feb 1,
2014. None of the funds will be diverted to the SA or any other activity or
project. And no solicitations have been made in the name of the Salvation Army.
The FSAOF has also begun purchasing and
soliciting dental equipment. (see photos)
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 in the blog and in the FB forum and a monthly
financial statement made 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
USA
Sven Ljungholm
21 Bonchurch Dr
Liverpool L15 4PW
OUR MISSION IS TO SECURE FUNDING TO PURCHASE THIS CAR AS A REPLACEMENT FOR THE CURRENT RUSTING LADA - SEE BELOW
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