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- We are a team of people trying to reach people in Ufa and Bashkortostan in Russia. It is no small task and we want your support!
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Saturday, November 27, 2010
A Thankful Week in Review
5:15 AM | Posted by
TeamUfa
Psalm 107:1
“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."
God has certainly been good to us in Ufa this year and our team enjoyed celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday this week with each other and with friends. Between all of us, we're blessed to have a pretty big network of friends around the city and it was great to share this holiday with them!
Early in the week, the Woodalls were able to celebrate by inviting some friends over for dinner. Tara writes:
This Thanksgiving started out a little unusual for us. In the past, being Americans, we of course have always planned a week or two ahead of time what we would cook, who would come, and what each other person would bring. This year we first had a very difficult time deciding what day of the week we would be able to celebrate with local friends. The evenings we had available did not match up with the evenings we thought others would be available, so we decided to just invite a couple of friends and hope they could make it. I planned a meal that was American (though not a traditional Thanksgiving meal) and yet was not so far from what the people in this area are used to. For the first time ever, I had no idea how many people to expect. As the day progressed, we learned that our friends could come, but not their whole families. So we invited a few more people who were able to come at “the last minute,” though this phrase does not have the same meaning in Russia! It turned out to be a wonderful meeting of some old and new friends. We were able to share how much we have to thank God for and to just enjoy being together.
On Wednesday, Allison and two American students cooked a traditional Thanksgiving meal for their Wednesday night “supper club”. Plenty of laughter, food, and of course tea, were on the menu for the evening. One of the students shared with the group why we celebrate Thanksgiving and each person then shared things for which she is thankful.
On Thursday afternoon, all of the Americans got together for a great meal at Chris and Eileen’s house. The feast started around two and most didn’t leave until around eight. We don’t all get together as a group very often, but when we do, it is always fun!
We’re thankful to the Father for sweet times of fellowship with each other this week and for the opportunities to share that with others. We’re also thankful for the opportunity to be in this city and share His message. Please join us in thanking Him this week for what He has done and has yet to do here.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Thankful Hearts
We have so much to be thankful for in Ufa! God has blessed us in so many ways. Please pray for us this week as we will have many opportunities to share God's love with people as we talk about and celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday.
Last week we got started early with the November women's club. This month we had a Thanksgiving theme. We had lots of wonderful food, fun games, and Eileen talked to us about being thankful to God. She talked about the practice in the Old Testament of building altars to show thankfulness to God. On each table was a basket of rocks. We went around the table and each person had the opportunity to say something for which she was thankful. After sharing, each lady took a rock from the basket and placed it on top of the pile on the table. After everyone had shared, we realized we had built our own altar. It was really neat to see this visual reminder of God's graciousness. Even the nonbelievers in the room acknowledged that these blessings they had received came from someone bigger than themselves.
We're thankful for you and your burden for our city and its residents. Pray this week for open hearts as we eat and fellowship together with friends and neighbors.
Last week we got started early with the November women's club. This month we had a Thanksgiving theme. We had lots of wonderful food, fun games, and Eileen talked to us about being thankful to God. She talked about the practice in the Old Testament of building altars to show thankfulness to God. On each table was a basket of rocks. We went around the table and each person had the opportunity to say something for which she was thankful. After sharing, each lady took a rock from the basket and placed it on top of the pile on the table. After everyone had shared, we realized we had built our own altar. It was really neat to see this visual reminder of God's graciousness. Even the nonbelievers in the room acknowledged that these blessings they had received came from someone bigger than themselves.
The food was great as usual!
Singing 'Happy Birthday'!
Games!
Building our altar.
We're thankful for you and your burden for our city and its residents. Pray this week for open hearts as we eat and fellowship together with friends and neighbors.
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