The Reason for the Big House

When we first bought this house a few years back, it seemed so very, very big, bigger than anything we had lived in, in the US or Ukraine. In fact others teased us about having the "big" house. The time was coming closer and closer to the public school's winter vacation when we had planned another family retreat. Some of the visitors were supposed to be housed at Katrina's and some at our place. But the boiler at Katrina's turned absolutely cranky. Only when it wanted to, did it work. "We can't put anyone in a house that is only 40-some degrees! Where will they sleep?"

Believe it or not, we fit four families into our big house for about five days. God had a reason for letting us have a big house. At times, there were lines for both bathrooms. We overflowed the kitchen when everyone sat down for a meal so tables had to be moved into our ministry/church room. Breakfast was more informal as people came into the kitchen.

The four families lived here during that time; others came and went. Basically each family had its own room to sleep in, with an extra room for the girls upstairs. Here's one of the rooms a family slept in.

Before the arrival of the first guests, we met up with a major problem. Our water ran out. What do you do when you can't flush toilets for 13 people for 12 hours? Dave went after a bucket and got the last bit of water out of the cistern. We ordered a tank of water brought in. Then the pump wouldn't come on. And as I tried to fix lasagna for a Christmas-y meal with fellow Americans, it seemed the food wouldn't cook right, either!! Nonetheless, we all enjoyed lasagna and just as we were heating water to do dishes, the pump decided to give us water from the faucet. What a blessing!

Sunday, the Boyds helped in services. Brother Boyd preached in the morning service. His oldest daughter, Lalia, a GBS student told a story in the children's service.

Monday was the first extra event of the week, a New Year's Eve party for any who wanted to come. Several weren't allowed to come because of it being a major family holiday here. But several did come. We played many games: "Swat," the game where you have to remember another person's name quickly helped everyone get acquainted; "Upset the Fruit Basket" had everybody cracking up;

Pictionary,

Around the World table tennis, charades and mafia.
We wanted to give the youth an alternative to the partying elsewhere, good clean fun and a emphasis on Who everyone needs in the new year, God. One teenager (above) came and left before the party was over. The struggle inside over which way she will take is continuing.

At midnight, we paused, sang two songs, "I'll Say Yes, Lord, Yes" in English and "I Surrender All" in Russian. We prayed asking God to help us in the new year. The neighborhood around us erupted with fireworks, big bursting stars in the sky and small pops. We watched them, played a little bit more and then everyone went home or to bed.

The next day around noon began another family retreat, lasting through Wednesday evening. Pastor Ramon and his family from Kenyazachee were here this time. Here's his youngest child, cute, little Sasha. We had times of service, Bible discussion and prayer. Brother Boyd ministered in the adult services and discussions. Lalia Boyd, Oksana Grishenko and Seth worked with the children.

We don't have pictures of those times because we were too involved. But we pray that God will use this time for strengthening of His people. Here are Tanya, Pastor Ramon and his wife Nadia and their youngest.

After supper on Wednesday we took our table back into the kitchen. Thursday everyone left to go home.