The Big Picture

Ministry opportunities abound in this beautiful country. The first six months we lived here, we wondered if we would ever get settled enough to be of use to God. Yes, there were many different forms of serving that we found ourselves involved in—in minor ways. But the whole scheme of things was oddly out of kilter. Yet, as I look back, I can see God’s loving hand, slowing things down so that we could become acclimated to our new surroundings, comfortable in a different culture, and somewhat attuned to a population still seeking its identity during the early years of democracy and freedom.

Now, Richard is extremely busy with both the YWAM dental van and the CBN clinic. The van is going out on three day mission outreaches at least two times a month. At CBN our dentists are working three days on the weeks when the van is in hiatus and one day on outreach weeks. A recent trip to the village of Ivanivka near Zhitomer proved very successful with our dentists seeing 47 patients and completing close to 100 procedures during our three days there.

Last year, Richard pulled a tooth on a man who works with the sisters at Ivanivka. This year, some more teeth were treated and extracted. The sisters told us how Anatoly had been having toothaches during the past year and treating them only with pain killers. He had told them that he was praying that the nice dentist who had seen him last year would come again because he helped him without creating pain. I am very proud of the kind hearted man I am married to and his devotion to helping those in pain and need.

I accompanied our dentists on this outreach and wondered why I was even along since I didn’t feel really needed. But on Thursday night I received a call from American missionary friends who lived in Zhitomer. They hadn’t realized that I was there but they called to see if we needed any furniture, etc.. To make a long story short, the ministry they were in had finished and without future plans they were thinking about returning to America for good even though they had previously felt called to ministry here. God helped me encourage them and connect a few dots in the big picture. Suffice it to say, they will be returning to Ukraine after a much needed summer’s rest in America. They will be preparing for future ministry by taking Russian classes full time. And I now have a houseful of furniture to use until they are in need of it again.

Because our dentists are so busy and there is a dental facility at the CBN clinic that can be used more productively, we have been praying that God would bring another Ukrainian dentist to work with us. Again, it looks like God has supplied a wonderful man with a heart for Him. A young couple—the man a dentist and his wife a dental student—were mentioned to Richard by two different individuals in a short span of time. They visited the clinic last week. Richard came home very excited about the meeting. He told me that this young man had said that when he first heard the plans for a clinic, he felt it was totally impossible. Standing in the clinic, he was amazed at how God had done the impossible. Richard told him that he should pray and ask God to show him whether he should be involved in the ministry. And his answer was that he felt God already had. By viewing the impossible made possible, he knew where God was leading him. We are now looking for donors who will be willing to provided monthly support so that this young dentist will be able to join Dr. Inna and Dr. Richard.

God is so very good. I keep seeing a great big dot to dot picture in my mind. It is a BIG picture and for now, I can only see just a little part of the finished image. With each new contact and day, God is allowing another dot or two to be connected. Some of the parts that are taking shape are being filled in with colors and details but there are still many, many parts that are indistinguishable. It will be in eternity that the whole picture will finally be viewed in its entirety. How fun the day will be when together with my loving, heavenly Father, I will be able to gaze with amazement at the finished piece of art.

The Nelson's--A year in Ukraine

We have been living in Ukraine for a year now. Time continues to fly by. No more excuses for not updating this blog. Briefly, here is what God has wrought in our world during the past twelve months.

Our first six months, we lived in a three room, 7th floor apartment on the left bank of Kyiv. After twenty-eight years of country living, city living was exciting and challenging. Then in October, God graciously provided a house for us in a small village 60 kilometers from Kyiv. We are getting used to the drive (yes, God also provided a van) and enjoy a quiet, peaceful life away from the rat race in the city.

God also brought a wonderful, young Christian dentist into our lives and supplied money for her support. Jeff Colker who is with YWAM (Youth With a Mission) was impressed to take over Mercy Trucks Internation's dental ministry here. http://www.mercytrucksua.org/

He is a fantastic organizer and the dental van is now being used on a regular basis at a couple of orphanages and on other outreaches. Just last week, the CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network) Emmanuel Ministry's clinic finally received all the government permissions to open our dental clinic. Dr. Inna and Dr. Richard have seen patients for two days now. All dental work is being provided free of charge. The focus is on orphans and other poor, under served children. Our dentists have also treated patients from two different drug rehab programs as well as many poor people in villages. We are hoping to find support for another dentist in the near future.

I spent several days this week going through the 16 boxes that arrived through MEEST. This house has been an amazing blessing as a place to sort and store the humanitarian aid we receive from America and Canada . Several churches and individuals, Smile Alliance International, and others have sent many boxes for the children and widows as well as for us personally. Some dear friends are moving back to the US and they have been donating huge amounts of food, crafts, dishes, things for Smile House and items for distribution to orphanages. So my role of late is to determine what has been donated and with God’s help find the best place for each item. The picture on the right shows a pastor who is recently took these boxes of clothing and shoes to an orphanage with 300 kids in the Zhitomer region. I really love this work. It’s so fun to be able to bless other ministries, orphanages, widows and those in need with the great items which so many of you have lovingly sent. Thank you for your help and support.

Several times I have had the privilege of introducing people from different ministries and they in turn have been able to work together to provide assistance to those in need. I feel it is such a God thing when this happens. Recenty Gateway to Life in Zhitomer arranged for two wheelchairs through Joni and Friends Wheels for the World ministry. The chairs were custom made and delivered to needy individuals whom our friends at YWAM had been desperately trying to help. It is such a joy to be a small part of this and to watch God at work.

Richard and I are working hard to learn Russian but it is very difficult. This morning I put on my skates to get some exercise. Kids in the village often say hello to us but the adults have been more reticent. Yet when I skate I get smiles and waves. A whole family came out to meet me the other morning and I felt like we are finally being accepted here.

Dr. Ed and Pauline Stuedli stayed with us in March and conferred with the chief dentist in Ukraine, Mr. Suzdaltsev and Dr. Borisenko who have received governmental permission to start the first dental hygiene program here. They have permission to start it as early as this September. We appreciated all the information and help this wonderful couple provided and we enjoyed their visit immensely.

The Smile House Project is progressing slowly. The builders are doing a fantastic job. A new roof and addition to the front of the building have been added. Interior walls for the top floor rooms have been built. A recent generous donation is making it possible for the project to continue for the time being. We ask your prayers for wisdom as to how to proceed with this, for us to be aware of God’s will in this matter and for additional funding. It is a huge project and we really believe that God has a plan for this building. We do want to run ahead not go to slow, just let Him lead.

This summer’s plans include helping at some summer camps, several long trips with the dental van, and many outreaches. If any of you would like to join us, we’d love to help you make plans and arrangements. We have room in our home for several people and in time hope to have a team or two come and help us complete the upstairs so teams or individuals can stay here.

This year has been a time for learning to depend on God in many ways. It has been a time of growth and joy. We miss our family and friends in the US but were able to make two trips back. The time spent with our five grand kids, their parents, our siblings, and my mom was very special to us. My internet chats with many of you have kept me sane. And your emails, packages and support are so very much appreciated. We have made many new friends, too. Without the help of our many Ukrainian friends we would not have made it through this year. There has been so much support from the American Christian community here as well. We are going to a couple of study groups each week and enjoy the fellowship immensely. We are so pleased that the ministries here work so well together. God is in the center of all this work and we are very blessed.

The political situation is a mess. Your prayers are desperately needed for this country and its people. The freedoms that they are just beginning to enjoy could so easily be snatched away. It makes us appreciate the freedoms we have lived with all our lives.

May God continue to bless you, may you have the chance to follow your dreams and heart’s desires, and may you find joy in our amazing God.

Vicki and Richard

Smile House--Before and After

In the above pictures pictures you see Smile House as we first saw it in October 2005 and again in November 2006 after the new addition and roof were added. We are excited to see it emerging with a personality of it's own. There is so much potential for good in this facility. Below the front of the building is shown again in the before and after format.

Richard points to the graffiti we found on the wall. It depicts a smiling boy with words that say something like "You are welcome here." Of course, we both instantly thought "It's a sign".

This is the building from the back.

Below is pictured the top floor with the old roof before the walls were raised and after the wonderful new roof was put on it. The construction is entirely different. Yura, our main builder, is making sure that his crew do quality work and they are using very good materials.

Our friends Tanya and Yura and their two boys visited Smile House with us soon after it was purchase in February of 2006. We all joined together as Yura prayed a blessing on it and the people who will come here. The next day Valeriy and Allah Suzdaltsev, our Ukrainian partners, bought us to the building and they sprinkled holy water on it and prayed a blessing over it.

I thought it would be fun to post some pictures of the Smile House Project as it looked when we first saw it compared to the present with the new addition and roof. It is amazing what God has accomplished in a year. We are waiting in anticipation to see where He leads from here. There are so many ways this building can be used to help others in addition to the planned dental clinic. Please that it will go according to God's agenda and not any of ours. Also, pray for the people who will be helped here in the future.

Smile House's New Roof

We were at Smile House over the weekend and the roof is just about done. We are very excited and it really makes the building look LARGE. I guess it actually is. It has gone over the proposed budget by about $6000 because of some extra winterization that needed to be done. We need to hire someone to stay there throughout the winter to protect the building until more funding is obtained. The builders have agreed to take turns there—I wouldn’t want to stay there myself—for a nominal fee. The head builder, Yura, looks very sad—he was the one driving the car. As mentioned previously, the second builder died a couple of weeks ago. Please keep Yura and the others in your prayers.

The work is top quality. I am posting some pictures this morning of the new roof and I will do some comparison photos tonight. Just wanted to get this posted for those of you who have been praying for and supporting this project. Blessings.

November Dental/Medical Outreach to Zhitomer

In September of this year, leaders of four organizations, Mission to Ukraine, Immanuel/Operation Blessing, Youth with a Mission (YWAM) and Smile Alliance International, met to explore the possibility of combining their respective resources to create one large medical-evangelistic outreach to two villages in the Zhytomir region. The reason for this was that both Mission to Ukraine and Immanuel had scheduled medical and dental teams to arrive in Ukraine on almost exactly the same dates in November, and that “coincidence” was felt to be potentially a God Thing.

During the week of November 5-10 the outreach became a reality. A team of physicians, nurses and therapists combined with one of dentists, a dental hygienist and assistants to bring much needed care to two outlying communities, Ivanopyl and Volytsya, both about 90-100 kilometers southwest of the city of Zhytomir in Ukraine. Physical exams, health counseling, eye exams and dental treatments were provided in community buildings that were provided through the efforts of Pastor Peter Levchenko of Central Baptist Church in the town of Chudniv. As part of the outreach, the people who came for treatment were invited to also listen to Christ-centered programs each day during lunch, which was provided. Reportedly, many souls were won to accept and give their hearts to Jesus during these meetings. Praise God for His blessings!

The dental van, operated by YWAM and staffed by Dr. Ina and myself, was brought out to both villages and was used to provide restorative care for many, as it is equipped for the more complicated procedures involved with that. Portable dental equipment was also set up at each visited facility to provide for emergency care such as extractions, and the one hygienist was kept busy doing cleanings and dental health care instructions.
This report is written by Dr. Richard Nelson, a dentist with Smile Alliance International, living in Ukraine and working to help establish the dental programs of both the YWAM dental van and the new medical building operated by CBN/Immanuel/Operation Blessing.

My thoughts on this venture are this:

• First, it is a joy to see the faces of those we are able to help. These people simply do not have either the money or even the access to the services we provide, and their appreciation for what little we do for them is always overwhelming to us.


• Secondly, we had glitches, as always happens, especially when so many people are involved. But everything worked out, maybe not exactly as we had planned, but God’s name was lifted up, with our human efforts being covered with the Blessings of the Holy Spirit, and it was our privilege to be a part of this outreach. I do not know the exact number of people involved, but I can count up at least 24. Most were from the two teams from America. Mission to Ukraine’s team came from the Indianapolis, Indiana area, and the Immanuel team was from the Atlanta, Georgia area. From what I could see, we all had the same purpose, to bring praises to God through our work, and I enjoyed meeting and fellowshipping with those I had time to meet.
  
• Lastly, we were only able to treat a small percentage of the people who came to us hoping for help. It is not easy to have to turn away any one of those dear people. The need is so great in this country, both for physical help, but also for their spiritual needs. We are here because our great God loves and cares for these people, and His love compels us to strive to help, not in our own efforts but in His power and in His Spirit. We know God is doing something here in Ukraine, and it is awesome to see. May God be praised for His Greatness, and for allowing us to be a part of His plan

Tragic Accident

On October 14 several of the builders on the Smile House project were in a traffic accident when their car was hit by a bus. One man was killed and another seriously injured. It has been a bery difficult time for the head builder who was driving and for the whole team. They were all close friends and/or family.

Update November 22, 2006: During the second week in November the second young man died from massive head and internal injuries. Please pray for the remaining builders, their families, and the project. Thank you.

Update on Smile House

Richard and I just returned from three plus weeks in the United States. It was wonderful to visit with our family and friends. We made some new friends as well. And our new grandson was born. What a joy to be able to be there. He waited two extra weeks to arrive so that we would be able to share in the joy of his arrival. What a kid!!!!!!!!

On September 8, Mr. S sent pictures of Smile House that he had taken that day. As you can see, the new addition is attached to the front of the building. The top floor has been raised a meter and a half. And the new roof should be started by now. We will find out more today. Funds are running low but we know that God has a plan for this building and in His time it will be completed. We are hoping to get it enclosed by winter so visiting teams and local volunteers can help us during the winter months. Windows and doors will be a large expense. Sasha, the contractor, estimates that windows will cost up to $21,000 and doors (there are 75 or more) will be around $16,000. If we make smaller windows in the ends of the building it will cost less.

Thanks for your interest in the project. If you know of anyone who might like to help with funds, please contact us at Smilealliance@yahoo.com or Smile Alliance P.O. Box 240 Cle Elum, WA 98922.

Mercy Trucks and Dr. Ina

The Mercy Trucks web site is now up and running http://www.mercytrucksua.org/ . Jeff and Greg Colker will be in the US for almost two months and during that time will be talking to churches and organziations in order to help raise support for the Colker Family www.colkerfamily.org and for the Mercy Truck ministry here in Ukraine. Richard and I will also be in the US for three weeks and during that time will talk to a couple of churches. There will be a fundraising picnic in Cle Elum, Washington on September 10 in support of the Smile House project. Please keep these projects in your prayers and if you are impressed to help with any of them, donations can be made through Smile Alliance International P. O. Box 240 Cle Elum, WA 98922.

Dr. Ina has been helping get the Mercy truck ready for ministry when we return. In the August 1 post I told some of her story. God has provided some funds for her support but the monthly pledge of $220, although really wonderful, is a small amount to live on in this inflationary economy. Please keep her situation in your prayers as well.

August 15 Pictures and Update on Smile House

Last Tuesday, our friends Ted and Virginia, took us out to the Smile House project so we could take pictures. The builders are really going to town. They are doing an excellent job and have the front section almost built. They are raising the roof a little more than a meter. You can see this in the pictures. It is always great to see the progress.

We just found out that we have to buy a transformer for electricity and it is needed ASAP. It will cost almost $11,000. The funds for the building hopefully will pay for a roof. If you have any ideas of how we can get funding or if you feel inspired to help, please write to me at smilealliance@yahoo.com or Smile Alliance International at P. O. Box 240 Cle Elum, WA 98922. Donations to SAI are tax-deductible.

YWAM Dental Ministry Update

Today we had a very interesting and productive meeting with Jeff Colker who is going to head the dental ministry for YWAM in Ukraine. Both Richard and I feel that Jeff's organizational skills and business sense are God ordained. We also feel that God has orchestrated this long ago. The ministry will be run efficently and effectively so more underserved people can be helped and God's love can be spread in this land. Praise God!

SAI Dental Projects in Ukriane as of August 2006

Here's an update on our dental projects in Ukriane at this time. Smile House is being renovated. The final architect plans are done and a new addition and a new roof are being put on it. (See the last post.) Then we will see what happens as the funds are running low. In the meantime, God has been putting a lot of things together. YWAM (Youth With a Mission) was given a dental van. When our June team came from Loma Linda and Pennsylvania, we used it in three villages in the Zhytomer area. (See http://smilealliance.blogspot.com ). We spent yesterday getting it ready and organized. This van really needs some basic dental instruments and handpieces as well as supplies. All the dental work at Smile House will be free of charge and will be only on orphans and underserved children when our clinic is done. For now it will still be free but YWAM includes adults who cannot otherwise have treatment done. We’d like to do that at Smile House but we will be swamped just with kids. The needs are so HUGE. But we serve a very big God and He is doing phenomenal things to put this all together so He may have other plans.

Last week, God brought a wonderful lady dentist, Dr. Ina, who is a committed Christian. We heard about her through another organization who heard about her from a friend of a friend. This is the way God works. She worked in a children’s clinic and then quit to go for nine months of Bible training at the Hillsong Church in Kyiv. Her heart is to serve the children of Ukraine and although she is a young, single mother, she is willing to work for very little. She says that God has been providing for her and will continue to. She speaks some English and loves children. There has been $220 committed each month for a dental assistant. She is going to work with Richard assisting and also doing dentistry on the van a day or two a week as the funds permit. Legally, he has to work with a Ukrainian dentist until we can get him licensed here—that is being worked on as well.

Also, Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) has been given a building for medical outreach and they have offered to let us use one or two rooms in it for a clinic if all the details can be worked out. We can use the equipment we sent over on the container. Also, they partner with a church which sends out a medical van and twenty or more physicians, two or three weekends a month all over Ukraine. The YWAM van may accompany them if we can help schedule dentists to go along. We would like to help them organize this.

So Richard can work on the kids even now until Smile House comes together. We have talked to many organizations and people are eagerly waiting for us to have a regular schedule. There are a number of dentists from the US ready to come on a short term basis when we have places for them, and we have met a number of Ukrainian dentists who may volunteer a day or two a year. We do have portable equipment we can work with as well. We still need supplies and instruments although we have some—our main instruments either disappeared in shipment or didn’t get shipped. We will look for them when we visit the US. We will be in Oregon and Washington during the first three weeks of September. If anyone is interested in having us talk to a club, church or just individuals about Ukraine, we would be happy to if we can schedule it. Please let us know ASAP if you are interested.

Final Plans for Smile House

We picked up the final plans from the architect last week. The top picture is the drawing from the front of the building and the next two pictures view the building from the south side. The roof will be pointed. The original idea was to have dormers on the building so we could put a dormitory under the roof. Instead, the roof has been raised over a meter in height and an addition is being added to the front. This arrangement has resulted in eight dorm rooms, each with its own bathroom including a shower. The architect came up with an unique arrangement for the staircase so each room will have its own entrance. I have included that drawing here. You can see the original plans on www.SmileAlliance.org which desperately needs to be updated.

This is the drawing for the basement. There will be utility rooms, a computer lab at the front, storage and recreational rooms.

This drawing is for the dental clinic. Because of governmental codes, we had to put in a surgery room for extractions--this includes both waiting and recovery rooms. It is on the right side at the back of the building. There are a couple of extra rooms on the right which may eventually be used for more dental operatories. The Office and reception areas are in the new addition on the front.

Included on the second floor are two kitchens (one for preparation and one for clean-up as defined by codes), a prayer room, an apartment for visitors staying for a period of time, a cafeteria, and a large meeting room.

The top floor includes 8 dorm rooms with bathrooms, a meeting/common room, and a balcony.

We were impressed with the way the architect designed the little bridges at the top to get our guests to the outside rooms. Remember, this is an unfinished house but the staircases and inside walls were already in place.

We are very excited about the possibilities for Smile House. But we also want it to be God's plan and design. We feel that He brought the architect to us and although he was not our first choice, his designs turned out to be even better than we imagined.

This final view is looking down on the SAI property in the future. It shows Smile House, proposed outbuildings and landscaping.