Bryan Shufelt

I woke up this morning and saw it was foggy, and on closer look saw little white flakes falling to the ground…  I thought it was great!  It’s been a bit warm, so the ground has been green or muddy, but now, I thought, it will be white again .  Then I had to go out in it .  Don’t get me wrong, I love cold weather, and I love snow, but when you’ve been outside waiting for that 22 bus to come by for 15 minutes, one begins to think, ‘then again maybe not…’  :-P  :-)

My language lessons have started, and again God confirmed to me that he had no special gifts for me in that area…  :-)  I have learned all but 6 letters (the Ukrainian alphabet has 32 letters), and I am working on about a 2 dozen word vocabulary (in addition to the few words I already knew).  My writing assignments are the most interesting due to the similarities between the Cyrillic and Roman letters.  For instance the English lower letter ‘g’ makes the ‘duh’ sound in Ukrainian.  Several other letters are similar in cursive, but not…  So there have been many times when I’m writing away then one hears a ‘ARGGGHHH,’  (I’m a bit vocal in my frustration when I’m by myself)  Ahh, the joys that come from the curse at Babel…  (I’m understanding more and more of the meaning of the curse)  :-)

I am able to help out the CBC course by picking up the mail at the post office (it’s really close to my language lessons).  It’s great to be able to help in that area!  I look forward to the time when my Ukrainian is good enough were I can help with the grading and correspondence part.

Josh and I are heading to Kyiv next week.  He will be getting something done with his passport, and I will be registering wit the embassy.  We leave Tuesday night and get back Wednesday night.

I appreciate your prayers in regard to my housing situation.  It looks like I’ll be at the Ministry Center for a few weeks till we find a roommate, then if needed, find an apartment.  The nice thing is that, as of this afternoon, I am no longer living out of suitcases!  I used some shafa (dresser) space, and put it to good use .

The English Club went well last night.  We had 3 guys come for the English part, then all 3 stayed and 1 lady came for the Ukrainian Bible Study!  Afterward one of the guys was asking Josh a lot of questions about the Bible!  We pray that this interest will continue to grow, and that it will lead him to the point of salvation.  Thank you for your prayers in regards to this ministry!

I am needing to head out (the buses will stop running soon), so I’ll stop my post here.  Thank you so much for all your prayers for me.  God is great, and has much in store for me here!  May God’s light shine through each one of you!

They start in an hour and a half!  :-)

I was reading yesterday’s update and realized how choppy it was…  Sorry about that .  I didn’t have a whole lot of time, and their was a lot of activity around me .  Let me clarify a few things I said…

In regards to housing, I will be staying at the Ministry Center for a little longer then anticipated.  The gentleman I was going to be rooming with had to withdraw his offer.  So, Josh is now putting the word out to see if there might be anyone else with whom this situation will work.  Thank you for your prayers in this matter.

I need to start getting ready for language, so, till next time…

Today I was able to go to Greater Grace.  It’s a church in L’viv.  There were 2 sermons preached.  (Thankfully Josh translated for me).  The first one was about Light and Dark (John 12:35-50).  It was by a visiting pastor.  The second one was about our need to spend time with Christ.  Just as an engaged couple looks forward to the time they spend together (and find time at all cost), so should our relationship with Christ be.  It was very good.

Yesterday, I was able to do some walking around my part of L’viv.  I was trying to find Center, but somehow I missed it.  I now have an atlas, so it should be easier to figure these streets out…  We’ll see

I start Language lessons tomorrow.  I’ll let y’all know how I’m doing.

Due to unforeseen situations, my housing situation is unknown.  For the time being I will be staying in the Ministry Center.  Please be in prayer for guidance in finding the right housing situation.

Till next time…

A lot has happened that I wanted to update about, but first the pix I promised…

Working on Lesson 13 of the Chronological Bible Course in English

Lunch at the Ministry Center

Yes, that is snow outside .  We do drink bottled water, as there’s a lot of junk in the tap water.  the bread here is more dense then in the states, also there are less preservatives apparently, as it can start molding within a week.  Bananas are available, as they are imported.  The green bag is crackers.

Tuesday morning I saw the sun out!  I believe that was the first time I saw it since I arrived .  There were almost no clouds in the sky.  It was amazing.  Hopefully, the Son is more visible in our lives, then the sun is here in the sky .

I will be starting language lessons next week.  I will be taking lessons on M, W, & F from 1730-1900 (9:30a-11a CST).  If you think about during those times, please lift me up before the throne.  As many of you know, even if you believe in the present day gift of tongues, I do not possess it, or anything even close .  But, the great news is that God can still perform miracles!

Each Tuesday night we have an English Club/Ukrainian Bible study at the Ministry Center from 1900-2100 (As you can see, I am trying to adapt to the European way of 24 hr time, instead of the American 12 hr way).  This would be 11am – 1pm CST on Tuesdays.  We are asking people interested to pray for these meetings each Tuesday at 11am CST.  If this is something you would be interested in, we would be greatly appreciative.  As I am living at the Ministry Center for the next few days, I was the only one there when the first young man showed up.  Thankfully English Club is first, so he could speak some English .  His name is Bohdan, and it was fun to try to spell his name in Ukrainian, then let him correct my spelling  I look forward to being able to communicate more clearly in Ukrainian.  Unfortunately, this week, we did have the Ukrainian Bible study as the Steele’s lost power that afternoon, and Josh wasn’t able to get all of the necessary preparations done. (It amazing how much we rely on electricity)  So after the English part, we fellowshipped for a while, then the 3 guys that showed up left.

Wednesday afternoon, I went with Josh to the Post Office to mail out a bunch of lessons for the Chronological Bible Course (CBC).  Josh explained to me the Ukrainian method of being in line.  When you come to a line, the first thing you want to do is find out who is at the end of the ‘line.’  After establishing your position in the ‘line,’ you are then able to do whatever else you need to do (i.e. go to the bank, pick up some groceries, etc.), and you position in line is safe.  When you get back, just find the person you’re behind and wait for your turn…  In some ways it is nice, but in the other way, if you didn’t know better, you may think there are only 2 people in front of you, but then *boom* 6 other people show up in front of you.  It could be almost funny…  if you’re not in a hurry  

If you aren’t familiar with this blog, you can subscribe (means when I add a new post you get an email notification) by click on the subscribe button on the right side of this page…  (If I was tech enough, I would have a click here button, but y’all know I’m not )  Anyway, I’m working on get this site a little more updated, so you may notice a few things different…

Until next time…

I got my Ukrainian cell phone today, and again this morning it was snowing

I took some pics today, but it looks like I am going to do that later, because I forgot to upload them to my computer.

God bless, Bryan

This morning we had a church service at the Beal’s house.  We sang several hymns, had a scripture reading from Bro. Jessie, and Josh brought a message on Biblical leadership.  We are currently finishing a run through on a new lesson of the Chronological Bible Course.  Praise God, I have had almost no difficulty in the physical aspect of adapting here (so far)

Josh talked to the gentleman I’ll be rooming with, and since he currently has a cold, I will be waiting about a week to move in with him.  Currently I am staying in the Ministry Center.  We’ll be getting with Veronica (my language teacher) next week to set up lesson times…

Until next time…

Wanted to let all of you know, thank you so much for your prayers!  I am experiencing little to no jet lag, so PRAISE GOD!  It is a great blessing   We’ll be having church tomorrow at the Beal’s so I’ll be able to understand everything

It was snowing this morning, so that was cool

I’ve got to head back to the apartment now, just wanted to send a quick update.    Again thank you for all the prayers, God is answering!

Thank you all for your prayers for my safe arrival to Ukraine.  I arrived in L’viv on time and without incident.  It is currently 8:30pm in L’viv (8 time zones ahead of CST).  I will enjoy a good, full night of sleep tonight .  I would write more, but my vocabulary is waning (thank God for spell check !)

Until next time, God bless!

Today is my last full day in the USA.   I may not have time to post any thinguntil my flight arrives in L’viv, so here is the info on that…  I am leaving from DFW at 12:09pm (CST) Thursday afternoon, and will be arriving in L’viv at 3:40pm (7:40am CST) on Friday.  Please pray that the flight goes well, that my body will adjust to the time, temperature, and climate changes quickly.  Quick facts: L’viv (or L’vov in the Polish spelling) is 8 time zones ahead of CST, weather.com is predicting the temperature range for the next few days to be between 17 and 34 degrees (Fahrenheit), and there is supposed to be light snow for the first few days I’m there .

I am giving my testimony and explaining my ministry tonight at Fairpark Baptist Church, pray would be appreciated.

So far everything is going great in preparations for my departure.  I will be prayed over and sent out of Fairpark Baptist Church after the morning service on Sunday Jan. 11th.  There will be a farewell party/gathering after the afternoon service (around 3pm ish) on that same day at Fairpark (6000 Crowley Rd, Fort Worth, TX).  Y’all are invited to attend.   I also have the privilege of presenting my plans for the work in Ukraine on the Wednesday service on the 14th (the night before I leave).  Thank you for all the prayers that have been lifted before the Throne on my behalf.  It is a great encouragement to me.

God Bless!