CHRISTMAS JOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Praise God!!!!!!!! We had excellent time for joy in Christmas!!!!!!
We are visit seniors and make a sweet presents and package with food. They were very happy!

Some people are really cried. It was Great Joy for them!!!!!!!
And we are did party for seniors and Kids also. Seniors and Kids together!!!!!!
It was a Big celebration of Christmas with good food and sweet presents for kids!!!!!!Praise God for this opportunity to give Joy for people in Christmas Day!!!!!!

Thanks my dear God!!!!!!!




Here is a letter I received from Lenya today. It is such a blessing to me because the people in these photos are people that I know and have had the privilege of helping. Over the Christmas when we celebrate with such excess, I often find myself thinking of these very friends. It is a blessing to me to know that although we are on the other side of the world, the church is lifted up and God is glorified..... You know what I think? I think that God can actually do it without us, he just likes to have us along for the company !

When one hurts .......

Saints

Just a note to inform you that Ed Dickson's father passed away this morning. ( Christmas)

I have no information beyond that. I will call him before I leave for Europe tomorrow.
Blessings

Pastor Ron


"The church doesn't have a mission, the mission has a church."

Christmas comes to Marshmallow

On a couple of occasions this fall we had the opportunity to take teams to the village orphanage. We brought treats for the kids and even cooked them a good Canadian meal which is becoming a tradition (hot roast beef sandwiches, mashed potatoes and veggies) there are always's a few kids that stick out, usually for their outgoing personality. One young boy stood out because he was not comfortable like the rest. He was almost in a panic mode, he ate everything he could find, cleaning up the plates of everyone around him. One of the teams named him Marshmallow because of his appetite for marshmallows. It almost felt like a survival instinct for him. It makes you wonder what went on in this boys past that would make him this way. I wanted to know, but I did not want to ask, Maybe I did not want to know the answer.

Hear is an email I recieved today from Sergi and Anya.

Oh John and July.

Your e-mail touch us. Is be bless for us.

About Village orphanage.

We want send for you foto with kids from the village. This is in Christmas Day. Wow, is be very , very nice day for all us. We are play, the kids danced. The director did the fancy dress for kids. One manš he is Korean bless for orphanage šthe sewing-machine before Christmas party , and director try did fancy dress in night. She did. We by little presents for kids and for workers. They was very happy. After party we all go in outside and Sergey did nice salutes WOW WOW WOW. If you saw how the kids was happy. And they many time said WOW WOW WOWš Jš Is nice and our heart isš was happy and now I remember they smile šJš and our too J

And we finish this all party with goose Jš You can saw it.

God bless you.

Sergey, Anya and kids .

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

For My Liberal/NDP (and perhaps Bloc….depending on the
day) Friends:

"Please accept with no obligation, implied or
implicit, our best wishes for an environmentally
conscious, socially responsible, low-stress,
non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the
winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most
enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of
your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with
respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or
traditions of others, or their choice not to practice
religious or secular traditions at all.

We also wish you a fiscally successful, personally
fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of
the generally accepted calendar year 2007, but not
without due respect for the calendars of choice of
other cultures whose contributions to society have
helped make Canada great, not to imply that Canada is
necessarily greater than any other country, and also
without regard to the race, creed, color, age,
physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference
of the wishes.

By accepting these greetings you are accepting these
terms. This greeting is subject to clarification or
withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no
alteration to the original greeting. It implies no
promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the
wishes for herself or himself or others, and is void
where prohibited by law and is revocable at the sole
discretion of the wisher.

This wish is warranted to perform as expected within
the usual application of good tidings for a period of
one year or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday
greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is
limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a
new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher."


For My Conservative Friends:

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Needs met.

Hello Dear John.
Thank you what you want help for Lora. But she now not need money, because Sam sand for us, but I ‘m glad what you and your heart is open for bless and for help for other people. God bless you, my brother and sister.

With love Sergey, Anya and kids.


I am thankfull for all of you who stepped up to the plate to help Laura, but I am more thankfull to God for front line workers like Sergi and Anya who are there on our behalf.....It is a real credit to their integrity that they would email and turn down an offer for financial support for this need as Sam (P.I.) had already taken care of it. This is one of the reasons I KNOW that when they ask for help, it is serious. Lets remember to hold them up in prayer
Blessings John

Update from Sergey & Anya

Hello.
Last night Lora's great-grandmother is die.
Larissa (lady who help for Lora) today did all document for what
great-grandmother is die. Tomorrow will be funeral. Lora hasn't money
for that, but Larissa to borrow $100 from one lady, and after 4 days she
need give back $100 for this lady.
Lora now is OK. Tonight she will sleep with friend's house.
God bless you.
Sergey, Anya and kids.

P.S.
One is good, what Larissa did inheritance. And now this house where Lora
live for document Lora is heir-at-law. Big thank for God what Larissa
did it.

We (P.I.) are making arangments for permanant sponcership for Laura. If you would like to help until that time,or you are interested in sponcership,please contact Sam at
sammyweltenpi@yahoo.ca
Blessings John

Sad News

I just received the following e mail

Hello John and Julie!
sad news:
Lora's granny died just 1 hour ago.
Larisa said that yesterday she brought food to them
and everythink was ok.
Tanya (larisa daughter came to me now to participate
the youth seminar)
I also called to Sergey.

ok
I will send to more later
Olga


My heart breaks for Laura. This lady took Laura in and gave her everything she could. This is the only family that Laura knows.
Please join with us in remembering this situation in prayer.

Pray for peace for Laura. and that she may lern to rely on her new faith for strength.
Pray for wisdom for our workers there as they help her.
Pray that the house be secure, and that Laura does not loose the house.
Pray for direction for Laura , and what God wants for her.

Thankyou God that you enabled us to do our part, and that we can know that her final days were in comfort in a clean warm house , with food in her stomic. Something she had not experienced in many years.

Blessings John

Edventures part two

THE DREAM OF THOUSANDS OF ORPHAN CHILDREN

The 6th Annual McJoyful Christmas
will be starting on December 24th!

One AMAZING group (motivated by
the wild Elliott brothers) has raised
over $10,000 already!

Remember, just $10 will give an
orphan child a trip to McDonalds,
a Happy Meal and a year's supply
of vitamins!

And the greatest gift of all ... each child will know that they have a 'Daddy' in
heaven who loves them VERY much!


THE DREAM OF A YOUNG UKRAINIAN LADY




When I first met my wife, Natasha,
she was singing on the worship team
of the BIG church in Kiev.

Today, she is the worship leader of
that church (with more than 25,000
members) ... her worship team alone
has more than 170 people!

It really is awesome, because she
never 'clawed' for the position, she
knew it would be hers if it was God's
will for her life. WOW! I told a friend a while ago, "You know, I think my wife
actually has bigger potential than I do!" He said, "Ed, you just noticed that now?!"

Well, my friends, I'm glad that I believe ... and that YOU have helped me (and
those around me here) to continue to believe that dreams really CAN come true!

With love, IN Jesus' mighty name,
Ed

Loads of Love
76 Sandys Street
Chatham, ON, N7L 4Y5
Email: edward_dickson@yahoo.com
On the web! www.loadsoflove.org

" ONLY IN CANADA YOU SAY"

As many of you already know, every December I go to Toronto to sell Christmas trees. Now I am not a city person, but this "Neighbourhood" is really quite interesting. There are so many different nationalities and cultures there. I get lots of opportunity to practice my Russian . On the tree stand today, I saw, what was to me, a most parcular sight . Two young men came into the stand. They showed the occasional public display of affection toward each other, but the interesting thing is that one was in full orthodox Jewish clothing with his hair in ringlets. I was a little surprised when I saw this and finally I could not help myself but I approached the subject ........ No, not that one...I may be from the country but I'm not stupid.....I asked if he was a practicing Jew, and said I was surprised to be selling him a Christmas tree! His friend piped up,"That's nothing, I am a Muslim Arab". Well I told Julie about this little adventure when I got home tonight, and she promptly pointed out to me that the ironic part is that their historically Pagan Based Christmas tree " was just sold to them by a Born Again Spirit filled Christian......... ON A SUNDAY.....Ops.

EDventures

To contact Ed or to learn more, follow the Loads of Love link located on the right side of blog.

THE DREAM OF A CHILD IN DNEPROPETROVSK, UKRAINE


Vadeem believes that someday he
will have a laptop computer. That's
QUITE A DREAM for a handicapped
orphan boy living in a building once
called, "The Place that God Forgot".
But, you know, we've got to keep
pushin' these kids to dream BIG!

Vadeem recently painted a picture
and when I saw it I was stunned.
Seriously, it's AMAZING! So I
thought, let's put it up for auction
and see what happens! If you'd like to buy this oil painting, please send me a bid
by email AND I'll deliver the painting, in person, when I'm in Canada in March!
This could be the start of EDbay! :)

THE DREAM OF A MISSIONARY FROM CANADA



When I left Canada, in 1996, the
most difficult thing was to leave my
two little children behind. It's easy
for me to make sacrifices in life, but
when it affects people you love, it's
more difficult.

So, when my son Jonathan (who is
now 19 years old and wears size 15
shoes!) came to visit me in Ukraine -
it really was a DREAM COME TRUE!

We also traveled, from Ukraine, to China! I taught in our new college there and
we even ate dog meat! That's more exciting for the son than for the Dad :)

God once told me, "Ed, you do My will, and I will keep your children in My hands".


THE DREAM OF A MAN IN AFGHANISTAN

One of my CRAZY friends, a doctor
living in Afghanistan, wants to start
a new clinic that will help kids there
... and believes that he can change
thousands of lives!

xxxxxxxxx
wants to partner with him and he's
pushin' him to dream even BIGGER!

My question ... We've got troops in
Afghanistan ... don't you think we
should join these two characters and show Afghan people what Canadian Christians
really believe and do? I do! I will be going back to Afghanistan in 2007 to kick
start this new initiative. Will you PARTNER with us?

Mrs. Dumpling at new home

I just realized that I had lots of information about the dumplings story on the sight, but had no photo's so here is a photo of she and her daughter with Scotty and I infront of new house.

And the work goes on !

Hello my dear friends!!!!!!
My heart is burning, because God give me a Great Joy!!!!!
One more man became to God!!!!!! His name is Leonid. He is blind
It’s was miracle for me!!!!!
One Lady from church said to me : Go to Leonid please,
he want see you and talk with you.
Next day was day of salvation for him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I came with my helper to clean his home and Leonid said that hi want be a Christian.
We was pray about it. And he is believer now!!! Praise God!!!!
When we are finish clean we are cook dinner for him: Fish and potato.
When I visit him in next time he ask me:Can I give some money for church. I ask him:Why you want do this? He said: I don’ know,
but I know that Christian people give money to church.
And after I read to him Bible (Mal.3:10).
And Leonid give to me 10th part of his pension.
It’s not so big money, but it’s very precious things
for Leonid. He is give it to God!!!!!!
Last week, I visit some blind people in xxxxx city ( 20 min from Town)
It’s terrible. It’s very bad conditions and this people can’t see.
I visit one man, he is blind, deaf and along. I so sad!!!! This man never saw sky, trees and flowers. I can’t believe. When I saw how he seek food on the table, I was cry.
Christmas is very soon. We are get ready and buy some presents for seniors.
We want do Christmas celebration for seniors and kids. It will be 26th of December. Alleluia!!!!!

My friends, pray for us please, we are need in this!!!!!!
I love you so much!!!!!!!

With love in Jesus
Lena


P.s. Look at the photo of the helper. It looks like Mrs. Dumpling (Mother of the family living in the house that Scotty campained for.

"And when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them "

Food safety is not allways a big concern in central Asia. Many times, as a guest of the country, you have absolutely no idea what it is that you are eating. For me though, I could taste and even enjoy any meal, if they would just leave out the green stuff. It was every where, in every meal. The first day or two it was even palatable, but after a month, It would arrive on my plate, there it was greeting me, this disgusting wet sloppy green stuff. And if it could be left in one piece so I could remove it easily and graciously that would be one thing, but this stuff had a way of infesting every sq. Inch of every plate. I tried as I might to be thankfully, but my heart is not that pure, I wish it was but it's not. I tried asking for it to be left of my plate " Pashalsta Minya nyet hachoo зеленый. Minya ete nyet nravitza" No green for me please, I don't like it." they just gave me more. I'm told it is dill. I am a cook, I know Dill, This was not dill. It tasted more like......um.....let see.......you know the bitter part of a walnut in the center that you only ever eat once?...Even now to think of it turns my stomach.
I'm curious what meals some of you have experienced while traveling.

Smile

When the team was finished cleaning and painting apartment #1 in the village, we all went to the market with lists in hand. It is quite an experience for the team to try to find the items on there list. One thing that kept coming to robin was "A happy face" she told us all to be on the lookout for a happy face. As we went about in the market, we found everything but a happy face. We purchases new dishes , pots pans, glasses blankets carpets.... And the list goes on. As we were heading out of the market, Robin spotted the pillow, more importantly the happy face. We returned to the apartment and put on the finishing touches. The new vinyl floor, the carpets, the kitchen set up and the beds made. We like to personalize, so on the bed where the little girl and her mother sleep, we put a bunch of toys and little girl things.
When the family arrived home for the unveiling, the little girl stood there and could not believe her ewe's . She had a dream about a blue furry pillow with a happy face on it, but never in her wildest dreams did she think her dreams would ever come true. You know, it's true God delights in giving us the desires of our hearts.

Check out Sams Blog.

http://www.possibilitiesinternational.blogspot.com

A place in my heart !

As many of you have seen from the recent posts, The village orphanage is very dear to my heart. There are a few opportunities here that I want to high light. The big one is that many of us have been working to help them purchase the building from the Government. Well we are almost there. The Government has finely agreed and has set a price. $25 000. So far have $23 800 Its so close, I can taste it. I have reposted some previous Blogs that show the progression of this project.
_________________________________________

From there we went to village orphanage. This was the orphanage that the Gov. Was trying to close . Rather than finding an "Orphanage", we found a young couple with three of there own kids trying desperately to look after 17 other kids off the street. We brought them A washing machine, and three space heaters , and made arrangements to go back this week with local work crews the install heating and water.
For us , we had not given it a hole lot of thought, when we each threw in $50 for this extra pojet, but were relay brought back to reality when we watched this lady break down and weep. The deadline for the closing of the orphanage was only a week away, and they would have all been on the street. It was quite a sight, we were all crying, We had a celebration fewest cooked there and had lunch with them, then played some games and handed out crayons and paper for all the kids. We also left Tooth brushes and tooth past for them. We will be going back there for a few days.
Blessings John (Oct 2005)
_______________________________________

THE REST OF THE STORY !

In my last newsletter, I mentioned an
orphanage in Central Asia where we
had helped to put running water into
the building, fix the heating system
and do some renovations.

This was not a Christian orphanage,
in fact, the leaders were Muslim.

The pastor of the small village church
actually invited us to the orphanage
because the director did not want
her doing 'church' stuff with the kids
and she said, "If we can help them
change this horrid place, they may,
little by little, open up to us."

I just received the news ... This week
... This amazing director and one of
her staff, went to a church cell group
meeting and received Jesus Christ!

WOW ! PRAISE THE LORD !

My dear friends ... This is now a Christian orphanage! The door is now open for REAL love! Let's
show them love beyond their wildest dreams!!! We don't create our own kingdoms ... We take
His Kingdom to the world!

Thank you SO much for working and praying together with me.
With love, IN Jesus,
Ed Dickson (Dec 2005)
____________________________________

I was in an orphanage today and watched the director and her assistant jump...Actually jumo when we pulled up and pulled out some gifts. That was great but it was the story of one girl .....12 years old that as I said deepened my resolve(if it is possible to deepen) to give my life for the helpless and hopeless. The police when they got the report brought this sweet girl to the orphanage and asked the director if they could take her. It is well known that her mother traded her to a group of men for a bottle of vodka. You can only imagine the emotions that shot through my body...mind...and heart. C'mon!
It is time for the children of God to rise up...for the church to wake up...and for people to stand up! It is not a bottle of vodka that determines the worth of a child....It is Jesus coming to earth and dying that declares a childs worth.
Sam Welten P.I. (Jan 2006)
___________________________________

The last two weeks, Central Asia was graced to have Roger Pilon and Kelly Deschamps from Queensway Pentecostal Church in Espanola visit and minister in the Village Children's Home. They did a tremendous job of connecting with the kids and workers, fixing up a new shower room, providing 13 new bicycles (amazingly assembled from near scratch!) and treating everyone to a day at Lake Issk-yul. Everyone here enjoyed their presence immensely!
(Kelly working late in his mobile bike assembly shop)
Over the past year or so that I've been visiting the village orphanage I've noticed a huge change in the kids. When I first met them, they were mostly indifferent with anyone coming from outside. Gradually, they've become more and more friendly, smiling, shaking hands and giving hugs.
Emotionally, they are becoming much more open too. On Roger and Kelly's last day as they were saying goodbye, a majority of the kids were crying uncontrollably as they hugged their visitors for one last time. I've NEVER seen them this way before! As sad as the event was, I was so encouraged by what I saw in these kids and their development. The love of God IS changing them!
Mike M.
silkroadnations.com (Sept 2006)
____________________________________

IF YOU WANT TO BE A PART OF THIS AMAZING WORK, DROP SAM AN EMAIL @ sammyweltenpi@yahoo.ca
The other opportunity I will share with you another time.
Blessings John

Extreme Makeover 2007

We have a date for PI's next Xtreme Makeover Trip to Central Asia. It will take place from September 17th - October 1st.
If you are interested in being part of this team please feel free to email me at sammyweltenpi@yahoo.ca and let me know.
Application forms and information brochures will be available by mid-December.

More than just an interpreter

Question Did you find it to be difficult trying to express your through your interpreter
Answer Until you get used it, it can be awkward dealing through an interpreter, but I must say that we were so blessed with the interpreters we had working for us . Let me take for example Olga.
At first I noticed that Olga seemed to be a little distracted at times, but I soon realized that at every moment, she new what every member of the team was doing, and she was ready to assist in any way she could. Whether it was help with unfamiliar building techniques, or interaction with the locals Olga was there. When a car would pull up to the sight, or any strange face for that matter, the first person they would come into contact with was Olga. When in the market, it was as if there was a wall of protection around the team, she would often move in and tell would be pickpockets to back off. When negociating in the market, she was a machine. The only time I really saw her upset was when she felt that we were being wronged by a retailer. She worked along side the team, and was a true blessing to us. The part that amazes me the most is how great her attitude was with the work we were doing. She took great pride in a job well done, and was truly happy for the recipients of our work. The thing that is so amazing about this is that I know that I know that with in a few days of any one of the projects , we had already surpassed the quality of living she new. Let me give you an example. One day we decided to purchase a couch , we mad the deal, then hired a wagon to bring it to the house we were fixing up. I later learned that she was using her 2 week salary to purchase a couch for herself, but would have to wait for the next team to come so she could make enough to have the couch brought to her house. Yet when the family came home and found a new couch, nobody was happier for her than Olga. Even after we have left, Olga has continued to be in contact with and encourage those that we had helped while we were there, Looking past the job, we find the character, and that outways any difficulties.
My prayer is that when she looks past the work we did there, she sees as equally Godly character
Blessings John

Now taking Requests

If there are any photos from any of the previous trips, or stories or updates that you are interested in, please let me know through the comment section, and I will gather what information I can, and post them as soon as possible
Blessings John

Cell Phone vs. Bible

I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like our cell phone?
What if we carried it around in our pockets?
What if we turned back to get it if we forgot it?
What if we flipped through it several times a day ?
What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
What if we gave it to our kids as gifts?
What if we used it as we traveled?
What if we use it in case of an emergency?
Where is YOUR Bible
At least you don't need to worry about your bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid!

An afternoon in the Market

where do you put your gum , when you eat your icecream

More photos of "Fun at the Park"

Hey Roma, I know you charged us twice the going rate, but we still think you are a great guy.

Now she has a home !

Two Blessings

Home again .

Well we all made it home safe and sound. We left the Capital City Missions house @4:00am and headed for the airport. Our flight left Central Asia @ 7 am there time (11 hours ahead) and landed in Toronto and cleared customs around 9 pm our time. We had two stops. One in Yerevan Armania, where we saw Mount Ararat , and the second stop was a 2 or 3 hour layover in London. It's good to be home again. When I get my head on strait from the time change, I will go through the photos and post a bunch more.
Blessings John

Mountains

Heading for Home

It is now 9:30 pm in the capital city and we will soon be leaving for the airport. We want everyone who has sponsored us or has been praying for the team , or helped in any way , to know how much we have appreciated being your hands in action. We have seen things , and experienced situations that will live with us forever. We have had the opportunity to reach into the lives of every day people, and touch them in ways that they'll never forget. I think of a young boy that came for help. He is 18, supports three sisters ranging from 7 to 11 years old. He lives on the top floor of a run down 6 story apartment. The roof leaks, the water does not make it to the top floor, and the wind blows in around the windows. He was looking for help sealing the windows so the wind does not blow in, you see with no heat, the wind is more than they can bare. We got him the supplies to fix the windows, then showed him how to use the calking gun, then told him the best way to stop the cold was with this, then handed him a brand new heater in still in the box. It was all he could do not to cry. This boy is one of thousands here that has had to grow up way to fast. Its the interactions like this that we will remember in years to come. We look forward to being home soon. Blessings from Central Asia . John

Good bye to all our friends in Central Asia

The Best Marshupka driver in Central Asia

House project #2 Goes Shopping

For more photos and a personal update from the team you can join us at Norwood Pentecostal Church on Sunday November 19th at 11:00 a.m.

A house by faith

Just wanted to drop a note on the blog quickly while I wait in Frankfurt airport.
just got an email from scott saying that since he's been back in Canada he has gotten emails and phone calls about giving money to help buy the house we bought in Central Asia.(actually scott pulled the trigger on the deal and told me he would raise the remaining $1000US or give the money himself)....well...as of this moment he has $1100 Cdn promised. C'mon now folks.....I was back to visit the lady and her family...she had already started cleaning up the yard and wanted a shovel and rake to keep going. God is great! Thanks to all those who stood in faith with Scott. It's not too late....we could do some reno's there if you wanted to give....or maybe even buy another house....yeeha!

Sam on way home

This is Sam reporting from xxxxxxxxxx on my last night before I return to Canada. It is 10:56pm here and I am sitting in an internet cafe surrounded by a group of 14-15 young men playing war games on the computers. Spending time and money fighting "make believe" wars....there has got to be more to life than this.
My heart is pulled towards home and my family...also thinking of my sister. But my heart is also tugged towards Central Asia and the team that is presently there from Norwood and doing an INCREDIBLE work in a small city. Pastor Ron...you have quite a team there....and John Wright is a machine. It has been a month of WILD impact in a country of Central Asia. To both teams...incredible.
And you guys from Norwood still have a few days left. Go for it!
Please read the couple posts (posted previous) by Pastor Ron Hughes about what is going on here in Xxxxxxxx....no need for me to blog what he has done previously so well. Let me just say....God is up to wildly wonderful things.
Looking forward to further reports. Also looking forward to wings at Moose Winooski's!

The old kitchen

A new kitchen

A new look !

Some things are best left un said

New Mattresses for he Hospital

Project House # 1 goes shopping .

Bruce in his glory