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de Vuyst Pages
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George, Sarah, Abigail, Matthew & Elizabeth de Vuyst
Serving with Christian Reformed World Missions in Mukachevo, Ukraine
We are working in Mukachevo, Ukraine as leadership trainers and church-planters of a Reformed congregation in the western region of Ukraine. Partnering with this congregation and the Reformed Church of Carpathian Ukraine "we are proclaiming the Gospel to more and more people who have not heard it, healthy churches are emerging and the Kingdom of God is advancing" (CRWM vision statement). The Christian Reformed Church in Mukachevo is still in its infancy as we strive to grow in spiritual maturity, commitment, and numbers. The congregation's website is www.crcm.mk.uz.ua.
No Land in Sight The Mukachevo congregation has less than a year before it must vacate its present church facilities. Although the "land committee" is fervently searching for property, nothing seems available. The average cost of land in the outskirts of town is $280,000 an acre. The congregation has around $65,000 with which to purchase land but even this appears to be far too little for the exorbitantly high price of property in Mukachevo.
Seminars Address Needs
On September 19 and 20, Dr. Ronald Sjoerdsma of Calvin College will lead a seminar for teachers on how to motivate children, deal with misbehavior, and build community. This topic was requested by local teachers during his previous trip and is desperately needed. We pray for a large turn-out at both venues (one in Hungarian and the other in Ukrainian.)
Hopes for Seminary Intern A few months ago the Mukachevo CRC sent an official letter to the leadership of the Reformed Church of Carpathian Ukraine (Hungarian speaking) requesting Robert Shpontak to serve in the congregation as a seminary intern. Robert speaks Ukrainian, Russian and Hungarian as has been involved in the Hungarian and Ukrainian RCCU congregation in Uzhgorod. He is interested in serving in the Mukachevo congregation but would like to have the blessing of the RCCU before he starts in Mukachevo. On August 15, the RCCU leadership will consider the church's request. Pray with us that it will be granted and that Robert can begin in September.
North American Youth Reach Out
Matthew Gets Lost The first week of July we went to the large city of Lviv and the first evening there Matthew wandered off by himself and got lost. We requested the help of other missionaries in the city to help find him and notified the police. It took nearly 2 hours before he was located and we could get him from a police station. It was certainly an experience we don't ever want to repeat and we thank God that this missing child story had a happy ending. Click here to read the details of what happened.
Five Kids for the Summer
website updated: August 9, 2008
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Mailing address: Ilona Zrini 10/2, Mukachevo 89600, Transcarpathia, Ukraine email: george.devuyst@gmail.com Links to: Christian Reformed Church in N. America - Christian Reformed World Missions |
On
July 26 Rev. Ken Vander Horst and Dr. Clif Clendenan led an all-day seminar on
"Healthy Families, Healthy Congregations" addressing what it means to live
healthy as an individual, as a family and as a congregation. Over fifty
people attended from various Reformed congregations in the region. The
seminar was very practical and powerful! %20web.jpg)
Seven young
people served this summer in Ukraine, Hungary and Romania as part of Christian
Reformed World Mission's 
The
summer has nearly come to an end for Kristina and Misha who spent the past two
months with us. We pray that God will continue to give us opportunities to
positively influence their lives and to protect them as they return to the
boarding school for under-privileged children.