A Tale of Two Summers
This is the first summer in 8 years that we have not been in Ukraine! So how does this summer compare to summer of 2015? Last summer we drove a co-worker’s car across Ukraine 3 times. This summer we bought a car and drove across the U.S., all the way to Alaska! Last summer we went to 5 camps. This summer we went camping by ourselves. Last summer we attended the SEND Ukraine Annual Conference in Ivano-Frankivsk Ukraine. This summer we attended the SEND North

America Annual Conference in Southfield Michigan. Last summer we heard lots of Ukrainian and Russian languages. This summer we have heard lots of English! Last summer we were physically in Ukraine. This summer we are physically in the U.S., but are hearts are still in Ukraine!

Home Service
What comes to your mind when you hear that your missionary friends are on “Home Service” (previously known as “furlough” or “home assignment”? Do you imagine them visiting family and friends, eating their favorite American foods, going to the latest movies or sporting events, speaking in churches and taking a vacation? While it is true that we have been doing all of these enjoyable events, there are also some less enjoyable aspects to home service. These include a year’s worth of doctor and dentist visits, living in a home (or homes) that is not your own, attending a variety of different churches, seeking additional prayer and financial support, trying to maintain contact with national friends and ministries that are on another continent and generally having your life schedule totally rearranged!

Having these things in mind plus the fact that it was 8 years ago this month that we moved to Ukraine, we have intentionally added the element of using part of our home service as a sabbatical, or a time of refreshment both physically and spiritually. It is our desire that God will use this sabbatical time to prepare us for another 8 years (or however long He allows) of life and ministry in Ukraine. So we took an extended vacation to Alaska and we will take classes at Dallas Theological Seminary next semester (late August until Christmas). In January and February we will concentrate on visiting our supporting churches.

Since our arrival to the U.S. at the end of May, we have visited both of our families and many friends and supporters. We have attended our home church and reported to the church’s Missions Committee. We have been examined by various doctors who have declared us to be healthy. We attended the SEND International North America Annual Conference and have completed the necessary paperwork and reports for SEND. During the next several months we will continue to visit supporting churches and individuals as well as seeking the additional financial support needed to allow us to return on time to Ukraine.

If you would like to hear more about our ministry in Ukraine and how you can be a part of our support team through prayer or financial giving, please let us know.

Home Service Planned Schedule
(Subject to change)
Aug. 4 - 15 Knoxville
Aug. 7 - South Knoxville Baptist Church
Aug. 18-Dec. 22 - Dallas Texas, attend Dallas Theological Seminary
Dec. 24-?Jan. 30 - Hudson Florida, then return to Knoxville
Feb. 23-26 - Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church Missions Conference
March 5th - Attend Berean Bible Church
March 6th - Depart for Kyiv

PRAISE ITEMS
In spite of the fact that we literally ran from one flight to the next, we, and our luggage, arrived safely and on time to Knoxville Tennessee on May 30th! 

Thanks to the generous inheritance that we received from Judy’s mom, we had a wonderful vacation driving to Alaska!

We have already been able to visit many friends, family and SEND co-workers.

This year we are celebrating 10 years of being part of the SEND family!

All of our doctor visits have gone well so far with no surprises and no major health concerns!

PRAYER ITEMS
August 18 - we will relocate to Dallas, Texas. Please pray that we will quickly settle into life there, as we will only be there for 4 months.

Provision for the necessary funds to return to Ukraine on time, March 7th.

Thank you!
Jay and Judy Lynn