What Missionaries Do Not Want You to Know! - By Slava Fesyuk

I always wondered what a day in the life of a missionary was like...so i decided to make a few sacrifices and embark on a journey with the Barone family to Connecticut.

Our adventure began as we arrived at our hotel for the next two nights. My expectations for our room was nothing more than the essentials: two mattress’ and a bathroom. As i opened the door, i realized that my preconceived notions where way off, as i marveled at the modern, Starbucks-like room...overflowing with “non-essentials.” Unless of course, your definition of “essentials” include a t.v. the size of an SUV and an exquisite L-shaped sofa in the second room.

But all the bliss at the time, would never prepare me for the following day...when I was convinced we would feel the “hardship” of a missionary. We awoke Sunday morning ready to tackle the day, when I noticed my dress shirt was wrinkled. Although provided with an iron and a board, it was quit useless, since I had never used those two before. Things only got worse, when I came to the sad realization that I had to tie my own tie. Thinking quickly on my feet, using the hotel’s high-speed wireless, I googled my need...“how to tie a tie?” That really didn’t help. Luckily, Michael had “some” experience in this area - so off to church we went.

The service went really well. We began with 45 minutes of prayer. The people were very friendly. Kind. Loving. They made us feel right at home. Many were interested in the mission to Italy. We were approached like celebrities at the Academy Awards.


As church was coming to a close and I heard my stomach begin to growl...I quickly discovered the first possible hardship of the day. Would there be any food to sustain us for the day? Umm...yes! The pastor and his wife unexpectedly asked us to join them at a restaurant of our choosing. That was a great time. Afterward - Ice cream followed....a whole lot of it.

It was here that I finally saw the problems missionaries have to encounter and the burdens they bare. For example, I couldn’t finish the 3 pounds of vanilla underneath the snicker-bar crumbs. The ice cream was melting and the napkins were limited.

I’m now beginning to see the bigger picture....my prayer life for missionaries has changed forever.

p.s. If I can be serious for a mere 2 minutes.....the truth of my experience was more along these lines: I am deeply grateful that I was given the opportunity to take a glimpse into the life of a missionary. The service was an encouragement....as Michael came up to preach, it was evident that God was gonna have His way. He easily connected with the people, as he presented his burden for Italy, preached from the Word of God, and shared his experiences during deputation. I have a much greater appreciation for missionaries, their families, their struggles, their needs, but also their joys and many blessings.

Oasis Baptist Church

Well...there is never a dull moment for a missionary on deputation...and the past 24 hours proves that!

Yesterday we were at a rapidly growing church called Oasis Baptist Church. They are currently meeting in an unfinished new facility (that will become relevant in a minute).

Michael got up and spoke about our ministry to Italy. Then he introduced the video. The video started and as the introduction of the video was nearing an end....

BOOM! Lights out. Pitch black in the church. No power. All you heard was the sound of the fans turning off. Then...moments later. The lights came back on! Fans turned back on. Everything was back on - well, except the projector playing the DVD. That took some time to start and then warm back up! Like ten minutes. An awkward ten minutes.

Some well-meaning member thought it would be good to kill the lights so people could see the DVD better. There was one problem with that. All the electrical power is currently connected to one switch while they are building their new church! That well-meaning member - used that switch.


Other than that...the night was great! Pastor Neal seemed to really take to us. We are excited for this church's future and their willingness to have us in!

A True Champion

Today we had dinner at a family’s house from Paradise Church - Chris & Tracy Byrd.

Chris Byrd is the former heavyweight champion of the world. You would never know it though. He and his wife are the most down to earth couple I know. In fact, Chris might be the humblest person I have ever met.

Tonight was such a wonderful time of fellowship. We talked about the Lord, ministry, and life the whole night. Both Chris and Tracy have great personalities and are absolutely hilarious.

Chris shared a lot about the opportunities he has had to witness to people as a result of the gift God has given him. For example, he received an email recently from someone who lives in Australia who has an inoperable brain tumor. The email asked if Chris could write him a short note to encourage him.

Rather than write, Chris called that man tonight in Australia. They talked boxing for a few minutes and then Chris transitioned to the gospel message.

As you walk around their house and you see his Olympic medal and championship belts it is easy to think - this guy was a champion. But after you hear him use his notoriety for Christ - your realize he is a champion.

Paradise Church

Yesterday we presented our ministry at Pastor Mike Matijevich’s church in Las Vegas Nevada. This church was refreshing in so many ways. The church was extremely interested in our ministry and the people were very nice.

We are really trying to connect with each church we visit to the best of our ability. Sometimes this can be hard when we only have the privilege to minister for the Sunday service, as was the case for this church. We have said all long that we do not just want to be another family on the church missionary board. So every place we go, we try and develop relationships the best we can with the time allowed.

So after church we had lunch with a family we had just met from the church we had met. After that, we went to a small group study that the church has and was able to get to know people better. Today we have lunch with Pastor Mike and his wife planned. Tomorrow we are going to dinner with another family from the church as well. We are thankful this church has been so willing to get to know us and are praying they will desire to partner with us.

We also posted pictures to our website from our time in Portland at the missions conference. Check them out here!

Greater Portland Baptist Church

Signs of a great meeting...

- God does a great work in your heart and the hearts of those attending.
- You make life-long friends and enjoy yourself so much you hate to leave
- The church partners with you

I am very confident this missions conference was all of those things. The missionary presentations and messages each night were all a great reminder of the necessity of “Carrying the Light” of the gospel around the world.

The church family is so nice and like-minded. We shared so many laughs with various members of the church - including the Pastor’s wife and daughter in one episode DURING the church service!! Oh my, we could not hold it in!!



Finally Pastor Adams came to me after the service and encouraged us that the church will be partnering with us if the faith promise commitments are what they need to be by this Sunday. Can we ask you to take a moment right now and pray about this? Please pray that their people will give by faith what the Lord would have them to, and that the commitments would be enough to take us on.


Now off to Nevada! And as Pastor Adams said when he dismissed us, “On the road again.”

Why do missionaries complain about deputation?

We have been on deputation for about a year now. As I was reflecting on this, I decided to go back and review the last year of blog posts. In one of my first posts I questioned, “Why do missionaries complain about deputation?”- because we were enjoying ourselves so much. At that time I remember someone saying, “Well wait until you have been on deputation for a year, then talk!” Well we have been on deputation for a year, so I am going to talk.

This week we are at a missions conference at a great church - Greater Portland Baptist Church!


We presented our ministry and spoke all day Sunday. The conference has three more nights of meetings - but our days are free. Today we decided to visit some of the sights around Portland - and we saw some absolutely stunning waterfalls.

Psalm 19:1

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handywork.

This was a great day with the family and we are trusting God is going to do great things during this Missions Conference. So a year later I am still asking - Why do missionaries complain about deputation?

To the Oregon Trail

Up until this point, all our travel has been in our minivan. We have put 40,000 miles on our van in about one year of deputation. Yeah.

Yesterday was our first time flying to a missions conference. We would be lying if we said we were originally excited about that thought. Imagining Ellia constrained to a small space for a seven hour flight did not conjure up happy thoughts!

Our day began with the Tumia family taking us to the Buffalo airport. We love that family and were thankful their girls were able to come too.


While waiting at the airport we got bombarded with countless text and e-mail messages from people saying they were praying for us - and man did it show! Wow - did the day go differently than expected. Natalia had fun looking out the window and coloring and slept most of the trip. Ellia was an absolute joy the whole trip, even on the flight from Philadelphia to Portland. This picture was taken at 1:00 am - and she was still happy!


The day turned out to be a relaxing time with the family. Our praying church family is the best - what a blessing!

Calvary Heights Baptist Church

Wednesday night we had the opportunity to present our vision for reaching Italy at Calvary Heights Baptist Church. This is the church Erika’s parents attend. Erika visited this church a lot this summer and developed some great relationships with the people. Recently our family attended their church picnic in an effort to further connect with the church family. So it was nice to feel very comfortable having our family and many familiar faces. 

After the service they had a “pocket offering.” If you are not sure what this is - instead of writing the guest missionary a check (which is standard) the Pastor asked the people to come up to us and give us their offering. It is very humbling having people come up to you and hand you money. But it was also much more personable.

Michael’s Highlight: As I was coming up to the sanctuary before service, Natalia was playing on the stairs with some other kids. So, as I approached her to bring her into the church sanctuary she said...

Natalia: “Ready Poppa?”
Michael:,”Ready for what?”

Then...she put her palms up as though I had asked the obvious - she responded...

Natalia: “To pweach Poppa...to pweach!”
Michael: (smiling) “.........”
Natalia: “Can I go and watch you pweach Poppa?”

Mark 6:9!

Sometimes I think deputation is really hard...and it is. Last night I thought about that as I sat on the porch of our host home in Pennsylvania with Natalia.

But as I sat there watching her blow bubbles I was reminded that I am also having a great time and making beautiful memories in the process.


After a rough night of “sleep” last night we presented our ministry in both churches services today as well as teaching the adult Sunday school class.

The Bible Baptist Church of Burnham, PA is very warm and laid back. They made us feel very comfortable right away. Pastor Walters preached in a collared shirt and sandals. Erika and I shared a laugh when we realized that I was "slightly" overdressed for the services.

Matthew 24:36

This past Wednesday we had a great meeting out in Schenectedy, New York. Pastor Bob Hart actually got saved through the ministry of our home church and now pastors Sonrise Bible Church.


The night began at the Hart’s home for an early supper. At one point Ellia had ventured off and we lost sight of her. As we went looking for her...Mrs. Hart found her hanging out completely in the dishwasher. Despite that excitement, we had a relaxing setting and got to know them better. Then we went over to the church where they had the most amazing children's wing that I have ever seen! The kids had an absolute ball!

Although we were almost four hours from home, God gave us a special surprise to encourage us. Not only was this meeting a relaxing and encouraging one, but one of our great friends, Jeremy Phillips, came to hear Michael! Now will shock all who know Jeremy that he walked in late...twenty-five minutes late! What a perfect taste of home.