Month: May 2015 (Page 1 of 3)

Last night we joined Calvary Chapel Church in nearby Khargalyk for a concert outreach out front of their church building. There’s something so refreshing and healthy when the body of Christ shines together outside of those four walls we call church.

It had rained off and on all day, and was quite windy. We were very tempted to cancel, but faithful Yura (known as ‘big Yura’ to everyone around here) held firm – they had made advertisements and put them around town. It was a step of faith for him, and those desiring to reach their community in a new way. God blessed us with perfect weather at the perfect time, and drew dozens of unchurched folks to listen, and even play with us!

Broderic’s 18th birthday was this week – we sure love this young man. He’s a thinker, kind, humble, and a man of integrity. I’m so thankful for the trail he’s blazed for his younger siblings. We’ll enjoy this last year before he embarks on his own journey – something he’s still considering and would appreciate prayer for! He’s got his buddy Jesse back from Australia this week, for two months, happy he gets to hang out and catch up with his ‘old mate’.

Today if the weather holds we’ll be doing a beach outreach with the YWAM team, then heading out to a new campground with our friends with ‘Hope for Orphans’ to share to their leadership group before they head out on summer youth camps.

Tonight there’s a poetry reading at the Cafe. I haven’t met these people, but apparently there’s a group that gathers and reads poems and they came to the cafe last week and asked if they could do this at our venue. We’ll let you know how it goes! 🙂 Yesterday was our biggest volume day ever at the Cafe, we had literally both floors packed, from graduation parties (little kids), birthday parties, you name it. It was raining so we were the only clean/nice spot I think in town for folks. Over 50 were packed in, and it stayed that way for 3-4 hours. Our poor staff wasn’t used to, or ready for that. We’ll know next year to be ready for graduation day in town!

The best news of the week however goes to Alyosha who returned officially after serving en entire year in the army as a cook.  Natasha, my assistant who handles accounting/taxes and many personal things for our family logically, has been a single mom essentially the past year.  Alyosha we plan to meet with next week and talk some more about starting as cook at the Cafe.  Please pray for Alyosha, he has witnessed a lot of evil, death, and personal trauma during his tour in the southeast of Ukraine.  He will need healing and help over the next coming season to adjust back to ‘normal’, as well as for their marriage as they readjust to life.

Speaking of adjusting, please also keep praying for Vlad.  He’s continued to go to prisons and share food and hope with inmates at prisons he formerly was in.  He comes out very shaken, even visibly.  However by faith, and with conviction he continues to labor in this area.  He went again last week by himself.  Please pray for his wife and son as well as they continue to readjust and also face their own struggles.

Many Ukrainians are struggling right now.  For us with nice houses, cars, and food daily (without worry), it’s easy to overlook and go untouched by the suffering.  The nice weather and general cheerfulness downtown at the Cafe is surely a light, and yet we want to be relevant and genuine with the gospel – God is near the broken hearted – God give us your heart and keep us sensitive to the many opportunities, caring about people as an end, not a means.

Thanks for checking in,
Bruce & Deb

For the next few hours, we’ll be streaming live our Wednesday evening ‘on the deck’ from Lighthouse Cafe – we’re blessed to have Collins O’Dwyer with us as part of the YWAM creative team and he’ll be performing a few of his original songs.

We’re providing two camera views:

From the Terrace:

Barista View:

Hope it works for ya!

Bruce  & Deb

Last week I complained about Pepsi ignoring our plea.. well someone out there pulled some strings and we received one huge tent and 20 chairs for our deck – the tables haven’t come yet, but we’re thankful for the huge blue colorful tent that penetrates the bland cement scenery of our main street.

So we hosted our first little outdoor concert.  It was low key, Mike and Liz (mostly Liz) sang several folky/theme songs while some guests played cards and hung out on the deck.  The local Taxi drivers across the street found it interesting I’m sure.  I believe we are the first Cafe in town to do anything like this – the whole ‘chill and listen to music’ vibe is going to take a while to cultivate – but I believe the town will embrace it once we build some momentum.

As soon as we started playing music from the system during setup, a drunk fellow migrated to our steps and I thought, “Oh Lord maybe this isn’t such a great idea”.. the only place loud music plays is in a few bars in town – but thankfully the evening was incident free.  Whenever young girls hang out somewhere, it’s sure to attract some hoodlems – pray for us that we continue to provide a ‘safe’ place for these ladies in particular, and use proper wisdom as we encounter more of the deep rooted cultural problems like alcoholism.

This weekend we’re going to Kiev with the team to do some outreach / evangelism in a popular park downtown.  Then Sunday morning we’re leading the service at Christian Life Church – where our family has been attending the past year.  We really love the atmosphere and families at this church, such a wide range of ages and I know this team will bless them greatly.  I’ll be sharing as well so pray for us!

Although the workshops are officially over, some of the team continues to provide some one-one lessons.  I’m thrilled at the level of personal engagement.  The coolest thing to hear is that the kids feel comfortable at the Cafe, and able to be themselves.  The students have been extremely respectful and thankful.

Please pray for a few things would you?

– Claire’s residency: we’re off to the hospital tomorrow to hopefully make progress with her documents needed.  It’s a hit/miss thing usually as you all know if you’ve followed our story.  The doctors can provide you what you need (bill of health) or decide a battery of tests are required.   We need this to travel as a family outside of Ukraine and get Russian visas.

– Deb/Claire/Bron: they will be traveling end of June to Colorad0 for Heather’s (deb’s sister) wedding.

– The Cafe:  we need to revamp some of our menu/prices in order to sustain through the summer months.  We have more staff and although our electricity bills will be much less, we need wisdom, creativity and blessing from God to continue offering this place to the community.  It’s such a difficult time right now for so many in Ukraine – amazing opportunity to reach students and families with the love of God, terrible if you are trying to run a new and very unique business.   Pray we can find some good cones!!!!   Oh we also would LOVE to buy an ice machine.. those are about $500 and would really be quite something for these summer months.

– Russian Language.  Need I say more?  Please pray for opportunities and grace to continue this and for fall possible travel.

Thanks!

Bruce & Deb

Last night we hosted a little party / concert for the students of the Awaken workshops.  We had no idea how many would show up because many are doing exams this week and some schools hard to find students around at all.   However, we had a good showing (about 60?) with some friends, a few parents and the YWAM crew.

We were able to feed them, entertain a bit and leave them with some encouraging words about the Love of God – as we blessed them (thank you donors!!) with Awaken t-shirts which they quickly ravaged through and gleefully received.   I’ve already seen a few Awaken shirts around town today, sweet! 🙂

We’re allowing all students that participated access to the 2nd floor in the afternoons this fall.  We’re believing God will change hearts through love – ultimately His love, as we pray for them this summer – join with us would you ?