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! 🙂
Tonight we finished our evenings of worship and prayer, at least officially. As I sit and type what is hopefully a short update, I’m filled with gratitude for the things God has been stirring in my heart. 19 times we gathered on the 2nd floor of the Cafe, led each time by a different group of worshippers, huddled together with a different mix of visitors.
God has ways of surprising us. We catch glimpses of His heart, what ‘could’ be, but often give up believing He can, or even wants to accomplish those things. For several years I’ve been aching to see a genuine, passionate gathering of Ukrainian worshippers move into deeper levels of intercession and the presence of God. It has been a hunger in our hearts personally first and foremost. We tasted some of this during our last trip to the US – and it was as if God was solidifying this prayer, telling us, “It’s ok to trust me for this, I want this too!”
Fast forward to the past month. God brought us Kingdom resources in the form of humble worshippers, talented and willing. They came prepared in heart, desirous to see God work in new ways in our town and in Ukraine. What we witnessed over the past month, to us, has been nothing short of a miracle. On most nights, representatives from 3-4 churches gathered. It wasn’t about a specific church, it was about THE church, the fragile, young, but alive body in our area focusing on worship of our King. We didn’t go around advertising like you normally might (or I might!), but believing God would draw by His Spirit those that He wanted to encourage.
I can’t remember a time in the past 20yrs, dating back to our time in Bible School, when God’s near presence, accompanied by His voice was so evident. Beyond the pretty voices, and anthems that echoed for periods of 15-20 minutes at a time, the Holy Spirit refreshed, convicted, encouraged, and taught. It was interesting how first timers would come, enjoy the music/atmosphere but almost cautiously watch for the first half, but then after they let down their guards, God touched them. Whether it was expressed through tearful emotion, or a genuine firm handshake, God drew and blessed a large majority of believers in our area through the worship nights.
God was gracious to us. Gracious in sending us laborers to serve for a short season to spark these worship nights. Gracious in revealing His power, love and hope through the ministry of the Holy Spirit in unique ways over the 4 weeks. It has left me very thankful, and hungry for more. That ‘more’ however, isn’t necessarily through more of the same – rather more of God working in whatever vehicle or format He wants – more of God’s wonder, more of His glory revealed – this world, this town and area, it needs wondrous believers – in wonder over the Greatness and Love of our Savior.
May God continue to bless and work through the remaining 3-4 weeks! We have several outreaches lined up including:
– Khargalyk Worship Night this Sunday
– Khargalyk Concert Outreach in two weeks
– All church worship June 7
– Kiev YWAM Worship Night
– Christian Life Church Worship Service (Kiev)
– Some music in the park events (and hopefully beach, here locally)
– Student Final Event/Concert next week
So while our evenings of consecutive worship have come to an end – we ask for your continued prayer support for these (and more) events. May God continue to strengthen the faith of believers, and open hearts (awaken!) to the reality of His presence and love to all those who haven’t bowed their knee to Christ.
Thank you to all that served, sacrificed and helped pull off the last 4 weeks!
With all the excitement around the student workshops and evening worship (our 18th begins tonight), thought a little update on the actual Cafe is in order.
Dema, Sveta and our students (including Bronwyn) have done a stellar job keeping things moving. We’ve had increased business with the Americans here obviously, but also more students are coming through the afternoons, and our lunches and dinners are really peaking. We’re averaging around 300-400 visitors per week, which is back up to our pre-Christmas numbers. The Hrvnya is still hurting, and our prices although increased to balance some of the inflation, are still not high enough to make a profit. However, we are paying our staff, paying for our products, and only falling short monthly about $500 (if nothing breaks, which is mostly for utilities and taxes).
Last week we had an emergency Coffee Machine service call from Kiev, our system sounded like it was about to explode – fortunately, it just needed to be cleaned and $200 later (took the guy 6hrs to tear it all down and clean) it’s humming along again. The cost of keeping caffeine flowing 🙂
With the summer here, and it being our first spring/summer, there’s a lot of excitement in the air when the weather is warm. People come in with more smiles, and we’re pumping out the ice cream like it’s going out of style. Our main ice cream offering is a banana split and our signature ‘lighthouse sundae’. See below for a little video how it’s made.. in super speed by Sveta.
We are still looking for cones.. we’ve got to start selling regular ice cream cones.. but it’s surprising (shouldn’t be!) how challenging it can be to find quality, crunchy, and tasty cones here.. oh, and affordable!
We still don’t have gas, nor pizza. We’re weekly contacting the ‘permit’ department in another town, which was supposed to provide us with the documents (we paid 2,000hrv for them legally) a month ago. I know Dima calls regularly, and its always ‘soon, soon’. Supposedly the final step in this 2yr saga, but we’re so busy right now it’s not bothering me – I’d be happy to run the summer without pizza and continue to refine what we do offer – which isn’t much, but has us on our toes, particularly without a cook.
The reputation of the Cafe among families, mom’s, and tourists is catching on more and more. Yesterday 5 huge lumbering hunters came in, rifles and backpacks.. I was a bit nervous at first because they were wearing some camo, but soon realized they were just a bunch of young boys in adult bodies – they all ordered ice cream, then espresso to wash it down 🙂 We have several requests for birthday parties – people want to reserve our Cafe or spaces – which we aren’t doing. We don’t want to interrupt the regular customers, but when it’s slow we have been letting them come early and hold down some tables – it’s a favorite among 8-10yr old little girls – they come and stay for hours.. it’s cute, but also really loud and messy. The parents are always very cordial and thankful for our staff and facilities.
Generally we are extremely happy with the Cafe, the customers, the friends we are making weekly. Our staff is still being stretched and find it hard already to implement new routines.. the death of business if we don’t remain agile. It’s amazing how quickly we get ‘set’ in our ways and like our rhythms. Lord help us always to want to grow, learn and not find solitude in mediocrity. I think that is just a Kingdom principle, applies to family, church, business, personal growth.. hockey!
We hope to finally wrestle Pepsi into giving us promised tables and chairs for our deck. It’s frustrating that I can’t seem to get any help when it’s an American company.. I’ve tried contacting the US offices, then Kiev.. they seem to only help the Kiev cafes and don’t help the smaller towns – shame on you Pepsi for ignoring the little guys! Write your local Pepsi congressman.
Unrelated to the Cafe, but she sure is my sweet little thing.
We have a bit set aside for some benches on the deck, but if Pepsi doesn’t come through, we may ask our friends to partner with us and get some furniture out there – we would love to host some concerts out there before the group leaves, and generally use this space more now that the weather is great – such a prime location, more folks to draw in and meet.
We’re extremely thankful for those supporting $25/mo, which is only a couple friends at the moment but makes such a difference for us. If you’d be able to join our Cafe supporters, we’d very much accept your help! You can give one time or monthly via Paypal on our Donation Page – I think some people assume we have everything we need, but the reality is we also live month to month like most of you, especially this last year, trusting God for personal needs, mixed right in with this Cafe – God continues to provide, but it’s oft’ overwhelming and keeps us in prayer. No contribution is too small to make a difference.
Last night we started back up our evenings of worship for the week. The 2nd floor was full with about 40 believers from our town, Kiev and Khargalyk. Collins did a wonderful job creating a relaxed atmosphere – it’s one thing I really appreciate about these times of worship – nothing is rushed, our only expectation is to lift up worship to our King.
For about 20 minutes everyone took pen in hand and wrote a letter to God. It fit the moment, a form of prayer – and practice that helps us assimilate our desires and burdens. After this we ended up having a really joyous final few songs – it’s cool when the people of God lift up a heavenly roar, unrehearsed, unplanned, just expression of praise.
I know some of you are following online, and hope that you have been blessed by what God is doing here, and something translates through the low quality camera 🙂
This is our final week of workshops, we’re busy planning now a final event where we can bless the students and continue to connect with more through creative arts and friendship. We’re also going to try to rehearse a bit in the bigger cultural building downtown, and praying about a final 1 or 2 evenings of worship in the center of town, as this building holds over 200 and would be really amazing to have all that have attended at some point, gather and worship in this venue.
We’ll be posting more on the facebook group page https://www.facebook.com/groups/awaken2015/ – It’s been cool to correspond with various believers this way, in and out of our region.
Weather is amazing, but still not warm enough for folks to hang out at beach – I think that will be another venue we could play and do some outreach before the group leaves. We’re pretty booked up between now and June 12 (when they leave), between Kiev outreaches, and other towns on the weekends. I do want to see the team transition to some concerts as well through the Cafe.
Please continue to pray God will awaken the church, and those seeking after truth to find freedom and peace through Christ. I know my own heart has been awakened to His presence, and it is good!
