Category: Bruce Posts (Page 101 of 211)

As the ministry at Lighthouse Ukraine continues to evolve, we are excited to be able to offer an opportunity to our church friends in the US, Canada, Ukraine and Russia (and anyone else that might read our blog!).

Please take a minute to watch our promo video!

Russian Version

English Version

We are specifically looking for creative, humble and energetic believers with a passion to strategically reach the next generation in Ukraine through creative arts.

We will be continuing to offer, as the Lord provides the willing talent, the Awaken Creative Courses we started this spring. These are informal after-school classes for high school age students (15-19yrs old) in Ukraine.

There is an amazing opportunity in our region of Ukraine to continue to engage young people, build bridges and share the love of God, most of which have never heard or understand the Gospel.

Are you, or do you know someone that has a desire to serve the Lord in a foreign country and have an obvious gift or talent?  Such as:

• play a musical instrument (of any kind)
• sing
• art (draw, paint, graffiti..)
• dance
• design
• audio/video production
• yo-yo (that’s for you Dave!)

This is our “Awakening” logo – represents the creative courses we offer locally for students in Central Ukraine.

There are two types of opportunities I’d like you to think about. Please consider in prayer, and share with your friends and church leaders!

#1 – Join a Team in 2016!

In 2016, several of our partner churches will be coming over to serve with us on a short term (1-2 week) basis. These will be geared towards the same creative arts focus. If you are interested in joining a team (Spring or Fall 2016), please contact us! These are open to all believers, all nations, not one specific country or language. We will have dates in the coming weeks, but it would really help us to know how many might be interested, and from where.

#2 – Join our Staff!

If you are open to an even longer commitment of 3 months – 1 year, we’d be happy to talk with you about this opportunity.  It’s our desire to provide missional opportunities for young adults, particularly those gifted musically with a desire to reach the Ukrainian and Russian speaking population with relevant and engaging forms of evangelism.

You would work part time at The Lighthouse Cafe as well, because we’re all about Coffee around here!

We believe the Lord is orchestrating and leading His Kingdom work in Eastern Europe.  We are but a small piece in His plan, but we’re enthusiastic about our part!

If you’d like to consider either of these opportunities, we’d be delighted to hear from you and pray with you.

Sincerely,

Bruce & Deb Crowe
Missionaries Lighthouse Ukraine

There’s very little that pains more more than asking for money.  One of those things however is watching our Lighthouse property sit frozen and useless in the dead of winter!

We have the opportunity to heat the ENTIRE building (both floors) with wood, using new (for us) technology.  This system will not only be twice the heat we currently have, but also pay for itself during the course of one winter’s utility savings.

The project will cost us $3,000US in total, which includes the boiler, 10 new radiators/piping for 2nd floor, chimney and labor.

We are needing $2,000 to complete this purchase.  Would you consider helping us?  Click here to Give!

If we can raise this in the next 3 weeks, we will be able to have it installed by mid October, just in time for winter.

We have met with a reputable company in Kiev that will give us a 3yr guarantee.  It will have a battery backup to circulate the heat for up to 24hrs without electricity – which will be a huge blessing for us during the irregular and scheduled power rations in the winter.

Context: Why we need this new heating system for the Lighthouse?

Ukraine is heading into a perilous winter season.  A primary controlling mechanism of the Russian’s has been the supply of Gas to Ukraine.  Not only the supply, but the ‘special’ prices which help the countries population stay warm through the winter.

Those special prices are gone.  This spring, to the horror of the average Ukrainian that was already struggling to keep warm all winter, was hit with the new reality of not snuggling up to the Russian bear.

Gas, and therefor heat for housing, has TRIPLED in cost.  This will be the first winter Ukraine has been hit with real, EU type pricing. 

To make matters even more frightening, the Ukrainian economy has been crushed midst the revolution and war.   The hrvnya has lost 3 times it’s value in two years (to the US Dollar).

Triple Gas Rates + Triple Loss of Currency = VERY COLD WINTER

In a time of crisis, the gospel and the Light that it gives shines brightest.

We want, with all our hearts to provide our community a consistently warm place.

Last year we did our best with the limited electricity available, and a generator to keep the Cafe warm.  It allowed us to remain open for most of the winter, but we did not have enough power to heat the second floor and it was forced to remain closed all winter.

Additionally the electric power was very expensive (businesses pay 3x the regular costs), and was costly for us, even though the Cafe wasn’t even warm enough for customers to take their jackets/hats off on colder days.

This year, we are actively using our 2nd floor for ministry.  Groups are, and will meet for discipleship, English Club, painting and other creative workshops.  It’s an exciting season as we enter our 2nd year – we’re beginning to see some structure, and fruit.  A warm facility is critical for the Lighthouse ministry to keep growing and see more bridges built into our community and students touched with the love of God.

Like Scotty, we need more power!  Our best option right now is wood, and it happens to be the most affordable long term solution.  The electricity can go off (and it will), the gas can be turned off (and it will) and we will still have a cozy place for events – a light AND heat for Jesus!

Thank you for considering to give, pray and tell your friends!  You can give via this site by clicking here or by sending US checks to:

Crossroads Community Church
C/O – Ukraine Heating Project
1400 E. Loop 281
Longview, TX 75605

Earlier this year most of you know we hosted a creative/musical team from YWAM for two months.  The trip was a God ordained connection from our visit to Life Center Church in Harrisburg, PA.  I love when that happens.

From the start we believed this specific YWAM connection was the start of God answering our prayer to infuse life, and awaken more souls to His love – via ‘creative expression’ and worship/prayer.  The project, called “Awakening” was an incredible blessing to many students, and believers in the region.

Collin’s O’Dwyer, one of the very gifted musical talents with the YWAM team has decided to move to Ukraine and serve with us!

It’s been a privilege to journey with Collins over the past few months as he prayerfully considered this opportunity.  He is aiming to join us at the start of 2016, Lord willing by Feb 15, and stay for the year.

Between now and then he will be raising support for his ticket and living expenses while in Ukraine.

You can read Collin’s announcement and also encourage him with a donation online of any size!  Click here to read

We’re doubly excited that Collin’s church (Life Center) has a desire to continue being involved in Ukraine/Russia, with Collins and our family via Lighthouse Ukraine.  We’ve come to find a caring, supporting and involved sending church essential.

Here’s a little video from Life Center to give you a flavor of their heart and mission –

This year we’ve been praying specifically for God to unite us with more of His Kingdom, Kingdom expression, and resources – resources like our friends at Life Center, and Collin’s with his humble, willing, and creative heart!

We are also receiving informal applications for individuals who might feel called to serve with us in 2016 (3 month and 1yr terms) as God continues to grow the Lighthouse Ukraine team.

We are specifically praying for those with creative talents (painting, singing, musical instruments, dance, writing, video, audio, photography, design) to both teach, but also help to produce some engaging, relevant evangelistic tools.   Feel free to email me about this opportunity and more information!

Bruce & Deborah Crowe
www.facebook.com/crowebruce
www.facebook.com/lighthouseukraine

My parents, Lloyd and Dorothy Crowe. Hard to get them over here, but so thankful for family!

It’s the final week before school in Ukraine.  Two weeks ago our beaches were jammed packed with locals and tourists, this past weekend they were desolate.  It’s amazing how quickly summer has come, and now is fading away.  The trees are starting to lose their green vibrancy and this past week we received a cool blast of fall weather.

Deb and I, along with Brent and Claire will celebrate birthdays over the next month or so – so we got them all taken care of in one blow!

The Cafe has been abnormally quiet too.  It’s been nice.  We’ve just completed our first anniversary, we opened in August of last year!  It was a wild ride of learning.  We know that once the students return, we’ll have many ‘regulars’ back, and some new faces coming for the free Wi-Fi and clean place to meet with friends.   We have some neat new ideas for this fall I’m excited about, and some changes in our staff that will require some organizing.   So, the calm before the storm a bit here in Ukraine.

We’re looking forward to some friends coming to visit next weekend, as well as encouraged lately by the amount of 30 something couples and families emerging in and around us.  Some have always been here and getting to know, others are folks that have newly moved to the area and we’ve met via the Cafe.  We actually meet this really neat couple from Kiev that just bought a house in a small village nearby, they spoke english really well and he is a Yoga instructor.  Then today a nice looking couple with two children asked about our English nights.  Deb and I both looking forward to getting to know more folks this fall.

Sveta has been appointed as our new ‘marketing director’ and has been adding nice little touches to the Cafe – helping to explain what these drinks actually are!

It’s been a perfect week for my parents to visit.  It’s been a joy to take them to the Cafe, let them catch a glimpse of what’s been occupying our time, energy and money this past year.  They’ve run up quite a tab – but I know where to find them.

In prayer, we believe this year holds some challenging but exciting things for our family and those the Lord allows us to serve with in Ukraine.  We will be continuing some creative workshops this fall, as the Lord provides willing talent and resources.  We’re also beginning to walk through some open doors and opportunities to connect with more of God’s church in surrounding cities and even countries.  We believe it is a time to continue believing, in faith for God to awaken hearts to Him.   It’s so easy to wane, to get loaded down with apathy by what we see with our physical eyes  – Lord give us eyes of faith, to see the possibilities, what you want to do, and will do in and thru lives that surrender to you!    We believe God is going to use the Lighthouse to continue to awaken hearts to Him, and be a place of opportunity for willing hearts to serve and give their talents to Him.Please pray for us as we make some travel plans this fall/winter.  We’re currently praying about the best options for our kids schooling in light of the possible travel.  Lord give us wisdom!

Introducing my mom to our Latte and sweet Claire loves to be held.

Good news!  Broderic passed his state entrance exam for college.  This is a big deal for us because he’s the first of our home-schooled kids.  We had no idea how he’d fair with standardized tests – we’ve not followed any specific course, it’s been a mish-mash of customized online and DVD courses based on each of our children’s personalities and interests.  He’s considering college this spring, and it’s relieving to know it’s an option! 🙂

Thanks for checking in – we miss all our friends and family! Bruce & Deb