Category: Bruce Posts (Page 105 of 211)

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 ?

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!

Bruce