Category: Bruce Posts (Page 117 of 211)

The boys thought I was strange to ask them to pose backwards, but parents will understand.  I love patting those precious heads.

September 1st marks the ‘opening bell’ across Ukraine.  An hour (at least) long service filled with the same songs, poems, suits and dresses.  This year however, a somber emotion filled the air as parents gathered to remember the fallen soldiers from our town – not from WWII, but only weeks ago.

Natasha Yevtoshenko has been an amazing help shopping for deals on shoes in Kiev and sizing the kids up.

Last week we were able via a donation from Texas, provide shoes for the kids at Kuzmenci.  Thank you to all that gave this summer towards the fire/restoration of property.  The kids are back, and have actually a much nicer/cleaner place to live than before the fire.

This little ray of sunshine makes us laugh everyday. The smarts she possesses compared to our boys at the same age.. well, it’s a bit embarrassing gents.

On Friday of last week, we received some amazing news.  The Health Inspector for the region surprised us by visiting our Mayor’s office with our official approval document.  This means we are totally legal now and can finally open!   We celebrated by opening for a few hours, and selling our ceremonious first cup of coffee – the winner.. Alyosha.  Fitting, as he was with us when we bought the property +3yrs ago, and was instrumental in the major renovations.  I gladly took his $1.50, along with this historic photo!

Tucker overhead the voice of the notorious math teacher (only male teacher in school), thus the face.

More to come on the Cafe later.  Please pray for us as we prepare for Vladivostock, Russia in less than 2 weeks.  I go to the consulate tomorrow to pick up my visa.  Many refugees have flooded the region from the Mariupol region – the situation is escalating, and many homes are crowded with additional family, friends and contacts from the war torn areas.  This is a logistical nightmare for families fleeing and receiving, schools, hospitals, and everything in between.

Deb is only 6 weeks shy (or less) from baby delivery #8.  We are looking at a crazy month ahead with travel, family visiting, the Cafe now open, more big changes in our Texas business, and an escalating war to the south – not to mention the looming winter ahead with concern of gas/heat politics.   Life comes at us in waves doesn’t it?  Enjoy the lulls, they are a gift.  When my kids complain of being ‘bored’, I tell them how lucky they are, they leave puzzled, but they’ll get it.

Mid-Flight, sorry so many Abbey pics, she just reminds me why we all miss being kids.

This is Ruslan. He’s a great kid who has been abandoned by his parents. He is very polite and thankful. He’s sporting the new suit purchased by our supporters.

It’s times like this we take refuge in our great God.  We hide in Him because He is our strength.  We push forward in prayer because the real enemy is already defeated.  We remember our King sits securely on His Throne, and all who trust in Him should not be afraid.

Opening Class, several broke down into tears (teachers) as the had a moment of silence for the fallen recently in battle.

Thank you for praying, caring and the little notes you do send.  We miss you guy out there!

If you sit, the kids will come. They long for physical affection – language all by itself.

We join with many across Ukraine and the world for peaceful resolution before more lives needlessly taken.

We’ll be in touch soon with more updates on the Cafe and ways you can continue to partner with us.

Bruce & Deb

‘However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him–‘ 1 Cor 2:9

Do you ever have scripture versus pop in your head?  This morning this verse caused some reflection.  I had a couple bad days last week, feeling discouraged and defeated.  I let the enemy’s lies lead me on a bread crumb trail that left me mentally despondent.

These were some of the lies – maybe they are familiar to you as well:

• You are wasting your time with this, give up.
• You are never going to change, give up.
• You are a failure with this, and that, give up.
• You are alone, give up.

Give up.  I’ve been commended lately for the endurance displayed with the +2yrs of struggle against a broken and corrupt system.  Something seemingly so simple has been nothing of the sort.  It has pushed me to the edge many-a-day.  Yet, I know behind the brave face, my faith has and is being tested more than most might think.

We have an enemy, and he is a liar at heart.  His lies come with seeds of truth, as to make them palatable.  He appeals to our failures and short comings, knowing we cannot deny our weaknesses.  The truth is we are weak and we cannot change ourselves.  We are not deserving of the Love of God, but that’s what makes grace amazing!

The verse above, ‘No eye has seen… the things God has prepared for those who love Him’ is not a reference to the hope of heaven.   Nor is it a promise of temporary earthly blessing, prosperity or health.  Paul is offering more than a little pep talk to hang in there for brighter days.  He’s talking about the ‘hidden mystery’ of the coming of Christ if you read the previous verses.  This is the root cause of our faith, the bedrock of eternal hope we can build our lives on –

The coming of Jesus Christ WAS up until Christ, and IS for all who have believed AFTER His coming, the most amazing, shocking and life altering news the world has known.

Israel didn’t see Christ coming.  Nor did anyone fully comprehend the lengths God was going to go to both display and execute His love to us.   It was a mystery, revealed during the time of Christ to His first disciples, and by the Holy Spirit unveiled in the gospel message to each generation.

When I’m defeated, I notice a common thread.  I want to give up.  This lack of hope refuses to think upon truth.  I refuse to ‘see’ and ‘hear’ the reality that God has loved me perfectly in Christ.  He has overlooked my transgressions (1 John 1:9), exchanged them for righteousness (Rom 3:22) and positioned me as an accepted, adopted member of His family (Eph 1:5).  He is my Father, and I am now His son.

It’s the bedrock truths that the enemy wants to shake with the many earthly trials.  He wants to distract our eyes from heaven, the source of our hope (Psalm 121:1), and dare us to find our value here on earth.  He wants us to measure ourselves the the worth in our earthly victories.  This is the antithesis of God’s Gospel to man:

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.  Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.”   – Isa 55:2-3

God loves us, not on the basis of our human efforts (Eph 2:8).  This is for many of us a continual struggle.  We will all lose hope if we don’t remain convinced of this truth:

We are loved because God is a loving, amazing Father.  He has proven this love in the coming, crucified death and resurrection of His Son Jesus.   Our response?  Believe it, embrace it, enjoy it, think upon in, share it, and let this grace transform us.

This is the hope that I want to rest in this week, and not the many trials, victories or failures in my journey through this life – Lord help me in my weakness!  May the Lord encourage you as well to press on, and to look up.

(PS – this is for you boys)

Bruce

We’re going to Far, Far, Far East Russia.

When we were in Rostov, Russia a few months ago, we met a young couple planning to start a DTS (Discipleship Training School) with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) in far east Russia.   We appreciated their heart for the Lord, and their passion to reach people with the gospel in Russia.

They have asked me to come and share for the week of Sept 15-23rd.  I’ve asked fellow missionary Simeon Ewing to join me as Deb is much too pregnant for the 12hrs of flying.

We started the year praying and believing for new doors, and directionally towards Russia.  This will be the 2nd trip to Russia so far this year as we continue to take faith steps.

Who would have thought that a year ago Ukraine would have overthrown it’s President and be warring in the East?  The Ukrainian / Russian relations are being strained to say the least – Whether you are talking on the street, or listening to a sermon in Church, the current struggles are on everyone’s minds and hearts in this part of the world.

I believe God knows the heart of man.  He knows that in spite of our intentions, without a spiritual work and transformation, we are bent towards evil, selfishness, and destruction.  The humanistic worldview that permeates our global culture preaches that man is good.  This is not what the gospel teaches – Jesus didn’t come for good people, he suffered for wicked, lost, and undeserving rebels, and everyone in between!

The coming of Jesus Christ, if you believe Him to be the Messiah, was an indictment upon all flesh.  He came to seek and save the lost.  We cannot rectify or sanctify our state without His help.  We are all truly lost, truly gone astray, and desperately deceived if we believe otherwise.

Lately, this world seems to be increasing in terrible events and news. Perhaps it’s the globally connected world we live in, bringing to our finger tips the evil with lightning speed and convenience.  In any case, there is no righteous country, or people group that is exempt from the judgment of God, nor His amazing mercies.  The Kingdom of God is the primary residence of His redeemed – this world, thankfully, is not our home!

I move forward through open doors because I believe God leads.  I feel His heart for the hungry in spirit, the seeking but not yet found.  He is looking for volunteers to go into this world and make disciples.  This mission is not for a select few, I believe it’s for all of us.  It’s a mission that takes us into our own communities, families, and workplace.   It’s a mission to young and old alike, singles, marrieds, Americans and even Canadians.

Thank you Lord for allowing us to follow you to new places.  May your Kingdom continue to grow in spite of the evil days.

Bruce

I sat down with Vlad this past week and asked him to share a few things.   This first video is a simple thank you to the many churches and supporters that prayed and financially supported their family through their ordeal.