Category: Bruce Posts (Page 131 of 211)

Over the past 2 weeks several breakthroughs have taken place for legalizing the cafe.  First, we received the national government ‘approval’ to convert the property and building to business officially – that took over $4k, 6 months and a lot of praying.  We’ve since submitted those documents to our local government and awaiting their ‘confirmation’ and stamp, could be any day, or a few weeks.

This means very soon, we can officially open and start using our super cool La Cimbali Italian Coffee machine and serving the only real Cappuccino, Lattes and other specialty drinks in the area.

Our remaining challenges center around the heating (Gas), electric (new meter) and inspection.  The most expensive and pressing is the heat.  Summer evaporated on us and winter seems to be moving in quickly.  As many of you know, there is only one gas company here in Ukraine, and they decided to shut off our gas in the middle of winter last year – rendering the building useless for 4 months.   All because we found (smelt) a gas leak outside on their pipes – and they wanted those documents we just received last week, to turn it back on.  We should have just lit a match! 🙂

Our gas furnace.. ready to heat the building and yummy pizza – but needs gas activated.

Well fast forward to today.  We have received a $4,000 activation fee for the gas (includes new meter, labor, and essential documents).  The gas supply both heats our entire building, and the pizza oven.  Without gas, we will have to heat the building another way, and serve only coffee.  Timing is critical too – if we don’t get gas before the sub-zero temps hit, it will be impossible to get the system running correctly as it requires water.. last time I checked, water freezes rather easily at -20F.  There is no fighting this fee, trust me, I’ve met with the chiefs – their reply, ‘no money, no gas’.

While in Texas, our dear friends Art & Tracy Bradshaw took it upon themselves to raise, within the context of their Life Group, $1,000 towards this fee.  That leaves only $3,000 (a lot, but in the context of what has been invested over here it’s measurable!).

Our gas pipe, when we reported the leak, they shut of the valve and put this strange thing around it – if we tamper with it, we face penalties.

We have other start-up costs hitting us now – such as product purchases ($500), electric meter ($750), and taxes.  We’ll manage with these smaller items, but we’re fresh out of funds to it all by ourselves.  The most important right now is the gas – we have to get this building warm in the next 30 days so we can continue progress and open – need some income coming in!

If you are reading this and wondered how you could practically serve in foreign missions.. you know, you don’t need to necessarily uproot your family and move to another country.  You can partner with folks, like us.  More than ever, I see the practicality and godly design of working together – sharing in the investment and the rewards together.  With the benefits of technology, we can read, pray and give towards things that would otherwise be left unheard of and in many cases, unfinished.  Please consider, an amount of any kind towards these remaining start-up costs.  We’re looking at the finish line, and need a boost to cross it!

We want to open officially in October.  We think it’s finally possible.  But we need your help.  Please consider donating something, anything, on our secure donation link here !

Help us raise $3k!  My business, as well as monthly church support are being contributed regularly to keep things moving, we’re doing all we can!  This would be a wonderful infusion to get us moving.. and warm!

Remember, this building is a first and invaluable step in establishing a base of practical ministry and outreach in this town – we are filled with vision and anticipation beyond the operation of this Cafe.  The lives that will be impacted for our great God and ministries that will flow out of this place, to the nations – we believe the harvest is plenty.

Thanks for checking in – and thanks for giving!

Bruce & Deb

What a Texas trip!  A week of visiting, encouragement, catching up with work, and some sweet dates with the misses.  We’re just now arriving back, and the jetlag is kicking in.

Broderic, our eldest joined up with us, attained his driver’s license (what a relief!!), and hung out with his best buddy Brady Bolding.  I didn’t have my camera with me this trip, just my iPhone – but I really liked the silhouetted effect, the Texas sky backdrop, as the boys ran and jumped across rooftop.

As usual, our bags were packed with some things we can’t get in Ukraine, and some fun things for the kids.  We found these superhero costumes at Walmart.  The boys now wake us up in the mornings, saving the world.

The realities of flight never cease to amaze me.  How many months would a trip like that take just a few decades ago.  What a privilege to be able to hop in and out of cultures.  The heart and mind adapt to whatever conditions we face.  As much as we loved our trip and were sad to see it end so quickly, we both admitted on our drive back to the house, that we were home – wretched road conditions and police waving batons and all.

Ukraine is a popular destination for Jewish Rosh Hashanah.   It seems that every trip either to, or from Kiev the plane has a large group of Jews traveling.  Admittedly, I’ve not been a fan of traveling with them.  They keep the stewardess hopping with demands, they show little concern for those around them, and do nothing in my view to declare the glory of God (what they believe is their mandate on earth as God’s special chosen people).

Deb and I were upgraded to first class last minute on one of the flights.  I had been watching this one certain Jewish man that had the kindest face, and was discussing spiritual things in the terminal waiting area.  I had this random thought, sort of a prayer, “It would be cool to have him sit beside me, I have so many questions and frustrations with these guys.”  Well, you guessed it.  He was also bumped to first class – we had two solid hours of meaningful, theological, and rewarding discussions.  I was able to share about Christ, he was able to share about history, traditions and the law.  By the end of our flight, we had formed a friendship, he’s a medical doctor out of NY State, divorced.  I learned a lot, and I believe sowed some seeds as well that will not soon leave his mind and heart.  My mind was opened to considering new thoughts – but I’m sure glad the Messiah has come!

Lastly, an update and picture from the Cafe.  Today we received and paid for the final BIG document we’ve been waiting for 4 months now.  We have now submitted the final local request to open the cafe, and believe it COULD take only two weeks.  One step closer!  In the meantime Dema and his cousin installed the pizza oven vent and fan.  You have no idea how challenging that was – finding a fan that would properly fit, then hanging this beast – it’s sounding like an airplane at the moment, working on that – but should nicely push all the lovely smells of pizza over to the bus station !

The one thing I’d ask you to pray about over the next couple of weeks is heating.  We currently have a $4k bill staring at us to activate the gas, which heats our building.  This process will take up to a month, and it’s getting cold already in Ukraine – about a month before it might snow and leave us in minus temps for the long winter.   Our friends Art & Tracy raised $1000 through their home group last week, so we’re down to $3k.  We have to move on this quickly if we’re to keep the building functional much longer.

Another option we’re looking at is installing an electric furnace as a backup and possible quick solution, but that is another $1k.  Either way, we need some financial help as we approach possible the opening of the cafe.  I may post something on facebook, especially now that we’re inches from opening to the public.  We’ll open with Coffee first only, then move into Pizza as the gas situation is resolved.

Thanks to Shane and Jem for watching the kiddos whilst we were away – they loved it.  Thank you to all our Crossroads peeps for prayer and elevating missions and the Kingdom of God like you do.  Thank you Bo and Beth for your hospitality as always.  Thank you guys at Cypress and EDsuite, you are part of this.

Ok, let’s get to work.

Bruce

We’re leaving for Texas in the morning.  A few shots from today.  Sergei above is talented musician/student and comes from a Christian family – a real rarity among students and a wonderful example from what I’ve seen.  He’s playing and signing to the group.

Shane and Jemimah, an Australian couple here will be matching our 6 kids while we travel this week.  Hope they still want to have kids after we return!  Really looking forward to seeing our eldest son Broderic in a few days.  Praying he passes his DL on Friday.. if not, could be up to a year before back in Texas for it – no pressure my son!

Looking forward to several things next week.  Deb and I will be sharing on discipleship (focusing on ‘the home’) on Wednesday to our home church Crossroads.  Then Thursday night we’re hosting a supporters dinner – our first ‘official’ gathering with those that have prayed, financially and logistically supported our family the past 5 yrs.  We’ll be casting some vision for the next 5yrs and praying more hearts connect with us.

Lastly will be working with our team at Cypress and EDsuite.  Many changes happening there, praying for wisdom and God’s clear direction as we chart a course for the near future – it’s been 10yrs since God challenged me to step out and trust Him, starting a business although my heart was to go to Russia – Amazing how God works all things together.

If you are reading this from Texas – we look forward to seeing you!  If you are reading from Canada, we are sorry we aren’t stopping in, we love and miss you 🙁  If you are reading from Ukraine, we’re going to eat something yummy just for you!

Bruce & Deb

For many of us, our youth is gone.  While we comfort ourselves by remaining ‘young at heart’, the reality is we have spent the vigor of our youth.

What did we spend it on?  Was it worth it?  If we could go back, would we re-direct ourselves?  Imagine if you could, having 15 minutes with your 18yr old self.   There you are, looking at a spry, blissfully ignorant, wrinkle free face.  What do you tell yourself?

You soon realize your younger self isn’t really getting it.  That this vital life altering information is something they will just have to figure out on their own – experience is the ultimate teacher.  Only life itself can teach the lasting lessons.

Your older self has grown through hardship, we value relationships through trial and error.  Life becomes the gift that it is only after you experience loss, and face your sobering inevitability.

Instead of warning my younger self (or telling him to invest in Google), I’m going to give him a verse from Ecclesiastes chapter 11:9 – and pray it sinks in.

Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment.

Go for it young person.  Don’t hold back.  But remember, in the end, after all your pursuing and attempted conquering in this life, there will be a moment where God will reconcile all things.  The injustices in this world, the flamboyant rebellion, the denial of eternal realities – they will be addressed in His perfect court.    But so will you.

You too younger self.  Your life is recorded in the divine hard-drive of God’s memory.  He has given you all things pertaining to life and godliness.  He has given you His Word for instruction, His Spirit for help, and His Son for forgiveness.  Walk humbly, don’t waste your life.

Today I turn 39.  Yesterday for the first time since getting married almost 19yrs ago, Deb and I watched our wedding video.  It was moving.  I wanted to reach through the screen and talk to my younger self.  I barely recognized him.  It’s inspired me to make the next 20yrs count, if the Lord will grant them.  Soon they will be over, and soon we shall stand before Him – Help me to live today with anticipation towards that day.

Bruce & Deborah Crowe
Missionaries | Ukraine