Category: Bruce Posts (Page 155 of 211)

Vlad and Vicka - Visit in Prison, Kiev

Today we spent 6hrs inside a maximum security Ukrainian prison visiting our dear friend and brother in Christ, Vlad.

He’s already been behind bars for 6 months and continues to battle his unjust state seemingly to no avail.  His next appeal is set for May 22, and many are praying for a favorable decision.

Getting in wasn’t as difficult as I had thought.  After taking our passports and cell phones,  the guards barely looked at us, just waved us through a series of checkpoints that beeped away without much concern.   Within our backpacks we could have had anything, literally.  We brought Vlad requested fruit, some veggies, some magazines, and McDonald’s for lunch.  This was his monthly visitation, and I felt very privileged to join his wife Vicka, Dan and Tom.

We sat in this room, old Soviet prison visitation windows

Upon seeing Vlad, he and Vicka embraced with tears.  It was an emotional moment, and one that sobered me quickly at the thought of only seeing my own wife once per month.  The anticipation, the longing, the friendship, the love.  For a moment, Vlad’s life was back to normal and everything was right in his world.   We all embraced, and then searched for a spot to camp out for the day.

There were only a couple of rooms, not setup for group visitation, not even tables.  In fact, we ended up just meeting in the room where you would normally see prisoners talking to their visitors through the glass and phone.   I can’t imagine the conditions Vlad and the other prisoners have adapted to inside the secure zone, what we had was a rudimentary, dirty, and old as you could stand.   We didn’t have toilets either, that’s one way to keep the visit times down I guess, but we all managed to stick it out as long as Vlad was permitted, which was the full 6hrs.

Vlad is doing very well.  He has joy, and gentleness about his spirit that blessed me.  He hasn’t accepted his situation as being right or just, but He has found peace in Christ and it shows.  His very first request was that we spend time as brothers in prayer, something that he has missed and longs for again.  It was wonderful to lay hands on Vlad, the person, the friend, and physically connect.

Tom, Vicka and Dan as we stand outside the entrance.

This afternoon gave a new perspective to fellowship.  We need it, but Vlad really needed it. It’s simple, refreshing, and healing to the soul.  Vlad was full of questions.  How were his friends, his family, the church he was keenly part of for that past 3yrs?  He drank up the updates and refreshed his parched soul.

You can tell he’s had plenty time of reflection, even among the overcrowded prison which is supposed to hold 2,500 and currently has 4,500 inmates.   Vlad is part of the ‘work’ detail which is segregated from the rest of the inmates.   He man’s a concession stand which the inmates can use with a points system.  Because his case has not been completely resolved, Vlad isn’t treated quite like the rest of the hardened criminals and seems to have built a few relationships with the guards and is known as someone trustworthy.

Among the 1000’s of inmates, Vlad only knows of one brother in Christ, an Orthodox believer.  Together they visit the ‘church’, which is a small room inside the prison.  They have enjoyed some fellowship and prayer together, and Vlad has developed a new appreciation it seems for the Orthodox faith – amazing how unity in the essentials becomes so much more clear in a situation like that.

Pertaining to his case, it’s quite complicated and I won’t try and lay it all out in this blog.  However I was able to ask Vlad many questions directly that have puzzled me from the start.  I can share the following –

– The other party has a lot of money invested in this guilty decision, even upwards of $30k.
– Their motivation is not exactly clear, but because they were ultimately found guilty the first 4 times in court, it’s obvious they have gone above and beyond to reverse the decision.
– By finding Vlad guilty, the guilty goes free, but they’ve additionally included $100k cost for emotional damage, court fees, medical bills – and that is what they are continuing to pursue aggressively.
– They tried first to sue the company Vlad was driving for, but that company has gone out of business, now they are trying to sue the Leasing company of the actual vehicle.
– Vlad is trying to get Amnesty, he is also hoping the Appeal could be moved to European court for a more fair hearing  (where it could be heard ‘all over’ from the start).
– Vlad hopes that if he does have to serve several more years, he could be moved closer to a less crowded prison where he could have more visitation.
– Even if Vlad came up with $100k (for example), and paid the fine, someone still has to be guilty in this case (at least for now, if it continues this law could be relaxed for some reason), and therefor it’s not just about money.

I’m thankful for seeing my brother and friend today.  It gives fresh perspective on freedom, on the problems in my own life.  I get to face them with my best friend by my side.  A lot can go wrong in our lives, but Vlad’s situation gives perspective.  He hasn’t given up hope, but rather placed his hope in Christ.  We encouraged him in prayer, and with fellowship, but he blessed us with the reminder that with Jesus Christ, we have all we need in this life.

We look forward to hearing more news, to progressing through this as a church and continuing to pass on news for the church following around the world.  If you haven’t joined the facebook page, the page is – Justice for Vlad Schaslyvyi

Bruce & Deborah

Appreciate prayer as we navigate through our increasingly limited options for legally residing in Ukraine.  As many of you know, I have applied for Permanent Residence which will ultimately make living and exiting/entering the country much easier.  Until then however, we are caught in ‘no man’s land’ it seems, unable to get the kind of visas we need to stay more than 90 days.

To make things more interesting, we are also told we can’t stay in the country for more than 180 days in a calendar year unregistered, which is the status of those staying in Ukraine without a visa.  So essentially, unless my Permanent Residence comes through in the next 3 months, our family may have to leave Ukraine until it does.  That would not be an easy task for a family of 9.

Abigail is a joy - She is now 6 weeks old

I spent an hour on the phone with the Ukrainian consulate in Toronto, where I knew they could speak English!  The poor fellow was as hopelessly confused as I was reviewing our situation and documents.  The local authorities here in Ukraine have their interpretation, border crossings have theirs, and then the consulates abroad add to the chaos.  Only layers of defunct bureaucracy like this could produce the mind bending situation we find ourselves in (I’m only giving you a taste of the complexity).

We leave for Poland on Tuesday for a border run.  We have to be out of country by the 21st.  Fortunately we just received Abigails passport so she can come too, or that would have been interesting.   We’ll be leaving the kids here in RZ.  Pray they let us back in without Visas, and that once in, the Lord would supernaturally guide us to the best options to stay.  Pray my Permanent Residence goes through within 90 days, everything really hinges on that document for us… until then we are in the Twilight Zone and time will be ticking.

Friendly neighborhood tractor - Now to get the boyz planting sweet corn!!

I’d rather be writing about the Cafe, and the tractor that surprised me this morning ready to plow my garden (sweet corn here we come!!).   This is however where most missionaries live, spinning their wheels among processes.  It’s humbling, discouraging, frustrating, tiring.   Hopefully God is also working some good things in our hearts as we surrender and trust more in Him.  It is not easy.

Bruce & Deb

Trampoline time again - Limit exception for photo only!

We’re just now entering our 5th year here in Ukraine.  Deb and I were looking at photos of the kids when we first moved over.  “How time flies” seems to hit home with more force when you realize how much your own kids have grown.  Little chubby faces have turned to teenagers, and the little toddlers can now carry conversations.  The only ones that haven’t changed are the parents, or so we think.

Doing life.  I think we need to be careful of vision and planning, at least on a personal level.  I’ve been laying down future hopes and dreams, even the ones that I think God might have given me.  If we’re not careful, we become focused on the future to the extent that we’re no longer living for God today.  Anyone can plan to give their time and love tomorrow.  It’s today that matters most to God.

Spring has arrived in full bloom - this is one of our apple trees

I appreciate that about the Ukrainian culture, they live for today, and perhaps it’s rubbed off on us.   I’m thankful it has.  I have new peace that whatever God does desire to do in the future, will find its fulfillment through more focus on today.

Deb sure loves this baby girl Abigail, who is now 6 weeks old.  Abbey has a special glimmer in her eyes for her mom.  There will be no lack of affection in Abbey’s life, she is routinely kissed by her brothers and generally adored throughout the day.  Something about knowing it’s your last, you want to enjoy the little things.

Abbey in her 2nd month already - Stop the train!

I plan to visit Texas this summer for work with Cypress and visit our church family at Crossroads.  We are at a stopping point on the Cafe, it’s looking great, and should be ready for the Fall if documents come through, and some remaining finances to finish.

Life is a series of events.  My deep thought for the month. We don’t always know what events will come, or even how we will react to them.

We can however enjoy the many blessings of knowing Jesus Christ daily, and surrender to His work in our life along the way.   I pray that you find rest in that too!

We’re praying as a church leadership about moving the Sunday gathering downtown for the fall.  Everyone seems excited for change, and ready for the many challenges this will present our small group.

The Bible study (Gospel of John) I’ve been leading in our home each Wednesday is about to finish.  It’s been personally challenging to weekly study/read, verse by verse is a lot harder than I thought it would be.  I think the next book will be a bit shorter, maybe Jude!  The more we learn the more we realize we have more to learn.  I’m amazed at the wisdom and charity of God in the person of Jesus Christ.  The closer you step towards the heart of the gospel, it seems to be more vast, and less specific.  Try as we might to make ultimate sense of it and we are left helpless to grasp why, and how our Creator would stoop and suffer for us undeserving.  We will never tire of this wonder, in this life or the next!  We are loved folks, with an everlasting love.

Catching Bronwyn doing some school at the kitchen table. It's hard to believe she's still only 13!

The kids are progressing in their schooling, albeit slowly.  Broderic and Brownyn are starting to realize that time is also moving in their lives, and in only a few short years they will be making life choices.  We’re proud of their character and kindness.

Super-Mom playing puzzle games with the two monkeys.

Since Abigail was born we’ve had a few visitors, my parents, then Deb’s mom for 3 weeks helping.  We’ve had some unbelievable meals prepared as well from our friends here.  We are not a small group to feed either, so we are extremely grateful for that.

Heading out to Poland next week to get new Visas.  Taking Broderic with me.

Thanks for checking in –

Bruce & Deb

Noah creates his own tripod and camera setup

It’s been a while since I’ve had consecutive “Kiev Trip Days” and guess what, they wear you out!

We took baby Abbey into the US Embassy to complete the “Report of Birth Abroad” application, as well as apply for her US Passport which should be here next week.

Then this morning at 6:30am we were off to Kiev again to sign several documents and register before our 90 days are up.  Some of the documents I had to sign included:

– I agree that I own my house.

– I agree that I want to live in my house.

– I agree that I want my wife to live in my house.

We got there 1 full hr before it opened, and were #2 in line.  One of the cool things in Ukraine is the ability to hold your place in line.  You simply tell the person in front of you, “I am after you” and everything is cool.  You can leave, go home, take a nap, come back and if the person ahead of you is still waiting, you can resume your spot.  We had to go to the bank and spend an hour paying for a 17hrv fee as part of the registration process ($2.20), and upon returning there were 25 people standing around waiting for the doors to open.  Thankfully, we were still #2:)

Baby Abbey Gets a Bath!

People can spend an entire day at OVIR, foreigners, Ukrainians, it’s an experience everyone will face eventually if you live in the former Soviet Union.  It’s the most bizarre experience.  Everyone is reduced to a number, treated as incompetent for not knowing a zillion laws (some of which they make up on the spot I’m convinced), and many sent home with a laundry list of documents and stamps to attain.  No matter how prepared you think you are, the complete randomness of process, subjectivity of both the law and mood of the person wielding power is a thing to behold.

I’ve come to grips with these visits I think, I set extremely low expectations.  I tell myself, “Today, my goal is to smile when they tell me I’m missing something and have to come back again tomorrow.”  However, today, it was a miracle day, we even had additional passport photos by chance in my back-pack when they unsuspectingly asked for 3 extra.. I smiled and pulled out a huge stack of them, ‘How many extra do you want, you want one for your desk?” I whispered under my breath.   Today we won, we penetrated and defeated the bureaucracy… or did we.. they still have my passports.

We now have until May 21 to exit Ukraine, get new Visas in our Passports, and return to Re-Register (same process above, more photos, same documents, same fees, same expectations!).

Today I found out we could be waiting until August for the property documents required to operate the Cafe.  This is a bummer, but in all reality we still have much to do, and are currently of funds to finish buying tables/chairs and kitchen dishes/utensils etc..  I’m thinking we will use this summer to get everything ready, and host some events (not charge anyone) which will allow us to test things out, and prepare for fall opening when students come back.  That’s the hope anyway.  I’d also like to organize a July/Aug group of construction guys who are good with wood/landscaping.. we’d love to beautify the property and build a deck out front.

Enough for now- thanks for checking in –

Bruce & Deb