Category: Bruce Posts (Page 180 of 211)

[The kids rejoice and pose with American goodies from our friend Frank in Dallas]

Busy week ahead of us, Deb & Priscilla are leading a Woman’s Retreat north of Kiev at PineBranch Camp.  They have a group of 23 signed up and ready to go, this is their 2nd ‘annual’ retreat.  Deb would appreciate the prayer support, she has a few things on her heart to share to the ladies, as does Pris.  We’re also back into Russian lessons, this time taking classes in Kiev once per week from SEND International Language School.  We’re combining our lessons with a date night in Kiev once per week to make the lessons a bit less painful!   We’re hoping that the fixed routine of lessons and homework (they run a pretty tight ship) will force us to progress at a greater level.  Being in a small town, with many ministry and home related needs it has been almost impossible to protect designated ‘study’ time for Russian, and we both have a renewed energy to keep learning.  Pray for us!

 

Our second Cafe Night went well last night.  It had a different feel, I think partly because we sort of knew what to expect, and also because the returning students did.  We had about 60% of the students return from the first week, and a handful of new ones, about 40 in total that came in/out during the night.  It was hard to really count because at any given moment there were 5-15 outside of the door smoking, I’d say safely 60% of them smoke.  Dan shared the main message, dressed up in a Matrix-esk Leather coat, sporting sunglasses and a cowboy hat.  I’m not sure what he shared exactly, but after the evening was over a few of the students were trying on the coat and taking pictures of themselves with their cell phones.   Masha and Vlad gave their testimonies, you could sense a restlessness among the kids though, we pray that truth was sown into hearts, and pray the devil does not snatch away those seeds. 

We are looking forward with anticipation for the next event this Sunday.  We have a drama group and musical guests from Kiev.  We are going to hit the colleges with more invitations, and try and pack the place for this.  I will be sharing (depending on how much the group shares), please pray for me, I believe there are some soft hearts in the group, and even a solid core of new believers either ‘already’ committing their lives to God, or seriously contemplating.  Afterwards most of the group left, but a group of 10 or so stayed and helped, and just hung out.  A few of them smile and seem to be attracted to the love that is being shown to them.  Whether they are guys or girls, I think these events are having a natural and super natural impact, giving options to the typical Ukrainian pattern of life, offering a hope that is bigger than anything they’ve understood.  God be glorified and use us as He wills.

13 more days until we leave.  I know this because my kids are counting each day like it’s a NASA shuttle launch.  We are going to try and register ourselves and my truck before we leave, it’s a bit ridiculous because we will have to do it all again once we return in Nov, but it will ensure a safe (or safer) exit out of the country / customs. 

Thanks for checking in – 

Bruce & Deb

——-Yesterday we hosted the first of four “Cafe Nights.”  They are taking place downtown, in an old soviet theatre we are renting, on Sunday evenings.   This past week several of us went to the surrounding tecnicums and passed out invitations, not really knowing for sure how many would come.  God blessed the evening, we had 40-50 students come in and sit, drink coffee and eat desserts.  We had just enough food. We had a guest Christian rapper from Kiev do a few songs, share his testimony, followed by testimonies from Tanya K (Ukrainian) and Matt Almeter (visiting friend from Texas).  I wrapped things up by sharing simply our hearts for doing the cafe, our desire to build relationships with them, and God’s love already directed/proven through Jesus Christ. We prayed at the end of the evening, and you could sense hearts were engaged.It was very fulfilling to serve with practically everyone from the church. From the baking and serving of home-made desserts, to table setup, decor, and sound equipment.. everyone got involved and we witnessed God blessing our efforts. It’s time for us to share the hope within us, to boldly, and graciously make His name known to our town. Pray for us please, we need to personally carve out more prayer time here, but we also need support, this is a spiritual battle that isn’t going to be won with cool music and free coffee.

[This is one of the local colleges called ‘technicum’]

[Broderic helping rip up an old floor, to be replaced with concrete this week.  We’re completing this house for missionary housing]

Thanks for checking in, please pray this week for:

– The students that came, that seeds would grow, and they’d come back next week and bring more friends.
– Property downtown is ready to purchase on our end for the cafe, we’ve secured a loan to help with this and needs God’s help to pay this back.  Pray that all the documentation is completed properly, it would be great if we could complete the purchase before we leave for North America on Sept 26.
– Kolya, the new believer who is being a major positive influence at his school, he’s bringing most of these students to the cafe.. pray for his spiritual growth and protection from all forms of temptation.
– Sergei & Tanya’s return, they are hoping to be back in November sometime, pray for God to meet their practical needs that may delay their return.

Bruce & Deb

In 4 weeks we’ll be heading back to Canada to visit our family, then to Texas to visit our friends at Crossroads.  The kids are terribly excited.  I haven’t thought about it too much, but have to admit I’m really looking forward to the break.  We’ll be gone an entire month.  We’d like to catch up with as many friends and family as possible during this time, so if you want to grab a coffee or lunch, please let us know and we’ll schedule it.

This past month has been one of the most difficult, yet rewarding seasons here in Ukraine.  As a young leadership team, we’ve been confronted with some challenges that needed attention.  God has used these situations to bring unity, a stronger appreciation for God’s revealed will (scripture) and its authority in our lives.  It’s an interesting principle, I think, that the most personal growth takes place when we are placed in tough situations.  The pressure ‘against’ us, or challenge in front of us strips away those things we hold loosely, and we find ourselves determining matters of ‘conviction’ vs simple ‘opinion.’  When the storm comes, what do you really believe?  When you are faced with adversity, there the trial reveals your moral and spiritual center.

“For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” James 1:3

For me personally, the challenges have thrown me headlong into a renewed adoration for God’s Word.  God hasn’t left us alone, scrambling to figure things out subjectively, groping for solutions to our temporal and eternal realities.   Scripture brings clarity, strengthens resolve, gives hope and deepens my faith.  My faith is tested most in the fire of controversy and conflict.  It’s out of these seasons however I see the most fruit, stuff like patience, forbearance, humility, devotion.

Maybe you are in a fire.  If you aren’t, I’m sure it’s coming soon – it’s life.  I hope they come and leave quickly.  However, the trials should be faced not with pure pragmatism and an attitude of ‘let’s just get this over with.’  If we embrace the situation as an opportunity to grow, I think we find some redemptive value out of even the worst problems.  If we resist, or approach difficulties with anger, bitterness, or other forms of pride, the challenges only serve to reveal our sinful heart, something we all should realize by now anyway.  I think trials are designed to do more than reveal our hearts though, they are designed to fortify our faith in God (in the life of the believer).

Let us cling to God’s Word, let it direct your thoughts, increase your love and ability to forgive, as Christ Jesus forgives us (Eph 4 :25-32).  It’s His grace that will enable us to turn a tough situation into an opportunity to grow.  If you don’t have a living, sincere relationship with God, that should be your greatest ‘issue’ in your life –  dwarfing all other momentary problems.   Go to God in prayer, seek Him while He may be found.   He’s a great God, proven His love for you by becoming Christ, living down here with us, and taking the punishment of sin upon Himself.  But you need to come to Him, you need to choose.   God has turned your greatest problem (sin and resulting separation from God) into your greatest reward (forgiveness and relationship restored!).

In September, every Sunday from 5-7pm we are hosting as a church a “Cafe Night” in our town.  The college students are returning, and we’re reaching out to build relationships with them and others in the town with a relaxed, positive environment.  We’ll have Christian singers/musicians, some drama and testimonies from various Christians through the month.  Please pray for us, this is a big outreach for us and we’re actually canceling all but one Sunday morning service to be ‘fishers of men’ in this format.

Here is the invitation we are using – thought you might find interesting:)

Bruce & Deb

Broderic wore his suit for the first time to a special going-away party for Jon & Ruth.  What a class act!  (everyone else was in shorts!)

Preparing for Ephesians study tonight, chapter 4.  God’s Word has been unbelievably satisfying, particularly appreciating context, staying on course with Paul’s inspired ‘overall’ meaning to the church.   God’s pre-determined plan for you and I to be rescued from our sin, reconciled with God the Father and walking in a new obedience, fueled by grace.  Thank you God for saving us!

We’re committing to new Russian classes in Kiev.  They are weekly lessons with a seasoned professional teacher, and will ensure that Deb and I have a date night again!

Appreciate prayer for our September ‘outreach’ focus.  The church is hosting ‘cafe nights’ every Sunday downtown, in lieu of our morning meetings.  Pray for students to come to this and for the gospel message to penetrate hearts and minds.  We’ll have guest musicians, coffee, testimonies and preaching.

Sincerely,

Bruce & Deb