Category: Bruce Posts (Page 188 of 211)

Someone told me it was officially the first day of spring in Ukraine today.  I’m not sure about that, my street is a block of frozen snow with train track like grooves to follow.  It’s still below freezing here, but very bearable compared to a few weeks ago.  It will be a joyful day when all of the snow does melt, and the green spring truly does make its appearance.  I can stop yelling, “shut the door” every time I feel a gush of cold air in the house.

Deb’s father is here, Neil.  He arrived last week and has made a welcome addition to the kitchen.  He’s the chief cook and bottle washer!  Noline, Deb’s mom arrives next month.  Neil has started taking over the building project and making his authority known among the workers.  It’s a totally different way of thinking over here, as you’ve already read.  Neil is starting to experience this first hand, and we can’t help but smile.  The lady that he is buying their house from, visited the other house we are finishing (for them), and politely inquired if they could continue growing their potatoes at Neils house.  They are having a hard time ‘letting go’ of this other house, and it’s going to take some careful hand holding over the next few weeks to solidify the deal.  Everything thus far has been on a handshake and trust, if they were to totally change their minds now, after we’ve completed their house and invested a lot of time and money.. we wouldn’t have a leg to stand on legally.  It will be ok, but it is nothing like the structured deals in the West.  Here, you need to care about their potatoes.

Thank you for praying for Deb, her back is a little better but still causing some issues.  With her dad here we have considered going away for a few days and getting her some real rest.

Tucker celebrated his 7th birthday this weekend.  He’s a great son, we really enjoy him.  Deb made home-made donuts, and they actually tasted like the real thing, I was quite impressed.  The kids gobbled them up, reminiscencing the good ole days in Texas.  He then opened a few little gifts and had home-made pizza (how about i stop with the home-made, you get it right?) and cake.   It’s been very special to watch our kids interact over the last few years.  They are very kind to each other, they watch out for one another, genuinely ‘like’ to hang out.  It’s a lesson in God’s joy when we love our neighbor, especially those in the family of God.

Work has been going well, trying to spend more time every day working on something related to the business.  The guys are a great friends and I’ve been delegating increasing amounts of ‘rope’ as I seek to be involved in only major decisions.  I don’t share a lot on my blog about work, but it’s a significant part of our life here, and ability to go about ministry efforts and helping others.  I thank God for the work, and the situation we are in, though it does continue to challenge my capacity to function in both ‘worlds’, I’m blessed with people that I can trust and who understand our calling.

Pray for Valik, he is a young man whom God has been working on very obviously the past few weeks.  He won’t mind me posting this, not that he can understand English. He has come to home groups, and church and heard the gospel from several of us.  He has been opening up to the truth, convicted of sin, recognizing his need for a Savior.  He is still wrestling with some things, but we are praying as a body for complete salvation, the kind that convinces him thoroughly of sins forgiven!  It has been so encouraging to watch God Himself draw and work on this man’s heart.  It definitely strengthens our faith and draws us to more prayer, what a spiritual battle we are in every day.

Just recently launched www.missionsnetwork.com .   If you get a chance, visit the site.  We are on Facebook as well, and have 200 people in the ‘fan page’.  Our heart is to see churches, business, and christians everywhere with a heart for global missions to connect.  We want to start adding more mission projects, missionaries, and update with prayer requests and trip opportunities.  Pray God sends us the people and places that He wants us to promote.

Needs:

Land Downtown for Ministry Center
Housing for Sergei & Lesya (couple from NY, they are Russian/Ukrainian and want to move here)
Ladies Outreach in two weeks
UTSIM language school needs a place to function (kicked out of public school room)
Documents for Neils house, that the ‘deal’ would go smoothly
Debs back to be healed

Thanks for checking in,

Bruce

³We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, ⁴because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints— ⁵the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel ⁶that has come to you.  All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth.   Col 1:3-6

 
There’s a popular new concept arising within the western church that is gaining traction.  Like most popular concepts, it sounds good, is easy to digest and feels right.  At least, it feels right on the surface.  It goes like this, “Everything in the life of the believer is mission,” or, “we are all missionaries.” The terms is being ‘missional’, it’s as widely defined as it is defended and critiqued.  I don’t have a doctorate in theology, but this missional ‘challenge’ challenges what I have studied about missions, and the role of the church.  I think we need to be very careful.

 
I say, ‘new concept’ because historic Christianity as far as I have studied, has had a very definitive view and pattern toward reaching the globally unreached.  When something comes along that seeks to ‘enlighten’ the church or help it ‘get back to it’s roots’, our collective hairs on the back of our neck should stand up, step back and attempt objective study.  We should be additionally wary of concepts coming from the west that could be used to promote easy living and non-sacrificial service.

 
As early as the first century we see the disciples taking the gospels commission to their respective Judea, Samaria and ‘ends of the earth’.  I’m thankful they listened, and didn’t embrace the ‘everything is mission’ mantra!  If we run this concept of ‘all are missionaries’ through to it’s logical conclusion, then none are missionaries in the classic sense.  There would be nothing distinct about those that respond to the call to “go and make disciples in every nation’ and those that reject it.  Nobody should argue that we are all called to represent Him as His witnesses (Acts 1:8), all under joyful obligation to preach and make the good news known to our friends, co-workers and neighbors.  We are to BE salt and light everywhere we live, move and have our being.  This doesn’t however negate equipping and sending of missionaries through the local church!  I am not willing to concede the churches collective responsibility, nor the christian privilege to engage in this noble task.  If I didn’t know any better, you’d think the gospel message has successfully been given to the world, and as a church, we can now relax and enjoy life, being natural lights among those remaining at our local Starbucks.

 
I think one of the challenges is in regards to definition.  Words seem to be changing so quickly these days, from generation to generation.  Once a word loses it’s literal meaning, it takes on a life of its own, subject to cultural interpretation and usage.  Its safe to say I think, that when we speak of “Missions” among modern day evangelical, we picture a myriad of social and spiritual activity.  From short term trips, to soup kitchen ministry in the poor part of town, to that oddly dressed couple that comes every few years to show us slides from their ministry that looks like something out of national geographic.  I’m not writing to defend the exact usage of a word, but I do think it is important to consider its original meaning, and place within God’s community up until this point in time. 

 
Definition: Missionary

 
The word “mission” comes from the Latin word mitto, which was derived from the Greek word apostello. This latter word means “to send” and from it we get the English word “apostle.” We won’t find the word ‘missions’ or ‘missionary’ in the bible.  We will, rather see the evidence of Christs church responding to the ‘Missio Dei”, or “Mission of God.”  From the first disciples obedient response, to Paul’s missionary journeys themselves, we see a the supernatural work of Kingdom expansion through those that are ‘sent out.’  There are dozens of really great definitions for ‘missions’, I don’t really have one that I subscribe to, that’s not the point.  The point is that the principle of ‘sending’ is recognized among the church, and we don’t lose this function by way of redefining terms.

 
Consider just a few of the recorded examples we find from the first 500 yrs of the church.  They had the same bible we read today, they didn’t even know about the 10/40 window!! 

 
AD 42-499

 
42    -Mark goes to Egypt
49    -Paul to modern day Turkey
52    -Thomas arrives in India
100  -First Christians reported in Monaco, Sri Lanka & Algeria
174   -First Christians reported in Austria
180   -Pantaneus preaches in India
197    -Tertullian writes Christianity has penetrated North Africa
250   -Denis is sent from Rome with 6 missionaries to Paris
300   -10% of world pop. now Chistian, Bible in 10 languages.
328   -Frumentius takes the gospel to Ethopia
397   -Ninian evangelizes Southern Picts of Scotland
432   -Patrick goes to Ireland as missionary.
499   -Persian King Kavadh fleeing country meets Christian missionaries going to Central Asia to reach Turks.

 
Boy I get excited reviewing the history of Christian missions!  In my next few blogs I will add more examples, the middle ages would have been a whole darker if not for the obedience and ‘sending’ of the local church, even in it’s imperfect state.  From the OT writers passionately declaring/praying “so that all people of the earth may know your name!” to the NT peek into heaven where, ‘every tribe, tongue, people and nation” worship around the throne, God has inspired and directed His people OUT, He has sent us on a mission.  Let us not overly simplify the concept of missions.  Don’t relegate it to something you necessarily ‘like’ or feels right.  Sending and going requires sacrifice, doesn’t feel nice (we miss our friends and salsa!), but comes with a comforting promise from our King, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 
I don’t think that I’m ‘better’ than anyone because I’m a missionary.  But realize this, you and I will both stand before God on a day very soon.  We will give account for the life we lived and He won’t grade on a curve.  I’m convinced that those engaged in spreading His name and being a part of global missions will be rewarded, if their motivations were truly Christ centered.  Those that pray, support financially, and generally elevate this great cause will be rewarded as well.  Churches that prioritize sending and planting churches that do the same, have God’s interest at heart and will be blessed.  Churches that embrace ‘we are all missionaries’ in an attempt to re-invent the missionary, though perhaps with good intention, are circumventing God’s command to take this message to the nations.  It’s great to think and act like a missionary wherever you are, but don’t exchange this for what history has shown works, and God blesses.  There are nations and cultures desperately wicked, needing to hear the message of redemption.  Who will go if we are all convinced ‘missions’ is about local evangelism only?   Don’t allow modern philosophy to cut the arms and feet off of the gospel pattern that, with all it’s failures, has worked!  We are to spread the gospel locally AND to foreign lands that he calls us to.

 
In closing, one of the observations I’ve made being in Ukraine the past two years (in May), is the diversity of missionary experiences.  It’s amazing how God calls individuals from all over the globe to different places for the gospel.  Some have loving, caring and supporting churches back home, others have ‘went’ more than being ‘sent.’  God will make His name known.  Too often I’m convinced, He has to do this despite the churches lack of mission focus.  How many churches are comfortably convinced the church is a pleasure cruise, instead of a battle ship.   Yet, God is God, and He finds a way to inject His passion for nations into willing hearts, regardless of their local churches lack of mission focus.  I want to see more missionaries sent out, more churches connected to their missionaries and caring beyond their locality.  This is healthy, and gives more energy to the missional cause.   Embrace your calling to be missional if this helps you stay focused as an ambassador, just don’t forget the missionaries.  If you know someone in your church that has a burden for a country, or believes God is calling them somewhere else, encourage them!  Be missional by helping the church fulfill it’s mission.

 
“Not called!” did you say? “Not heard the call,” I think you should say. Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin. Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help. Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father’s house and bid their brothers and sisters, and servants and masters not to come there. And then look Christ in the face, whose mercy you have professed to obey, and tell him  whether you will join heart and soul and body and circumstances in the march to publish his mercy to the world.”  William Booth 

Thanks for checking in, and for all of you that lift us up in prayer!
Bruce

This past weekend marked the run-off election between Yulia Tymoshenko (Western Leaning, Ukrainian Nationalist, she looks like princess lea), and the previous president from 4yrs ago, Viktor Yanukovych (Kremlin kroney who allegedly poisoned his former competition and current President).  The orange revolution from 4yrs ago proved to produce very little but apathy and disillusionment among the voters in this new ‘democracy’.  Widespread corruption and bureaucratic undermining prevented much of the progression.  Ukraine is divided geographically down the middle.  The west of Ukraine is almost entirely pro European, the east and south primarily Russian heritage and influence.  The general feeling among Ukrainians that I’ve talked to was much like those in the US, ‘their both poor choices’.  It’s amazing to me that the democratic system rarely produces a candidate that people are proud of these days.  I read this quote the other day on www.christianquotes.org :

“Politics—the art of obtaining money from the rich and votes from the poor on the pretext of protecting each other from the other.” Oscar Ameringer

And this one from Thomas Jefferson:

“Whenever a man has cast a longing eye on [political] offices, a rottenness begins in his conduct.”

In any case, I couldn’t vote, but like most of my Ukrainian friends, it’s hard to be excited about two candidates with a track record of corruption.  This nation needs more than a moral president anyway, it needs an awakening.  People are oblivious to a moral law giver who not only sees, but will render justice to each man according to their deeds.  I’ve been thinking of the scripture, “every knee will bow, and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”  Whether by voluntary surrender and recognition here in this life, or by sheer force in the presence of His divine holiness, every knee WILL bow.  It is my, and I would suggest yours too, joyful duty to remind our neighbor of this truth.  Now is the time for repentance and turning to the giver of life, He alone can change the wicked heart, and in turn, a nation.

Here’s a clip from today to give you an idea of the political climate. Starts with a throwback from 4 yrs ago.  There are planned protests once again as the election was very close, and each side had prepared examples of voter fraud.

Some of us gathered downtown this Sunday to pray for our Mayor, the local authorities, and for land.  The sign in the background says, “bus station Rzhsychiv.”  This is where we have been inquiring about land for a ‘Family Center’ as well, just off to the right of this photo is a piece of property for sale.  After investigating further we found that the building on it is owned by a family, but the land is being seized by the town (the family lost their documents they say).  We met with the Mayor and have some decisions to make how to proceed with this.  The town plans to extend the bus station on to this particular lot, ignoring the rights of the family.  The family thinks they can take this to court and win… We can go before the city council and present our plan, and go from there.  Or, we can sit back and see how things transpire.  Everything about Ukraine so far has taught me not to sit back, things could take years.. but if we move forward and press things, it creates room for all sorts of issues as well.  Pray for us!  It could be a very good opportunity to share our heart, plans, and put some healthy moral pressure on the situation.. even if we don’t get this particular land, may God be glorified through our prayer and efforts.

Last week Dan, Tom and I visited the bi-monthly meeting of the “Association of Missionary Churches.”  Some of you will recognize Andrei to the left on the picture.  This is a national Ukrainian organization that acts as an umbrella of sorts for independent churches.  They are not a denomination, but provide many of the positive benefits of one, such as legal covering, relational accountability among leaders, and collective project efforts.  There are 50-60 churches in the association in Ukraine, and we are investigation and praying about possibly joining in the future.  I really like these guys, they are humble, sincere, and have some maturity among them (we can feel young again!).  We had lunch, got to know some new pastors, and debated on the topic of ‘biblically defining heresy.’   This is the association that originally helped us get our visas, and they have a desire to develop more of a missions thrust, which could incorporate helping out missionaries logistically as well.  Another item to pray for us about.

Broderic hauling some wood from our forest.  We have had even more snow recently.  I haven’t been blogging much lately because of our heating problems.  Our pipes froze, we lost hot water and our Kotyol (heating boiler for the radiators which heat our house) went kaput.  Kaput is a word that Ukrainians understand!  Our house dropped below freezing and the family moved up to the Gollans for 4-5 days.  It was very stressful to say the least, and all of this came during our prayer advance.. so it was a good time to turn to God in prayer personally.  We quickly started installing a fireplace, last winter was so mild otherwise I would have thought to do this sooner. It has been a very cold and snowy winter, the most snow many locals have seen in 10 yrs.  Anyway, this past weekend we were able to unfreeze the pipes with about 10000 watts of electric heat and a fireplace going.  As soon as it melted, I poured 100 liters of antifreeze in the system, and it felt wonderful to do it!!  Gas shuts off occasionally here, you never know when Russia may just pull the plug.  The electricity is not very stable either, usually 1-2 times per week it will randomly shut off, especially during heavy snow or winds.  Sometimes it’s off for 10 minutes, or recently 3 days.  We’re learning all of the fail safes, redundancies we would say in technical terms.  So we have a generator now, a fireplace, and have been chopping up dead trees in the forest for wood.  Thus, my son looking all cool in his winter gear:)  Our house is now warm again, and we’re praying it stays that way until spring.. then we’ll deal with the leaky roof which pours into our kitchen.

Thank you Tom for building our fireplace out, we ran out of stone but it’s functional and looking really nice.  It took him about 3 days.  I finished installing the insulated piping outside for the chimney, I almost killed myself a few times towering above the balcony securing that silly thing.  I hope it stays up, I didn’t even use duct tape!

Other misc items to keep you up to date:

– Ireland Group is coming along nicely.  They have 8 signed up, a construction group and have donated $ to go toward their week.  They’ve asked to help finish Neil and Noline’s house, which will be great.  We’ll hopefully have some land for the ministry center by then (May) and could use them there as well.  This is why I’m really hoping for land, we could use 2-3 US groups to come over and pitch in the construction phase over the summer/fall.. but we need land people!

– Deb’s dad is flying in Feb 23, for good!  Her mom is coming in March, after visiting Deb’s sister in Colorado. You can pray for their container, they are bringing their truck.. much to my many warnings!  🙂 Their house is far from ready, we’ve been at a stand still with this weather.  They will be living with us for a few months, and we will be enjoying free babysitting services.. who hoo!

– Prayer time went really well for our first as a church.  We hope that it spring boards even more prayer and personal devotion with the Lord.  We have started to see God work on some people, and though I don’t want to make too much public, I do ask you to pray for a young man that is not a believer, but is making significant strides toward repentance.  It is truly an amazing thing to watch when God gets a hold of a life.

– Pray for UTSIM, Jono’s english school.  They are still without a permanent home after being relocated by force.  They are currently working out of Gaven’s house, who is in Australia for another few months.  They have many decisions to make.

– Our elections.  Only God knows what will happen over here, but things are fairly unpredictable and with such corruption anything can happen.  Locally I am told things will probably change as well, our Mayors term is up and the previous Mayor is gunning for his old job.  I really like our current Mayor, but regardless of who wins, pray that our efforts and favor shown would not be in vain but only grow for God’s Kingdom here.

– Pray for our marriage.  The past few weeks have been rough mentally, physically, and emotionally.  We also were talking the other day about some areas of our marriage that seem to be simultaneously under attack.  It was a sobering wake up call to me personally that we have to be proactive to keep our marriage protected from the evil one who sows lies and knows only deceit.   Pray for us would you?  We are not alone over here, we have an enemy that would love to see us running in retreat, and will stop at nothing to discourage both us, and the work God is calling many of us too here.  Pray for the other marriages in this church body as well, that we would shine bright for the young singles and couples in the community.

– Just want to say thank you to the guys at Cypress, we couldn’t be doing this without your hard work and involvement in our lives.  Thank you to CCC for prayer the past few weeks as well.  We have seen momentum personally increase in prayer, and I believe many of your prayers for this church and community are having an impact.  Keep it up!

For His Glory & Renown-

Bruce & Deb