Category: Bruce Posts (Page 201 of 211)

Seems like an eternity we’ve been working on our house here.  It’s been close to 12 months since the start of the project… an empty concrete shell.  As I step back I’m amazed, but also exhausted.  I haven’t done hardly any of the physical work besides the painting, but I’ve had to be ‘involved’ every step of the way, from daily trips downtown to our local hardware store (I am their best customer), what goes where, type materials, where to get stuff, and then it’s not in stock.   I think this is why you hire general contractors..  The guys working on the house don’t have vehicles, so you can imagine renovating, or in our case building a house and depending on your personal vehicle for everything, keeping things ‘going.’   All the while attempting to maintain a productive week.. after-all I didn’t come over here to develop my building skills (non existent previously).   We need to develop some pictures and have an album for visitors to see just how far the house has come.  I look at any building (almost) now here locally and see potential.  It will be thrilling to stop working on this house, get the basement finished for hosting groups/visitors, and invest in other areas of ministry.  Anyway, we give God thanks for helping us through this transition, we feel as though as we coming out of it and beginning to function in this culture on our own.. still learning Russian, now 4 days per week in the mornings.

We have had people ‘in’ our home since we moved here, every day, and that’s not an exaggeration.  We were so accustomed to privacy and ‘personal space’ in Texas, even your closest friends you only would see 1-2 per week at the most.  Between the 2-3 guys working on our house daily, to the mid week fellowship, guests for dinner (announced and unannounced), we’re learning to relish the occasional quiet night with the family. 

Our kids are adapting, and growing.  We can’t believe our littlest Noah couldn’t even walk when we moved here, now he’s climbing and jumping around with the rest of them.  The kids have these little cars they sit on and scooch around on.  The main floor of the house has tile so they can really motor.  Their little friends come over to visit and each grab a set of wheels, it becomes as noisy as rush hour as they all bash around (preparing them for Kiev driving).  We have a daily visitor in Svychek, an 8yr old (i think) boy who adores Brent.. the three (brent, tucker and Svychek) play together in a psedo-english/russian language of their own.  I think they are teaching him more english than I’d like, but it’s been great for them to have a friend next door.  It took a while, but Svycheck is now sitting and eating with us, he’s been very nervous, and not particularly fond of our food…  from what I can tell we eat way MORE food on average than any local Ukrainian, so I’m sure it’s an adjustment for him as he watches the Crowe family devour.  Who knows, maybe these little dudes that hang out at our house will be impacted over time, and begin to ask the important questions.  We prayed our house would be a place of joy and usefulness to the Lord, I think these prayers are being answered.  Pray for the children in this community, they are exposed to many of the same things our children in the West are, but I think it’s even more prevalent and available.  It’s not a topic that is easily approached, or accepted here but we want to do something about it.  May God peel back the blinders to the reality of sin and it’s lasting impact, especially on the fragile and innocent mind of the young.

My wife, well, what can I say about Deborah.  Since her blogging came to a halt a few months ago, I’ve felt it necessary to include more of the kids and family type updates.  Deb enjoys emailing and staying in touch with friends, but I think she came to a crossroads (not the church) where she had to decided ‘all in’ when it comes to embracing responsibility here and doing all things unto the Lord.  Juggling too many things, and not doing them all very well.   It’s been such an adjustment and responsibility, some things had to be put on the shelf.  As much as we, and she would rather upload pics and share funny stories, our family is running at 100% and working with the kids daily, getting a rhythm down with food preparation, and having a personal devotional life.. oh, and dealing with the extra things I throw on her plate (hey Deb, tomorrow Bob is coming from Boston for a week.. where is he going to sleep, seriously… hehe)…. I’ve been so proud of my wife, she has chosen her God first and the investment in our children/home/marriage as priority.  As much as facebook and blogging would be an enjoyable escape for her, she has been a disciplined trooper and a woman that others admire for doing so.  She’ll not like me saying some of these things, but I honor her, and thank Christ for the helpmate, He gave me one wonderful woman.

Our dog.  No, we don’t have one, or a cat. 

We are working on several ministry/mission items right now.  We have a Medical Team from NYC coming in April, we are putting together a business plan for a coffee shop/internet cafe downtown to present to some folks, and much more.  Svetlana my assistant is helping to register my house in my name (currently not) and also a non-profit organization here in Ukraine, a counter part to the recently registered 501C3 Missions Network that we completed recently in the US.   We are starting as a church, small groups soon, and some other things that are exciting to see progress, branching out both in outreach and leadership development which will be critical.  We are finishing up Drive Thru History on Thursday nights, it’s been nice to build relationships and hang out among the missionary community.  We have another new couple that just moved here this week, he’s from Scotland, she’s from Poland.  Why are so many foreigners moving to RZ? 

I just finished a staff meeting with Cypress, every Monday morning I get to chat with everyone at work, talk shop and someone gives a devotion.  It’s good to have the ‘tie’ to the US, the mindset is something that you easily forget (which is sometimes good!). In the west time is money, and if you aren’t efficient you are wasting money and potential existence as a business.. and resulting livelihood.  Here, time is treated like a never ending river that flows, it’s there, there’s plenty of it, enjoy life.  The two worlds crash when I interact with my business and friends at work.  Our clients demand action, quick response, high levels of customer service, and here they’ve never heard of those two words “customer service’.  The business ‘motto’ here is ‘just be glad we have it, no wait, we don’t, come back tomorrow.’  A reminder how frustrating things are here to get done, but at the same time how ‘me’ centered the West has become, a sense of over importance prevails because of marketing, “have it your way” says burger king,,, mmm, boy could I go for one of those.  It’s no wonder in Ukraine they sit and eat dinner for more than 15 minutes, or it’s considered offensive if you stop in to visit a friend and don’t stay for ATLEAST an hour… time isn’t money here.  The trade off?   Burger King, convenience, customer service, and efficiency.  If I could only combine both worlds… maybe that is for the world to come.  In the meantime, people need the gospel, and I need to eat.  Jesus said His food was to “do the will of the One who sent me.”  Jesus, come on, why so hard?

Our home church in Longview just completed a time of increased prayer.  We are benefiting from those prayers, in all sincerety we have more joy, and vision moving forward for the things God desires.  It can get very tiring without the Lord, there have been many times we’ve wanted to give up.  You are holding us up when you pray, don’t stop.  We are unashamed of our need for you, your friendship, occassional note by email, and prayer support.  This is the intended method of missions, co-laboring together and it’s cool to be a part of it with you.

No pictures, we look the same.

Anyone else out there struggling to catch up?  Seems like every area of our life is a bit behind, January is half over.  I think some of it is a result of our new Ukrainian holiday format.  A couple days ago Ukraine celebrated ‘old new years’.. so here we are, heading quickly toward Febuary and things are just now settling into a ‘non holiday’ routine.  We’ll know next year to mentally ‘start’ Christmas around Jan 1, two weeks is about all I can handle! 

We had a few Christmas carolers come to our door, one of them was a drunk who did his best to sing a carol in our doorway.. inching inside out of the frigid cold.  I gave him a piece of cake and some candy, but he was looking for more alcohol.  It’s common here to have carolers come to your house, and bring rice.  The rice is thrown on your head or inside your door as a blessing.  I had a broom ready to hand it to them, and encourage them to bless us even more by cleaning it up:).. but no blessings of rice this year.

Clark turned 3yrs old last week, we couldn’t fine normal candles:)  Or cake for that matter.

We’re continually pulled over by the road police.   I estimate I’ve been pulled over at least 10 times now, Deb was pulled over yesterday on her way back from picking up Cassie.  It’s so random, and each time they take our documents, look them over for 5 minutes, then let us go.  We haven’t received a ticket yet, I think our Texas registration confuses them, and they aren’t sure what to do.  There’s so much paperwork involved in an actual ticket, they often wait for a ‘gift’ to expedite the process.  We’ve had them tell us directly, “we can do this the easy way, or the hard way”.  So far the police have been very cordial, each time is an experience.  One time I was let off the hook because the policeman was a Chuck Norris fan, he saw the Texas plates and said, “Walker Texas Ranger”… and let me go.  How he saw that show, I have no idea, he didn’t speak any other english but he knew Chuck Norris.  They are cracking down on illegal visitors, those who haven’t properly bribed or jumped through the visa/ovir hoops.  Even though I have proper documentation, it’s still a scary feeling when they wave their baton for you to pull over..   Can you tell in this picture which truck is mine?  A Kiev truck versus a Rzshichiv country truck.  There aren’t any places to wash your truck.  I’ve been ordered by the police to uncover my license plate.. but 5 miles later it is covered again so I’ve given up.

I never really updated you all on our dinner for the City officials.  It was really a neat time.  Each time I visit the Mayors office I’m greeted and hugged, it’s very neat to feel welcome and not a stranger anymore in the town.  We are in the process of developing the pictures from the event, and producing a special Calendar with the photos on each month (you know, like how Kinkos does it).  We’ll then go around one by one and chat, give them the gift, have some tea :).  Daniel and I were invited to the Mayors office a few days later where we were asked directly about our faith.  More specifically if we had any opposition to the Orthodox Church.  We had a nice discussion, and were able to share our heart for the town, for the young people, and how our desire is not to promote or oppose any one denomination or Church, but to offer hope through Jesus Christ, a purpose in God.  Although we can’t control every relationship, whether everyone chooses to fellowship or even like us, we can be a positive influence here as we serve the community and work together.  The Mayor was appreciative of our efforts, and actually encouraged us to continue helping and reaching out.   I left amazed from this meeting, that in only a few short months we have the green light to pursue whatever God leads (with wisdom), we’re definitely graced in favor with both God and men, a responsibility and privilege.  So what’s next?  Not sure.   I’m burdened to help in the schools here.  After visiting several of the community colleges, seeing 100’s of young people walking the halls, sitting in groups, wandering aimlessly, I was burdened in a fresh way to pray for more help.  The harvest is here and laborers much too few.  There is nothing happening in these schools for the gospel that I’m aware of.  Approximately 2,500 students.  How can I be a Christian and not do something?  But what?  Been thinking about trying to start some Ethics Classes, or perhaps a series in the school on Love & Sex, something that would appeal to a large audience, and not smack of typical sectarian religiosity.

In the meantime there’s lots to do within the church here.  As leaders we are working on a schedule for the week/year.  We are discussing topics for discipleship, learning how to work together.  The church doesn’t have a name here, we’ve desired to keep it simple and not be about promoting a ‘name’.  This is something that has caused some confusion though, and we’re reviewing this again.  Among the leaders, none of us desire to just ‘do church’.  We desire community, stripped down with the bare minimum necessary structure.  At the same time, we understand that by growing numerically, certain principles force you to bring in more structure.  I’m not opposed to structure, as long as it serves you, and you aren’t serving it.  How many of you go to church, sit in a pew, do your Christian weekly thing and feel fairly religious as you go about it?  Is that all God designed for you?  Why do we settle for such common and uninteresting forms of Christianity where a few lead and do all the ministry, and the rest watch like little children? We are called to equip one-another to do the work, there’s lots to do here and all hands must be on deck.  Like you, we desire an authentic Christian community, but at the same time realize some things just work (pragmatism slipping in), pray for us that we add the structure necessary for God to be more glorified through His church here.

Kids are healthy, our house is filled with joy on most days:).  Cassie is back, we’ll begin regular school and Russian Lessons in the next week.  Our coat room is almost finished, which should trim down the average ‘get ready to go outside’ time,, which is currently very unacceptable!

Here’s a small video (quicktime file) of my two hockey fans playing, mov00157.3GP 

Sincerely,

Bruce & Deb

So much to update you on, so little time.  Can you believe it’s 2009 already?  Slow down world.  First of all, we do still have gas, for those of you watching the news.  Hopefully it stays on, because it’s below freezing and we don’t have a wood stove… need one of those.   Thank you for your prayers (Crossroads is in the middle of their annual prayer advance).  We look forward to a very cool year, and seeing God work in and through our lives.  This past week we’ve had my parents from Canada visiting, it’s been a lot of fun.  They are very excited to get back home to familiar conditions (milk, cheese, bread, bed, to name a few).  It’s always neat to watch visitors, especially family, squirm amidst the cultural differences…  My dad has enjoyed the rural setting, eyeing up come tractors, land and even a John Deere combine that seemed to make his day.  My mom hasn’t done much shopping, watch out Sears.

I need to run, but I will update prayer requests, and let you know what else has been happening very soon.  The family is doing well, kids are relishing the new toys from the grandparents, and we are glad Christmas is finally over. 

For now enjoy a few pics of our family outting to the War museum in Kiev!

Sincerely,

A quick note of thanks to all that helped make Dec 26th evening here in Rzshichiv a tremendous success.  Those in Kharg for playing / singing, the young ladies that helped decorate, the cooks that slaved for days…. We don’t have our pictures yet so I’ll hold off describing the night, but will say it exceeded my expectations, and I think mine were fairly high.  We had a full house, and left them with a memory that will not be soon forgotten.

song-1.3GP  (click on this link to listen to a short clip of a Ukrainian Christmas carol from the evening). 

My parents fly over to visit on Jan 1, this should be interesting:).

Here’s a picture of our two middle boys, Brent and Tucker.  They are out in the snow every day.  Love those rosy cheeks.  It’s freezing cold here now, I can hardly type at the moment in my office… so..c-c-c-c-old.

Bruce