Category: Bruce Posts (Page 205 of 211)

Yesterday our container arrived from Kiev, it passed through customs without any issues. I was able to pick up my truck in Kiev a day earlier, it was a very emotional experience to see the container in actuality… the finality of it all. Well, it wasn’t over yet, the container still had to make its way to RZ which proved to be an ordeal as well. The container (as shown above) tried to back up my street and about half way down it went off the road.. into our neighbors soggy grass…it was trying to miss the other neighbors trees and ended up getting stuck. Fortunately they had a secondary smaller van which became the shuttle between our house and the container. Deb and I had to laugh at how this container traveled for 5 months, made its way over the sea, through ports, customs, and now was stuck 500ft from our house.

Everything arrived safely, we thank the Lord! My truck needed only a boost and I was off. After driving a small 4 cylinder rental car, I was nervous driving through the over-crowded streets of Kiev. I also wonder what people think when they see the Texas plates, I’m sure to meet the police very soon, they station themselves at various check points (usually these silly crosswalks positioned in the middle of the freeway) and one-by-one flag people over for speeding. The problem is there are virtually no speed limit signs in this country, not that anyone would follow them.. maybe that’s why they didn’t bother putting them up.

Our school room, that’s Noah who’s learned to open the front door and escape. We’ve put him to work with a broom as punishment for the last attempt to flee Ukraine.

Oh the joy of unpacking. We can say with absolute sincerity that we are LOVING the mess. Our stuff is here, we are all a bit giddy. Kids are pulling things out in spite of our efforts to maintain some order. Last night Deb and I just sat on the couch after kids went to bed and it was such a wonderful feeling to realize we are ‘home’. The house is now filled with our Texas life. I even like the smell of things, they are so familiar. The reality that we are really here for good hit me like a ton of bricks.. it was one thing to be here in suitcases, quite another to see your belongings and think about the effort it took to get all this here,,, not something easily undone.

So we are thankful for your prayers, and I’m sure you will all be happy to stop asking us ‘has the container arrived yet?’ Oh, and on the hot water note, Daniel successfully hooked up a temporary electric hot water heater while we wait for the gas to be turned on. What a day yesterday, got our stuff and took a hot shower!

I’m now racing to put together an office upstairs so I an lock myself away and catch up on work.

This week Kilgore city council meets and part of the agenda is to review this contract agreement RZ has asked them to sign. It’s not a binding thing but required by every Ukrainian city to fill out before officially engaging in any foreign activity/communication. My fear is the Kilgore lawyer and folks involved will find an issue with this and not understand the bureaucracy here, nothing happens here with a handshake and a verbal understanding, everything must be stamped. If a process does not require a stack of paperwork 2 inches thick (minimum) the general feeling is that it can’t be official. They are so used to inefficiencies and the overabundance of paperwork, they know of nothing else. We’re getting used to the mindset here, and no loOk nger surprised when things take forever, I guess that is a good thing and hopefully we can be used by the Lord during the process (whatever we are doing). Pray for the cities to reach an agreement soon so that RZ can continue with it’s paperwork process. We were hoping for an October webcast between the two mayors but I don’t think that is going to happen at this point.

I’ve decided to wait on renting an office downtown for the time being. The owners were requiring some more things, including I put in my own meter for electricity and were a bit sketchy on the details of the phone/internet. For now I will get an office going here at the house, and continue to investigate and pray.

Russian classes have begun again for the kids, Deb and Cassie. I haven’t started yet because I’ve either been in Kiev, Odesa or somewhere dealing with the urgent. Pray we stay consistent in our studies and God graces our minds to absorb.

I spent a few hours with a farmer from a neighboring town yesterday, he brought his tractor and wagon and helped me remove an enormous pile of trash from our front yard. He is a bit older than I but we found a lot in common. He spoke about as much English as I do Russian, and has a real desire to learn more. We decided that in a couple of weeks he would come over with his family and we would practice together more. Pray for him would you? His name is Svetaslov.

Comfort– In greek, com=with, forte=strenth… God supplies strength to us in times of need. When we think of comfort, we should consider our great God who comes alongside of us and gives us strength. Consider the power in which God graces us with to live holy, to turn from sin, to rejoice in Him when times are tough, and to endure in a manner that brings him honor. Thank you God for your comfort! Thank you as well family and friends for the prayer that does likewise.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.” 2 Cor 1:3

Last night around 8pm we heard Broderic yelling for help. I could tell this wasn’t a regular type of scream right away.. most of them in the Crowe household go unheeded. I found Broderic on all fours, blood streaming from his forhead, covering his face and because he had wiped his face, his hands were covered in blood as well. It was quite a site to behold. From a quick look I could tell the source was up on his forehead, a nice gash had opened.. so I quickly put pressure on his head to try and stop the bleeding.. we ended up controlling the bleeding in a few minutes. Thankfully Dan was in the basement working on our hot water and drove us to a neighboring town called Khargalyk, it’s about double in size to RZ and has a small hospital.

It was quite an interesting experience. Broderic has never had stitches before and was pretty nervous about the procedure. First though, we had to find a doctor that would do it. We drove 20 minutes to the hospital and were told they were busy operating on an old lady, and to come back in an hour. So, with poor Broderic’s head looking like someone hit him with a baseball bat we went to the only restaurant in the town, for some supper… there were no tables inside available so we had to sit outside in the 40 degree weather.. I figured this had to help the swelling!

Jessie, Broderic’s buddy from the Gollan family went with us, he’s had stitches before in Ukraine and was a consolation to my poor little (big) guy. He gave some good words of advice, like “the fear of getting them is worse than the actual stitches”. This proved to be the case, but as we all know advice only goes so far when you about to have a stranger poke a needle in you. After waiting about 30 minutes more, we were led into a corridor and Broderic was escorted to a room. I could have gone, but felt this was a good growing up experience for Broderic, and he didn’t disappoint. He was brave and came out 1o minutes later with a funny looking exterior bandage (he looks Jewish) sown on his head and will wear it for a few more days.. at which point we are not entirely sure what to do.. I guess Deb and I will flip a coin and snip the string.

The entire process took about 3 hrs, we arrived home after 11pm, and cost us $10. I’m not sure what we’d do if it was a real emergency, the medical services are very limited .. but we’ll trust the Lord He’ll guide us if that time comes.. At least I know where to go now:).

On a lighter note, Deb’s parents are gone now. We had a blast with them and look forward to them coming again. They are off to Ireland to preach a few times until leaving back to NYC. Here’s a photo of us saying goodbye today.

Container was held up again, something to do with the truck needing permission to carry it. It may be Monday, we have lots of things to occupy ourselves with until then anyway.

I bought a keyboard/piano in Kiev from an American missionary pastor who is retiring and heading back to the states. It will be a great instrument for piano lessons for the kids, and I look forward to having folks over to our living room for times of worship and prayer.. I need my truck to pick it up, I think I’m just as excited to hear that playing in our house.. I miss the sound of a piano.

The LORD himself watches over you; *
the LORD is your shade at your right hand,

So that the sun shall not strike you by day, *
nor the moon by night.

The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; *
it is he who shall keep you safe.

The LORD shall watch over your going out and
your coming in, *
from this time forth for evermore. – Psalm 121:5-8

Daniel and I returned from Odesa (Black Sea) last night around 1am after 12hrs of driving and 4hrs of waiting. The customs officials refused to release our truck to our shipping company so I had to make this last minute trip to claim my container.

From what I understand now, the container goes through a ‘pre-customs’ check at the port, then off to Kiev for the final customs clearance. It still amazes me how much time is wasted in lines. First of all, it’s next to impossible to know if you are even in the right line, even if you know the language. There are several stages of waiting, level I outside the door, level II waiting inside the door, level III waiting in an office, level IV waiting for the customs agent.. you have to just go with the flow because there is no other flow! We were supposed to have all the documents on hand however the person who was supposed to meet us had a death in the family (we think) and we were left to fend for ourselves.. it was a good thing Daniel was there or I’d still be at the port today.

In the end the truck was the main issue, our registration for it is up in October (it shipped in April!) and they said we would have to export it back to the US in two weeks… ha! We were given until October 31 in the end and have to leave the country with the truck and re-enter (probably Poland) to get a fresh stamp or we’ll be hunted down and sent to Siberia. We were so close to the container, I thought of breaking in and stealing my truck, I had an extra set of keys on me if I saw the chance:)

|God of the sea, I implore you to release our stuff!|

In the end, after a $300 required ‘gift’ to the customs agent for staying late, we received all the stamps and approval needed to release the container and my truck! It’s now on it’s way to Kiev and scheduled to be delivered tomorrow.. barring difficulties in Kiev (put up your hand if you think we’ll get it tomorrow?). Patience and kindness is what seems to be the most effective here. People in positions of authority aren’t respected very much, police for example are paid very low wages and when you treat them with respect and kindness, I’ve seen it diffuse the situation more than being equally abrasive. A “soft answer turns away wrath” is a good principle.. and hard to follow when you are frustrated.

Tomorrow ‘could’ be a very exciting day in the Crowe family, the thoughts of sleeping in an actual bed, our own bed from Texas is terribly exciting. The kids will be racing up and down the street on their bikes and we’ll overflowing with boxes and unpacking very soon… we won’t complain about that one bit!

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:3-4

Weeks are flying by. We are enjoying having Neil and Noline, Deb’s parents in town. They have been enjoying the kids for sure, and trying the best to chip away at our house… It must be very frustrating for Neil who had such high hopes to do so many things for us, but in Ukraine nothing happens according to your schedule no matter how sincere your intentions. Needless to say we’ve been to Kiev a number of times for materials, spending entire days trying to accomplish ‘easy’ tasks. It’s actually enjoyable to watch a fellow american be crushed under the absolute inefficiency of this country. It has been a blessing to get our carpet stretched and tacked down properly (they haven’t had carpet in Ukraine for long it seems, they simply glue it all down.. ). The kids have the beginnings of a tree fort in our forest..I haven’t ventured out there yet but it sounds quite dangerous. The goal for the next few days is to get some closets going, we’ve been stacking clothes on the floor and some temporary plastic shelving. It will be so awesome to have a spot designated just for your own clothes… the things we take for granted!

Usually one or two of the kids accompany us to the city during errands. Brent came today, we found a little pizza place that makes ‘ok’ pizza, which means it’s a royal treat because most of the pizza here is nasty to the american pallet.

This week many things are happening.. please pray for us. Here’s a snapshot:

– Hired a part time secretary name Svetlana. She is a HUGE answer to prayer for me as I’m really needing logistical help from translation needs during the week to Cypress help with small tasks. I miss Autumn in Kilgore! Svetlana is really a double blessing because we also have hired her to teach us Russian, she’s a wonderful Russian teacher and lessons began with the kids (and Cassie) today.

– Office for rent… I’ve rented an office downtown in RZ. Svetlana checked out 13 places and space is extremely limited.. I like this one, it’s in a large building that is owned by the local art gallery. They are renovating it right now and it will have 3-4 small offices, actually a couple businesses (jewelry shop and computer store.. neither of which exist in the town so it could be a really neat spot). The owner already rented it out to some people but he said he’d rather rent it to us… he said the other guys are communists and he is not communist and if we would pay the rent amount it would be ours. How about that?! I’m a little nervous about kicking these other guys out, but this is the only office I saw that was clean and had indoor plumbing… seriously folks, the only other office that had internet would be a bit chilly in the winter if you had to do your business… ha.

– Container Update… every week we are dealing with hindrances of some kind.. it has been racking up some huge bills to at port.. O Lord have mercy. We heard today that the container was being inspected and because of the truck inside, the owner must come to port to sign documents. I’ve paid for ‘door to door’ but that doesn’t work here… I’m off to Odessa now, on the Black Sea to visit the customs agent and see what’s up. Please pray for favor. We are thankful to the Lord for everything He has done, He has provided all our needs. It would be so nice though to get this, we have been living now out of suitcases now for 5 months, renting a car for 3 months.. God has used this to grow us, and we’re thankful, at this point we just want it to be resolved.. whether they ship it back or sink it in the Black Sea, let’s get on with life! WE surrender it to the Lord! Anyway, will be driving 12hrs tomorrow to deal with… God help me come back with good news and use Dan and I during the process.

[ what!  deb playing mexican train.. she LOVES games..]

– Gas/Heat… almost there.. Daniel has been an amazing blessing working several days a week on documents and requirements from the Gas folks.. we’re building a wall right now around the hot water heater .. as required by the Gas man… and have to replace a window, do a special dance and offer up one of our children.. then I think we will have heat in the house.. with hot water… O the day.. we are most excited about this. It’s been 7 weeks now without hot water, and the weather has taken a sharp turn we are all in snuggly clothes.. the kids keep thinking it’s going to snow.  We are used to bucket baths now, and are AMAZED how you get used to things like this, I start to get the same feeling of excitement now about a bucket of hot water as a 15 minute shower.. Probably because it takes so long to boil that bucket.. you have to plan well in advance:).  Enjoy your creature comforts folks, but don’t love them, they make us soft and whiny.. that has been revealed plainly in my life… there are very few things in life I truly NEED, 99.9% of them have been wants glossed in the over abundant American lifestyle… consider all we have in Christ and the freedom of contentment… I’m not there yet, but God is purging me of being reliant on things that are temporary.

– Kilgore Sister City- pray for this, hit some speed bumps with this.. some lawyers are involved.. say no more. God be glorified.

“But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as the ability which God giveth; that GOD IN ALL THINGS MAY BE GLORIFIED THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” (1^st Pet 4:7-11)

– Grandma and Cousin passed away this week. My grandma was 83 and was suffering so the family is relieved but grieving. My cousin Blair was a few years older than I, two children and a wife left behind. He had terminal cancer for a couple of years and battled hard. I regret not being more involved now that it’s too late. I sent him an email the day before he passed away, I pray that it encouraged him if he read it, and if not, his wife when and if she does. They were both catholic yet possessed faith in the final hours that comforts many of my family members. Death is a powerful reminder of what really matters, it’s been weighing heavily on my heart this week and helping me, I believe, deal with the challenges with fresh perspective.

Be blessed friends, thank you for prayer, really.  God is encouraging us daily, sustaining us through rough patches and we believe the reward will eternal both in our own hearts and those we are able to influence for Jesus.

Sincerely,