Category: Bruce Posts (Page 208 of 211)

We’ve been crazy busy this past week, and I’ve got about 5 minutes so here’s a few pictures from the weekend. Off to meet Alex our lawyer who has ‘saved the day’ by helping me complete the documentation for the OVIR registration. What an answer to prayer folks, I’m going now to purchase the required health insurance for Deb and I. Then all that is left is some more paperwork to pick up and a rental agreement (on my own house). I wonder how much I should charge myself?

Here’s a church in Kiev, probably one of the biggest charasmatic chuches in Ukraine. I wanted to check it out this past Sunday. I heard people talking about it negatively and I left actually quite encouraged. It was the first time I’ve seen joy, hope and emotional expression on the faces and body language of Ukrainian Christians since I’ve been here. I was reminded of the verse in Mark where Jesus warns His disciples to embrace those that preach Christ, if they are not ‘against’ us they are with us. I’m pretty conservative these days, but finding the desire to be around those that radiate enthusiasm for Jesus, even if they hold some goofy doctrine. We as believers (limited in number and influence) here in Ukraine cannot allow secondary issues like “the role of the holy spirit” and “the gifts” divide and conquer us. I left a bit angry at the enemy, how even in a culture so spiritually dry as this he’s done a number on the body, keeping them in their safe little camps. The worst part is, we evangelicals think this is spiritual, to split hairs and in the guise of ‘unity’ we hang out with those that think like us. For those that know this church (readers from Ukraine), I’m not condoning the theology of the leadership in all areas, I’m commenting on the actual believers there… their Christianity was ATTRACTIVE and their gathering full of life. If we are to err, let us err being over enthusiastic about Jesus.

This is a Marshrutka, a small bus. If you don’t want to pay for the taxi cost, you grab one of these. I actually prefer the larger buses (more roomy) but they aren’t as fast. You have to pay attention to two things (at least) when riding, the upper left sheet shows the cost for the ride, this one is 1,50, which is roughly $0.50. They travel in 2-3 kilometer routes all over the city. The other number is the front right, the bus number, this is 45. I made the mistake of hopping on the 445 yesterday in haste, I figured it took the same route, woops. You also have to yell out when you want off, “Na Ostanovka”… at first when we arrived I would yell “Stop” and “hey whooo” but the driver didn’t seam to acknowledge. After missing a few stops I quickly learned this word.

Had some issues at work this week which caused me to want to defend our company and character. I was pretty upset as some potential ‘rumors’ had circulated among competing business concerning my departure (I had ‘fled’ the country).. and were swooping in on a client like a vulture. I spent some time in prayer asking God to help me manage these emotions.  Why is it that we (or maybe this is just me) are so quick to defend our imperfect reputation and go on the offense when someone attempts to bring our character into question? I couldn’t help but think of Christ who was led like a lamb to the slaughter, innocent yet charged as a criminal. How did He keep so silent? Was He not concerned about His own reputation? What if history remembered Him as a criminal?  

I think this is important to learn to trust and be quiet in these situations even though it is very difficult.  Some people may find it hard to stand up and challenge folks (hold them accountable for what they say), but I find this easy… it’s the being quiet and trusting God part that I need to learn. 

“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips.” Prov 27:2

Any foreigner visiting Ukraine on an extended visa is required to registered with their local OVIR (office of registration and visas). This is bureaucratic residue from the old Soviet system… the ultimate goal, a stamp in your passport. The journey however (we’ve been watching Lord of the Rings a little bit each night with the kids), long, trying and very trixy. You have 90 days to receive this stamp or you will be exiled to Siberia… well not actually, but you do have to leave the country to start your 90 day period over. Please pray for us. Because we didn’t go through traditional agency/missions groups (like the baptist union) this is uncharted territory for the association with whom we have been invited. Upon my second trip to the OVIR this week we received a lengthy list of documents/forms required, each with their own set of exciting adventures required before we can receive this stamp. The process is going to take a few weeks, and my cut off date is August 12… I should have started this sooner,, when will I ever learn? We have a great cast of helpers including our lawyer friend Alex, Daniel and the RZ crew, their Baptist visa guy, Maxim with the Association and his friends…. and of course Jesus, what we do without Him?

Tucker loves stylish clothing. Even in Texas on a hot summer day, while other kids would grab shorts and a t-shirt, Tucker gravitated towards button up dress shirts and pants. In the young boys room here at the apartment in Kiev, he found a suit of sorts, complete with a hat and tie, here he is quite proud of his new found wares. He looks like a Russian hobbit.

This week we bought, I think, the final substantial purchase at the dreaded Epicenter… 15 radiators… to survive the coming winter.. I though these things were no longer in use, central heat/air has not made it to these parts. Here is helping me push our carts toward the check out… I like to think of Epicenter as Mordor, its logo an evil eye. I figured out there are two primary reasons for the multiple checkout procedures.. A) theft and conspiracy (they don’t trust their own employees so there are multiple forms of accountability,, pretty pricey if you wanted to bribe your way out of the store without paying, and B) wages are so cheap, why not have 3 people check your stuff instead of 2?

We are on our 3-4 day without hot water, I guess it’s out for another 2 weeks or so. I really miss that early morning shower, and the kids are getting pretty smelly, like golum.

So, pray for us that we get this stamp thing figured out. As soon as we get ours, we’ll start on Cassie and hopefully know the ropes. Much of what we are doing in Ukraine is ‘plowing’, knowledge of the process is key to helping others come. We do believe more are coming, not to build a Christian utopia in the beautiful countryside of Ukraine (the Shire), but for advancing God’s Kingdom through the preaching of Christ. When you consider the number of missionaries gathering in RZ and this particular area, and the harvest before us, you can’t help but believe God is orchestrating something special, our family is honored to serve in these ‘last of the last’ days, and partnering with you all in prayer.

“This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” Mathew 24:14

PS- an interesting article entitled: “The USSR, what was it?”

http://www.ukraine-observer.com/articles/233/1062

This week we visited Rz for two days.  We were able to hitch a ride on Jono’s boat and visit the Christians who were gathered for camp (on an island 20 minutes down the Dnepr).   Here’s a picture of Jono, they call him a Kiwi (from New Zealand), I can’t tell the difference (all a bit odd) but you don’t want to get the Ozzie’s and Kiwi’s mixed up. No life jackets, no rules, just right!  Here’s some pictures from our day, over 100 Christians from a few different areas/churches gathered for fun times, worship and devotions while enjoying God’s magnificent creation.  Thank you to those who donated toward the last day ‘meal’ at the camp, they were blessed and sent home with full tummies! 

The day started rainy but cleared up.  Kids swam, I played 3hrs of beach volleyball.  

The cooking area, each church brought their own food, it was quite a system and the food was great.

Each morning they have acoustic worship and time of devotions.

This one is for my dad, he wanted a farming pic, this is 5 minutes down the road from Rz.

No word on our container since the last word it was in Jamaica.  We have been slowly moving into our house in RZ, it is really looking great.  Kolya’s working on the main floor tile and we are excited to get the gas hook up (no hot water yet) as well as phone (which gives us the DSL internet).  There are many things we can do without but hot water and internet are pretty high on the list!  I swung a deal with the rental car company and getting a larger van for a few days to pick up carpet and some remaining bigger items.  We will be setting up a meeting with the Mayor in Rz in the next week or two, pray we find continued favor. 

We are going to rent the apartment here in Kiev through August 20, so another month in the city.  Russian is coming along nicely, we just need more RAM in our brains.. too bad we can’t upgrade.

God has been assembling a neat cast of gifted Christians in RZ, from all over the world – literally.  Pray for faith, for vision and for wisdom as several of us gather to discuss and determine where to apply efforts.  God be glorified in our lives, bringing attention to His Son!

 The heavens praise your wonders, O LORD,
       your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones. Psalm 89:5

Broderic, my 11yr old son glanced at the Kilgore News-Herald article from this past Sunday (online of course), and commented, “I like when we get to be famous.”  I laughed, for all hew knows we are wanted by the FBI.  We do find it strange to have our pictures in the paper, it’s exciting to think some other folks can share in the adventure, we welcome you along!  I’d like to thank Kathryn Martinez for her time and effort to put up with the Skype quality phone call last week. She wrote a lovely and somewhat amusing article on our families first phase here in Ukraine.

crowe-news-article.pdf (click this link to read)

Not sure if they permit me posting it on my site, but what are they going to do, I’m in Ukraine.?! I’m happy to report also that they plan to do a periodical update, possibly monthly on our family and the sister city program that should be underway next month with our new hometown Rzschichiv.

Alot has happened in the past week, I’ll have to spread it out in a few posts.  Deb has been sick with a fever for a few days, poor thing, Cassie when are you coming!!!  I’m reminded this week that our time is so short, our opportunity to make a difference only for a moment.  We can’t afford to delay.  We often delay in planning, or waiting for something that we think will help make a life of faith easier. It will never be easy, faith is designed to crucify our self reliance.  I hope this post finds you growing in faith and your joyful Christian duty to the world around you.

At the Kiev Zoo (pics to come, very interesting experience) the kids and I watched in amazement here as a man skillfully formed a ball of clay into a precious jar on a potter’s wheel.  I was reminded of our God, the master Potter, who will complete the work started in us, if we let Him.  He then took a little girls hand and gently guided it around the clay.  I thought of how many times I think I’m doing something for the Lord, or think I am wise.  We are co-laborers at best, the Lord is the chief architect of a man’s heart, what a privilege it is when He takes our little lives and decides to use us in some way.  I felt like that little girl this weekend (only time i’ve felt like a little girl), watching her in amazement at ‘what she had done’.  How little I understand in each situation, but what a great God we serve who is all knowing and wise!  Like the Potter I watched, I’m convinced God feels pleasure when we surrender, not only allowing him to mold us, but to use our frail and finite hand for eternal causes.  Do you believe God desires to use you?

“For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Phil 2:13

We miss you all and appreciate the comments, keep them coming.

“..namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” 2 Cor 5:19