There’s very little that pains more more than asking for money.  One of those things however is watching our Lighthouse property sit frozen and useless in the dead of winter!

We have the opportunity to heat the ENTIRE building (both floors) with wood, using new (for us) technology.  This system will not only be twice the heat we currently have, but also pay for itself during the course of one winter’s utility savings.

The project will cost us $3,000US in total, which includes the boiler, 10 new radiators/piping for 2nd floor, chimney and labor.

We are needing $2,000 to complete this purchase.  Would you consider helping us?  Click here to Give!

If we can raise this in the next 3 weeks, we will be able to have it installed by mid October, just in time for winter.

We have met with a reputable company in Kiev that will give us a 3yr guarantee.  It will have a battery backup to circulate the heat for up to 24hrs without electricity – which will be a huge blessing for us during the irregular and scheduled power rations in the winter.

Context: Why we need this new heating system for the Lighthouse?

Ukraine is heading into a perilous winter season.  A primary controlling mechanism of the Russian’s has been the supply of Gas to Ukraine.  Not only the supply, but the ‘special’ prices which help the countries population stay warm through the winter.

Those special prices are gone.  This spring, to the horror of the average Ukrainian that was already struggling to keep warm all winter, was hit with the new reality of not snuggling up to the Russian bear.

Gas, and therefor heat for housing, has TRIPLED in cost.  This will be the first winter Ukraine has been hit with real, EU type pricing. 

To make matters even more frightening, the Ukrainian economy has been crushed midst the revolution and war.   The hrvnya has lost 3 times it’s value in two years (to the US Dollar).

Triple Gas Rates + Triple Loss of Currency = VERY COLD WINTER

In a time of crisis, the gospel and the Light that it gives shines brightest.

We want, with all our hearts to provide our community a consistently warm place.

Last year we did our best with the limited electricity available, and a generator to keep the Cafe warm.  It allowed us to remain open for most of the winter, but we did not have enough power to heat the second floor and it was forced to remain closed all winter.

Additionally the electric power was very expensive (businesses pay 3x the regular costs), and was costly for us, even though the Cafe wasn’t even warm enough for customers to take their jackets/hats off on colder days.

This year, we are actively using our 2nd floor for ministry.  Groups are, and will meet for discipleship, English Club, painting and other creative workshops.  It’s an exciting season as we enter our 2nd year – we’re beginning to see some structure, and fruit.  A warm facility is critical for the Lighthouse ministry to keep growing and see more bridges built into our community and students touched with the love of God.

Like Scotty, we need more power!  Our best option right now is wood, and it happens to be the most affordable long term solution.  The electricity can go off (and it will), the gas can be turned off (and it will) and we will still have a cozy place for events – a light AND heat for Jesus!

Thank you for considering to give, pray and tell your friends!  You can give via this site by clicking here or by sending US checks to:

Crossroads Community Church
C/O – Ukraine Heating Project
1400 E. Loop 281
Longview, TX 75605

Earlier this year most of you know we hosted a creative/musical team from YWAM for two months.  The trip was a God ordained connection from our visit to Life Center Church in Harrisburg, PA.  I love when that happens.

From the start we believed this specific YWAM connection was the start of God answering our prayer to infuse life, and awaken more souls to His love – via ‘creative expression’ and worship/prayer.  The project, called “Awakening” was an incredible blessing to many students, and believers in the region.

Collin’s O’Dwyer, one of the very gifted musical talents with the YWAM team has decided to move to Ukraine and serve with us!

It’s been a privilege to journey with Collins over the past few months as he prayerfully considered this opportunity.  He is aiming to join us at the start of 2016, Lord willing by Feb 15, and stay for the year.

Between now and then he will be raising support for his ticket and living expenses while in Ukraine.

You can read Collin’s announcement and also encourage him with a donation online of any size!  Click here to read

We’re doubly excited that Collin’s church (Life Center) has a desire to continue being involved in Ukraine/Russia, with Collins and our family via Lighthouse Ukraine.  We’ve come to find a caring, supporting and involved sending church essential.

Here’s a little video from Life Center to give you a flavor of their heart and mission –

This year we’ve been praying specifically for God to unite us with more of His Kingdom, Kingdom expression, and resources – resources like our friends at Life Center, and Collin’s with his humble, willing, and creative heart!

We are also receiving informal applications for individuals who might feel called to serve with us in 2016 (3 month and 1yr terms) as God continues to grow the Lighthouse Ukraine team.

We are specifically praying for those with creative talents (painting, singing, musical instruments, dance, writing, video, audio, photography, design) to both teach, but also help to produce some engaging, relevant evangelistic tools.   Feel free to email me about this opportunity and more information!

Bruce & Deborah Crowe
www.facebook.com/crowebruce
www.facebook.com/lighthouseukraine

My parents, Lloyd and Dorothy Crowe. Hard to get them over here, but so thankful for family!

It’s the final week before school in Ukraine.  Two weeks ago our beaches were jammed packed with locals and tourists, this past weekend they were desolate.  It’s amazing how quickly summer has come, and now is fading away.  The trees are starting to lose their green vibrancy and this past week we received a cool blast of fall weather.

Deb and I, along with Brent and Claire will celebrate birthdays over the next month or so – so we got them all taken care of in one blow!

The Cafe has been abnormally quiet too.  It’s been nice.  We’ve just completed our first anniversary, we opened in August of last year!  It was a wild ride of learning.  We know that once the students return, we’ll have many ‘regulars’ back, and some new faces coming for the free Wi-Fi and clean place to meet with friends.   We have some neat new ideas for this fall I’m excited about, and some changes in our staff that will require some organizing.   So, the calm before the storm a bit here in Ukraine.

We’re looking forward to some friends coming to visit next weekend, as well as encouraged lately by the amount of 30 something couples and families emerging in and around us.  Some have always been here and getting to know, others are folks that have newly moved to the area and we’ve met via the Cafe.  We actually meet this really neat couple from Kiev that just bought a house in a small village nearby, they spoke english really well and he is a Yoga instructor.  Then today a nice looking couple with two children asked about our English nights.  Deb and I both looking forward to getting to know more folks this fall.

Sveta has been appointed as our new ‘marketing director’ and has been adding nice little touches to the Cafe – helping to explain what these drinks actually are!

It’s been a perfect week for my parents to visit.  It’s been a joy to take them to the Cafe, let them catch a glimpse of what’s been occupying our time, energy and money this past year.  They’ve run up quite a tab – but I know where to find them.

In prayer, we believe this year holds some challenging but exciting things for our family and those the Lord allows us to serve with in Ukraine.  We will be continuing some creative workshops this fall, as the Lord provides willing talent and resources.  We’re also beginning to walk through some open doors and opportunities to connect with more of God’s church in surrounding cities and even countries.  We believe it is a time to continue believing, in faith for God to awaken hearts to Him.   It’s so easy to wane, to get loaded down with apathy by what we see with our physical eyes  – Lord give us eyes of faith, to see the possibilities, what you want to do, and will do in and thru lives that surrender to you!    We believe God is going to use the Lighthouse to continue to awaken hearts to Him, and be a place of opportunity for willing hearts to serve and give their talents to Him.Please pray for us as we make some travel plans this fall/winter.  We’re currently praying about the best options for our kids schooling in light of the possible travel.  Lord give us wisdom!

Introducing my mom to our Latte and sweet Claire loves to be held.

Good news!  Broderic passed his state entrance exam for college.  This is a big deal for us because he’s the first of our home-schooled kids.  We had no idea how he’d fair with standardized tests – we’ve not followed any specific course, it’s been a mish-mash of customized online and DVD courses based on each of our children’s personalities and interests.  He’s considering college this spring, and it’s relieving to know it’s an option! 🙂

Thanks for checking in – we miss all our friends and family! Bruce & Deb

Last week we took our family back to Western Ukraine.  We felt the Lord draw us to a time of focused prayer and re-focus.   Our family, along with Sveta from Mariupul stayed a week in the Carpathian Mountains.  God spoke to our hearts and was exactly what our spirits needed for the journey ahead.

We closed the Cafe for the week – it caused a little stir in the town and folks were happy to hear it was not closed for good!

Thankful for a week with the family (minus Broderic in Canada working on the farm).

View from our hotel in Ivano Frankivsk – Western Ukraine. It’s a great little city 3hrs south of Lviv. Many little shops and cafes. We could feed our entire family for under $20, full course meal – I had to study the receipts a few times out of shock.

Noah is drawn to anything with swords.

No sweeter possession on earth than this bundle of uniqueness we call Claire.

An ‘in use’ Abacus – I think a calculator would take up less counter space BUT not as cool.

We got quite lost at one point – but roads less traveled can be the most surprising. Check out this beauty in the middle of nowhere.

I like this photo. It captures the sense of awakening as the sun stretches across valleys and mountains – He was faithful every morning to warm my heart with His presence and truth from His word.

We were surrounded not by people, but bell-clanging cows munching on grass 24/7.

At the market in Verhovyna. I couldn’t believe the size of these Red Peppers!

The pristine rivers were ice cold – and surprisingly loud – we could hear them roaring especially at night from our cottage.

Deb and the crew heading out for an 18km hike toward an old Polish lookout/base. They didn’t quite make it due to weather, but did an amazing job.