Over the past few weeks our garage has become a crime scene.  Earlier this month Broderic and Cheryl both had their scooter stolen in the night.   Then a few nights ago Bronwyn had her bicycle stolen.

Some will say it’s been a long time coming, as we don’t have a garage door and we’re overly trusting with the many kids and folks that wander around.  However, we’ve enjoyed the past 3-4 yrs of relative theft free living.  I don’t know if this is just one particular thief, or pattern of things to come.  I heard from a friend last night that their family car was stolen last week.

In any case.  We need to be more aggressive about putting things away, and I’m considering installing some home security cameras that capture movement and see in the dark.  I have one for the Cafe I’m playing with.  Discouraging to be stolen from – pray their hearts come to a place of conviction and repentance!

PS – No Cafe inspection today.  For 3rd straight day there were more excuses.  Dema and I ended up driving to their offices 30 minutes north – we were ‘just in the neighborhood’ and were told tomorrow ‘could’ work.  We have to get a ton of documents on each and every menu item (specifically for pizza).. now I know why menus here all have stamps on them.

Bruce

1950’s Radiation Machine aka. X-Ray

Today I needed an x-ray to prove that I don’t have Tuberculosis.  I usually go to Kiev for such medical requirements as our local hospital is something you try to avoid.  But, I went for it!  Amazingly, I was registered and standing in this bad boy in less than 10 minutes.  The x-ray technician was a warm elderly lady, and she found my hesitation quite amusing.

“We’re not part of the EU yet” she joked as I asked if I could take a photo of the time machine I had to step into.  She told me to strip down.  I asked if I could wear a led coat or something.. she smiled, “It’s over quickly, you’ll be fine.”  Door shuts, and I hear Dema laughing out loud as I peek thru the little window.  “Be sure to hold your breath until it’s over!”

I took courage knowing her plants she had spread around the room were growing fine – albeit in rather odd shapes.

Natasha Yevtoshenko has been helping shop for the clothing purchases at the school. She’s a big blessing!

We took measurements of the kids at Kuzmensi today, to supply them with each a set of dress clothes for school.  Unlike the west, they take very seriously looking sharp on certain days of the year.  The kids lost everything in the fire, so we were happy to be able to help with remaining funds raised.

We also were able to hire Vova our friend to install these wardrobe/closet things in their foyer.

We have begun talking to the director of region for orphanage/foster care.  She is in Khargalyk and we are hoping to get permission to take some of the kids away for the weekend – I’ve had on my heart for a few weeks one boy in particular names Yura.  His only living family is his mother, who lost her ‘parental rights’.  No father, no grandparents or aunts, uncles.  He’s a boy I entrust to take care of things when we visit – and is a classmate of Tuckers.  Pray we are able to invest more into his life, if the Lord sees this as wise.

Today’s Cafe inspection was postponed until tomorrow – hopefully we are ready!

Natasha (who’s husband is in army as cook) has been working hard to prepare documents and has to routinely take public buses to various towns.  It doesn’t sound that bad, but these buses have no air conditioning and they are VERY hot and often over crowded.  Everyone is paying a price to see this Cafe thru to opening!

Bruce & Deb

We are cleaning and preparing for tomorrow’s final inspection – it will release us, if we pass, to open officially.  We have all other legal permissions!  Please pray for us as it’s a bit strange.  We have to drive to the inspectors town (3 of them), and pick them up and bring them here – they don’t have cars.  Then, after the inspection drop them back off.  I figure if they fail us, we’ll make them walk!  🙂

Also, we have a live webcam for anyone that would like to snoop, and offer any cleaning advice!  I hope to get some more and place around the property for security – you can help us guard the place!

Dema holding our famous gas project documents – they’ve been to Gondor and back.

Thankful we are almost there, but it’s not over yet.   In Ukraine you learn not to assume the best – we could get hit with a number of unexpected ‘legal requirements’.  When the inspectors come we also have to cook them ‘something’.  We don’t have gas still so not able to supply pizza, but they said it didn’t matter.. we could ‘cook them some eggs’.  Strange indeed!

Thank you to Bronwyn, Marie and Jememah for helping us clean today.

This week we are also measuring up and purchasing school clothes/shoes for the kids at Kuzmentsi foster/orphanage.   We have heard they are receiving more kids from the war zones of eastern Ukraine.  However I haven’t yet been out to verify, hope to tomorrow.

This was the eye chart I had to read last week – I passed.. was more of a test of my Russian alphabet haha.

Please continue to keep Alyosha in prayer as he serves in the army.  We know he’d love to be home with his family, and preparing with us to finally open.  People feel that the war with the separatists could be coming to a finish in the next 1-2 weeks – however people are still very nervous.

I’m meeting with Vlad today and hope to film a bit of a testimony that we can translate and share to the many churches and individuals that followed his ordeal.  We have some funds remaining we plan to supply his family and offer opportunity for anyone else to contribute towards a general blessing to help them get back on their feet.

Bruce & Deb

We haven’t posted too much online concerning the political and military happenings inside Ukraine via our blog.  This is partly due to the overwhelming information available already to everyone already.  Additionally, we don’t believe our personal mission here is to take sides politically, but to promote Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God.

We grieve over the loss of life, the terror and instability taking place in Eastern Ukraine, and especially the persecution taking place towards the Christian church.  We’ve witnessed refugees fleeing their homes, brothers and sisters in Christ opening their facilities, homes and hearts to those caught in the crossfires.  Our own Alyosha (Natasha my assistant husband and future Cafe pizza chef) was drafted last month, and is currently close to the battles near Lugansk (he is a cook, but armed with machine gun as well).   Last week I heard a local Rzhyschiv young man was killed in battle (land mine).   He left behind a wife and two small children – the town gathered for memorial this past week and some say was around 1,000 in attendance.  In total, there are 18 from our town fighting in the East of Ukraine, most in their early 20’s.

It’s a very complicated issue for certain, and the heightened use of heavier military equipment on both sides is distressing for those on the ground fighting, and their families.   There are parallel realities being portrayed, as is usually the case in intense clashes of worldviews.   The Russians accusing the US and EU of tampering and creating instability (Maiden), exploiting it and smearing Russia’s image.  The US and EU accusing Russia of doing the same thing, empowering Ukrainian ‘loyalists’ to Russia (as well as sending in their own military trained personnel).

A favorite teacher used to say, “the truth usually lies between the two extremes.”  I don’t know if this applies to this current political situation, but I do believe whenever one side plunges fully into taking one side, we open ourselves to brainwashing and an over-exaggeration of the facts.   That’s not to say we don’t have strong personal opinions, but that they aren’t as clearly one-sided as others might be.

Many folks email or send us notes (especially family) on facebook and are genuinely interested or concerned in our welfare.  So, I wanted to share a few things.  Namely, that we are all doing well, and safe.  The instability is pretty far from Kiev region, about 6-8hrs of driving.  We do ask that you pray with us for our brother Alyosha K that he would come home soon, and strength for Natasha.

Remember, our heart and believe our calling to this part of the world is to reach the Russian speaking population in particular with the hope and life in Jesus Christ.   Also, we currently getting more visas to visit Eastern Russia this fall.  Tensions are high, and the information is really ratcheting down on the Russian side.  We will be offering a private newsletter to our supporters soon and avoiding all public postings related to the issues in Ukraine moving forward as we seek to think long term and build lasting relationships within Russia.

Blessings-

Bruce