Had an amazing little visit today with a guy named Genya. He’s been working in Christian camping and orphan work for 16yrs in several different countries.

They have just bought 20 hectares of land about 10 minutes from our town, with a vision to prepare orphans through transitional life skills/training, and a host of other ministry efforts. Their organization I believe will fit perfectly among the many hearts already in this place that have been looking to serve in this area.

This could be a perfect place to host camps, outreaches, and grow discipleship efforts for this next generation of Ukrainians. The way they ‘stumbled’ into our area, and have seen God bless their efforts is truly and encouraging sign that God is with us all, divinely inspiring and orchestrating His Kingdom purposes.

Encouraged-
Bruce

Preparing for the short interview

Today a news team from ICTV in Kiev, through a friend contact of Vlad’s, came to our town to interview the family and supporters. They produce a show on the various criminal activities in Ukraine and hope to shed some light on Vlad’s case.

Vica, Vlad’s wife, and Vlad’s parents were interviewed. As well, a couple of us from RZ were able to provide a character reference for Vlad. You can see below many of Vlad’s friends, co-workers gathered at Dan’s where some of the footage was taken.

Please pray that the show produces positive results. It will air sometime in the next two weeks, we hope to try and get a copy, maybe even get it online for you all to share around too.

Today Tom was able to take another purchase of supplies for Vlad. Thank you again for your support, I know Vlad and his entire family are very thankful for it.  The number of cases similar to Vlad’s in Ukraine is astounding.  Vlad has told us stories of some terrible situations where perfectly innocent people have been unjustly sentenced.   We’ve heard that the prisons are now preparing to ‘take in’ many more in a sort of cleansing in preparation for the EURO CUP tournament this summer.  Evidently Ukraine wants to clean up the street of its beggars and drunkards, as well any ‘riff raff’ that might otherwise spoil the international attention.  This is the kind of morality vacuum that exists here, this country needs God!

Bruce & Deb

Today was a gorgeous 32F day and with the weather looking to warm up we wanted to get out and enjoy the snow before it melts. Deb is now 37 weeks pregnant, yet she grabbed a sled and gave the baby girl a little ride:)

Today we heard from Vlad on Facebook! He was able to borrow a cell phone and login, post a couple notes on the “Justice For Vlad” page. We continue to remember our brother and pray for him as a church family.

Bruce & Deb

We’re off to Kiev tomorrow to finally purchase the kitchen equipment.  It’s taken a while to compare ‘apples to apples’ with another company, and now arrange to make the deposit into the companies account.. always a bit unnerving, fortunately it’s only a 50% deposit.

We’re told that the cabinets will then arrive (stainless steel) in two weeks, followed by the Pizza oven and stove top by end of March.  We’re safely still 2 months away from being functional, and even longer before we could open to the public.  Besides needing tables and chairs, here’s a list of remaining items we need to pray continue progressing:

– Land transfer from private residential to business: this has been approved by the city counsel last week, but could take several months to process.

– Gas and Electric document changes.  After the land has finally been re-zoned, we can apply to upgrade and change the current utilities.  This will cost about $2,000 I am told in all but will give us the amount of gas and higher level of electric power which will be essential.

– Cappuccino machine and suppliers.  We have set aside $2k of the kitchen budget for the purchase of the coffee machine.  There are many vendors that lease the machines to you if you sign up to sell their coffee.  Need to investigate this some more, but didn’t want to rush that decision until the kitchen is completed and we can focus.

Brent decided to take a picture of what I look like most evenings as I work on my Mac with Cypress.

I have been encouraged by the community support since returning from Canada this Christmas.  Shop owners, the Mayor, Police Chief, and neighbors are all aware of the ‘coming’ cafe.  I realize for most westerners the progress seems to be taking forever, but trust me, things are moving along at a Ukrainian clip, and the fact that there’s something

coming at all is encouraging for this town.  In a way, I’m glad it’s taking quite a while to complete.  It’s giving us all time and reason to communicate what our motivations are for this place, and show ourselves to be people of action, not just talk.  Parents especially seem to be grateful for something wholesome, it’s starting to make me a bit nervous to think we may end up with a packed cafe full of 10yr olds, but that wouldn’t be a bad thing when you think of the Kingdom of God.

Deb is now 8 months pregnant!  In four weeks or less we’ll have little Abbey (what we are calling her so far!).  Deb is slowing down a bit, and needing to more.  We have still several trips to Kiev in preparation for the delivery, including an eye doctor appointment tomorrow.  We have no idea why, but she is required to get her eyes tested before the doctors will sign off on a natural birth.  Random.  Ukraine.

Business (Cypress Interactive) has taken up a lot of my time since returning.   While my family is supported by a wonderful church in Texas (Crossroads Community Church), I continue to look towards the world of business to help advance Kingdom work here.  It’s not been easy trying to balance what we have on our plates, and often something suffers for lack of attention here in Ukraine, or in America that I’ responsible for.

Please pray that we’d be faithful with the things God entrusts us with, and also to let go of things when we need to, and trust Him.  Please pray that God builds a sustainable team in Texas/US with the vision needed to remain profitable.  We have so many of the right pieces I believe, but not quite there.

100% healed, Noah the monkey.

Several have asked how Noah is doing after his fall.  He’s 100% back to normal, praise God for that.

This past Sunday our church hosted another men’s breakfast.  Great group of guys.  A couple unbelievers came, and then came to church the next day.  I believe God’s heart is to raise up a generation of real men.  Men that walk in holiness and integrity.  What a light these men could be.  We talked about our thought life, and challenged one another to purity of the mind, where it all starts.

Not even going to go into the circus that is my Residence Permit.  Ask you to pray that we’ll get all of our documents needed and for favor among the layers of bureaucracy.

Tucker turns 9 and goes bowling with his friends in Kiev.

Prayer Points –

– Cafe land / utility documents
– For Deb & our baby girl coming April 1 or sooner!
– Generation of young men raised up for God
– Permanent Residence approval soon!

Sincerely,

Bruce & Deb