Crazy rain, you’d have thought we lived in the Amazon.  Yesterday we got so much rain that while I was sitting and talking to Tom in my office during a downpour, a soak and wet Brent came flying through the door, “Dad!  The kitchen is raining!”  Tom and I looked at each other, then simultaneously noticed a wave of water gushing from my office wall.. literally covering the floor and coming at us.  I raced inside leaving the office problem with Tom, and saw the kids had placed buckets around the kitchen, attempting to catch as much of the downpour as possible.  Water was draining from every light in the ceiling, we have about 6 of them in the kitchen.  Last year we replaced the roof because of previous water damage, and the roof guys left a small area on our porch unfinished.. it had received so much water that it started backing up and penetrating my house from the side..

That wasn’t the worst of it.  In our basement, which was never really built for dwelling (the previous owner probably was going to just keep raw materials, dirt floor etc).. it was soaked and you could hear water pouring down the walls behind the sheet rock.  We’ve learned a lot since this house project, most of which I wasn’t here for (not that I would have known what to do then anyway).  We have emptied our basement, pulled out the carpets and have them airing on our deck and trampoline, hoping we can salvage them.  We now have to, when the weather allows us, get a tractor in the backyard to dig up 5-6 meters along the back of our house, and seal the foundation and walls properly with tar, and lay down some french drains.. Probably do this after the NY team leaves.

Had another long day at Epicenter yesterday, purchased bathroom doors and paint among a myriad of minor items.  We’re awaiting the final word/instructions from the fire inspector from another town (in charge of this region).  We aren’t sure what to expect exactly, but hoping it’s not a big deal or he won’t ask for a lot of money.  We do know that a cafe or business must install a fire alarm system of some kind.. which makes sense, but that doesn’t guarantee what they ask us to do will!

We are still working through moving the cafe from a personal house to business.  Need to register the cafe as a small business enterprise next, currently everything has been done through a corporate structure which is fine for some things, but not needed for a smaller cafe and to avoid the additional tax costs and paperwork required, we’ll set up a small business to operate inside the building, as a tenant.  Slowly but surely!

Thanking God for health among the family, good marriage and God’s provision.  Been mediating on John 1 where Jesus first calls the 4 disciples Andrew, Peter, Phillip and Nathaniel.  Interesting how Jesus, the Son of God and God’s logos/revelation/communication to mankind first unveils Himself as He begins His ministry.  He doesn’t flash on the scene, big show, grab men he wants to use to accomplish His purpose.. He sees a couple of guys following Him that heard John the Baptist declare, “Behold the Lamb of God” and Jesus is like, “Hey guys, what are you after?”  The two answer, “Where are you staying, we’d like to follow you, we think you are special and may be the Messiah..” Jesus says, “You want to follow, well, come and see where I’m staying, hang out with me a while.”

This is God, this is the relational God that cares more about who we are, then what we can do for Him.  We’re not a means to His end, that’s not how I see Him revealed in scripture anyway.  He wants to forge a genuine, real relationship based on mutual interest.  He could easily zap those that He wants to perform holy tricks like some circus monkey, but that’s not God.  Like the disciples, we want to know more about God, because honestly, we know very little.  The little we do know, we are enamored and humbled with.  That the God of the universe would wants to know us.  ‘Come and see’.  He doesn’t force, and He only wants those with sincere motives.  You want greatness, go somewhere else. You want power or stature, wrong God.  You want to know Him?… come to Me all that are weary.  Weary?  Hey we can relate to weary!  I’ll give you rest, ah, rest that only Christ can bring to the anxious and troubled soul.  Taste and see that Lord is good, this is the God we serve, relational, longing to make His greatness and love known, but only through this mutually desired interaction. This means we need to come to Him, spend time with Him, at least if we want to know Him in any significant capacity.  Like the two first followers of Jesus, let’s follow Him to where He is staying, and stay there a while.

Probably going to share on this text this Sunday.  Pray that God’s heart comes through, and that we all enjoy our Savior this weekend!

2 Cor 11:3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.

Tom & Alyosha at dreaded Epicenter, little did they know they would be there another 3hrs waiting on a delivery truck!

Yesterday, instead of grilling some burgers, I headed off to Kiev with Alyosha and Tom. We had a mission, to buy as many materials for the Cafe before 5pm (so we could get back for some burgers!). Overly optimistic I didn’t get home until 7pm and the other guys 10pm! Epicenter, that’s all I have to say. For those that have lived here, I need not say more.

On a positive note however, we found a great little company that specializes in industrial kitchen equipment.. I wasn’t sure where or how, but was determined to find stainless steel equipment that will last and look ‘official.’ We submitted our floor-plan and itemized wish-list.. and now waiting for their response and cost. We know from pricing out individual items with them, we’ll have enough for most of the kitchen, which includes the pizza oven, counter tops/drawers that slide, refrigerated thing you keep peperoni and other items on the counter for quick access.. and a nice big sink.

We also picked up the main floor tile, bathroom tile, sinks, and wood for the stairs. All of this in preparation for the BrickThink group from Times Square Church that is coming over July 19 for 10 days. Together with our little construction team, we’re excited to see some more progress this month!

You can pray for a number of logistical needs:
– legal changing of house from residence to business (documents)
– gas and electric changing from residence to business (documents)
– POS – point of sale system, I’m not sure what kind to get, or what Kiev has but we need a way to take orders, take money and track sales… at least I think we need one!
– employees, we’re going to need to hire a couple people, wisdom and timing for that. We’ll need an accountant to help Svetlana (pregnant with twins), there is a ton of standing in lines, paying fees/taxes, and general paperwork regardless whether you make any money or not.. there’s a reason that Ukraine has ‘two’ economies (one off the books, one in the books).
– Favor with the fire and food inspector, as well as city counsel and Mayor.

This week most of the church is at camp. We’ll still have bible study tomorrow night from the book of John with a number of Ukrainians and missionaries, pray for that too! Shared this past Sunday on Psalm 104 (God’s sovereignty over creation) and need to prepare for this Sunday as well. Not sure if I’ll pick up on the missions series or do something topical again. With a inductive study each week on the gospel of John, I find it difficult to have the time to properly ‘teach’ on anything more right now. I’m working daily with my company in Texas, keeping the Cafe project organized downtown and applying for Ukrainian residency (a job by itself!). Our plates are full, blessed, but I also feel a caution to not get too busy. I find myself too often grieved that I’m not spending enough time with the Lord, not out of duty but the delight that it brings. Like traveling through a dessert we need water to survive. He is our source and spiritual water. Lord teach us prioritize our spiritual life in light of this world’s many distractions and duties!

Thanks for checking in, I hope to get some pictures soon. Expecting a new camera with this group, very excited to start posting video and better quality pictures. Kids are doing well, Broderic is working some at the cafe and growing his hair out like Justin Bieber.  Bronwyn is reading almost every time I see her (or listening to audio books), Brent and Tucker are the active ones usually riding bikes (when it’s not raining) or on the trampoline, Clark is starting to play more with his older brothers and stuns us with deep questions, and Noah is off in his own world (and quite content) most of the time usually re-enacting some WWII battle scene or racing something around the house (watch your toes!).

Sincerely,

Bruce & Deb

Made good progress on the cafe this week as we enclose walls with sheet rock and start to purchase equipment. Yesterday we bought the toilets, it was an exciting day! Praising God for the donations toward this final stretch, on Monday we will be visiting some kitchen equipment places that sell industrial grade stainless steel, pizza ovens and shelving. Pray we find some good deals!

This week also went to Kiev to continue the long process of applying for Ukrainian residence. Had to go to the hospital to get blood work done, to prove I don’t have AIDS, then chest x-ray to show I don’t have TB. The funniest part of the day was the Psychological interview to prove I’m not an alcoholic. The lady asked me soberly (no pun intended) how much I drink. I told her I don’t drink at all actually. She was taken back and asked again, “No, I mean how much do you drink, like 1, 2 drinks per day on average?” Again, I smiled and told her I don’t drink. You could tell her whole interview format was altered. She fumbled her papers and asked nervously, “Well, then how do you deal with stress?” I told her I prayed. She thought that was even stranger! “Does it help?” she asked. In Russian I emphatically replied, “Kenyeshna!” (of course!). The rest of the interview consisted of a written exam, where I answered such questions as, “When you are in a long line that isn’t moving, do you get very frustrated?”.. I had to laugh out loud at some of the questions, they were exactly the things that used to drive me CRAZY about this place, I just never thought of turning to drink in those times.. maybe it would have helped.. maybe that’s why Ukrainians do.

Praising God as well that Broderic was able to get his eye looked at. It had a small spec lodged in it, a tiny black rock from riding on a scooter without a visor. The doctors scolded me for waiting so long to bring him in… I told them we live in a small town and don’t trust the doctors, especially not with anyone’s eye! They quickly removed it and it’s doing fine.

Very thrilled I don’t have to go back to Texas to renew my DL. I was going to half to because I had already renewed online last time, but they allowed me to submit a ‘living abroad’ document and thanks to the wonders of FedEx, it’s being processed now.

Most of the church will be heading to Camp 120 in a few days. Everyone is praying the daily thunderstorms hold up for their week on the island. Today was the first day in weeks it hasn’t been overcast with showers. The gardens are looking great, but I think if it keeps raining the crops could be damaged.

Had our second bible study on the book of John last night. 20 believers came, even one of the ladies from the outreaches which has been very encouraging for everyone (especially the ladies that work so hard hosting them). Her name is Ala. She is 42, with a 20yr old daughter. She has warmed right up to everyone, has attended Sunday mornings for the past 2 weeks and seems to be very sincere in her quest for fellowship and Christ. Pray for our Wednesday nights, that God would build our faith increasingly as we study the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, it is truly amazing that he came down, wrapped Himself in flesh and dwelt among us, what a God we serve!

Sincerely,
Bruce & Deb

Family and friends gather around as students receive diploma.. Ukrainian style!

Today we enjoyed watching some of the students at our local college graduate. Kolya and several of his friends that we’ve been able to build relationships with and share the gospel message to on several occasions over the past year are moving on. Unfortunately many of the students are entering an extremely depressed economy and will be looking far and wide for any sort of sustainable income.

I took a few videos of the graduation, the little kids performing is especially cute. If you listen to the little yellow girls that pop out one-by-one from the lady with the dress, you’ll hear them each ‘squeeeeek’ a high pitched bird noise, adorable!

At one point during the ceremony a group performed a song with lyrics which basically said, ‘our russia’, and was an ‘ode’ to the motherland. It was very bizarre to hear proud Ukrainians sing about Russia, but nobody seemed to mind. There is a unique relationship with Russia in Ukraine. You’d think there would be a strong distaste for the nation that enslaved them for 70yrs, but for many they are brothers and sisters, sharing common ancestry and a rich heritage. I need to be careful to not import the ‘cold war’ feelings of the US and super impose them upon these Ukrainians, it’s much more complex.

You can pray for something that happened today with the kids on the trampoline. 3 kids that are continually causing issues were not respecting the trampoline nor the rules we have in place, so for the 15th time I told them to obey. They didn’t listen, put their dog on the trampoline, so I shut the trampoline down for the day and told them to go home. Suspecting they might retaliate I watched from behind the curtain and to my big surprise.. they were dismantling the springs and one kids was putting them in his pocket. I guess they figured if they couldn’t play, ‘ain’t nobody gonna play.’ I raced out and caught them in the act, one kid got away but the other two I detained, quite aggressively, and in my overly frustrated Russian asked them why they would do this? I then, again rather aggressively, directed them off my property and came back inside to my wife who had watched the entire episode. The problem with some of these kids is that they prey on kindness, and have virtually no authority in their lives. As I type this, I have a feeling they might be sneaking around in the woods looking for a way to ‘get us back’ for denying them access to the trampoline. Pray for me, I’m not angry at the kids themselves, we have a fondness and desire to sincerely help start making better choices. I’m very frustrated at the parents who don’t care (the police have already visited them), and a culture that is producing vagabonds by the dozen. Pray we make progress with our Russian this summer and not relapse on the little we’ve learned this year. It is vitally important to communicate with words principles of honesty, respect, and trust with these kids. The last thing I want is be a poor witness for our incredible Savior, today I may have taken some steps backward with these particular kids, I’m at my wits end! I know they have a conscience in there somewhere, as miserably hardened as it may be. Pray for Bogdon and Denise who are always at the center of issues, that we would love them properly. They are 12 and 14, though they look 8 and 10, they smoke, under fed, and come from a family of 15 kids. Please ask God to help me as well when my anger reaches ungodly proportions!

Thanks,
Bruce & Deb