Dear Prayer Family,
It has been a while since we last wrote. Many of you are wondering how we are and how things are going. Please forgive us for letting so much time pass. Thanks to many of you for supporting us in prayer and finances despite out lack of communication. We are humbled by your faithfulness!
For David, this year has been a time for expanding evangelism efforts. In past years David had focused on building up Ukrainian believers through teaching at a seminary and preaching in churches. During that time he felt a need to reach out more but found it difficult to meet and build relaitonships with unbelievers. In January he was introduced to a language school where he was asked to teach English to businessmen. Considering this as an opportunity for evangelism David accepted the challenge. This was his first time to teach English, let alone to teach professionals such as bankers, software programmers, corporate executives, a doctor and university students. Not only are businessmen generally ignored by the church, but internationals are also a group that really needs the light of the gospel. David discovered some business English curriculi and went to work. During the past 10 months David has had several opportunities to share his faith with unbelievers.
In the spring and summer months David was easily able to adjust his schedule to meet businessmen. They wanted to meet early in the mornings before work, during their lunch breaks, or after working hours. In the fall, however, David had to readjust his schedule to meet Austin's school transportation needs. We were unable to pay what the driver wanted to take Austin to school every day. During that time David became busy shuttling Austin to soccer practices and games.
In October the family attended CrossWorld’s tri-annual European conference. This year the conference was held in Switzerland. The theme of the conference was “Called to New Heights.” We were encouraged by what the new general director, Dale Losch, had to say. We were also challenged to move our lives and ministries to new spiritual heights. While there Austin and Karyn made some new friends that will last a lifetime. Included are a couple of pictures from the conference – the theme poster and some scenery from Switzerland.
The family returned to Ukraine encouraged, relaxed, but....sick. Unfortunately we caught some bug that was spreading among the missionaries, especially among the infants. We arrived in Ukraine to a surprise - a three-week government quarantine of all public gatherings including schools and concerts. Evidently the swine flu and other illnesses arrived before us. Tens of thousands have been hospitalized and more than three hundred have died from respiratory failure. Thankfully, our family seems to have recovered from whatever we had. Please pray us to stay healthy and to be able to deal with the school closing adjustments.
At the end of this year we are planning to move to the other side of the city. We hope this move will solve some of the transportation issues mentioned above and will free time for more ministry. There is a bus on that side of the city that can take Austin to and from school. Pray for this move as we adjust to a new neighborhood and a new set of housing circumstances.
Finally, we ask you to remember to pray for our evangelism contacts: Victoria, Marat, Alexander, Alexei, Andre, Mariana, Patrick, Mr. Lou., Eugene, Taras, Victoria, Sergei, Ruslan, Daniel and others who need the gospel and the love of Christ in their lives.
Blessings from our family:
David, Kim, Austin, Karyn and Kaitlyn
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