Happy New Year 2013! This is the time of the year to reflect upon the past and to project into the future. The year 2012 was quite an exciting year for our family. After having spent half a year in the States in January 2012 we transitioned from furlough back to ministry in Ukraine, our middle child, Karyn, transitioned back into a classroom setting at Kiev Christian Academy, David resumed his pastoral role at Living Vine Church, and our family made adjustments back to the language and culture. Living Vine Church resumed its English club outreach program. In March, David, traveled to the States for a second surgery to correct the recurring irregular heartbeat. David was really appreciative of the Seward family for housing him during that time. In June we hosted a short-term church construction team from Texas. The local church in Bortnychi really appreciated the group from Lake Pointe Church and the Texas Baptist Men organization who helped install ceiling tiles and dry wall in the church sanctuary. Also, during the summer Austin had a special treat of being able to go to one of the Euro 2012 games. This was our first professional European soccer tournament game. It was exciting to see so many fans on the streets of Kiev.
September recorded a few more changes for our family. In September Kim resumed her teaching ministry at Kiev Christian Academy. Kim has eleven fifth graders. Most of the children come from missionary families. But, a few are from families of embassy staff. The new ministry for Kim has at times been both a challenge and a blessing. It is a challenge to blend and teach children from so many different backgrounds. But, at the same time it has been a blessing to impact families serving in this part of the world. Another transition for our family is that in September Kaitlyn started kindergarten. Kaitlyn started young and behind the others. But, we see her making good progress. We ask your prayers for her to catch up to classmates over this coming semester. The fall was soccer season for Austin. KCA's junior varsity team started slowly and then moved ahead of the others. It all came down to the championship game where KCA lost in overtime. We are proud of all the hard work that Austin and his friends put into practices and games. Over the course of the season they greatly improved. In November, our church's English club hosted a Thanksgiving party for the students. A full group of about 35 came and commented that they appreciated the spiritual emphasis of this holiday. Several of our English club students are growing deeper in their faith and attending churches on a more regular basis. December greeted us warmly but then dumped almost 2 feet of snow on Kiev. This made everyday activities and travel more of a challenge. Our family spent a number of hours in traffic jams.
What are we looking forward to in 2013? In January we are looking forward to seeing Kim's cousins who are coming to do orphanage ministry in Lutsk. This week David is looking forward to starting a new discipleship group with three men who have been coming to our church. In late January David will resume the church's English club ministry. Also, this semester David is planning to remodel an apartment so that the family can move closer to the school. Kim is looking forward to having a student teacher work with her in the classroom this semester. Austin is looking forward to basketball season and researching various options for after graduation Karyn is looking forward to continuing piano lessons. She is also looking forward to having braces installed on her teeth. The process that was started last semester will be continued this semester. Kaitlyn is looking forward to being with her kindergarten friends. In July we are going to host a short-term team from a church in Pennsylvania. We will continue to help the church in Bortnychi with their construction project. We will also continue to serve in leadership at Living Vine Church.
In short we are thankful to the Lord for all that He did in 2012. We look forward to what He will do in 2013. Thanks for walking along with us in this spiritual journey!
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