One thing we love about Ukraine is that Christmas is January 7th so Christmas decorations stay up until February. They really help cheer up the darkness of winter here in January. The Lord was gracious to us as we all had a relatively light case of the Swine Flu in December. Rumors were swarming about the Ukrainian flu so it was a little scary and lots of prayers were going up! Other than that we had a great semester of ministry and family togetherness with Carra spending her semester here in Ukraine.
Carra was able to get some field experience in teaching English to speakers of other languages by helping some native born Koreans with their English at Spencer's school. She loved those students and was really encouraged that this is the area she would love to serve in the future. She returned last week to Moody for her senior year. Please pray she has a wonderful semester of learning and spiritual growth.
Our New Year has started off with a bang! We will continue working with our new staff, hosting overnight trainings and trying to encourage our church family in any way we can. Spencer will be graduating from Kiev Christian Academy in June so he is having a great time his last semester with the wonderful friends God has brought into his life here in Kiev. Pray for him as he balances college applications, a very tough school schedule, basketball, family and friends.
We are praying fervantly that the Ukrainian elections this week do not affect missionaries' Visas or the freedom of the Ukrainian Church in the spreading of God's Word throughout Ukraine. We feel Ukraine is a pivotal nation in Eastern Europe, so vital spiritually and politically to this part of the world. We love you all and miss you greatly!
