Summer 2009

Dear Friends
Busy busy busy busy busy blah blah blah sometimes that is what it feels like. It is often hard to know what to say on these things (updates) because it all seems to run together for us. Also what we do with people is so intensely personal we often cannot divulge that much information as it would betray confidences etc. I guess it would be like counselors writing updates for everyone to read which would not go over well as we all know! Of course we realize we could never officially call ourselves counselors but how else do you describe it when you are constantly listening to peoples problems and trying to give them advice that will help them with their lives? And while we are on the subject why do we wear the badge of busyness like its some kind of good thing. Why do we do the things we do? To earn God's favor and love in our lives when He already loves us with a love that cant even be explained so our feeble minds can understand it. What does it mean that His ways are so far above our ways and then we spend so much of our time trying to understand what that means when it clearly says we wont be able to understand it. OK OK enough preaching ha ha!

We are sorry that it has taken us this long to get an update out to you. There are a million excuses we could give but lets just say the odds were against us but we are happy to announce that we finally have Internet access in our apartment!!!

It is hard to know where to begin since so much has been going on but here it goes....
We settled into life here quickly and without much incident. I do not think that culture shock exists for us at this point. Life feels pretty normal. We have moved. We moved to a bigger apartment then what we had previously. A two room as opposed to a one room. We are also in a better location for us, we are much closer to our friends and those we minister to. Apartment hunting here is an interesting venture. It takes all day just to see two apartments. Mostly it is due to having to take public transportation everywhere. Overall I would have to say we are very happy with our move!

The financial situation here is as you might expect. Many have lost their jobs or had to take a decrease in salary. People here as there are struggling to make ends meet but people seem to be handling it well. People often refer to how they are used to banks failing and economic instability in this country so while it is hard we see people getting thru. The crazy thing for us is that not only are peoples wages being affected but the prices are going up also. Most people you talk to dont expect it to be any other way! I heard a quote once that only in the western parts of the world do people expect things to work out to their advantage but people in countries like Ukraine expect things to go badly and often are not disappointed.

Ministry is going well. Our schedule has been quite busy. In addition to the usual visiting home groups, one on one discipleship, ministering at the Crisis Pregnancy Center, we have started an African student home group, out of some relationships we have with some Africans. The response has been great. The discussions are lively, honest, and deep. We have been blown away by some of the vulnerability shown by many of the attendants. Here again there are stories we would love to share but that would be a betrayal of confidences. So once again our hands are tied. What is more important?? Keeping someones confidence or being able to write titillating updates so it sounds like wow we really are doing some interesting ministry. We just have to trust God that He will continue to bless us with His provision and that it has nothing really to do with us and what we do! Maybe you are sensing some of our frustration with trying to explain to everyone what we actually do. Anyhow the relationships we have formed in this group, have been unbelievable. The sad thing is many are graduating and going home to Africa so once again we will have our hearts torn apart. The good news is that many will be returning along with many new ones. This group was so helpful in our moving etc I cant even begin to tell you how blessed we were with them. Such a volunteer spirit. A part of our heart is definitely going to be in Africa. There mostly is a mixture of Kenyan's and Ugandan's so a trip to that part of the world will most likely be in our plans someday. Who knew that in going to Ukraine there would be this strong connection with Africa. Can you say God works in strange ways!!!

We are also preparing for the printing of the premarital material that has been translated. This has been a long 3 year process that we are so excited about seeing come to fruition. There has even been some interest in taking this to other cities in Ukraine. We will see what God has for us when the printing is actually completed.

We have been asked to prepare some teachings for some new groups that will take place at the Crisis Pregnancy Center in the fall. The group will be a continuation of what they have begun in the public schools.

We have also had the opportunity to begin some new relationships with some unbelievers and those of other faiths. This has been an interesting experience. The other day we were invited to a graduation ceremony for some medical students. While sitting there it occurred to us that most people only see these kinds of people on television. We were sitting among many students from Africa, different Arab countries, Indians from India, etc it was a very interesting experience.

Well we could go on and on but hopefully this gives all of you an idea of what is happening with us
We thank all of you for your love and support thru prayer etc
Daveed and Christiana