Sunday, October 4, 2009

Six Week Check Up!

In many ways, it is hard to believe we have been here for six weeks. The time has gone by quickly as there have been many new things we have had to learn (ie. bus schedules, words to say what you would like to buy and then words for the price you need to pay, familiar items at the grocery store that have very different names, how to get to language school everyday, what church to go to, how to say if you want the bus to stop so you can get off, what to do when you miss your stop and go all the way to the end of the line!!, how to transport things in big bags because you don't have a car anymore to take you places). But in many ways it seems as if we have been gone a long time (you start to feel isolated in public because everyone else is speaking a different language that you can't understand, and they don't easily understand you, church services are in Russian and language study can become very consuming). But in saying all of that, we are not discouraged or unhappy at all. We count it a great privilege to be here training to bring the good news to those who we can see are without hope and without the Lord. That is what keeps us moving ahead along with God's amazing and abundant grace. We know that your prayers on our behalf have been answered, and we hope that strengthens your faith and joy in seeing God at work in a very specific way. Below are some praises and prayer requests.

Praises from Ukraine:

1. Our things that were shipped over at the end of July arrived with only minimal damage. It is so good to have our own belongings to use!
2. Our apartment is perfect for us--very comfortable and located very conveniently. We have great neighbors who are Ukrainian believers, and their 20-something son speaks perfect English.
3. We both have different teachers for Russian, and our teachers are perfect for each of us. Jerry's class is just a little ahead, and he loves the challenge of his teacher who has been the most recent convert to Christianity and who reminds her students of their great opportunity to serve the Lord with this language. Kellie's teacher is patient, compassionate, and gives their class loads of writing to do which helps cement the grammar in her head.
4. We are attending a church just down the road from our home (about a 10-minute walk). It is a church that is reaching out to professionals in many creative ways. We have been challenged by the great needs around us. They are friendly people (about 50) and many are new believers.
5. We thank the Lord for our SEND team here in Kiev. They have been very welcoming, with many having us over for meals and extending warm hospitality. There is a passion here to do all we can in the time we have to reach as many Russian-speaking people as possible.

Prayer Requests:

1. Making sure we are in the best church for us. Please pray that we can get together with the pastor and his wife soon so we can understand the direction and passion of the church. We want to fit in and be of help if we can.
2. So far, we have really poured ourselves into learning this language. We have a long way to go, and even after two years, we will still have a long way to go to learn it to communicate effectively. But it has been encouraging to begin to take baby steps in our speaking and understanding. We are making progress! Please pray for continued diligence and concentration especially in class. Both of us have language helpers whom we meet with an extra 3 hours each week. We want those to be very effective hours especially in speaking more.
3. To continue to understand and live in a way that demonstrates our total dependence on God (loving Him and learning more about Him and loving others in concrete ways).

Please feel free to reply to this and give us requests that we can pray for for you. We are so grateful for the team God has give us of faithful prayer warriors. We are challenged by and appreciate your love for God and us.

Because of Christ Alone,

Kellie (and Jerry)

3 comments:

  1. It was so good to read all about what you have been doing! I just discovered that you had a blog - I will love keeping up with it and reading all that you are involved in. We miss you at Cornerstone! We all really enjoyed talking with you via Skype a couple of weeks ago. It was an amazingly good picture for us - even on the big screens! You both looked and sounded great. I am so glad that things are going smoothly and that you are enjoying your life there. Have you felt culture shock? Is life slower there? Bob was just saying this morning in his sermon how busy we all are and how little time we have to just stop and enjoy life and enjoy the Lord. We just get so busy and there is always something else (even in the church) to take up our time. I hope life is a bit slower where you are! We are, of course, praying for you - for language school (that has to be overwhelming!) - and for your good adjustment to life in Ukraine. We love you both! Ruthanne and Terry

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  2. Love to hear about your life, thank you for taking the time to blog. I think its a great tool for people to catch up with you. We are praying for you! We miss you ~ alot!!! :) --Joyce Griffin

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  3. Dear Kellie and Jerry,

    So good to hear from you! So thankful that your things have arrived from snail mail! Prayfully a "little touch of home" will help ease some of your isolation you are going through! Plus I am sure Kellie to finally glad to have some make-up though I bet she uses less than she did! :)

    Fall is in full swing here! The temps went right with it! We already had our first freeze and we have gone from the 70's to the 50's though I think we might hit 63 finally today! Certainly one of the more beatiful times of the year as He paints a pictre of the landscape as only He can!

    Jen and Dan were married on Sat with a beautiful ceremony that showed His love and mercy in their lives and their commitment to serve Him and each other throughout their lives! They did a washing of each others feet that didn't leave too many dry eyes in sight! I know when they get back they will post lots of pics for you to see on FB.

    I start my third Beth Moore Home Bible Study this Wednesday! I am so thankful and honored that I am allowed to serve Him this way! Beth has a gift that God has seen fit to use to bless many women as they grow in Him. Our series is in Proverbs; emphasis Wisdom!

    The Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University is in full swing! Ken and I are one couple in over 30 who are committed to Him to become debt free so we can use the resources He has blessed us with to further the advancement of His Kingdom however He sees fit! We are very excited to be finally tackling this issue in our marriage and to see how He will use this opportunity to grow us in Him and our marriage!

    Thank you for your updated praise and prayer request! We join with you and others to continue to take your request before His throne knowning full well He will supply your every need and the grace for each situation!

    Blessings!
    Julie Rosol

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