A Cup of Coffee Goes a Long Way...

During NAC, the venue for the Evening Services was at Madison Park Church. One of the “perks” of gathering at MP is the Holy Grounds Cafe, their in-house coffee shop that gives 100% of their proceeds to mission projects the church supports. The month of June was designated for the Chelyabinsk Ministry Center and thanks to very thirsty attendees of NAC, almost $6,000 was donated to the project. We were honored to volunteer to help serve at the Cafe, along with their wonderful volunteer staff who tirelessly brewed and frothed coffee delights and whipped up countless smoothies. Thank you to all who contributed by enjoying some beverages during NAC- these funds were a tremendous encouragement because the current economic crisis has impacted the process of completing the construction. We, along with the church in Russia, continue to thank God for His ongoing provision and wait on His timing for bringing this strategic center to completion.

Construction Update- Summer 2009

Construction at the Ministry Center has slowed down considerably as the world economic situation has become a global issue. Over the summer, work slowed to minor steps of completing some of the wiring and ventilation. Since January, the amount of work projects has had to adjust to the amount of funds as they became available. The project has accomplished about two-thirds of the goal since 2008. Now the remaining work must wait until the needed funds accrue so that the workers, materials, and supplies can be secured without causing risk of over-extending our budget. Please join us in prayer for wisdom and direction concerning the Ministry Training Center and continue to pray for God to reveal Himself during these economic set-backs.

See What the Lord has Done!

As we stand at the beginning of a new year, we took the moment to reflect over the past year. And we are amazed! A year ago, we became aware of the critical need to move the Ministry Training Center to completion. Many joined with us in prayer and partnership as we saw the Window of Opportunity to Seize the Moment. The building looks very different now than it did 12 months ago and although it looks almost finished on the outside- the work is just beginning on the inside.

While we had hoped to be further along with the interior, as we look back, we can only stand amazed at the amount that was completed with your prayers and support. Below is a slideshow to show what has been accomplished.



In the next months, the work is continuing on the interior. Workers are in the process of installing the plumbing and fixtures, the wiring, and ventilation system. Then as funds continue to be available, the dry wall and plastering and other finishing work will begin. A tentative dedication was scheduled for April, the date has now been moved to Fall 2009. Even now, it is still a process of faith for the church to continue, but as demonstrated to us in the past- God is faithful and He will be with us every step of the way.

The Prayer of Our Hearts

We continue to progress with construction, though now the work is in the stage that it is not as readily visible to the eye from the exterior! This is a fact to rejoice in, though it does not make it conducive to take photos and make updates! Every step of the way, as a need for funds has arisen, each time what was needed has been provided. God has proven His faithfulness and He has also increased and strengthened our faith along the way. To date, in funds we are just above 50%. Although there are still challenges ahead, we are thankful and stand amazed at how much work has happened in the past 8 months, as well as how God has provided. We are on His timetable, our job is to tell the story, to make every effort in construction, and to be faithful in rejoicing!

Yesterday, I (Kara) drove past the building site. I knew it would not look any different, but I hadn't seen it recently and just wanted to remind myself of the reality of God at work in this city. It was a rare moment when I was alone in the van, as I had just come from my Russian lesson. A CD was playing and I wasn't really listening, it is a new one that Dwayne got in October of Chris Tomlin. As I circled the block and drove around the building, my mind engaged and I heard the words being sung. I was stunned with the lyrics because they echoed my thoughts, though I don't think I had ever heard the song. Not that they were the exact words, but the unconscious, unspoken desires in my heart were actually summed up by this song, "God of This City" by Chris Tomlin.

You're the God of this city
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation
You Are

For there is no one like our God
There is no one like our God

Greater things have yet to come
Great things are still to be done
In this city
Greater things are still to come
And greater things are still to be done here

I couldn't agree more- Great things are ahead and we have witness great things in the past and present, but GREATER things are still to come and it will certainly be part of the future of what happens from the Ministry Training Center. Those words were a precious promise of the future as I heard them, for the construction, for the funds, but even more, for the impact of the body of Christ and the Gospel on this city!!

Even at this time, when there are challenges with construction, funds, with the constant fluctuations of governments and economies. But, right now, as prices drop and construction slows, it makes the funds stretch further- it is a praise! Pray with us. Rejoice with us. Thank you so much for ministering to us and along with us.

Rejoice With Us!

We are rejoicing that the official city permits and paperwork have been completed and the installation of the water and heating in the Chelyabinsk Ministry Center will begin next week!! This area has been delayed for over a year and a half, with little that could be done except to pay a bribe or pray. The church chose the latter and God has brought about this miracle.

The delay was caused as the city was requiring the church to do some drainage work before they would connect the building to the city water. The permits to do this work, however, involved another landowner and of course, this meant additional expense and work for the church. Little forward motion could be made and the believers have simply prayed and fasted specifically about this issue.

This past winter, the water pipes all around the Ministry Center building site burst and thick layers of ice surrounded the yard and street. As spring came, the city had to do all the repairs to correct the water damage and drainage. With heavy spring rains, drainage was a continuing problem and the city was forced to take care of it. So now, the church is not required to repair the drainage and work can begin to connect the building with the city water and heat.



In addition, we are thankful that funds have been provided just as they are needed and work has continued at a steady pace.

You have so faithfully partnered with us, the church in Russia, and the Ministry Center project. Your prayers and support are vital to all of us. Praise the Lord!! His Faithfulness continues to be shown, proven and sustains us each day!

Thank you!

A New Look!

The work is progressing! We currently have enough funds to complete the facade, tiling and stucco on the exterior and most of the windows. There is still much more that needs to be done, but we are taking it step by step. God has been and will continue to be faithful in bringing this project to completion.

It has been awhile since the exterior had made noticeable changes, but just in the last few weeks, work has begun to complete the tile work on the front entry of the building. Pastors Sergei and Andrei gathered with our family for a photo just as the scaffolding went up. That was the last of March, you can still see the snow on the ground. Then, work began and we are just amazed at the difference! Just seeing the tile on the exterior makes seeing a completed building seem ALOT closer. We know it is just one step of the many yet to come, but this one has great significance because it brings such a tangible, noticeable difference to the appearance of the building!

As the tile is completed, the front windows will soon go in and the building will begin to have a much more completed look on the exterior. The interior still has the great majority of work remaining, but as long as funds are available, the work should easily continue and we are beginning to see the reality of some completed construction! Keep praying! Rejoice with us as we witness this miracle of God's provision.

It starts with ONE!

I know the photo in the header shows some of the new windows, but I wanted to post a few close up photos. There is still a long way to go, but there is something about seeing windows in those big empty holes that makes it feel like the completion is alot closer. We took photos of the progress, even though only some of the windows are in, and showed a slideshow at church. A spontaneous and collective SHOUT of "PRAISE GOD!!" or "Слава Богу!" rang out, along with applause.

The believers here have been collecting towards the window installation since November 2007. They made pledges and have already given more than double what was pledged and they also collect a "penny-a-day" on the last Sunday of each month. Of course, it is more like "Kopecks-a-day", but to date they have brought in close to 20% of the total cost of the windows. Kopecks are smaller than roubles- like our pennies it takes 100 kopecks to make 1 rouble. Currently, it is 24 roubles to $1 US. Believe me, it is ALOT of kopecks, but oh, how the little "widow's mite" adds up in God's economy!

So, rejoice with us! It is okay to jump up and down, shout praise to God, and give Him glory to see this happen. Many, many people have been part of the project and this is a moment we wanted to share with the world!