We landed in Kiev amidst particularly heavy snow and low temperatures which resulted in our flight taking off over an hour late (so they could De-ice the plane)
Now in the comfort and warmth, we're so thankful for what God is doing through our Ukrainian family in Christ. It's always good to reflect on what God is doing, without it we can miss his Glory through sheer busyness. Reflecting on this year and our trips out to Ukraine ...some things are blatantly obvious...
- We have come such a long way with the building work. I will never forget Rob's celebration with the tilling being completed... Since then we have made a start on the final lap... and the left half of the basement now has metal framework and OSB boards in position ready to go up.
(before)...
- The top floor is tiled...
- The spirit of the teams throughout the year has been nothing short of Inspirational. The guys always pay for their own flights and many of them take a week's unpaid holiday / leave to join us. The background music in this clip may be a little old hat for cool dudes like us... but it's fair to say our motivation is summed up in the lyrics...we are united by someone much bigger than ourselves.
- The store room is now full of 7 bathroom suites and will keep the T H boys busy over the winter period as they try and fit everything that folks have gifted to the work.
What is most obvious is that now (in the final lap) we have reached the point where we need to push for the tape and head for the finish with every muscle.
Are you willing to run with us on the final lap of the building project ?
- How about trying to send or support a specific gift that is needed ?
- Some needs became apparent whilst we were there.
2) There is still need for kitchen fittings, sinks, and units. Is this something you could help with?
3) It would be good to keep encouraging our teenage friends whilst the building work is ongoing. Maybe you could consider a small gift to arrange for all the folks to go 10 pin bowling one night. (£30?) or for the house parents to go out for a meal to relax just once.
4) We have a long list of little things that would bless little people if you could help us arrange them for spring 2017.
We have provisionally booked Sat 29th April - Sat 13th May (2017) as a time we can take out as big a team of men as possible to finish off the work. Would you be willing to join us? Get in touch if God has laid this on your heart.
I can promise you that whatever you do in support of this ministry, it will not only be a huge encouragement to God's people at Grace church, and those who will benefit from this loving home, but it may also be more used of God than you could ever imagine (James 1:27). I can't help but think such projects as this, (and my good friends at "teams4U" / other similarly commendable endeavors by God's people) are close to God's heart.If you are up for joining us in some way, we'd be glad to hear from you and we'll look forward to running across the finishing tape with you.
