The Torrens, Kiev, January 2012

At a lake in the park not far from our Kiev flat

A lot has happened since the fall when we sent out our last update. First, if you somehow missed it – we’re expecting a baby boy in late April/early May. Alister is already proud as punch at the prospect of having a son. Another family related blessing is the prospect of our daughter Saphira’s long awaited consultation with the top UK hand surgeon on January 24th. His will be the final word on whether surgery would improve or impede Saphira’s hand function. While we don’t know for sure if hand surgery will happen, we believe that at the very least she will undergo foot surgery sometime in the spring. With these two big events, we had a lot of thinking and praying to do to see what would be best for our family and our ministry.

1) It will affect relationships. Please pray that through e-mail, Skype, and social networking that we will be able to maintain and continue many key relationships that we have built over the last five years. Please especially pray for the relationships Sarah has formed with other neighborhood mothers.

2) It will have a limited affect on Alister’s teaching. Alister has been asked to direct the online certificate program for the Evangelical Reformed Seminary in Kiev. While it would be ideal to be on location, since it is an online program over 90% of the work can be easily continue in the UK over an internet connection. Also, as we will be spending the most time in the UK, Alister will be able to easily travel back to Kiev, or other parts of the CIS, for teaching or other important events as the need arises.

3) It will affect our church. Alister has been serving on the session at Holy Trinity, preaching occasionally, leading a Bible Study, as well as participating in other church ministries. He will be missed. Please pray that God will raise up more leaders from within the church. We already see some progress in this area as new families have joined the church this past year, and as we have again started a bi-weekly men’s fellowship and training meeting (- see below for photo). Also, the family Bible Study, which Alister has been leading, will continue, with two of the men having already led the whole meeting by themselves, in turn, this month.

4) Although all the travel and higher Western living costs will require considerable extra expense this year, we should not, by our estimations, require any increase in support. Last year we spent less overall than we received, and we’ve been able to carry over the extra money into this budget year. We thank God for his provision through you, and that we have been receiving all that we need for our ministry in Kiev. We have budgeted and saved for travel needs as well as been given some generous gifts specifically for these upcoming travels. We are also giving up our flat in Kiev and will be able to use that rent money towards expenses and rent in the UK. With the imminent new addition to the family, we had considered it necessary to move to a larger flat in Kiev in any case, not least in order to be able to continue to easily host Bible studies. Please pray that we will be able to find suitable housing from a good landlord upon our return!