Ukraine
I spent some of my time in Kiev my last trip talking with other missionaries exploring the possibilities, needs and costs of me moving to Ukraine and teaching there on a regular basis. I am spending time this summer preparing for this. I sold my car two weeks ago (a very big step toward moving) and I will be working on selling other things and deciding what to ship to Ukraine. I am also working on Russian about 2-3 hours a day as well as preparing syllabi for classes and PowerPoints for the classes I will be teaching (see “Upcoming Schedule” below).
There are a number of ministry-related reasons for this move: 1) Language… while my Russian is improving, I will not be able to use it like I need to without some time in language immersion; 2) Teaching … the seminary there is expanding its programs to include a Masters in Biblical Counseling and they need me to teach some additional classes; 3) Church … I would like to be more involved with a local church in Ukraine and be able to help churches and pastors in a practical way. Right now, I am limited to going to church there 1-2 times when I am teaching. It would help to be more directly connected with Ukrainian pastors and churches. 4) Travel … I will save a lot of travel money whenever I teach in Bulgaria or Belgium (or other schools in Europe). Costs for travel within Europe are much cheaper than traveling over from the US (about $500-1000 less).
Support and Expenses
I will probably need to increase my monthly support a little depending on apartment costs and health insurance. Right now, all I can do is estimate the costs. I currently receive about $2249.00 per month from Teaching Resources. I estimate that I would need about $3000.00 per month for living expenses. So I will need to raise about $500.00-800.00 in additional support.
Housing Rent and Utilities $1100-1200
Food $600.00
Medical $200.00
Transportation (public) $50.00
Miscell. Living $100-200
Taxes $400.00
Reserve $300.00
$ 2950.00
My biggest expense would be moving and start-up expenses. It is hard to estimate this accurately at this point. Missionaries there have given me estimates from $6000-20,000. Mine will probably be on the lower end of those estimates. I estimate that I will need $6000-10,000 in start up costs. Many of the things I have now cannot be taken because customs taxes are often more than the value of purchasing the item in Ukraine. I will need some one-time donations to help me cover these expenses when I return in the fall (designate as 1500/Ukraine/Moving). The Intensive Russian classes I will be taking this fall will cost about $500.00. Regular classes (after I move) will be $250/month).
Computer/Printer
Appliances (most apartments do not have these)
Furniture for apartment
Dishes (I can transport some but not everything I need)
Office Furniture (desk/files/shelves)
Visa Costs
Travel/Shipping
Upcoming Schedule
My current plan is to return to Ukraine at the end of August and stay for a little over 2 months. Here is a breakdown of the tentative plans for those months and most of the following year:
August 30-September 10 – Two-week Intensive Russian class
September 13-24 – Teaching Theology 3 (Christology and Soteriology) at KTS
September 27-October 1 – “free” week to find apartment and some furnishings
October 4-15 – Two-week Intensive Russian class
October 15-20 – finalizing apartment & furnishings before I return to US
This will allow me to get things in order for when I return in December or January. I need to secure an apartment so I can have some place to ship and store things that I will need to send over. Here is a tentative schedule for the rest of the academic year.
November 29-December 10 –Teaching History at KTS
December 15-January 15 – Home in US for Christmas
January 2011 – Teaching Research and Writing II at KTS
March 2011 – Teaching Theology and Practice of Prayer at KTS
April 2011 – Home in US for spring break
May 2011 – Teaching Research and Writing I at KTS
July & August 2011 – Home in US for summer break
My plan will be to stay in Ukraine three months at a time and return 2-4 times each year. I will usually be returning to the US in the summers and over Christmas when school is not in session and perhaps once in the spring and fall. This will be almost the opposite of my travel now but it will be fewer trips.
Prayer Needs:
1. Additional monthly support before I move ($500-800/month)
2. One-time moving expenses (appx. $6000)
3. Time to focus on Russian studies this summer.
4. Time for completing course work for teaching in the fall and winter.
5. Selling items here during the summer.
6. Wisdom in decision making about apartment and furnishings in the fall.
7. God’s leading on many personal decisions.
Thank you so much for helping me to ministry to pastors and churches in Ukraine!
Gifts should continue to be sent to:
Teaching Resources International
20 Sunrise Place
Cabot, AR 72023-2047
Please designate them for either DS-1000 (for Jim’s Support) or for 1500/Ukraine (for one-time gifts for moving help)
Teaching Resources International 