Baby, It’s Cold Outside! … (February 2017 Update)
Yes, I’m still fixed on Christmas songs! It takes a while for me to get Christmas out of my system. But it really is cold outside! Last week, we returned from the warm weather of Arkansas to the arctic cold of Ukraine. At times, we have had temperature down to -18 C (0 F) and it really is cold. But fortunately, we have a warm home to stay in when the temperatures drop like this. We also faced more than just the challenge of the weather when we returned – most of all, lots to do and very little time to do it.
Teaching in Lviv …
My first priority upon returning was to get ready to teach Theology Classes at Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary in Lviv. I will be teaching Anthropology (The Doctrine of Man), Harmartiology (The Doctrine of Sin) and Christology (The Doctrine of Christ). I have taught Christology before but this is my first time teaching the other two sections. SO I had a lot to prepare in notes and Powerpoints and exams. Every day I was sending new files to the translator so she can get everything translated before I leave. The translations and preparations are done now so I am focusing on packing. Be praying for me as I teach. Also be praying about the translating. The normal translator was called away for his job next week so one of my former students (now the Dean of Students at the Seminary) will be doing the translating. It is a difficult job to step in and translate with little preparation. So be praying for Sasha (Alexander) as he translates next week.
I’m also still getting some papers from my last class so I need to find time to get them graded as well.
Housing Update …
In addition to preparing for teaching, every day I have been running around getting materials for the house. We have ordered our kitchen cabinets and they should be ready in about a month and a half. Otherwise, almost every major part is done and we can move in after we have a kitchen! We still have lots of finishing details to do, but at least we have be able to live in the house. Even though it has been cold outside, the house has been warm inside. This is great news since we don’t have any insulation yet. I know that sounds strange, but this house will be insulated on the outside and then covered with a stucco-like finish. We plan to do the insulate this summer when we have more money. But we are really pleased to see how well it is holding the heat already! We cannot believe we have gotten so much done so quickly. We could not have done it without your help! Every time we think about the house, we are reminded how much we have been blessed by the people of God!
Family …
Snow is covering the ground here and probably will until sometime in March. For the kids, that’s great news! They love making snow angels and snow men and just walking around in the snow. I can’t say I blame them. I love hearing the crunch of snow when I walk outside. But for adults, the snow is not just fun—it’s work. Shoveling and keeping everything working is probably why many people move to Florida! Additionally, I have had to bleed the well the last two weeks and that’s no fun in the cold.
But the girls are loving being back even while they talk all the time about missing family in the states. Both girls are growing so fast. They are learning to play together – at least sometimes. Nadia’s language skills are improving and Kristina keeps using big vocabulary words in English and Russian that amazes us both. Nadia is starting to translate too. Kristina said she wanted some milk and Nadia said, “Da, Moloco” (Russian for milk). And Kristina is beginning to understand that there are two different languages being spoken. Once, Kristina said to Katya, “You say, ‘Сим-сим, откройся!’ but Papa says, ‘Open Sesame.” They are a real joy to watch as they grow.
Pray for Our Family …
Shortly after we returned to Ukraine, we received news that Debbie’s youngest brother, Bob, had passed away unexpectedly. He had been having some colon problems and his colon developed a hole and he became septic and died quickly. Bob was the most delightful person to ever be around. He was always optimistic and brought laughter to everyone. He was a great father and husband and he had a faith that God was in control, even in his most difficult times. It has been hard on all my children because Bob was the uncle that played with them and did special things with them. He will be greatly missed!
Pray for Ukraine …
Things have really heated up in Eastern Ukraine. Russians and Russia-backed forced have been intensifying their efforts to capture more Ukrainian territory. At least 8 soldiers died yesterday. Worst of all, it appears that the Russian-backed forces are using a new approach to create a bigger refugee crisis similar to what Russia did in Syria. They have shelled power-plants and water-plants leaving over 12,000 people without electricity, heat or water in sub-zero temperatures (-18 C)! Pray for the people in these areas and for the government of Ukraine as they attempt to help these people in this desperate situation. Also pray for the churches here, that we can find ways to minister to those who are being terribly affected by this crisis.
Thanks again for your prayers and support! I am looking forward to teaching next week and also to seeing what God will do in the lives of these young men and women at the seminary. Thanks for your prayers! It’s cold outside, but the love of God has kept us here to minister to those serving in Ukraine!
By His Grace,
Jim and Katya
Kristina and Nadia
