“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:” (2 Corinthians 9:8)
Family update time!
God made it very clear to us that we needed a furlough, so on December 1, 2020, We once again set foot on good old American soil. After almost 7 years on the field, and having gone through the dread virus in Ukraine, it was something of a … let me rephrase… a HUGE culture shock. Seven years might be too long. It was quite an adjustment, coming into the current atmosphere.
But God is very faithful, and within a month of coming back we had a place to live and base out of while here in the States, and a vehicle to carry us from sea to shining sea!
Katy.
We were still reeling from leaving our home in Ukraine, and our cats and dog. The kids really missed the kitty’s and often said to me that we need a cat. God saw fit to bring Katy to us one stormy, icy night. We were so happy (Dad was his usual patient enduring self) to have a kitty to love, when what to our wondering eyes did appear, 6 weeks later, 6 little kittens! YAY!
God has spoiled us in so many tiny details, I couldn’t even begin to tell you all of it. Just that He is using the Saints to care for our needs, and we feel very blessed and spoiled to get to see this side of the Christian life!
Ben and Faith
3 years ago while in the states, Ben met a young lady in Ohio named Faith. From that time on it became “Without Faith it is impossible to please him.” We endured 2.5 years overseas of telephone twitterpation, with the result of their engagement, and upcoming wedding, set for January 15th, 2021.
I am very proud of our boy. He is handling the challenges of a complete life, culture, language, and family change well. He is studying IT online and working a full-time job during the day.
He has had his first real taste of family separation as we have been gone the past month on the road. Truly it is not easy for missionaries, or their children when the time comes that they leave. We miss him very much, and he leaves a huge empty spot in our home… but we love Faith, and are very thankful that he found a girl who loves the Lord and wants to spend her life serving God with him. Please pray for Ben and Faith and their upcoming wedding.
Please also pray for Chris and me as we have to watch from afar as the wedding plans take place without us. It is VERY hard.
Miriam
Miriam has been a real blessing and help, and I am so happy that she decided to stick with her family and brave the neverending road of deputation/furlough. She is a real blessing, and it is a joy to watch her grow in Christ. Since her coming back from the States, she has completed her online college, and also completed certification to teach English to foreigners as a second language.
She currently feels very strongly that God’s will for her right now is to stay with us, and help as we begin a second church in Odessa. She is excited (and we are too) to be able to help in the ministry, teaching English, and Sunday School, and anything else the Lord brings her way.
We are praying for a husband for her. Applications can be obtained via Christopher Rue at ruemissions@yahoo.com
The rest of the crew
Christopher and Michael are in a very close race to see who will get taller faster. Since we have been back, they both have grown taller than I have! We are trying to teach them the finer details of being grown-up… like… don’t put your dirty socks back into your suitcase, and don’t wear them every day. It’s a challenge, but we are doing our best. They miss home, but are getting on board with our reasons for being here, and why we are doing what we are doing. It has been a real blessing to see them passing out tracts, reading their Bibles, and talking about God answering prayers. One of my greatest desires is for them to have a very real and personal relationship with their Savior, and being in close quarters with them gives us many opportunities to guide them in this.
Joseph
Joey still wears the coat of many colors. He is our outgoing one. He carries a backpack, and in that backpack can be found an assortment of toys applicable to every age and gender. When we arrive at a new church, he scans the crowd for potential friends. when he finds one, he just lights up, runs to the care and gets his backpack, and promptly secures a friendship with a gift, or a trade. I love to see his love and interest for people.
We have been in the NorthWest now since early July, and will be constantly traveling for the next year. Please pray for our family, for safety and provision. Please pray too, that God will through his people provide what is needed for us to return to our home and field of Ukraine.
