Prayer and Praise

Sorry for the long absence...have just been so busy...but then I guess if I'm going to write anywhere, it should be here first, right? Ok, so put that down as my first prayer request! (Later - first praise reports).

PRAISE REPORTS

• The Bible study in Rzhivsh went great! It is really a small town, not a village (it has two "institutes", like technical schools, etc.). Nonetheless I was so surprised to see so many show up for a Bible study on a cold, icy night. The leaders said that there were about 10 (as I remember) of the regular gals who were in Kyiv for their university exams but that there were about equal that number that came for the first time! As I understood, some were not believers.

I taught from my favorite section of the book of Luke, the section about Zechariah and Elisabeth. Without retelling the whole thing - the point was to see yourself from God's perspective and not man's and be focused on God not our circumstances. Our circumstances can change in a minute (or 7 days as in creation, or 3 days as in the resurrection, etc.) but God remains the same yesterday, today and forever.

I was so surprised when after the study one of the missionaries said that she thinks that maybe that whole message was just for her! I hope that didn't mean it didn't touch anyone else! ha! :) But I was glad to know that God used it to minister to someone.

My translator / dear friend Katya was AWESOME, as always, and was there really to co-minister, not just translate. We had great prayer on the mini-bus on the drive there, and then once there Katya was able to talk to, encourage and pray with a couple girls after the study. She is a real servant and loves God.

• We have so many praise reports daily, it is hard for me to sometimes know what to say first. But in regards to specific prayer requests that have been posted here, there's nothing at this time. I WILL keep you better posted, though. Thanks for the patience! :)

PRAYER REQUESTS

• We have a lot of expenses right now. Please pray that God would provide "more than we can think or ask". I know He always does, but I also know that He says that sometimes we "have not because we ask not". So join us in asking God to open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings from wherever it may come. THANKS!
• We have the opportunity to rent an office so Tree of Life Publishing could move out of my home. This would be a huge blessing to all involved and really help Tree of Life to keep growing. We are very cramped right now in the small room in my apartment and there is a fantastic opportunity right down the street from me.

Also, personally it is really hard to have an active "hospitality ministry" (meaning LOTS OF HOUSEGUESTS) and at the same time have regular employees coming to the same location everyday to work. We have two full-time employees that come everyday. Then there are staff meetings, when our designer that works at home joins us. Then there is the bookkeeper that comes twice a month...then meetings with translators, editors, printers...etc. etc. You get the idea.

My life and my home are both a little full and both of us need some breathing room.  Please pray  the landlord would be willing to lower the rent, and that God would provide the finances to commit to the extra rent money each month. For the One who created the earth with His breath, this shouldn't be a problem! :)

• I still need to go to Hungary to get our van and finish the paperwork. Please pray that this would all get finished soon, and specifically that I would within the next day or so here from the guy I need to meet there to do all this, so that I can plan.
• After Christmas (which I am spending with friends back in Rzhivsh) I am going to stay there and housesit for them. I know no one there and am really planning for sometime to rest, read, pray, fast and write. Please pray that this time would be guarded and I could really have time to hear from God from His Word to my heart. :)