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Well, here is one last chance to put a post out before 2010 begins.  So, we are here in Kiev, and it is about an hour before the sounds of fireworks will begin just outside our windows to announce the arrival of the new year.  We had friends over to our home to celebrate the past year, and to celebrate a birthday as well.  And, just for fun, we made a pizza that included toppings of black-eyed peas, ham, sausage, and onion.  It was pretty good!  Not everyone tried it, but those who did were not disappointed.  

I feel blessed to have such a great family.  We are blessed to be together, to serve in Kiev, and to have others who care so much for us.  We think of our family in the States, and our friends as well during these holidays, and we are blessed. 

The past year has not always been easy, however the reality is that God continues to be with us in all circumstances.  That is on what we must always focus.  I pray that I will be found faithful to do that in the coming year, and that each of you will be so as well. 

Blessings to each of you as you enter into a new year.  May it be one of freedom…both in giving and receiving.  May you be free to grow as God desires, to follow as He commands, and to become all that He has planned.

Here are some of the friends who gathered with us on
New Years Eve.  Blessings!

It’s Christmas time!  As I consider the blessings that our Lord has given over the past year, I am reminded that He continues to teach me.  My prayer is that I am always willing to learn from the Master.  One such lesson came recently as He revealed to me that sometimes we cling to things that are broken.  Here are some examples:

At my desk, I have a chair in which I sit to do office work.  You know the kind of chair that has wheels on a base, in this case the base was like a five-pointed star.  Well, one of the wheels broke, and off came part of one of the “arms” of the base.  The chair was still good (except for a slight defect where the chair seemed to tilt slightly to one side - I had gotten used to that).  I thought that I may be able to fix the chair, but there was no way.  I even tried to take all the wheels off, but even then it wobbled like a cheap table at an all you can eat for $4.99 restaurant.  So, I resolved to go buy a new chair.  But even then, I thought that I could just keep this chair as well.  Kimberly wouldn’t let me.  One of the conditions of buying the new chair was to get rid of the old one.  But then came a blessing… 

If you were to come to our apartment building, and then to our entrance, you would be met by one of the three (or four) women who work as gatekeepers for those coming to visit.  These are often middle aged women who have enough courage to confront anyone who may seem to bring trouble, and they keep the snow swept away from the steps.  Mostly, they remain in the booth/room where they spend their shift watching people come and go.  So it was as I carried out the old chair that the one who worked that night asked me what I was doing with the chair.  I told her that I was throwing it away.  For her, this just wouldn’t do, and so she asked if she could have the chair.  I was delighted to give it to her!  And remember that I had taken off the rollers?  Well, I had thought I could keep them, but I told the lady that I would bring her the rollers down as well.  It was an almost new chair - less than three months old!  I know that she will use the chair, and that it was of value to her, and therein lies the blessing that came as I chose to “get rid” of something that I no longer needed.

Another example:  A couple of weeks ago we had guests come to our home.  We like to have guests and see this as a ministry to those with whom we serve.  A family of five came to visit, and one of the children was about two years old.  As we are eating, the two year old goes over to take a toy truck from the shelf.  Just in front of the shelf, and near the Christmas tree, we have set up a ceramic nativity set.  As she took the truck from the shelf, the truck fell to the floor, and in so doing, a lonely ceramic shepherd was shattered.  “Oh, that’s okay,” was the immediate reply from Kimberly.  I agreed, because that is just what happens in life - sometimes things get broken.  So I gathered up the broken shepherd and place the pieces on the shelf.  I thought I would just get some glue and put the shepherd back together…kind of like Humpty Dumpty.  Well, those pieces set there on the shelf for 10 days!  After becoming tired of looking at them, I simply threw the pieces away.  It didn’t hurt, and I haven’t missed the shepherd at all.   You probably can’t even tell he is missing.  After all, the real message of the nativity is that our Savior has come! 

And so, I am reminded that we, or at least I, sometimes hold onto things that are broken, or even things that just keep us from being who God has called us to be.  And at the same time, I am challenged to think that there are things in our lives that are broken, and shouldn’t be.  Perhaps a relationship with someone, even with God Himself, is broken, and pride keeps us from seeking forgiveness.  Whatever the case, Paul says it best:

Philippians 3:13-14
No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven. (NLT)

What a great verse!  And like the nativity set, it is not all the peripheral “things” that matter, but the One Who should be in the center of each of our lives. 

If you made it this far, thanks for reading as I share my thoughts regarding things which our Father is teaching me.  May you have a blessed season in Celebrating the Birth of our Savior!

Two weeks ago, we attended service at Transformation Church.  That was the day that the church celebrated Zhatva, or Harvest Day.  It was a day of acknowledging God’s blessings through the harvest, and a celebration of His Goodness and provision. 

Churches throughout Ukraine, and much of the former Soviet Union, will have such services usually in October.  I am reminded of our own day of Thanksgiving, and rejoice that in a time of economic crisis, there remains much for which I am thankful.  Regardless of where we live, we all have the opportunity to be grateful, or choose to be distraught by circumstances in which we live. 

Be encouraged!  Be Thankful!  In this season, and in the ones to come, let our hearts be focused on our Saviour, and the blessings which He has given.

It seems as though time is passing quickly.  Already our girls have completed two full weeks of school! Since last I blogged, we have had teams come serve with us in Kiev, traveled to Budapest for medical and vacation, and experienced life in many different ways.  Sometimes it was with difficulty, yet always with God’s blessings!  Ask our children, and they would say that one of the highlights is the addition of a puppy to our home.  Kimberly would say that same.  Me?  Well…

This weekend, I had the privilege of going on a retreat with leadership from a church in Kiev.  It was a great time, and provided an opportunity for understanding the vision and hear to the leadership for this church.  The pastor shared how he desires to see small groups as the building blocks for church.  Others spent time envisioning, dreaming, and - most importantly - praying for the coming year.  It is obvious that those in leadership desire for God’s plans to be followed as this church seeks to plant other churches and see God’s Kingdom here on earth.

And today was teh first day of Sunday School.  The children have a summer break just like the would in regular school, and so today was a celebration for a new beginning.  Two people were called upon to pray, and I was reminded again of something I think remarkable.  As Vladimir prayed, he used the following words transliterated, “spasebas d’la etot Voskrseniya ootra” which translated to English is, “thank you for this resurrection morning.”

If one would say the days of the week in Russia, the day called Voskresnya is Sunday.  Voskresnya is a word that also means resurrection!  What a delight to know that in a world where many speak Russian, and many would also choose not to believe in Christ, every week brings an opportunity for people to believe in the resurrection of a Savior!  It is as though God has allowed a mark that will cause others to think of Him.

What things exist in your life that point others to Christ?  I would hope that each of us would follow Him, and choose to allow others to see Him in our lives.

It is a joy to serve!  Pray that we will be faithful to the task, not be discouraged, and to be fruitful for His Kingdom.

Here I am again.  Almost four months since the last post!  As often as I have thought about what to share, I have failed to make it happen.

So where have we been?  It has already been a busy summer.  From March, we have been to Budapest to obtain visas for ministry in Ukraine.  While there, we had several medical/dental issues resolved.  Then we were back in Ukraine.  Our team was busy with English camps and other ministry through April.  We had a meeting in Prague during the first part of May.  Our return from Prague took us through Krakow, Poland.  We made a stop at Auschwitz.  In teaching our daughters about life, it is often hard to acknowledge the evil that some display toward others.  Our intent was to make a quick stop to show the buildings, but not to go into great details. It is enough to not forget.

The entrance to the camp over which is written “Work brings Freedom.”  I think that too often, work also enslaves many. 

There was a group of people filming near the entrance to the concentration camp.  Kimberly heard English, and said that I should go over and introduce ourselves.  Hearing English, spoken with a US accent, is a pleasant thing when so far from the States.  I finally go over, and ask where they are from. One man replied, “the United States.”  I asked what part, and he stated that they were from Washington, D.C.  I said we were from Missouri, gave our name, and asked who they were.  Another gentleman in a suit shook my hand, said that he was Newt Gingrich.  They were filming a documentary to be released in November.  It was interesting to tell of our work among Ukrainians as Ambassadors for Christ with someone so well known in the political world.  I was encouraged that both he and Mrs. Gingrich gave words of support for the greater mission that each of us have in life.  

Our family with the Mr. & Mrs. Newt Gingrich.  The photo was taken just outside the fenced area of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp.

Two days after returning from Prague, we had a couple of teams arrive to help us in ministry.  One team, a family from Tennessee, helped us in park ministry.  Each afternoon we went to a park not far from our home to give away balloons, Scripture, and do face painting.  We had many conversations about religion, hope, life, traditions and Christ.  We also shared at a local kindergarten, just presenting a time of caring.  The administration was skeptical as to why we were there, and asked what they needed to pay us for being there!  I do so want to live in such a way as to cause others to see Christ within me. 

Some of our team tie balloons for children at the Poznyaki Park near our home.

A second team, from Michigan State University, worked with us to minister among the Farsi population living in Kiev.  Our time with both teams was a delight, and we saw the Father working to bring others to Himself.   

Today, I am just thinking.  We continue to work with our team to help other imb missionaries and national church planters.  We are preparing for teams to come help from the States, and to do ministry in and near Kiev.  Pray for us to be faithful in the task.  The spiritual battle rages about us, and the evil one desires to take away victories already won by our Savior.  Indeed it is Christ Who is the Solid Rock upon which we can fully trust.

What a beautiful day it has been here in Kiev.  The temps are warm, and the sun has been shining.  It has been a wonderful day for a birthday.  We asked Kimberly what she wanted, and she decided that it would be great fun to have Sbarro’s pizza, and then go ice skating.  So, after morning duties, I came home so that we could drive out to a western-styled mall for pizza and skating.  I thought that I would just be able to watch from a table near the rink, but, alas, that would not be. 

We drove out past the large statue affectionately called “metal momma” on our way out the the rink. We arrived at the mall, Caravan, and went to the food court.  Kimberly got pizza and a salad, three of us went to McDonald’s, and Arianna had a baked potato.  All was well indeed.

We sat next to the rink, and the girls were excited about ice skating again.  Finally, Kimberly says, “You’re going too, aren’t you?”  With that, I simply said yes.

We get our skates, and finally get all the girls laced up.  Fortunately for me, our youngest child, Sophia, was slow, and she liked being near the rail.  I couldn’t have been happier!  I went to Sophia, whom Kimberly was helping, and told Kimberly to go ahead and skate, I would help her.  And thus began my experience of skating once again.  I didn’t do to bad, only falling once, but grasping onto the rail for most of the time that I was on the ice.  Sophia got better each time we went around, thankfully she continued to hold onto the rail.  Abigail and Arianna would take turns with mom, as I appeared to sacrifice any fun on the ice and instead help Sophia. 

The one who had the worst fall happened to be Arianna.  She had a fall as she was going around the edge, and got several cuts on her hand.  Kimberly went to get a band-aid, and when she asked, they sent her to the doctor who apparently works there.  By the time I made it to Arianna, the doctor was already helping Arianna.  I told Kimberly to go back to the rink before our time was up, so she, Abigail and Sophia continued to skate.  The doctor bandaged Arianna’s cut fingers, and she and I waited for the rest to finish. 

So today had been busy.  Kimberly had pizza, we went ice skating, Arianna survived a fall on the ice, and we know that we are blessed.  God is gracious to us in so many ways.  I am grateful for the family that God has given, for the opportunity to share about Christ with those who are around me, and for friends both near and far who pray for us.  May your day be one that brings great blessings from our Father.

March 8th is a special day here in Kiev, and in many parts of the world.  It is known as International Women’s Day, and the opportunity to say a word of appreciation is taken seriously by those who live here.  At each of the church services where we attended, women were held in honor.  And today, March 9th, will be a day where many shops and offices are closed in celebration of Women’s Day.

Our family and some from our team went to the Farsi church last night to worship with them.  They had asked that we bring chili, so we made a big pot of not-too-spicy chili, some rice and other things and went as planned.  Because it was Women’s Day, there was larger than normal crowd of about 45 or so.  When we saw the crowd, some prayed that the Lord would do as He done with the loaves and fishes…to multiply what we had brought.  I think He must have.  Someone else, an Iranian, brought more rice, and others brought some salads.  To make a long story short, we had a great time, and plenty of food.  As people tried the chili the first time, they only took a small amount…but the second time was a double dip!  The pastor shared how the fellowships like this have been instrumental in providing a place for others to come to Christ.  I am reminded that in this way we can share our lives with others so that they too may know of our Lord.  Pray for those who attend this church, and for the opportunities to reach out to more who have yet to meet our Savior.

And this morning has brought more snow to our city.  Though the temperatures are slightly above freezing, the snowflakes were huge!  It snowed this way for a while, but now the snow has lightened considerably.  The picture to the left was taken from our 14th floor apartment window.  As you can see, we are surrounded by thousands of others who live in the apartments around us.  Pray that our lives, and words, will strongly reflect Christ Who is our Hope.

In Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, March 1 is the beginning of spring!  Though snow may cover the ground, a week long celebration called Maslenitsa is held outdoors as people say goodbye to winter, and hello to warmer weather, sunshine, and the opportunity to be outside more. 

In Kiev, we still have snow on the ground…some anyway.  And I am sure more snow will fall.  Kievites, however, were in full swing celebrating Maslenitsa (or “butter week) this past few days.  This includes eating bilini (or in this case, thin crepe-like pancakes filled with things like butter, cheese, honey, etc.), dancing, and the strange act of burning a straw, scarecrow-like symbol of winter.

The picture to the left was taken a couple of years ago when we were celebrating with friends at a children’s home.  More pictures can be found from Kiev through the following link to an English language newspaper: http://www.kyivpost.com/gallery/505

We have also noticed that there are more flowers out as well.  This comes in part because International Women’s day is March 8th.  That date falls on Sunday, so we expect everything to be closed on March 9th.  Before then, however, people will be preparing to give gifts to any women of any age.  There will be a lot of flowers passed to those who give so much to the people around them.

Near our home is a small renik, or outdoor market.  Here is a picture that shows a few people walking around shopping in the small kiosks that also are found at reniks.  Places like this, and the entrances to the subway will be filled with people buying flowers, gifts and other items for home, including food.

Yes, spring is coming, and with it the opportunity to share more fervently about the reason in which we find hope.  Pray for us as we seek to help others prepare gardens this spring, and in so doing, that we may sow the Gospel among this people.  

I know that many have had more than their share of snow this season.  In Kiev, however, it seems that we have had less than the typical amount.  I had hoped for more snow, and this morning we had some, but only an inch or so.  Abigail wrote in her journal about the snow.  She read to me, and she wrote of how the snow covered everything.  It is a wonderful picture of God’s grace.  How great a God who covers us with His Grace, and washes us whiter than snow.

The girls continue school.  We have a new journeyman with us.  The team is teaching English in eastern Ukraine, and tomorrow I will lead the English group at our church.   Thank you for your prayers, and may His blessings fill your lives.

I can’t believe that it is already February!  We have had a very busy, yet good year already in 2009.  Following our traditional Christmas, we began the new year celebrating with missionary colleagues in Kiev.  Then Darrel headed out west with our team to work with a church planter in outreach to the Roma people group (Gypsies).  Christmas is generally celebrated on January 7th in much of Eastern Europe, according to Orthodox practice.  So, we were able to minister on this day as well.   Our hopes are to go back out to help even more in the Spring. 

We also hosted orientation for Hands On participants during January as well.  Hands On is a program of IMB that affords college/university students the opportunity to work in missions for 4-12 months just about anywhere in the world.  The participant would pay an amount, and then everything else would be provided.  If you are interested, or just want to know more, please contact me at dhathcock@gmail.com, or go to www.thetask.org/handson. 

We have also been busy as our team continues to grow.  We have had two new people join us since January, and will have three more before May.  This means that we have more people to help in projects that enable church planting among the people of Ukraine.  Pray for us as we seek the best ways to bring Him Glory.

We celebrated the growth of our team with a Hamburger night at our apartment.  The burgers were good.

Our family is doing well.  We were blessed to receive gifts from the States, and this always helps us to get through the gloomy days of winter.  Even now, the snow has mostly melted, the river is no longer frozen over, and all the trash from the past 3-4 months is revealed and lying in the now muddy paths of Kiev.  If only the snow would give way directly to crisp, green grass on dry land. 

Until next time, remember our Lord’s great love for you!