Quote from Forum Archives on November 26, 2002, 1:09 pm

Posted by: lifeunlimited <lifeunlimited@...>

HOPE 4 KYIV !

                   November, 2002

 

      The “In-Pact” Prayer Newsletter of

               Bob and Jo Ann Tolliver

          Missionaries to Kiev, Ukraine

 

Dear Friends and Family:

 

Today we greet you through our very first “Hope 4 Kiev” praise and pray “In-Pact letter.  We hope it will be a monthly report to you providing news, praises, and prayer requests concerning us, our family, and our ministry to the International Baptist Church in Kiev, Ukraine.  We had hoped to send it with a nice format we had developed, but the service we are using doesn't allow enough capacity to do that.  So, we're sending simple text this time, hoping to find a way to send you an attractive letter rather than a "plain vanilla" one.

 

This first letter, however, will provide you information regarding two matters . . . namely a description of our upcoming ministry, and a list of critical prayer requests for which we ask you to fervently pray.  In the future our letter will probably change in format, but its intent will remain the same . . . to solicit your regular and intensifying intercession in our behalf and in behalf of the people of Ukraine for whom Jesus died and rose again.

 

We will send this letter via e-mail and “snail” mail.  Because of ease, cost, and speed, e-mail is our first choice.  So, if you have e-mail, please send us that address right away.  Also, our e-mail members will receive additional updates and urgent requests.  We would like you to be able to receive those as well.

 

"Hope4Kiev" is the motive of our ministry and, therefore, an appropriate title for our letter.  It is an "In-Pact" letter because we want to be in pact or in covenant with you for the people of Ukraine.  So, we hope you'll enjoy. 

 

OUR MINISTRY:

 

To summarize, in January 2001 we were informed that the International Baptist Church of Kiev, an English speaking church representing various countries in its membership, would be needing a pastor that following Summer.  Upon our return this past January we found that need still existed.  At neither time did we feel the Lord prompting us to consider that opportunity; our traveling ministry was more than adequate and fully satisfying.  However, two IMB missionaries met with us last January and challenged us to consider that need. 

 

After a long process of prayer, discussion, evaluation, and interviews, the Lord has brought us to this point where we, as of October 17^th are IMB missionaries. We will leave January 1^st for that assignment for two years with possible extensions beyond that. 

 

Bob will serve as pastor of the church where he will provide leadership in the weekly worship services, help the church transition into a leadership training center and church planting congregation in a major international church planting movement, be available as “pastor” to missionaries living in Kiev for language school, and be available to help establish and staff leadership training centers throughout the region.  At times he may also travel to other countries to provide encouragement and leadership to IMB personnel, local church leaders, and fellow believers. 

 

Jo Ann will be involved in providing a home-based ministry support system, will mentor women leaders, be involved in small group Bible studies, and teach English as a Second Language as well as English as a Foreign Language in the ESL/EFL program of the church.  She will also be involved in worship ministry and other facets of ministry as needed.  As time allows, she also hopes to do volunteer work at a government operated homeless shelter for street children where we have ministered the past two years.

 

Together we will serve as “Mom and Dad” and “Grandma and Grandpa” for numerous missionary families and other GCC (“Great Commission Christians”) families.  And, we hope to continue teaching as often as we can and are needed at St. James Bible College in Kiev, which is the school where our eastern European ministry all began in January 1995. That is a non-IMB ministry we will be allowed to conduct.

 

PRAYER REQUESTS:

 

The most important thing you can do for us is pray . . . often, faithfully, fervently.  We now live in a new era since 9/11.  We have no greater need . . . hundreds of faithful intercessors lifting us daily before the Father.  Political, cultural, economic, and spiritual landscapes are changing; we have no guarantees apart from intentional and intense prayer.  This door will not remain open indefinitely; we are compelled to work while it is yet day, because the night is coming.  So, consider the following prayer requests.

 

·        Deliberate concentration and energy as we “batten down the hatches” at our home in Missouri

which will be mostly vacant for two years.  We have lots of maintenance and “house keeping” things to be done.  Pray that God will provide the people we need to keep an eye on it while we are gone.

 

·        “Gate Keepers” . . . various people who will serve as our hands, feet, mouth, and mind in our stead

 to be responsible for things like paying bills, reading meters, mowing grass, going through mail, serving as power of attorney, and other similar tasks.  This is one who secures and keeps the gate of another safe.

 

·        Our family as we make this major adjustment; Cindy and her family as they serve as AG mission-

aries in a dangerous region of South America, Debbie and the girls in TX and her continued health struggles; Cheri and family in MN as they try to move to southwest MO, Deanna and family as Jim continues pastoring, and Bob’s Dad as he faces further aging and the cancer problems he’s enduring.  One of the hardest parts of being missionaries is leaving family and being separated for such a long time.

 

·        Prayer partners . . . at least 500 people who will covenant to pray for us regularly, crying out to

God for His protection, His power, and His anointed direction on our lives and ministry.  We cannot do without such people; they are the most important people in our lives and ministry.  If you will be one, please let us know, and we will send you a prayer card with our picture and other pertinent information.

 

·        Advocates . . . individuals who would like to take the responsibility of keeping their churches

informed of our ministry, our needs, our prayer requests, coordinate local prayer teams, distribute our prayer letters, and promote Cooperative Program missions giving and Lottie Moon Christmas offerings.

 

·        Partner Churches . . . congregations who would be willing to link up with our ministry and/or our

people group through prayer, projects, promotion, short-term teams, or financial giving through the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.

 

·        Web Site Development . . . an exciting way to keep you posted as to the culture of our Ukraine,

our new home city of Kiev, the International Baptist Church, and our ministry via articles and pictures.

 

·        Start-up expenditures for supplies and equipment, medical/dental expenses not covered by our

IMB salary; upgrading computer hardware and software, house-keeping items, certain food items and medicinal supplies, appropriate clothing, etc. . . . all which must be secured prior to our departure.  Especially urgent.

 

WILL YOU PRAY?

 

That is our greatest need.  We have never felt so vulnerable and inadequate in all our 45 + years of minis-try as we do now.  We cannot do this alone.  We need not only the grace of the Father, the authority of Jesus, and the anointing of the Holy Spirit, but we need you as well.  Let us hear from you soon, telling us you will become part of our “In-Pact Team” of partners, in pact with us for the souls of Ukraine.  Write to us at 6630 SE 951 Rd., Collins, MO 64738.  Phone 417-275-4854.  E-mail btolliver@imb.org or jtolliver@imb.org.  You can also e-mail us at lifeunlimited@pobox.com. 

 

FINALLY:

 

We have been informed that the IMB staff in Kiev has already secured an apartment for us in the very nice older part of Kiev known as Podil.  It is in a "Stalinski" type of building (built during Stalin's day) on "Red Army Street".  Grocery stores are nearby, two other missionary families live nearby, and it is in easy proximity to the church and also to the IMB offices.  It is a "three room" (that doesn't count kitchen, toilet, and bathroom) apartment on third floor of a five floor building.  The Taylors and Adkins all say it is very nice with larger than normal rooms and higher ceilings.  Some interior decorating will be needed, but nothing major.  God is good.

 

Thanksgiving Day is just a day or so away.  Some who receive this are in far-away lands unable to be with family while others like us will enjoy that time together.  We just want you to know how much we love and appreciate all of you and pray that God will bless you above and beyond all you can contain or imagine.  We will be blessed to enjoy our semi-annual family reunion Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday with some 35 relatives although two of our daughters and their families will be unable to attend.

 

No matter how many you have together and no matter where you might be, we "thank God for every remembrance of you, making mention of you in our prayers" on this special day.

 

In His Bond and For His Kingdom,

Bob and Jo Ann Tolliver

 

 

START UP EXPENDITURES AND NEEDS

 

Because numerous individuals have asked to know what some of our material needs are for this ministry change, we are providing this list so you can pray more specifically.  As you can see, God has already wonderfully provided for some of it, and we trust Him to continue.  He is faithful.  We praise Him for those who have generously given and others who, by His direction, may feel so led.

 

Priority Items:

            New Computer capable of graphics, audio-video work, and publishing. ($2,000)          PROVIDED!

            Upgraded computer software. ($800)               PROVIDED!

            CD/DVD burner.  ($500)         PROVIDED!

            High capacity external hard drive.  ($200)         PROVIDED!

            Dental work for Bob and Jo Ann  ($2,000)

            Medical “treatment” (minor) for Bob and Jo Ann  ($1,000)

            Prescription Medicine “stock pile”         ($1,000)  PARTIALLY PROVIDED!

            220 volt small appliances for apartment ($250)

                        Microwave       Toaster             Coffee pot

Crock pot        Iron and ironing board

Can opener      Etc.

            Kitchen “set up” cooking ware, table ware, etc.  ($200)

                        Silverware        Dishes              Utensils            Pots/Pans

Skillets Water filter       Etc.

            Spices, seasoning, mixes, etc.  ($75)  PROVIDED!

            Food items and vitamins not available in Kiev  ($950)

            220 volt vacuum sweeper  ($200)

            Clothing upgrade and preparation for Ukrainian winters  ($1,200)

                        (coats, boots, “long johns”, slacks, dresses, etc.)

            Miscellaneous office “set up” supplies  ($400)

                        Desk                Chair                File cabinet

                        Desk lamp        Paper products

                        Stapler             Paper punch     Etc.

            220 volt printer for computer  ($200)

            220 volt scanner for computer ($175)

 

Non-Priority Items ---- Needed But Not Essential:

            Video projector ($2,000)

Music Software for worship services.  ($450)

Electronic keyboard ($1,500) or piano ($500)

            220 volt television set ($300)

            220 volt CD/video player  ($200)