Hope4Kyiv #036 ---- 10/27/05
Posted by: lifeunlimited01 <lifeunlimited01@...>
Hope 4 Kyiv
The Monthly Praise and Prayer Letter Of
Bob and Jo Ann Tolliver
Missionaries to Kiev, Ukraine
Number 036
October 26, 2005
Dear Friends, Family, and In-Pact Partners:
For the first time in the more than three years we have been writing this letter, it is being composed at 2:30 in the morning instead of normal human hours, and for the first time we are writing to you no longer as missionaries with the International Mission Board (IMB). Nonetheless, we are writing you with an even greater sense of intensity and urgency, recognizing that your prayers and material undergirding are more important to us today than they have ever previously been.
We have entered a new era of our lives and ministry . . . both exciting and frightening at the same time . . . with emotions more mixed than you can imagine. We were ready and willing to return to the U.S. as a couple anxious to settle back into the relationships, routines, and surroundings with which we were thoroughly and comfortably familiar . . .
+ where we would enjoy the pleasure of conveniently traveling to the super market or to Wal-Mart in the comfort of our own car instead of walking nearly a mile to board a smelly crowded subway and riding thirty or more minutes to an unknown place hoping to find a simple thing like a dowel rod or a box of plastic studs for shelving in the kitchen cabinets or . . .
+ walk almost two miles to the nearest grocery store several times a week because you can carry only so much in those plastic sacks, or . . .
+ strangle over beaurocratic red tape and paper work before you can have the gas turned on in your apartment for cooking, or . . .
+ become totally numbed by broken promises to "be there at 10:00" to do the contracted work.
However, as you know, the Lord had more thrilling and exciting plans for us, and . . . here we are back in Kiev, excited beyond words over the creation and development of Kiev International Bible Church. An idea of what could be that surfaced back in June out of challenging circumstances, and was birthed into a vision of what should be in August, became a reality as KIBC held its first meeting on September 4th. Two days later the two of us returned to the US to conclude our role with IMB in order to again come back
to Kiev, independently this time, to work with the new infant church. While we are no longer your missionaries with the IMB, we still consider ourselves to be Your Missionaries . . . your personal representatives for the Gospel proclamation in Kiev. We never forget that; we hope you don't either.
During our absence the church continued meeting and, save one Sunday, attendance remained in the 40s and 50s under the capable leadership of the rest of the Pastoral Leadership Team (Vitaly, John, and Stan). So, when we returned to Kiev last Thursday and attended services Sunday, we rejoiced over more than 65 people present from places like Angola, England, China, Ukraine, and the US (among other places). It's great to be home!!!
Back in the States: While we were back in the US, we faced many wonderful opportunities and significant challenges. The purpose of our trip was three-fold:
+ Formally conclude our working role with the IMB. Returning to the US was required by IMB for that to happen.
+ Raise financial support for our ministry in Kiev to continue.
+ Renew our visas to Ukraine, which expire the end of December.
The first task was successfully accomplished. The second was partially successful (we still need about $1500 per month more income to cover all aspects of our ministry support). The third did not happen; we could not get the required Letter Of Invitation from the Ukrainian government in time because the office that provided such things in the past had been shut down and the new government office didnt open until October 4th. It is commonplace here to take radical action without sufficient provision having been made to take care of the consequences. If youre going to remodel a building, you shouldn't begin
the demolition of the old before you have the support structure in place to hold up what youre about to do.
While in the States, we . . . .
+ Spoke at FBC in Eldorado Springs, Southern Hills in Bolivar, FBC in LaGrange, and spoke with leadership at Wellspring in Bolivar. All four were highly enjoyable as we renewed fellowship and shared vision and needs.
+ Replaced the compressor in both the house and a car air conditioner, and discovered that lightning had apparently taken out not only the house air conditioner, but also our surround sound stereo, our office printer/fax/copy machine, a VCR, and had damaged one of our phone lines.
+ Had physical exams which we passed with flying colors albeit a little slowly, both being a little huskier than we need to be.
+ Visited with Deanna and family early on and celebrated Michaels birthday, accompanied Cindy back to Medellin, Colombia following her radiation treatment, spending a week visiting with them and speaking in two Colombian churches, and finally spending an overnighter with Cheri and family in St. Paul on our way flying back to Kiev. We were sad to be unable to see Debbie and the girls in Fort Worth.
+ Endured the added challenge of Bobs computer crashing while in Colombia, losing most of his e-mail files. Fortunately we had recently purchased a new one to take back to Kiev, so he was able to hobble along until he had a chance to have the old one repaired. It was a blessing that the old one still had three weeks left on the warranty so, even though he now has to install tons of software on both units, he did get a 60 gig new hard drive in place of the old 40 gig. He also had most of
his material backed up except for about half the folders in Outlook Express.
+ Delayed our return to Kiev a week in order to finish some very important legal documents and take care of other things that we simply did not have time to finish by our earlier return plans. There was absolutely no room for vacation time, relaxing, or doing any much needed work around the house, although Bob did manage to trim some limbs back along the driveway one morning so the UPS guy would deliver packages to us.
+ Made the necessary decision to return again to the States the end of November, because we have to get our visas renewed since we couldnt do so the last trip. This will also give us a chance to spend Christmas with family, and, hopefully, see Debbie and the girls. Well not see Cindy and family, though.
Here in Kiev: While were trying to get back into the swing of things, and though the work with the church is already totally exciting, not everything has been rosy. Frankly, the story is getting pretty old as it relates to the completion of our new apartment. The end of August promised deadline for completion has long passed, and there is still much to be done. It appears likely that this will drag on until well past the first of next year by the time everything is finished. We try to remember that "tse chas" (English spelling)
doesn't mean the same thing for Ukrainians and Americans. For example, if we say, "10:00", that means ten o'clock sharp. To Ukrainians, however, it's much more flexible . . . "an hour either way, but probably later".
You cannot believe the obstacles people face here dealing with all the red tape, erratic work habits, different values and perspectives, and broken promises. Its enough to make you lose sleep . . . in fact, thats why were writing to you at this ungodly hour.
A good nights sleep has been a stranger to us both ever since we got back home to Kiev. At this writing, weve been home six days, ---- and two nights Jo Ann didnt sleep at all, and three nights only for two to four hours each. Bob has fared a little better, but not much. We both feel like we got a good nights sleep only twice since returning. Amazingly, Sunday night Bob slept straight through for ten solid hours, finally both of them waking up at 11:00 Monday morning.
We really feel terrible over some of our attitudes were battling. Bob woke up at 1:30 this morning after three hours of sleep, and the first thing that came into his mind was the frustration of another day of broken promises. Because we never know whether or not someone will show up to do some work on the apartment, we sometimes feel like prisoners in our own home, hesitant to be gone just in case a worker shows. Bob has only been out of the apartment one time and Jo Ann twice since weve been back. The first three days back our meals consisted of toast, coffee, and juice for breakfast and peanut butter, crackers, and fizz-less cola for lunch and supper.
Then wed have a cup of tea somewhere around 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning before going back to bed for a couple more hours of sleep. Saturday our wonderful friend, Sveta, brought us sandwiches from McDonalds, and Sunday afternoon we actually ventured out for a late lunch at TGI Fridays. Last night John and Betsy brought in some wonderful barbeque for sandwiches which we all shared together before they taught the English class down the hall.
Currently we have no internet service (guaranteed to be activated last Friday), no shelving in the kitchen cabinets (to have been done before we returned last Thursday), no washer or dryer hooked up, and no oven or stove hooked up (both use gas which was promised for last Monday and then again last Tuesday). Only one of four telephone jacks works (back in the office), there are no towel rods or medicine cabinets in the bathrooms, and the guest bathroom fixtures were only installed the day we returned to Kiev. When we walked into the apartment last Thursday, people were scrambling feverishly scrubbing floors with dust-laden rags, fixing wall sockets, and so forth.
Our first four days consisted mainly of cleaning all the dust covering everything from floor to ceiling (including all our possessions much of which had somehow become uncovered). It seemed like everything we touched was coated with grit. Even now as we write, our computers feel dusty. And all this stuff really did Jo Ann's allergy problem she had begun to experience just as we left the States. Its been a long time since Bob saw her suffering so from allergies, something she never does in Kiev.
To add insult to injury, when Jo Ann called to ask about our custom ordered office furniture being delivered this past Wednesday, we learned that the man had lost all the plans and the work hasnt even begun yet. So, today, we meet again with the representative to give them all the measurements. The man promised he could do all the work in three days, but we think thats a joke. He has two desks and three sets of bookshelves/cabinets to cut out, sand, assemble, and finish . . . . in three days???? Right!
BUT! . . . . wed rather be here than any place in the world! Now, you figure that one out! And, . . . just to assure you, we're doing great. We realize that this is "life in Ukraine". What often frustrates us is actually what Ukrainians have lived with for generations. It's the way of life here. When you live in a culture molded by a political system that bred a dehumanizing concept of survival, doing what you're told, never talking back, fearing retribution, having only basic necessities, being satisfied with poor workmanship, and seeing yourself as a third-class human just slightly more valuable that a dog, there is little incentive to motivate you
toward improvement or quality. So, rather than be sad for us, pray for the wonderful Ukrainian people who inherited the product of such a system. It will take a long time to change it.
All it takes for us to be content in these circumstances, is three things:
+ We sit down and look at this incredible four bedroom apartment of over 2500 square feet designed for ministry and hospitality. It is beyond our wildest dreams of anything we thought wed ever live in outside the US. Custom made cabinets in the kitchen, solid oak doors throughout the house, spacious kitchen/dining area, large living room, huge master bedroom with both a shower and a Jacuzzi tub, . . . its a dream. Were going to send an additional letter in a week or two describing the apartment.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> Some of the statistics are mind boggling.
+ Or, we remember those around the world who have recently endured tsunamis in South Asia, earthquakes in Pakistan, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, hurricanes in the Gulf region, and plagues in eastern Europe and Asia. Our six days of irritation and inconvenience is just a speck of dust ( [:-) compared to real suffering. And, then . . . remember those who suffer spiritually because they live with no hope that extends beyond their futile trust in human resources
to ease their plight.
+ Or, we look into the faces of those who are part of this incredible new church. Last Sunday was truly a reunion as we joined hearts and voices with some 65 others in the upper room on the fifth floor of this amazing church building. What a thrill to hear Lena play the piano again, to see the smiling faces of the Chinese students, to see Petes 70 year old white head bobbing around as he sat up the sound and video equipment for services, to see Maxim, Anton, and Olex scurrying around carrying and setting up chairs for the services, to see Stan and his clan walk in, to meet new friends from England, to be introduced to Leonid who has volunteered to be
trained to run the media equipment while Pete is in the States for serious medical exams, to hear the people sing
So, . . . just in case you think all we have on our minds is complaints (actually, we just needed a chance to vent to someone, and you happened to be handy), we are indeed rejoicing in the goodness of God. After all, such is the life of a missionary. If you cant hack it, . . . dont go. If you want comfort, stay home. If you want challenge, come to Kiev!
PRAISES AND PRAYER REQUESTS:
+ We praise God for the church that gave us a one-time gift large enough to replace our personal expenditure for a years worth of medical insurance and the purchase of the new computer. What an awesome expression of gracious support. Praise Him for adding several families to our In-Pact network of prayer warriors and financial contributors. Pray that God will touch the hearts of others to become involved in like manner.
+ We praise God for the church in Florida that gave us a brand new projector screen, and for the two churches in Missouri that provided Lords Supper service for our use. Pray that other needed equipment and supplies will be provided, and that we can find a good way to get the projector screen to Kiev without it costing us an arm and a leg via shipping and/or customs costs. (A couple of years ago it cost us over $270 to receive two boxes of donated Bibles).
+ We praise God for taking care of Cindy during her cancer treatment, and for our other children and grand children as they have faced various challenges. He is so faithful! Pray that He will continue to protect them all, and use them powerfully in Kingdom endeavors. The two of us are unbelievably blessed to have all four of our daughters actively involved in ministry with their families. We rejoice that eleven of our twelve grand children have professed their faith in Christ and the twelfth one is asking lots of five-year-old types of questions. Pray that she will come to know Him personally early in
life.
+ We praise Him for the good health report we received, in spite of our progressive antiquity and extra "endowment of poundage". Pray that we will remain healthy, that our lower back and leg problems clear up, and that we both can walk off the pounds.
+ We praise God for this amazing though incomplete apartment which we call our home and haven far from the cold sidewalks and dank stairwells where 25,000 homeless children live in Kiev. Pray that we will always overlook the inconveniences of its incompleteness, and that every person who ever walks through its doors will sense the unexplainable presence and love of Christ. Pray that they will find warmth, friendship, hospitality, and the redemptive love of Christ within its walls.
+ We praise Him for this incredible new church with all its diversity of language, religious background, and culture. Pray that we will truly manifest what it is to be the Body of Christ from every tribe, tongue, and nation, and that we will be that safe haven away from home for the many nations living here. Pray that God will bring into our fellowship others who have a desire to grow in grace and minister in power so as to touch the nations by touching Kiev.
+ We praise God for an awesome team of leaders who have all discovered the common vision. We cannot describe the thrill of marching locked step to the beat of our Drummer with a group of men and women who are learning to see what God sees and hear what God hears. Pray that we will always be in unity, will be willing to pray through every issue and decision (not just some of them), will always clearly see the vision without impairment, and will be wise and humble servant/leaders as we strive for higher ground. Pray for Vitaly, John, Stan and Bob and their families. We'll write more about families later.
+ We praise the Lord for the musical and worship talent represented already in this Body. Pray that we can quickly assemble a worship team of diversity and skill that will be like the Levites under Joshua, leading the people of God into onward and upward victory through the ministry of Spirit-empowered God-centered worship.
+ We praise Him for unbelievable opportunities to reach people through the use of the English language. Pray that God will direct us in wisely choosing the strategies that will allow us to penetrate into the many language groups represented in Kiev through the use of creative and innovative plans and ideas. Pray for Jo Ann and Betsy as they decide when and how to begin the evangelistic cooking and craft classes; pray for John and Betsy as they teach the fledgling ESL class each Tuesday. Pray for wisdom as we try to get a ministry to Chinese students off the ground soon. Pray for Bob and others
as they begin the process of developing the various Bible study opportunities.
+ We praise Him for allowing us to live in such an amazing city with such a rich 1700 year history. The beauty of this place overshadows the foreboding sides of spiritual darkness and suffering. Pray that the ominous powers of darkness that hover over this place will be broken, that the city-wide Body of Christ will come together in unity, in humility, and in vision, and that the Gospel of redeeming love and liberating salvation will be boldly declared on prepared hearts by the anointing power of the Holy Spirit.
Looking Ahead:
+ Wewill be returning to the States on November 29th to spend December in Collins, apply for new visas, speak in churches, raise more needed financial and prayer support, and spend Christmas with members of our family. Pray that we can get five-year visas (or at least three-year), and that we can get them quickly and without obstacles. Depending on the political climate of the day, or the processors attitude of the moment, visas are sometimes difficult to obtain. Pray that we will have opportunity while there to share our ministry with others.
+ Bob is trying to find time to work on a CD/DVD video presentation of our work, something that didnt take place stateside because of the computer crash. Pray that he will have success in beginning that process so it can be distributed upon our return to the States next month.
+ We have been told that the new sanctuary will be ready for our use by the end of November. It will take a miracle. Pray that this will happen, and that we can conduct our very first service of Thanksgiving and Celebration on the last Sunday of November, the Sunday following American Thanksgiving, just before we return to the States.
Finally:
Friends, the longer we serve here as missionaries, the more we recognize the necessity of people like you who pray for us and/or support us financially. As novices in missions, our hats are off to those who have chosen this way of life as a career. Never under estimate the critical importance of those who send, those who give, and those who pray to those who go. We could not go if you did not pray, give, and send. We praise God for you every day we are here.
Please let us hear from you. Our e-mail addresses are the same ---- lifeunlimited@pobox.com or rtolliver@centurytel.net for Bob, and grandma12@pobox.com or grandma12@centurytel.net for Jo Ann. Our phone number is 011-380-44-501-8082. We look forward to hearing from you.
If you are a financial supporter, just a reminder to make checks out to Life Unlimited Ministries, designating it for Kiev Missions on the memo line. (Long-time supporters just do as you always have done.) As always, your gifts are tax deductible through our 501.c.3 evangelistic organization. Send gifts to
Life Unlimited Ministries
6630 SE 951 Rd.
Collins, MO 64738
We love you more than you can imagine, and thank God for your part in our lives. You are incredible. It's almost 6:00 am; maybe we should try to get a quick nap before the day begins.
Addendum:
+ Since the initial writing of this letter, we . . .
> Have ordered the office furniture again . . . . "ten days" and not three. (That's more believable.)
> The washer is supposed to be hooked up today. We look forward to clean clothes! (It's after 4:00 pm now, and nobody has shown, but there's always hope.)
> We have hired a guy to install the shelves in the kitchen cabinets tonight.
> Bob's now been out of the apartment twice, and Jo Ann four times.
So there is progress! Who knows? . . . . maybe internet and gas for the stove next week.
+ Someone recently asked us about all our travel requirements now back and forth to the States a couple times a year. Yes, it is very expensive, usually about $1200 per person. But, there is a way folks can help. In addition to supporting us monthly, it is also possible to either transfer or purchase miles for our accounts with one of the airlines we use ---- United, Northwest/KLM, Lufthansa, Austrian, or American.
In fact, it is really quite easy. If you ever want to give us something special, but don't know what to choose, consider giving us miles on our frequent flyer programs and make it easier for us to fly more economically when we have to travel. One of our major ministry expenses is air travel. Last year we spent over $15,000 in air travel.
There are two ways you can minister in that way.
In His Bond, By His Grace, and For His Glory,
Bob and Jo Ann
The Tollivers,
Missionaires to Kiev, Ukraine
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