A Quick Trip To Slovakia
Katie, Justus, and I just returned from a quick, one-week trip to Slovakia and Austria. The Sunset International Bible Institute (SIBI) hosted the third annual European Vision Workshop in Bratislava. We were attending for the first time, together with the director of the Ukrainian Bible Institute (UBI) and his wife, along with our dear friends, Sasha and Nastia Nikolaenko.
The workshop lasted three days, and it was wonderful getting to meet (and see again) ministers and missionaries from all over Europe. The event is geared toward native European workers, and we were encouraged to hear from them and learn about their different ministries. There was a time to share victories and struggles, there were lessons, and we were even blessed to enjoy worship led by Keith Lancaster. It was also an opportunity for Jay Don and I to meet with Tim Burow, president of SIBI, to share about UBI and how things are going for us here. The schedule of events was quite full, which was at times a challenge for Justus, but overall he did well. We did manage to squeeze in just a little bit of sightseeing and some gelato before it was all over.
Here is a short video Keith Lancaster put together highlighting some of the singing we shared with each other the final evening.
A Little Rest in Austria
Because we were in the area, we decided to take the remainder of the week to visit some missionary friends an hour away in Vienna. Justus enjoyed some wonderful play time with their two young children. We didn't have big plans and weren't trying to be tourists, but we did visit an aquarium and we worshiped with their congregation on Sunday. Oh, and Justus rode on a zip line. Like, 400 times or something.
The church we visited ministers to refugees from Iran, and it was a blessing to see and meet those they are working with. Scripture readings were done in German, English and Farsi. It was interesting to hear Farsi spoken and to see the Bibles they were using. This congregation is not the only one in Vienna ministering to refugees. It was encouraging to hear about all the conversions and work being done to bless those who have fled their homes to Austria.
Second Corinthians and Beyond
I have spent the last few weeks preparing for my next class, Second Corinthians, which I am excited to begin teaching on Monday. After Corinthians, I will begin to prepare for the classes I've been assigned to teach after the winter break: Development of New Congregations, Hebrews, Revelation, and I've been tasked with putting together a new course on youth ministry. I am looking forward to the study time, but I do get stir crazy from too much time alone at my computer. Plus, I don't yet have my own office here at the school, which can make finding a quiet place to work a challenge.
The Family
Justus' Russian skills still impress, and he's also now attending a part-time preschool twice a week near our house. One day a week the class is in English, and the other day it's in...Ukrainian. It was our only option, but since Ukrainian is a real part of daily life here in Kyiv, we figured he might as well start learning it. He also has been attending his children's Bible class "by myself" for the last month.
I have preached in two other congregations here in the city recently. We've also continued to enjoy having students, church members, and coworkers over for dinner. A couple weeks ago, we hosted my friend Artyom Kirilenko and his family from Mariupol for a few days. I've known Artyom since I was an AIMer in 2002.
We've once again entered what I call the coldest part of the year in Ukraine. That time of year when the temperatures have dropped, our apartments are frigid, but the city hasn't yet turned on everyone's radiators. The designated heating season is October 15th through April 15th (plus or minus a sudden change in weather), so if all goes according to plan, we should have heat in about a week.
We'll be heading back to the States at the very end of November. We'll be visiting sponsors, spending Christmas with family, and I'll still be frantically getting ready for the next courses I'll be teaching.
This week, we are thanking God for your continued love and support. We are thankful for the visit to Slovakia, for the fellowship we enjoyed, and for the little bit of rest we had in Vienna. We're also praying for my upcoming class on Second Corinthians. Please join us in these prayers.
Until next time,
Brandon and Katie
Recent Justus Quotes:
“I’m starting to going to.”
“I’m sorry for apologizing.”
“Momma, can you put my eye mask on so I’m not scared of the light?”