The Holidays and a New Year
Plus trips over the border, UBI, and lots of pictures of a cute baby
Dear friends and family,
We spent the holidays at home in Slovakia. We did miss seeing our extended family this year, but the Christmas gift of not flying around the world and not going through jet lag twice was cherished by all. We enjoyed time off, some snow, and lots of Christmas fun.
UBI finished the fall semester on December 15th, and the students are on break until January 15th. It looks as though we’ll be adding four new students when the semester starts.
I’m back in the office this week and am enjoying the quiet days before school begins again. I’ve been doing some good reading, reflecting, and have also been planning for the upcoming months.
The War Continues
Of course, things are not as quiet in Ukraine as they are in Slovakia. The past weeks have been very hard. Just days ago, Russia launched its largest missile attack yet on multiple cities around Ukraine which killed over 30 people in Kyiv alone.
And the heavy psychological toll of the war doesn’t end with air raid sirens and missiles. Ukraine is looking to mobilize up to 500,000 more men and is proposing strict laws to enforce it. For nearly two years, many young men have been living in fear of being caught on the streets and sent to war. This anxiety has dramatically increased over talk of these new measures. Several friends have shared with me how emotionally exhausted they feel after two years of this invasion.
So even on the best of days, our hearts always feel a heaviness we can’t shake. How long will this go on? How long can this go on? We don’t know, but we continue to let the cries of hearts be known to God.
Travels
Apart from my teaching and other humanitarian and administrative work, I have been making monthly trips to border towns in Ukraine to pass on help to our team. Recently I was able to worship with a new congregation in Uzhhorod and spend the day with the preacher and his family there. Every time I make the trip, I am thankful that we chose to settle where we have. It is a blessing to be close to Ukraine.
Our family was glad to attend the Euro Family Retreat in Germany for the fifth time at the end of November. We are always greatly encouraged by the lessons, the worship, and the fellowship with other missionaries from around Europe. Justus especially enjoyed being there and also being six, because this time he was able to experience some Big Kid freedom. He got his very own room key and had a blast running around the hotel with other missionary kids.
Our trip to Germany almost always includes spending a few days in the Munich area with our friends Rachel and Max and their family. It was so good to see them again. (The last time we saw them was just weeks before the war began.)
We were also excited to spend time with my AIM teammate, James Smith, and his family. They moved to Albania about a year ago and this was our first time to see them in quite a while. What was more exciting was that they returned to Slovakia with us and we all celebrated Thanksgiving together.
The Family
Katie continues the valiant task of leading Justus through first grade. Despite their frequent battles, he is learning a lot and we enjoy seeing him grow. (It would, of course, be wonderful if he realized this newfound knowledge wasn’t coming naturally and that someone who loves him very much was helping him learn it. Maybe tomorrow.)
Justus also started going to floorball a few months ago. He enjoys it a lot.
Eliana celebrated her first birthday in October. These days she’s practically running, babbling up a storm, and loves lots of affection and especially hugs. She is a professional waver, loves kisses, and is learning how to blow them. She loves her brother and enjoys wrestling with him. She loves to put on hats and necklaces and bracelets and also loves piercing our ear drums with her high-pitched screams just for the fun of it. Her comprehension is quickly accelerating and she is even starting to voice some words herself. She is an absolute delight and we cannot imagine our family without her.
We also continue to be so thankful to have the Hindman family here with us. Their kids are a blessing to Justus, and Rob and Denyce are a blessing to us. Rob and I frequently preach in the church here, and this week I finished a three-month Wednesday night Bible study of the book of 2 Corinthians.
Conclusion
For those of you who don’t also receive the UBI newsletter, I want to encourage you to read about what things have been happening at the school lately. (Do be sure to read “Serving Those Who Serve” and the last one, “Merry Christmas from UBI!” which includes a short video from our students.)
We thank you all for you constant and unwavering support. We are thankful to be where we are and to have the opportunity to help in this unique and needed way, and it wouldn’t happen if you weren’t with us.
Until next time,
Brandon and Katie
“Ugh, Mom! Christmas music during battle?!”
Love hearing your updates ! Miss you folks like crazy... seems like the kids are growing so quickly !!
I love the photos.. especially the big family gathering with Justus jumping up in the background... That is SO JUSTUS ! Such amazing energy. Also love the photo of the kids trying to drag Katie away from the stove... LOL
Thanks also for sharing what the people in Ukraine are dealing with... makes me even more grateful for my quiet peaceful life here in NorCal ??!!
Hope to see you soon !!!!!!
Oh my! Great pictures and beautiful family! Continued prayers! May God continue to bless you in His service throughout the upcoming year. Give my love to family!