| A lesson in giving |
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This summer I was putting together an appeal for back to school funds. You may remember the appeal from last year. The goal was to raise enough to provide $50 for each school-age child. Parents could use this money to at least partially offset the expense. You responded and we were able to provide this gift with only a small dip into the general fund.
As I was finishing that appeal, a generous gift was made by one of our regular donor couples. I met with them. They had received a windfall and felt God leading them to make an unrestricted donation. I felt the emotional level rise as I told them of the back-to-school need and the math. There are 50 children. Their gift was $2,500.
We didn't leave our meeting celebrating their generosity. We left amazed at the blessings God has in store for us when we follow His leading.
I'm not sharing this as an appeal for a donation. I share this begging you to be sensitive to God's leading. If He gives you a desire to make a donation to a ministry, do it. Otherwise you may never know the blessing God has in store for the ministry- or for you.
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Legal Update |
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Although we are doing our best not to focus on court actions, I know some of you are interested in hearing the latest. Plus, I am learning some interesting lessons about the Ukrainian legal system.
Seven months after our first court date, we finally have an actual verdict from the Evpatoria city courts. After requesting obscure documents, refusing to rule and just plain delaying, the judge finally ruled against us. That is an improvement. Now we are able to appeal an unjust ruling instead of appealing an improper procedure. We have always believed our only chance for justice was to get out of the corrupt city courts.
We filed a procedural objection with the national board in Kiev that oversees all judges in Ukraine. On the day of the hearing, the lawyers for the other side were surprised when they entered the courtroom. There were several national journalists in the room. The lawyers quickly sat at their table and prepared a hand-written note asking the judge for a delay. The reason for the delay was that they were all out of town on business. Yes, they were sitting in the room as they wrote. The judge granted the delay.
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| Matters for Prayer |
Praises-
-Generous donors (several) who have blessed us with special gifts this summer.
-Our children will all begin a new school year as part of a loving, supportive family.
-Two new girls who will join the Simferopol transition home this month.
-New Ukrainian partners who are coming along side us to form new partnerships.
Requests-
-Keep the main thing the main thing. Focus on the children. Ignor the distractions.
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| Coming Events/Trips |
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Please contact us if you are interested in a visit to Ukraine.
We have two construction projects and could use a worker team.
Exploratory trips can be arranged to fit your schedule. |
