If  you received our Christmas letter in the mail, we kind of left you hanging. We feel like we’ve been left hanging for more than two months as we have submitted and re-submitted our documents, trying to obtain permission to stay in Ukraine for the next year. Our deadline passed on December 10, but we finally received our temporary residency permit on December 26 with the all-important rubber stamp.

Thank you for your prayers. We won’t have to go through this again…until next year. But, hopefully by then, the kinks will be worked out the system as the new laws become more familiar to those implementing them.

• Pray with us that the authorities will grant us a temporary residency permit that will allow us to stay and minister in Ukraine. We don’t know of any reason why we would be refused, but with all the new laws, it is possible that we could be refused because of procedural problems.
• We are all sick again–no one is dying, but it sure makes it difficult to be productive, and this is a busy time of year for us. Sophie is in the worst shape. She has bronchitis deep in her lungs. Pray that God would restore us to health.
• Sunday the 11th of December will be a missions Sunday at our church. Jason is preaching one of the sermons, and one of his students is visiting and will make a presentation about his ministry in central Asia. We are thankful to God that our church is seeing the big-picture of God’s work beyond their backyards (if they had backyards…). Pray that they will continue to grow in their vision.
• Pray that Jason’s foot would continue to heal, and that he will be able to walk without pain.

One thing is sure…the process will certainly be more expensive than it was. The documents and fees have already cost us almost a thousand dollars a piece, and we don’t yet know if we need to pay this annually. It also may necessitate more frequent trips out of the country.

It sounds like Christmas, but it’s actually our keys.

When we left the States more than six years ago, our key rings were empty. This left an unfamiliar silence in our steps as we relinquished roles and responsibilities, with their respective keys. Now the jingle is back and is louder than ever.

The crescendo has been gradual, but now, as we get ready to replace this year’s calendar, it’s exciting to remember how full it was of ministry and new responsibilities.

Our primary ministry is training Christian leaders, and we have taught more than ever before, in the classroom, as well as in our local church.

The church in Ukraine has the strategic potential to reach the rest of the Russian-speaking world—that’s why we chose to come here—and now our church is beginning to catch the vision.

This year they asked us to help start a new missions and outreach team and to teach the church about its part in God’s mission. We have seen the momentum grow, as leaders have taken the initiative to support Ukrainian missionaries. One girl in our church has even enrolled in the missions program at the seminary in preparation to be a full-time missionary, and another guy is committed to this in the future.

It’s a great way to end the year, encouraged by the way ministry has gone and convinced that God is accomplishing what He has called us here for. Many of you are part of our team that is making this possible, and we hope that you too are encouraged to see how your partnership is making a difference.

So when you hear bells jingling this season, we hope they will remind you of this new reason for joy.

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Jason, Kerri, Casey & Sophie

One of these stories has forever changed the way I understand Christmas. It is so much more than a quaint historical romance, with its associated religious and political intrigue. It’s the central event of history, in which our missionary God finally lives up to His promises and sends His own Son on a mission of hope and blessing.

When we as believers join Him in his mission, we have the joy of celebrating Christmas all year-round…how great is that?!

Thanksgiving with the McDonnels

After years of wrangling with the authorities, jumping through bureaucratic hoops, and spending thousands of dollars, our good friends finally rescued a Ukrainian orphan. They weren’t trying to fill a need in their own lives–they already had several wonderful children. The adoption was purely an act of grace.

You can imagine how the child responded when they finally brought her home and showered her with love…but you’d be wrong! Instead of being grateful, she continually demanded more. It took a couple years before she understood their sacrifice and responded to their love with gratitude.

We don’t want to make the same mistake. We are very aware that our life and ministry here in Ukraine is the result of generous gifts and sacrifice. Our gratitude is a regular part of our daily conversations and prayers, but we don’t often have the opportunity to tell you how much we appreciate your friendship and support. This week is the ideal time to say it.

Since we’ve been here, the Thanksgiving holiday has become even more meaningful to us, even though it is a non-event in Ukraine, and we don’t get to enjoy it with our families. It’s because we are more aware than ever before of our needs and God’s provision.

So this week we will pause, as the rest of the culture moves forward with business as usual, and celebrate God’s blessings, and we will count you as one of them.

Thank you,
Jason, Kerri, Casey and Sophie

But the longer I’m here, the more I realize that one of the best ways to make people feel loved–something that transcends cultural differences and language barriers–is hospitality.

And what’s even more surprising to me is that I’m really starting to enjoy it. At church, I’m one of the go-to people when a baking need arises. And I am really glad to serve in that way, even if it means making cinnamon rolls for the whole church.

Just last month, I hosted a coffee house for a women’s conference for female students and wives of students at the seminary. I was never more in my element than making coffee and putting out homemade treats (not all homemade by me, mind you). And I can really see the value in creating a warm, homey environment where they could relax and connect with each other.

So, I’m ready to embrace the role that God has given me here and replace my rolling eyes with a rolling pin. (No store-bought crusts or cake mixes to be found in Ukraine!)

In the middle of peeling an apple, Casey shrieked and ran to the window. It was snowing for the first time this year, which obviously meant that we needed an additional treat–hot chocolate! The morning began bleak, but ended cozy and sweet.