We need all the help we can get.

Hi Friends.

Firstly an apology....

 I said I would update in 48 hours, but although things were typed up and ready to go, sadly we were in a fast developing situation and I was very wary of giving you practical detail that would be obsolete moments later. My sincere apologies for the frustration I know this causes. I hope you can forgive / give some leeway knowing the situation we are in.
Hopefully you were able to gather from the previous blog, that during the last 12 weeks  - opportunites to encourage the global church have increased. We will update many of you privately on the amazing developments in a number of locations. Thank you for your contiuued interest and prayer for Southern Ukraine, Central Asia and the green shoots of church growth in the needy area of Northern Ukraine especially.
One situation we desperately need to share with you though as priority, is the situation in with young people needing a home in Ternopil region (Northern Ukraine). .

The story so far:
 In October 2019 a UK team went to help a dynamic and beautiful innitiative. For many years Vlodic, Polykarp, Viktor, and Elijah (with their families and an ever growing the team) have been trying to share and show the love of Jesus Christ with young people, in camps, schools, boarding schools and orphanges. Through their tireless hard work, kindenss and compassion, they have not only earned the trust and respect of many, they have made friends with many staff,  children and young people. Some, in fact many of these young people have become followers of Jesus Christ. We are very exercised to help some young people especially. They live at boarding school for a variety of reasons, but in short need to be taken care of becuase there either is nowhere to call their own home or being with birth relatives is not the best place for them (their wellbeing/ health/ eductaion/future would suffier if they did).The Church with a base in Kremenets built a "grace home" to help such young people aged 16-19. A place where young people can transition from school/ institutional care to looking after themselves. A place where they can receive care, encouragement, nurture, stability and most importantly  love. A home is more than a place we live, it is where we are accepted for who we are, and unconditionally helped. This "grace home " is the place many have come to call "home" in Kremenets.

Sadly the need for this help outweighed facilities and so the team completed 2nd floor church accomodation in late 2019. The boys who had been helped by the church family (and previously lived downstairs) , displayed how much they had grown in stature character and grace. Firstly, they gave up "their place", their "home" for us to rennovate it - to take in a new large family of girls. This was a very Christlike, servant hearted thing to do. Secondly they worked hard in rennovating and updating the property with us. Thirdly they did an amazing job, (outside rendering and insulation, building/ welding fire escapes, and tydying up all the mess / our uncompleted work) so that the girls were welcomed, cosy, and nested in time for Christimas 2019. The girls are doing incredibly well, showing great care to others during the covid season, and are a great credit to this wonderful, transformational church project. This work is astonishingly fruitful and rewarding for us to even be a small part of.
The reward for the boys however, was to move into temporary rented premises until a more permanant situation could be sorted for them. We had the privelege of a number of gifts come in at the end of 2019 and were able to help purchase a property (downtown) with a plan to rennovate  for their accomodation 1st half of 2020/ Our plan was for the team to refurbish this property primarily in Spring 2020. The team was organised and booked. It was all systems go, but then the coronavirus came.

The Present Situation.
Sadly Covid 19 imtroduced itself without warning, and all our best laid plans were superceded. This has impacted the boys situation severely. Not only have many folks lost work in this area, but the ripple effect of this is that those who are trying to help these young people are also impacted. Due to this (and the complex needs of covid developments) it became apparent that the boys could not continue in their rented situation. Together it was decided that the boys would move into the property in its undeveloped state and start to make the property good as time, funds and opportunitity became available. 

Thank you to your generosity, we were a few weeks ago able to send a gift to get the property working with electrics, water and some basic materials to make the property safe and liveable/ functional. It is far from ideal ! The boys had previously lived in one unfinished home are now essentially a further step back from where they started. On top of this the church planned to help / foster at least 8 young people (both boys and girls) after our team had worked on the property. Extensive and well organised plans are well in place for this. Had we done what what was planned in Spring, there was enough capacity for this (extra space at church for the new girls and a new property downtown for the boys) Pease pray for these new young people and how this situation has impacted them, after so looking forward to a new future.

Our plan as it stands and how you can help.
1) Sponsorship scheme:
In the present financial crisis there is concern about the monthly ability to provide basic provision for many young people (essentially food, heating and general utilities) and what the church should commit themselves to in expansion of this ministry, We have been praying hard about this and believe God will provide for the plans he had led the church to - these 8 precious young people continuing to come and live with the church family.
 
Our specific prayer is that we would be able to provide around £30 per month, per young person to secure their imediate future (make a minimum provision commitment for the next 12 months).

A number of individuals connected to the team are pledging / seeking to help in this way. It may be that your group (coffee morning, young church, lunch club, home group, church or family) would like to encourage this gospel initiative in this way. We are so grateful for those who have already expressed a desire to help. At present we are about half way there !


2) The completion of downtown building.
We are hoping (and praying hard) that we as a team can go and do what we planned in April as soon as is possible and appropriate, Becuase the urgency to complete is greater than ever, our need for a bigger team than ever is also apparent. We really do need all hands to the pump so that the building can be used ASAP. As it stands we are praying hard about what can be done in October / Autumn 2020. This will coincide with the churches many plans for its anniversary. Please pray. Pray that casulties of covid will decrease in this region and that the spread will be curtailed. Please pray for those who had booked flights for the April trip. At present Lufthansa are planning to homour opur tickets for a later trip (for which we are v grateful,) but their future even as a big airline is less than certain at this juncture. Maybe you or your group would like to help sponsor those who could come out on a working team with us, help partially fund travel which may be more costly than previous trips. With so much to do in such a concentrated time, anything you can do to help would be appreciated.

3) More than a building. 
The development of these outstanding young people is the dynamic behind lots of regeneration for the church and gospel in this region. Those young people already transformed are returning to impact other schools/ orphanges and young people on a regular basis. They are the same young people who now clean churches, provide meals for others and do many valuable, caring and loving things for others and the glory of Jesus Christ in this covid season. This initiative is a dynamo of energy to church revitalisation in the region, an army of young people energised by grace, for multiplied acts of gospel love. Pray that they will impact many, and that our relatively small task to encourage them will soon be completed.

There is much more we could say. We continue to help many other situations and will update you soon as appropriate. Please contunue to pray for the outstanding work carried on in Odessa and the expansion of those being welcomed into transition house there. There are needs, and we will update shortly,. Also please especially contiue to remember those helping young people in Central Asia, and in War torn environements. In a day of great challenge, medical emergency and yet unprecidented joy as many find their true hope and certainty, we see that there is a new day for the church of love and life amongst the backdrop of destruction and death. . We continue to want to encourage those in these situations and remain committed to doing so. Our goal has never been to make people reliant on our help, training and encouragement, but simply to do what we can at critical moments to encourage progress. We are at such a crossroads at this time, and so we are so, so, grateful for your sharing of the work and burden in this way. What you do in secret, God knows, and its significance - only eternity will reveal. .

10 Encouragements from covid lockdown.

Strange times ...but an appointed season

Eccl 3:1 

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven..."

It is a complete joy to say again, "Hi friends and team !" (in this format).  Over the last few weeks it has been very obvious to me that the the internet world was not short of a few more reactionary words -  from one more blog. I have been astonished these last few weeks, at how every person stuck in their manicured study (with too much time on their hands), has decided that they have so much that the world needs to hear. (Note the amount of "new books" coming out from first time authors... . Although the internet celeb dogs "Olive and Mable" have made me chuckle,.. I think there probably already was a reason why they hadn't yet been published writers. 

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scots-commentator-andrew-cotter-announces-22222345

  I have lost count of the media/ radio references to  "these unprecedented times", and the invariable grumbles that follow. Yes, this has been an extraordinary season. Its significance however is not in the curisity of the new and strange experience,  but in the one who decided it should be allowed to happen at this time and in this generation. I believe with all my heart that this was a season appointed by God, to teach us, (especially in the UK) to humble us. So I've been keen to learn to "listen and be slow to speak"...after all what God is saying to us is more important (and useful) than any perspective we might have on His world which is under His authority.
  So I hope this brief reflection is a measured one. It is my way of saying "thank you" to God for bringing us through this season as a team. The next blog (within 48 hours) will be the real detail for our way forward as a mission team and wider mission family. It will bring you up to date with the salient details of the last quarter, the reflections of the small leadership council, and the exciting things God has steered us towards.
But for here and now - let's kick off with 10 evidences of the kindnesses of God / encouragements  from lockdown which should spur us on as a church family and mission team.

1) GOD's PERFECT TIMING. When we were detail planning this years' equip4good diary (during the Christmas break), none of us on the team had any conception of what was to come. A surprise call invited us to speak at an emergency regional conference for pastors, relating to the core missional calling of the church and our role as pastors to train, equip and grow the next generation as we make disciples and plant churches. The conference itself was one of the great privileges of my life -the Holy Spirit himself putting the smile of God on our focus of strategic gospel growth. 
  Within a few days of our return to the UK the pandemic mushroomed, borders closed, and lockdown started. The first information we recieved post lockdown was the consensus that this conference was "a word from God", "preparing" this large group of faithful pastors for extraordinary times, and extraordinary times of opportunity. God is good. We didn't plan the conference in advance (we had just 3 weeks to pray hard and rely on him), but God had appoinated it all in eternity, and this "unprecedented gathering" (the first time it had happened in this relatively unreached region of >1,000,000 people who need to hear of Christ)  got everybody on God's agenda before we all seperated to work for him. Feeling isolated ...YES !, alone in reality...NO !. From the outside we were working by ourselves  in many seperate locations, but together we unreservedly knew that we were on one common agenda and goal, with the same helper whose presence was even more tangible and obvious. God is Good.
2) The CLOSENESS, COMMONALITY and UNITY of the GLOBAL CHURCH
Through the wonders of "facetime, zoom, teams" and "what's app", my communication with global friends during the last quarter, has been indistinguishable  to that with church family who live in the immediate vascinity Everyone has been struggling with the same things, we're all in the same boat. This itself has brought us closer together. I have attended regularly those churches around the globe that I partner with, and seen "live" and first hand how God is using his people in amazing ways.This is all a gift from God, something I wouldnt have been able to do before churches started "streaming" .Our fellowship has undoubtedly deepened, our communication undoubtedly more significant. We have gone through tough times together and found the same certainty, joy and hope.
3) In uncertain times we have the certaintyof God.  These times have brought to us the certainty and reality of Psalm 42. Even if everything else changes... GOD IS STILL GOD !
The environment we live in has been unimaginably different, but God's heart for His world and His mission to reach peaple in grace, fogiveness, love and restoration is equally red hot in burning passion. The reports I've heard suggest that God is doing more of this (not less) in this period of constraint. We are limited by what we can do, but God never is.
4) God has illuminated the futitility of trusting in ourselves, our ways and our means.
Those who have idolised  their own careers or health have starkly seen the fragility and transitry nature of life. Christians who have invested everything in their own way to sort out this world (a dream of a megachurch structure, a social media influence) have realised that even as Christians we are powerless by ourselves, entirely in his hands, directed by his decree, and  under the jurisdiction of his mercy. This season itself then has been a wake up call (especially I think to the self-assured western church) who trust in structure and resources above the power of the Holy Spirit at work in people and relationships. This season itself then has been an act of grace to redirect the church towards authenticty and away from the idols of dead religion.
5) God has revealled how gracious he has been to us in "normal" life. Many people for the first time in the Uk discovered that they couldnt readily buy basic foods, basic medicine (paracetemol, Ibuprufen etc) and basic cleaning products. Yet for many in areas where our team has worked this is the "normal" everyday routine and struggle. What will we do as we come out of lockdown with all the liberties, gifts and blessings God has given us ? Surely this time has taught us to appreciate that we only need the basics, that God provides those miraculously every day (not Tesco, Lidl, Aldi or Waitrose) and therefore we have much at our disposal to bless the worldwide Church with. This we must do, as a considered discipined and honourable covenant before God for all his kindness to us in our lives. Out of gratitude (if nothing else) we must use his resources for his purposes and honour.
6) God has provided for all our needs and for many others in far more difficult places. Along with lockdown came the restriction to not visit supporting UK churches, groups and those who generosly and sacrifically give. The words of a hymn come to mind... "All we have needed, His hand has supplied, great is His faithfulness." We have had opportunity to help our church family accross the world at a critical time. We haven't asked anyone for extra help, yet God has supplied through his people and we have had every resource needed to help others. Those who have lost work in the UK, have still given and felt blessed in doing so. Thank you for your faithfulness and humbling encouragement. Those who prayed thousands of miles away in desperate circumstances received the help just at the right time. God is so good. The next season will be extreemly challangeing for us. We have given to things unbudgeted, but we are ever more confident - not in our bank balance, but His ability to know and supply the needs of his children (Luke 12)
7) Many "previously unreached" people are coming to Jesus Christ. I have been praying with a number of pastors and planters in pioneering situations that God would "grow their net", that their small church plants and mission ventures would reach an increasing number of people. We didnt know how God would do it... but we knew he had the power to. Then Covid came...online services started, and so did exploratory conversations with people online, who were tuning into gospel presentations and discusssions for the first time. Expats in countries far away looked for their own language and found faithful preaching explaining the true hope in Christ. People "happened to tune in by chance". saw clearly  that what Jesus offers is ao different. A need to know for themselves / how it works was ignited in them... seeing the uncertainty of what they'd invested everything  in they  were appetised and hungry for something better. Priests of dead and established religion realise that their outward form of religion has spread the virus here and now, but left people unequipped for eternity. Reports are of hungering such career clergy hungry for Jesus Christ, sickof the fake, amazed at true realityin Him.
Other news came in of an aetheist whose life was slipping away all of a sudden accepting that there is not only "a god" but proclaiming that their own need is for "The God". Countless friends are saying the same, God is at work in ways they could never have envisaged or expected. Any strategy of our own has been far surpassed by his, and the church is growing with those added daily who are coming to know JESUS. God is good.

8) We have been more accessible to help in a time of greater need. The great irony of being stuck in one place is that everyone knows where to find you , has your electronic contact details and assumes that you are available. This has been a good thing !
 I have been available and able to pray, share, encourage, preach, send study notes, and be part of lots of struggles in people's lives. It has been an immense privilege and awesome joy. At times the burden of being "closer" to the Christian in a hostile country and feeling the same fear, or needing to cry to God for vital help in a desperate and desolate situation is a draining thing. It challanges your ability to sleep when it seems like there are more issues than days to solve them. In reality however God is still God and he doesn't sleep - so we can. Moreover, when God works and  the story unfolds the journey is a far more rich and beautiful one, when we are absorbed in gorgeous way God displays his love to many peoples lives in many locations.  We are stuck in one place but able to be part of God's solution for many. Yes we are finite, but he is infinite, we are present in the backwater confinds of a little property, but he is omnipresent and active accross the globe, without limitation.We have had a front row seat to view his love in this way.
9) Some of us have been able to spend more time with our families. I appreciate that for many, this time has been a time apart from family. Unfortunately I was not able to be with my 95 year old grandmother for her birthday or struggles with ilness. For those of us however who are often travelling and not often able to just "sit" and "be" for a long time with our families this season has been a treasured gift from God. Families are a gift from God. Many times we as a team are hoping to encourage set up homes for young people who need family. This time has reminded us of the preciousness of our own families, that we should never forget how good God has been to us in this. If you are in a good family, don't feel guilty about it, but do thank God for it.
10) Now that lockdown is being released we have greater options and possibilities to serve, not less. Thank God that we have kept in contact with all our partnering situations and in some cases renewed contact with those in extreem difficulty and hostile locations. We will need to prioritise as we go forward and start travelling again, after all there is a limit to what can be physically done. However, despite not being able to take the team to our priority project in April, we have been able to help that move on and will soon be able to get cracking again on full power. We are also looking to help specific situations for whom covid has been another devastation in an ongoing story of periless challanges. For this we do need your help, your prayers, your volunteering for a team, your clothes, your books your partnership. We have not publicly asked for money for some time, but I'm pretty sure there may be need of it given the wonderful opportunities and tight shedules presenting themselves. This season has increased urgency for young people needing a "grace home", for pioneers to be funded to continue sharing the good news of Christ in Countries where believers are less than 1%. We would love you to come with us if you can, so please stay tuned for our next blog on our priority project, and news of how you can help the global church in this extraordinary season of opportunity.

We have much to be thankful for. 
Praying that this will find you well, grateful, encouraged and open to what God has for you next,
WIth much love
BLOGSKI