- Dema knocking out the Cappuccino’s with Shane in the background serving as well.
Today we hosted a little good-bye to our friends the Susidko’s. They will be moving to Australia in two weeks to work with the offices of their sending organization (OMS).
Both Sergei and Tanya have been exploring some new opportunities in Ukraine for quite some time. I appreciate their heart to think fresh and build new relationships with un-churched. Several doors have opened up for the as they’ve been praying and waiting on God. One of them includes representing a Christian ministry (Hope 61) that works to educate at-risk young people in the area of human-trafficking.
Sergei & Tany sitting at the front while friends share some encouraging words.
In any case, they are family friends and we will miss them. Sergei is always willing to help me when I get in a bind, and I’ve enjoyed each time we’ve prayed or served together in some way. Tanya and Deb had grown closer this past year as well, so that’s a bummer. They have 3 younger kids that enjoy playing together with ours. I have a feeling it won’t be until 2-3 months from now that we’ll feel the full weight of their absence personally. They had a desire to open a Coffee Shop early on, it’s a pity they won’t see the completion of it. They would have been such an asset – but it’s a good move for them to get a fresh start, in the context of a solid organization and reset vision for the next few years.
It was interesting to see how most of the people gathered in the front lobby area and stayed there.
We opened the Cafe for a few hrs and served around 40-50 including kids during the good-bye.
Abbey blowing out her heart cake – made by sister Bronwyn.
It was a good test run for Dema & Shane as they put the Coffee machine through the paces. The only downside is that quite a lot of folks downtown saw what was happening and might think we are open.. which leads to more, ‘So when are you guys opening?’.. the dreaded question that is hard to respond to with a straight face… we’ve been saying ‘soon’ for 2yrs.
It’s kind of like asking when the Lord Jesus will return. We can say soon, and it’s true.. but it might be another 500yrs, who knows? I can’t imagine the Apostle Paul would have imagined 2000yrs would pass.. I’m not sure they would have said soon! The truth is though, like Jesus’ return, the Cafe will open sooner today than soon was yesterday:)
Bruce & Deb