Merry Christmas

We have arrived safely in Canada for Christmas.  This past weekend Deb and I drove down to Harrisburg, PA.  We enjoyed fellowship with some dear friends and picked Collins for Christmas.

Great catching up with the Myers family – they are roasting coffee and hoping to use funds from this to continue doing foreign ministry. Leigh is still learning Russian too, go Leigh!

Haven’t had too much time to rest yet, but it’s on the list.  We have an incredible January planned, and won’t have much time to blog.  We will be visiting friends and churches in the following US Cities:

• Longview, Texas
• Jacksonville, Florida
• Memphis, TN
• Birmingham, AL

This weekend we are looking forward to visiting with our friends at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Bloomfield, Ontario.  We’ll be giving an update on Ukraine as well as introducing Collins to the good folks.   I grew up here, I’m related to half of those in the congregation, so it’s always a treat to share.

Our hope for the next month is to strengthen relationships, particularly those we renewed or started last year during our crazy road trip.  This past year was filled with new growth, new hope in our efforts in Ukraine.   Our faith was strengthened to believe Him for more of His presence and reality.

He blessed us and the Lighthouse Ukraine ministry this past year in so many unexpected ways – we pray this unplanned (we thought we were staying in Ukraine for Christmas this year) visit unveils more of His plan.

This year is filling up already with many exciting and new things.  We will be teaching at Christ For The Nations in Belarus in Feb, and we have a team of 20 creative believers coming from (mostly) Texas in March for an intense Awaken Week.  We also have been invited to teach in Far East Russia this spring but praying about that – the air travel costs have tripled due to the intensified relations with Russia and Ukraine.  We also have a June group from Florida praying about coming – part of the reason we are visiting Florida for a few days in January.

Collins has been adopted by our family in Canada. He’s been here one day, but already out with 15 of them to watch Star Wars.  

The coolest part of heading into this new year is the core of young people God has blessed us with.  We’ve been getting little texts from some of them, and our heart is with them.  We have been encouraging them with scripture while away, and praying this coming spring brings amazing growth in their relationship with their Father.

A view from our security camera – folks getting ready for the concert last Saturday night.

None of this activity and opportunity means anything without our amazing God blessing these efforts with his presence.

Please pray for our family, our plans, resources and for added wisdom as we seek to follow His will into 2016.  We hope this new year is also filled with new opportunities and growth in your journey with Christ.  Life is so short, we’re amazed how quickly the years are flying by.  Soon we will all be rejoicing around His throne!

Crazy cute kids today out at Lake Ontario.

We have an amazing team at the Lighthouse Cafe, they are learning how to manage and being stretched while we are away.  We return to Ukraine Feb 3.  Please pray for them as well!  We had a full house last weekend with a concert at the Cafe.   It’s SO satisfying to see Ukrainians growing in leadership, and new ministries grow – but we need prayer!

Life Center Church in PA – we really appreciate Charles and Anne Stock and their counsel and care!

The new widow ministry is underway and today I heard of some really cool testimonies – one widow was met with a care package and began to cry on the spot, she had no money and had just returned from the local market asking for an IOU for bread and being turned down.

To make an end of year donation please click here – thank you!

Have a blessed and Merry Christmas out there – we do hope to see you during our travels next month.

Bruce & Deb