PETITIONS
Lena is still searching for a maternity hospital--and the baby is due in a few weeks! Please pray that she will find a clean (they aren't all!), affordable (we will have to pay) (two-tier public health care? try multi-tier!) hospital with good doctors (physicians tend to be grossly underpaid here). As well, please pray for Lena's health. Her doctor is concerned about the growth on her ovary, and may recommend a C-section, further adding to the hospital search criteria.
Over the past three years, we have given away most of our baby things, including our stroller and crib. Now we need them (or replacements) again! Please pray for funds for essential baby items.
CCI/Russia will be celebrating 10 years of formal existence in 2004. Currently the ministry is going through some growing pains as some regions wrestle with the idea of forming their own camping associations. Please pray for the indigenous leadership in Russia, Ukraine and other areas as they seek God's will for serving the camping ministry in the former USSR.
BLESSINGS
Unlike 3 years ago when Maya was born, this time we were able to complete our major home renovations before the baby arrived! Praise God that we had enough time and capable help to divide our living room into separate rooms for the girls. Now our bedroom is ready to share with the baby!
Getting ready for the baby is much easier when an MCC Thrift Store is near! Since we're several thousand kilometres away from the nearest one, we missionaries rely on parcels from home–thankfully our latest one arrived early and not two months late like last time! Praise God for care packages and caring people!
After a rough start to the music school year, Sonia is doing much better with her flute and music lessons. Thank God for her talents and that she somehow manages to find time in the midst of her regular studies to practice.
DID YOU KNOW...?
That election ballots in Russia have an "Against All" voting option? If more than 50% of voters choose that option, no one wins (forcing a second round of elections) and all candidates on the ballot are barred from running in subsequent elections!
That the cost for a metro (subway) ride in St. Petersburg is 7 rubles (33 Canadian cents)? That's also the local price of a package of gum and an extra sauce from McDonalds!
That the Russian word for "world" and "peace" is one and the same? You have to know the context when you hear the word "Mir"! (You will also recognize that word as the name of the old Russian space station!)
ESSENTIAL INFO
Kevin & Lena Hamm are missionaries with Mennonite Brethren Mission and Service International, serving with Christian Camping International/Russia in St. Petersburg, Russia.
A printable version in Adobe Acrobat format is always available for download.
Visit www.krhamm.com/pray for links for print versions, archives and more.
For more on our ministry in Russia, please visit www.krhamm.com.
You can help! Please visit www.krhamm.com/support for ways you can help our family & ministry.
Hundreds of our recent photos can be viewed at Flickr.com.
