MERRY (ORTHODOX) CHRISTMAS!
Greetings from those of us still in 2003! (We'’re not, but if we followed the Gregorian calendar like our Orthodox brethren, we would be!)
Our family decided to make New Year's Day a reunion, necessitating an Eve separation! Maya & I spent New Year's Eve at Nina's apartment (partially to keep watch on Nina's place, but more so to give everyone a bit more of a rest–—Maya gets up at 8 regardless of New Year's parties)! Lena, Sonia & Nina enjoyed a traditional year-end feast (mostly special salads), along with watching the seeming endless TV specials.
Maya & I had a low-key celebration, with Maya dropping off by 10. I did stay up for the fireworks, however, discovering that Nina's place has a great view of the light show over the Neva River.
Regardless of how you entered in 2004, we wish you God's richest blessings in your life & ministry. "Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me." Philippians 3:12 (NKJV)
—Kevin, Lena, Sonia, Maya & Deena
PETITIONS
- Please continue to pray for healing for Nina. She is doing much better, but has been bothered by a harsh cough for over a week. Pray that her health will continue to improve.
- Please pray for preparations for the Christian Camp Leadership Conference (CCLC), scheduled for the first week of February. This is CCI/Russia's biggest event of the year and requires a great deal of preparation for our staff of six.
- Please pray that the final arrangements will go smoothly (we already had to make a last-minute venue change!).
- An urgent prayer need that we have for the CCLC are quality interpreters. Please pray that we will find enough help for our visiting North American instructors so that they can minister effectively.
BLESSINGS
- Just as my parents were preparing to send a care package our way, someone gave them $200–—almost enough to cover the shipping costs! Praise God for timely provision!
DID YOU KNOW...?
- That most kitchens in Russia are equipped with a dish rack directly above the sink? Washed dishes are placed in a (usually) bottomless cupboard that allows the dishes to drip dry and be stored away at the same time!
- That a popular Russian beverage is made from fermented burnt bread? I would describe kvas as the "Russian root beer", although Sonia would definitely not agree with me——she cannot find anything redeeming in A&W'’s popular beverage!
MORE INFO
Keep informed! Visit www.krhamm.com for more on the Hamm family, www.ccirussia.org/en for more on the camping ministry in Russia & beyond, and www.mbmission.org for more on MB missions worldwide!
ABOUT US:Kevin & Lena Hamm are Mission Associates with Mennonite Brethren Mission and Service International, serving with Christian Camping International/Russia in St. Petersburg, Russia
