Monday, September 25, 2006

Hamm Prayer Points - 25|09|06

WHAT A WEEK!

It's been c-c-cold this past week, but great news from home, a wonderful closing for the Camp Director's Institute and a beautiful Sunday afternoon at Peterhof really made it a great week for us all.

We received a bunch a great news this past Monday, starting with an offer we couldn't refuse. Friends offered to sell us a 1997 Dodge minivan for a very reasonable price, and we accepted! Now we are the proud owners of a vehicle, for the first time in our married lives (now if only one of us had a driver's license...). ;-)

We were also offered a used washer & dryer set for free, although we can't make use of it until we get a home. For now our friends will hold onto them for us, since the mobile home we will be staying in until the early 2007 is already equipped. As well, several other offers of help have arrived over the past week, for which we are very thankful!

CDI faculty and graduates (photo courtesy of Dan DeGroat)Two days ago the Camp Director's Institute wrapped up in Moscow, with thirteen of the twenty-one directors graduating with full honours. The graduation ceremony was a wonderful time of closure for the event; it really made the students feel they had accomplished something significant.

We praise God for these graduates and for every camp director in the Institute who studied diligently and applied themselves wholeheartedly in their camp ministries.

While it had been a cold week Sunday was a gloriously warm day, so we (minus Sonia) decided to introduce the girls to one of Russia's crown jewels, the Summer Palace gardens at Peterhof. We took a 30-minute cruise to the lower gardens and enjoyed a beautiful afternoon of sunshine, fresh air and 18th century splendour. The girls especially enjoyed the "fun" fountains, and managed to get quite wet in the process! Pictures of the fun are posted for all to see on Flickr.

Thanks for your encouragement & support! Hope you had a wonderful week too!

- Kevin, Lena, Sonia, Maya & Deena


COMING TO CANADA

The list has been revised! Our support page of "Canadian needs" has been updated to reflect the aforementioned news. One new thing on the list is the need of a freezer. We would appreciate any help you can give. Please pass on the word and stay tuned for more updates! Thank you for your continued prayers for our big move.


BLESSINGS

* Praise God for the successful conclusion of the 2005-06 Camp Director's Institute!

* We just learned that the residents in Nina's apartment building have agreed (finally!) to install a domophone – an outside intercom door-thingy (I can't remember what they're called in English!). We pray that this will bring to an end the use of Nina's stairwell by drug addicts.

* We are very thankful for provisions such as the minivan and appliances. It's so encouraging to see how God provides through His people!


PETITIONS

* Continue to pray for me as I try to transition out of day-to-day IT management of the CCI/Russia office. Pray also for Mark B. as he learns to take over from me.

* Sonia is looking for a new job, hopefully as an English tutor. Her current job entails a great deal of late-evening travel downtown, which is not at all desirable as the darkness of autumn sets in. Pray that she will be able to find a better way to earn some funds.

* Please continue to pray for our financial needs. More information about our support is at www.krhamm.com/support.


DID YOU KNOW...

* ...that standalone food freezers are practically unheard of in Russia?

* ...that the Russian government is considering measures to encourage an increased birth rate including a "childless tax"? With Russia’s population declining by 700,000 people each year, the government is starting to take notice that Russia is fast disappearing...


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 to 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. (And now Sonia's pictures too!)


Monday, September 18, 2006

Hamm Prayer Points - 18|09|06

Prepare to play!ONE YEAR OF PLAY!

It was one year ago yesterday (September 17, 2005) that the MBMSI St. Petersburg Playground Project was completed after three years of prayer & giving!

We are so thankful for the blessing this playground has become. We always thought that we might be a tad too selfish in desiring a safe play place, but as it turned the neighbourhood has benefited far more than we!

It has been such a joy to witness parents flock to this, the only freely-accessible "protected" playground in our region. The playground has become what Lena first envisioned in Abbotsford, BC, over three years ago, "a way to impact our community for Christ by providing a safe place to play".

Together with help from the girls, Lena & I have been groundskeepers, sport instructors and playmates over the course of the past year. As we prepare to say goodbye to our neighbourhood we thank God for the couple from Kansas who gave us the initial cheque moments after our desire went public and for who helped from that day on!

Thank you to all who prayed for and gave to the Project. You have helped to bless hundreds of families in St. Petersburg! Please continue to pray for continued safe use of the facility and for more ministry opportunities to arise from the presence of this safe place to play.

- Kevin, Lena, Sonia, Maya & Deena


COMING TO CANADA

The list has begun! Click over to our support page for a list "Canadian needs". Starting now we will be updating the list of things that we will be in need of upon our move to Canada. Since we have next to nothing already in Canada, this list could get rather long! :-)

We will start small, with only the essentials. Currently the list looks like this:

  1. Home for five (or possibly six if Nina comes to visit). Status: Temporary home quite possibly found; longer-term home (starting early 2007) still needed.
  2. Vehicle for five (minivan or similar). Status: Still needed.
  3. Car seats for Maya (age 6) and Deena (age 3). Status: We're not certain what is required; at least one seat may be made available.
  4. Home appliances (just about everything). Status: Microwave oven has been received; most other home appliances still needed.

We would appreciate any help you can give. Please pass the word on and stay tuned for updates! Thank you for your continued prayers for our big move.


BLESSINGS

* We received word from the Camp Director's Institute in Moscow that the group is experiencing a wonderful family spirit (this is the third and final session that these 20 camp directors have been together). They are also thankful for the good instruction being received from the faculty. Praise the Lord!

* Praise God for the one-year anniversary of the playground and for the blessing it has been to our community.


PETITIONS

* Please continue to pray for Session 3 of the Camp Director's Institute. In particular, please pray for the following needs:

  • strength and health for staff and students
  • more vibrancy and energy at this last segment of CDI - many students seem to be taking a break after a full summer
  • health for Tanya B, Lena K. and Misha P.
  • best graduates to form the core faculty of the next CDI
* Please continue to pray for our financial needs. More information about our support is at www.krhamm.com/support.

DID YOU KNOW...

* ...that during the G8 summit in August, shops in underground passageways were closed (supposedly "voluntarily") and construction was almost completely halted for the week. The latter was likely done to keep construction workers out of sight—most are illegal workers from Central Asia!


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 to 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. (And now Sonia's pictures too!)


Monday, September 11, 2006

Hamm Prayer Points - 11|09|06


PATIENTLY PAINTED

Since July 25th our kitchen has been mostly covered awaiting the return of anyone willing to finish re-painting our kitchen! It's a pretty strange story by now, as you'll see from the key events in this drama:

  • Late on the evening of April 16 we experienced the first of three "floods from above" (our neighbour Olga had been drinking heavily and managed to leave all taps open until they flooded her home and ours).
  • In late May we experienced two more floods.
  • In late June we received assurances that Olga's family would hire someone to repair the damage to our kitchen, hallway and bathroom.
  • Mid-July saw the arrival of the painter with a carpenter who fixed a damaged shelf.
  • On July 25 we told to expect the painter to do the first coat in the kitchen. We quickly bought plastic, dismantled the dining table and moved essentials out of the kitchen. The evening came and went, with no word from the painter.
  • Almost a week later we managed to track down the painter's sister who informed us that her sister was currently involved in another, more "lucrative" project.
  • On August 9th Lena reassembled the dining table so that we could properly have a meal for my birthday. The table was quickly taken apart again in hopes that the painter soon would arrive.
  • After waiting some more we were about to talk to Olga, but she called us first to say that she hired a new painter, who would come tomorrow.
  • The new painter arrived as promised (a miracle!) and laid the first coat of paint, with a promise of a return the next day.
  • Some fourteen days later we managed to track down painter number two, who informed us that she had been in the hospital for minor surgery. But she would come soon!
  • Another fourteen days passed and still no painter.

So, we've now lived without a "normal" kitchen/dining room for fifty days! Hopefully Olga will find a painter who will like us enough to stick around for another coat of paint!

Thanks to all of our friends and supporters for sticking with us! ;-)

- Kevin, Lena, Sonia, Maya & Deena


COMING TO CANADA

Coming home (temporarily): Praise God, it looks like we have a home for our arrival. Because of the visa delay, we have had to pass up several offers of house-sitting or rental. However, the Lord has provided the possibility of a mobile home almost next door to my parent's home! This would be very short term (winter only), but it may well be all that we need for now. This would allow us to be close to family while we "get our bearings". As well, this would allow us to search for a more permanent home from a position of reliable childcare!


BLESSINGS

* Answered prayer from last week! On August 17th we were informed by MBMSI that we had a significant deficit. Before anyone knew of this God nudged three people to send special donations: all three cheques were dated August 16th!!! One donor told us later that he was prepared to give a certain amount, felt God telling him to send more - so he doubled his amount! "...for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." Matthew 6:8b (NIV)

* Answered prayer from last week! Several new monthly donors have come forward and another has increased their monthly support. This is certainly a help and encouragement to us. Praise the Lord and thank you to all who give!


PETITIONS

* The third and final session of the CCI/Russia Camp Director's Institute takes place September 16-22. Please pray for the final preparations and for the camp directors and instructors who will travel from great distances to take part in this important training event.

* Even with the increase in giving, we are still in need of more financial assistance. Please continue to uphold our need in prayer. Of course, if you can help by giving, please visit www.krhamm.com/support for more information.

* Please continue to pray for CCI/Russia staff member Tanya as she searches for a new home.


DID YOU KNOW...

* ...that a street party took place yesterday in St. Petersburg where people were served free bread, buckwheat porridge (steaming hot from an army field kitchen) and vodka? Check out some pictures from the event (shot from a bus, no less!) at www.flickr.com/photos/krhamm.


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 to 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. (And now Sonia's pictures too!)


Monday, September 04, 2006

Hamm Prayer Points - 04|09|06


AWESOME AUGUST!

Wow! God is so very good! We are still buzzing after a great church youth camp held August 21-24. Every day since Deena talks about going back to camp, and she doesn't understand half of the great things that took place! ;-)

We were blessed with thirty youth in attendance, most of whom came from our church. We had invited five youth from a local orphanage, but at the last minute they were unable to attend. Still, we had a great group (with a few "challenges") and the three pastors & I were thrilled to see the depth of questions the youth had about going through the transitions in their lives. Many of the youth come from broken families, and have faced many difficult transitions in their young lives.

Lena & I were able to take turns being with Maya & Deena, so while I was with the girls Lena was able to cut and style hair for seven of the girls plus Pastor Andre (who got to be first in line). During my "time off" I lead all the games and activities, hosted the sessions and even had the opportunity to preach one morning.

There is much more to tell, but for now enjoy some camp photos: www.flickr.com/photos/krhamm/sets/72157594268686279!

Immediately after camp ended Thursday morning we headed home and I quickly re-packed and caught my train bound for Finland.

Friday afternoon saw over twenty Bible school students, youth leaders, missionaries and laypeople assemble to learn how to use recreational sport to further God's kingdom.

I taught over one hundred games during the three-day seminar, and showed participants how to prepare, teach and evaluate a recreational program. The response was very encouraging and everyone went home with a wealth of resource material and the determination to use their newly-honed skills to the glory of God!

You can see lots of pictures from the seminar in Helsinki at www.flickr.com/photos/krhamm/sets/72157594259246272.

Thank you for your continued support of our ministry! May God be praised!!!

- Kevin, Lena, Sonia, Maya & Deena


COMING TO CANADA

As we draw closer to the six-month anniversary of the promised "reply date" for Lena & Sonia's application for permanent residency, it's hard not to get anxious! Please pray for peace as we pack and plan (and keeping praying that we'll hear from Moscow soon)!


BLESSINGS

* Answered prayer from last time! While we didn't have a completely full house, we did see a last-minute sign-up of campers and a blessed time was had by all at camp. Thank you so much for praying!

* Answered prayer from last time! Several people recently came forward with some generous donations. This has been very encouraging and, of course, helpful! Praise the Lord and thank you to all who give!

* Answered prayer from last time! The sport seminar went very well, and I'm very thankful for my good health throughout the camp, travel & seminar.


PETITIONS

* After countless invites, Marina, one of Sonia's best friends finally came to church this past Sunday! Praise God for Marina's sudden openness to the Gospel and pray that she will continue to draw closer to her Heavenly Father. Pray also that Sonia will be a consistent witness to Marina.

* We are still in need of more financial assistance. In particular, we are in need of more monthly donors. We have about twenty people who support us with monthly giving of $10-$25. Another twenty people like that would certainly help! For more information on how to support us, please visit www.krhamm.com/support.

* Please pray for Mark B. as I prepare him to take over many of my responsibilities at the CCI/Russia office. Over the next few weeks I will be unloading a lot of information on his shoulders—please pray that he will be able to handle it well!

* Sonia is trying hard to juggle a part-time job and courses at jewellery school. Please pray for her health, safety in travel and stamina.

* Tanya, a CCI/Russia staff member and dear friend, has had to move out of her rented apartment on very short notice (an all-too-common experience for renters in this country). This evening I helped her move all of her belongings into our office, where she will remain until she can find a new (affordable!) room to rent. Please pray that a new home will be found for her soon!


DID YOU KNOW...

* ...that some traditional Russian recipes call for nettles as an ingredient? (Now why can't they use rhubarb?)


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 to 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. (And now Sonia's pictures too!)