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!)
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