CANADIAN ARRIVALS
Sorry, not visas! Last Wednesday the long-awaited parcel from Grandpa & Grandma arrived. We had hopes that it would arrive in time for Maya's birthday in September, and then we were sure it would make it in time for Deena's birthday last week. Regardless, the ten-week wait was worth it as Maya & Deena happily unpacked lots of goodies: clothes, toys, books, gifts, food, treats, medications for Nina (a HUGE blessing) and more.
Many of the parcel contents had been sent originally in spring, with hopes it would arrive in time for Easter and Lena & Nina's May birthdays. Sadly, that parcel returned to Canada without ever reaching us (due to some mix-up), at great expense. It had been a long time since we had received a care package, so this was very special. As this will likely be our last parcel before we come to Canada, it was extra meaningful.
Thank you for faithfully upholding our family in prayer. It's been an emotional challenge for us these past few months, but God is good!
- Kevin, Lena, Sonia, Maya & Deena
COMING TO CANADA
Hopefully news about the visas will come soon—please keep praying!
It seems the longer it takes for us to get to Canada, the more we are provided with! We are so thankful for all the help we have received from family and friends: we have been given many wonderful used furnishings and appliances in the last few weeks. Valuable help was also given by many to help load, transport and unload. It looks like our immediate needs for beds and furnishings have now been met. We would still appreciate the means to purchase several mattresses for our family (an almost-new mattress suitable for Sonia has already been given).
BLESSINGS
Answered prayer from last week! Sonia has been able to switch to a different jewellery school, one that is within walking distance of home! Now that the dark days of winter are upon us, not having to travel across town in the dark is a wonderful blessing for Sonia! (Pictured here is Sonia's latest creation—click the picture for more.)
We were able to send a few gifts and personal belongings along with a friend who was passing through town on his way back to Winnipeg. If anyone knows of helpful (read: with room in their suitcases) travellers passing though St. Petersburg on their way to Canada, we would appreciate knowing!
PETITIONS
Visa news (of course)! Please pray that some news will come soon!
CCI/Russia is in the process of interviewing candidates for the soon-to-be vacant position of Office Manager. Lena S., our current Office Manager, will be leaving our office in spring. Please pray that we will be able to find a capable replacement for her.
We still have a long way to go before our MBMSI deficit is paid off. Even with a 75% reduction in salary we have a lot of ground to make up. Recently we lost another supporter to "pensioner limitations". Please continue to pray for our financial needs and consider whether you could be a part of the solution. More information about our support needs can be found at www.krhamm.com/support, or by contacting us.
I recently visited a local physician to try and find out why I've been experiencing so much abdominal discomfort. The doctor's diagnosis was that I have an ulcer. He told me to buy five different types of herbal extracts (conveniently on sale in his office), which I was to take every morning after drinking 1.5 litres of water and vomiting. (I am passing on this advice for now.) Your prayers for my health are appreciated.
DID YOU KNOW...
...that when you go to the doctor for an appointment, some of the things you may be required to provide here in St. Petersburg include:
- slippers (or baggies for your shoes),
- sheets to put on the examination table, and/or
- disposable syringes?
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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