Hamm Prayer Points: July 2006

Monday, July 31, 2006

Hamm Prayer Points - 31|07|06

WAITING GAMES

Back on April 17 we told you about the incident with Olga, our upstairs neighbour who flooded our home while in a drunken stupor. We didn't tell you that "showers from the ceiling" occurred two more times in the past few months!

After several nice talks with Olga and her son, they offered to hire someone to fix the damaged woodwork and re-paint our stained ceilings. We were very thankful for their willingness to make things right, and looked forward to a better relationship with Olga.

Two weeks ago the (minor) repairs were made and we were told that the painters would come soon. Last Tuesday we were informed that the painters would be here Wednesday at 6 p.m. We scrambled to move everything out of the kitchen and cover what remained. Wednesday came and went with no painters in sight. One hundred and twenty four hours of silence later we were finally able to reach the sister of the person in charge of repairs/painting. She explained that her sister was terribly busy and just couldn't come until the other ("more important") project was complete! Busy, indeed—not even enough time to tell us we could resume eating in our kitchen!

In happier news, we received a very thoughtful care package from our friends at Lakeview Community Church in Killarney, Manitoba. Maya & Deena were thrilled to receive stickers, notebooks and even Lifesavers!!! It was a very nice way to end a frustrating week!

Thank you to all who bless our family through prayers and gifts!

- Kevin, Lena, Sonia, Maya & Deena

COMING TO CANADA

Here's a question: When Lena & Sonia receive their immigration visas, how long will they have before they must arrive in Canada? Anyone know the answer to that one?

Friends told us that the USA and Finland only give 30 days before you have to arrive–30 days! That's hardly enough time to pack, ship belongings and sell your home! I went looking for an answer to that question and came upon two different stories of personal experience. One family said they had three months, another said the visa was valid for six months (but only received it 6 weeks after it was issued). I've yet to find the official answer. We would very much like to know the real answer to this question! :-)

BLESSINGS

Answered prayer from last week! Nina's test for Hepatitis A produced negative results! Praise the Lord that she has no further health issues to deal with at this time!

We have finally confirmed the date for our upcoming church youth camp! August 21-24 are now the official dates. Now we can go ahead with promotion of the camp.

PETITIONS

Please pray for me as I work in earnest on our youth camp program. Our theme for this year is "Making the Transition". Please pray that I will put together a program that will complement the Bible teaching planned for the camp.

DID YOU KNOW...

...that the Canadian Immigration web site lists helpful info for new immigrants? Some gems include (the following are direct quotes):

If you arrive in Canada in the winter, you will need warm clothing such as insulated, waterproof boots; an overcoat; a scarf for your neck; a hat that covers your ears; and gloves or mittens.
People normally line up or queue according to the principle of "first-come, first-served." They will be angry if you push ahead in a line-up instead of waiting your turn.
You should always arrive on time -- at school, at work and for any meeting. People who are often late may be fired from their jobs or suspended from school. Many Canadians will not wait more than 10 or 15 minutes for someone who has a business meeting.
Call the police officer "officer." Never try to give money to a police officer. Canadians do not bribe police officers.

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, July 24, 2006

Hamm Prayer Points - 24|07|06

CAMP "CODE SIGN"

CCI/Russia president Alexander Kharitonov recently returned from Camp Code Sign in southern Russia. Following are some highlights from his time there as camp chaplain:

Camp Code Sign was a wilderness tent camp (boys only, age 13-17), situated in a clearing amidst thick deciduous woods. Campers were completely responsible for their own wellbeing: they had to fetch water, collect wood, prepare a fire, cook their meals, etc. Success was only possible if the entire team worked together. It took some teams several days of self-induced fasting to recognize that truth!

The camp had a challenging program for young men. All the activities were tied into a sequence that led a camper to a celebration of achievement. The first half of the camp was dedicated to team effort; the second half was more about individual skills and persistence.

This camp had targeted Bible teaching. Focus was placed on Scriptures that reveal God's purpose for men and showed specific masculine challenges and shortcomings. God was clear right from creation about His plan for men, about our role and character. Still, century after century, we failed to "cultivate and keep" what God entrusted to us. The Bible is full of examples of misery Israel found itself in because its men fell short of their calling as God's messengers, priests, husbands and fathers. The same holds true about today's Russia. Yet there was (and is!) the second Adam, our Lord Jesus, who was able to fulfill God's high calling for men and reconcile manhood with its Creator. It was a joy to reveal to the boys the opportunities for personal fulfillment and the victorious life that every young man has in Jesus!

Most campers were non-believers, even though majority of them came from Christian homes. This is a dilemma our churches face: at "teen" age many kids abandon churches and choose other pursuits. This disease first afflicts boys–and as a result, our churches are men-desolate. Changing this destructive pattern was one of our major goals when we planned this camp as a group of ministry leaders from various cities of Russia.

Many of the young men present heard God's voice and obeyed it. Every fourth camper was reconciled with God, praying for God's forgiveness and direction in front of the group. Likely many more made serious decisions in their hearts. Most importantly, none left without being exposed to a better way in life. A life of victory, life with a purpose, life with God.

Praise be to Him! Please join us in lifting up the hearts and minds of the 100+ Camp Code Sign community as they returned to their homes and try to put into practice what they learned and resolved at camp.

- Kevin, Lena, Sonia, Maya & Deena