NEWS, NEWS AND MORE NEWS!
Just before we departed for Tashkent, we received an official communique from the Canadian Embassy in Moscow. In the letter we were informed that we will have to wait
six months for Lena & Sonia's visas. (Thankfully the letter was dated early April so the six-month point is October.) They cautioned us that the visas could take even longer (or perhaps arrive sooner) than six months. So it looks likes Sonia won't be attending university in Canada anytime soon, among other things!
More news...the seminar in Tashkent went tremendously well! Funds arrived in time (so to speak—more details under
Blessings) and Lena, Maya & I were blessed to join almost 100 other participants and instructors at Camp Step near Tashkent. Representatives from camps across Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan came to receive intensive training in counselling, program leadership, child psychology, music, sport and other areas. Lena & I were privileged to help train seven sport coordinators along with one future seminar instructor. While we were unable to stay until the end of the seminar (return air tickets were hard to come by), we were absolutely thrilled to have been a part of God's work in Central Asia!
Still more news...a day after celebrating the birth of her only child (Lena!), Nina was at the medical clinic for tests when her doctor asked her to go to the hospital for further care. Upon her arrival at the hospital she was told that it was very good that she came since she was very close to a heart attack. She was admitted on the 12th and is on a strict regimen of rest and medication. To date the doctors have not been able to get her blood pressure down to safe levels, so she will remain in their care for the foreseeable future. As with all "normal" hospitals in Russia, the level of care is minimal, at best. Families must provide additional care in order for patients to recover in good time. Unfortunately the hospital is located quite a distance from our home and there is little by way of convenient public transportation in the area, so it is very time-consuming for Lena to visit her mother. We are so very thankful that Nina's health was maintained during our absence. Had this occurred during our time in Uzbekistan it would have been very difficult. Praise God for His grace!
Thank you for your faithful support and prayers!
– Kevin, Lena, Sonia, Maya & Deena
COMING TO CANADA (LATER!)
So it looks like we'll be in Canada for Christmas! With a semi-certain departure monthin place (finally!) we can now better plan our big move. Of course, we had hoped to come during the summer, so plans for Sonia & Maya's schooling are on hold. Yes, it is somewhat disappointing that we won't be arriving this summer as hoped, but at least we now know (to a certain extent) when we can expect to come to Canada. The later arrival also means that our search for a suitable home in Manitoba has hit a snag. Several of the homes that had been made available to us may now be out of the question. In some ways we are starting from scratch! Still, there may be better options on the horizon! We continue to trust in the Lord...
BLESSINGS
Answered prayer from last time! Even though sufficient funds did not arrive in time for the Staff Training Workshop in Tashkent, they did arrive. We managed to bring enough of our own money to pay for the essentials and while we were at the seminar word came that the sponsor had finally come through!
Answered prayer from last time! The three of us had a safe journey and experienced good health in Uzbekistan. Thank you so much for your prayers!
Answered prayer from last time! We received word from the Canadian Embassy in Moscow as to when we could possibly expect to receive visas for Lena & Sonia. We prayed for an answer and received it—even though it wasn't exactly the answer we wanted to receive! ;-)
Answered prayer from last time! Nina managed our home and Deena & Sonia well during our time in Uzbekistan. Again we thank God that her health remained strong until we returned.
PETITIONS
Now that we have a clearer picture about our departure (October/November), please pray that we will plan our remaining months here wisely.
Pray for Nina as she remains in the hospital for the near future. Pray that her health will be restored so that she can return home to her family. Also remember Lena as she makes the long journey to bring Nina food and supplies.
Please remember the Staff Training Workshop currently underway in Kurgan (May 14-19). As well, be in prayer for the Christian Camp Leaders' Conference to be held in Vladivostok (May 25-31).
Immediately after her last day of school on the 19th, Sonia has her first finals exam on Saturday. Please pray for her as she prepares for and completes each of her five exams.
DID YOU KNOW...
...that Nina's meals at the hospital cost her 7 rubles per day (about 30 cents)? This gets her either porridge or broth each meal with a little bread on the side. Needless to say, we bring Nina "proper" food every other day!
...that I should should finally be getting a "Hamm's Headings" out this week? Those of you subscribed to Hamm Prayer Points will also receive this newsletter (mostly a Prayer Points summary). If, for whatever reason, you'd rather not receive it, simply use the unsubscribe option when you receive notification of your addition to the list (if that's too confusing, just drop me a note).
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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