We've been out of email contact for a few months, but we think we now have things worked out.  The blog keeps moving along with 2-3 posts per week if you would like to read about our life and work in Kyiv.

This past week we revived the Soup Group now that the weather has turned cold (we are expecting snow on Sunday).  We had six students at our first group meeting.  We spend about two hours enjoying soup and answering questions about almost everything.  This week, we discussed the differences between Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox, The Da Vinci Code, the differences between Communism and Christianity --whatever the students are interested in.  Hopefully, next week more will come.  The two English outreaches continue and I am glad that we have more discussion there about the Bible.  Pray these times of discussion helps faith to grow.

Lena and I both spend time meeting with individuals and in smaller groups for spiritual training.  We do the best we can to encourage people to use their gifts.  Dima Zhyvov led the teaching this Wednesday and Friday.  It was the first time for him and he did a great job. His father led it the week before and it was his first time.  We also have enjoyed getting to share with several dating couples in the church, about how to date in a Christian way and how to make the important decisions that might lead to marriage. 

Next weekend I have to leave the country in order to extend my visa.  We had hoped to be able to extend it within the country but the bureaucracy hasn't cooperated.  Thus, I have to cross the border and come back the next day.  We had to do this many years ago when I was in Prague.  So we are going to have a little fall break--and a one-way 20-hour train ride!

This weekend Ukraine celebrates the one-year anniversary of the Orange Revolution.  Large demonstrations are planned in Kyiv.  Not everyone is happy with how things have gone after the revolution was won, but most feel it was a step in the right direction, just not as big as we wanted. 

The fish, by the way, are fine.  No recent losses (or gains).