Reading · i pray for b+k · RSS Amplifier

Greetings, friends and family! The Ukrainian Bible Institute is on spring break this week, and I am finally able to work on some long-neglected projects (like this update). To make the days even sweeter, yesterday our family also welcomed our dear friend Natasha for a short visit. Natasha is one of our family’s long-time honorary grandmothers, and it’s been too long since we last saw each other.

The last few weeks of shaky U.S.–Ukraine relationships has been difficult for us. All of the news has been very disheartening and it has been a distraction from our normal activities. However, as I’ve been reading through the Psalms, God continues to comfort and challenge me through reminders like this:

No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength, it cannot save. (Psalm 33:16-17)

I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. (Psalm 44:6-7)

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. (Psalm 20:7)

Thankfully, the U.S. church continues to support Ukraine in very important ways. It is a great honor to facilitate the distribution of aid around Ukraine and in Europe. This aid doesn’t just feed those who are hungry—it is empowering churches to reach out and share our hope with thousands of displaced Ukrainians. In fact, five of UBI’s current students are new Christians as a result of humanitarian aid. Big things are happening, and so we praise God that the citizens of heaven continue to give to this very important work.

We are halfway through our spring term, and things are going well. I recently taught my usual classes on youth ministry and Second Corinthians, and I continue to meet with the students on most Fridays for Spiritual Formation. Our students are constantly expressing their thanks and appreciation for what they are learning and for the sponsors who allow it to happen.

On March 1, we began a new program at UBI. For those students who have recently finished their 18-month program, we have offered an optional six-month guided internship program. Students who qualify are working full-time with their home congregations, putting to practice what they learned in their studies. Alongside their local ministries, UBI guides them through their weeks with requirements like books to read, schedules to keep, and regular times of spiritual formation and rest. We maintain regular contact with them, and I look forward to evaluating the success of this pilot program come fall.

In February the family warrior turned eight years old. His birthday is always a much needed reminder of the faithfulness and goodness of God and of his unexpected blessings.

Unfortunately, it was also a sick birthday. Justus came down with whatever Eliana had a few days before and he spent a couple days on the couch. We had to postpone the party, but did the best we could to enjoy his special day.

The following week, we enjoyed a small celebration with a few friends.

Justus still enjoys reading more than anything else, and he’s now reading on his own quite a bit. He continues to participate in baseball, enjoys Legos, and loves to play outside with neighborhood kids. His Slovak lanugage skills continue to impress us as well as others (our neighbor commented that he has a “superpower” for languages).

Eliana is coming up on two-and-a-half. She speaks in full sentences, is potty-trained, and loves playing with her brother despite his ability to irritate her. Her favorite phrase these days is “What time is it?” as well as beginning most stories with “Yesterday...” (meaning, “any day before today”).

Ellie is very sympathetic and enjoys helping in the kitchen very much. She is a sweet, sweet little girl who also knows how to hold her own with her swash-buckling big brother.

Katie is homeschooling an eight-year-old who doesn’t love school alongside a two-year-old who also isn’t a fan of her brother’s academic responsibilities. It’s a struggle, but she perseveres. She misses having more friends and grandmas around. We both do.

We are in the final stages of building our summer schedule. Katie has worked hard arranging the order and our allotment of days as well as juggling all the other factors and requests that inevitably come up.

We’ve decided to maximize our time and our sanity with those we are visiting by focusing on family and not-Texas this year. Then, next year, spend time with family and visiting our supporters in Texas. We are sad to forego certain places and faces, but after a lot of thought and seeking advice, we’ve decided this will be best.

Make sure you are subscribed to our UBI newsletter (link here) in order to receive more detailed news on our work and ministry in the school. (My most recent post marked the three-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.)

We’ll send out a detailed travel schedule in several weeks, and we look forward to seeing many of you come summer!

—Brandon and Katie