Update and Christmas greetings

[Yaksun@aol.com]

Dear Prayer Partners,

It is my privilege to write you and report on some of the exciting things 
happening on the CIS Field these days.  I just returned from a weekend trip 
to Kyiv, Ukraine.  My time there with the Skinners and Wrights was very 
special.  To say the least, it is an active place.  The three Skinner boys 
keep things very lively.  Jonathan Wright joins right in and his older 
sister, Christen tried to hold her own.  It is all something to behold.  We 
are blessed with two great families in Ukraine.  I have thanked God for them 
all over again after returning to Moscow.  I am very happy to tell you that 
Bob Skinner will be with us at the CISP meeting in January.  His report will 
thrill you all.

I do not want to steal any of Bob's material, but, let me just briefly 
mention that the Kyiv building is coming along very nicely.  They even have 
heat now.  We can all let out a big AMEN on that one.  It has been a long 
time in coming.  Praise the Lord!

You may recall that I requested prayer for the work on the Kyiv building some 
weeks ago.  I mentioned that a building inspector had made a surprise visit 
and we found out that our architect had not secured all the necessary 
permits.  To say the least, the inspector shut us down.  This was a major 
blow to our people in Kyiv and a huge burden on our missionaries.  However, 
you faithfully prayed and God really helped us.  Bob Skinner was able to find 
a man that had connections in the government (very necessary in our part of 
the world).  Not too many weeks ago this man was able to get us back to work 
and also get us the permits that we had not had before.  The only thing we 
are waiting for is permission to change the roof.  This takes a little longer 
since it is a historical building.  We have been assured that this permit 
will come in a matter a days after the first of the year.  Praise the Lord!  
See, your prayer support does make a difference.  We are fully convinced of 
that.  To God be the glory!

On Sunday, in a very warm sanctuary, there was standing room only in the 
church.  It was my privilege to preach to our brothers and sisters in our 
Kyiv First Church.  In spite of the hardships they have had to endure the 
church is still growing.  I wish you could have been there with me.  Oh well, 
enough of that.  Bob will tell you the rest in January.

I also want to report on the Norris family.  Lonnie was recently in Volgograd 
and stopped by on his way home.  We had a great time together.  There are 
many great things happening in Volgograd too.  I am thrilled to tell you that 
Lonnie will be with us in January too.  Don't miss it!  Let me just say that 
there will be two church building dedications in Volgograd in March.  Praise 
the Lord!  Also, the new church in Kollach, near Volgograd opened just a few 
Sundays ago.  The place was full.  Praise the Lord!

Lonnie told me that the family is doing as well as can be expected.  They are 
seriously discussing options for their future.  They need to come up with 
some sort of decision by April at the latest.  Please pray that they would 
sense a clear word from the Lord regarding their future.  They also need 
continued prayer for comfort, especially with Christmas coming up.  God help 
them!

I am really excited about the meeting in January.  There are so many things 
to talk about and praise God for.  Carla and I look forward to sharing this 
time with you all.  In addition to Bob and Lonnie, Jon Mowry will be 
attending the meeting too.  It will be wonderful to have these missionaries 
share the work in their own words.  Carla and I will try to represent the 
rest of the field as best as we can.  We look forward to it.

One prayer request is for our students that will be going to NTS again in 
January.  They need your prayers.  The load is heavy while they are there.  
However, this is among the most positive things happening on our field.  
Carla is studying with them too.  They are all growing in their faith with 
each class, this includes Carla.

I can't tell you how much we all love and appreciate you folks.  You have 
blessed us and supported us in so many ways.  It continues to be a great 
privilege for us to work with you in this amazing place.  It is our prayer 
that you and your families will have a wonderful Christmas celebrating the 
birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  We also pray that the coming new 
year will be the best year ever for you and your family spiritually.  I am 
excited to see what God plans to do through us all next year.  We give Him 
all the glory and praise.

With love and appreciation,

Chuck and Carla