Hamm's Headings - August-December 2005
Playground of Dreams...Come True!
After three years of praying, dreaming and giving, the St. Petersburg Playground Project became a reality in September 2005.
The playground is being heavily used by families, and many have made positive comments to Lena (first expressing surprise that the city finally did something right, then expressing shock when told that the playground is a gift from Canadian & U.S. believers!!!).Lena is also taking advantage of the new play area by organizing games for area children.A complete chronology of the project (with pictures) can be viewed at www.krhamm.com/playground.
Staying in touch
Hamm’s Headings is a bi-monthly (although as of late biennial!) summary of our weekly newsletter, Hamm Prayer Points.For weekly updates from our life & ministry in St. Petersburg, we encourage you to subscribe to Prayer Points, sent every Monday via email.
If you have any questions about our mailings (or wish to stop receiving some or all of them), contact us and we’ll be happy to oblige.
Coming To Canada
MBMSI has given their blessing for us to come to Canada as a family for an extended period of time. We plan to leave St. Petersburg for Manitoba in June 2006. Our main reasons for this move is so that I can complete the sponsorship of Lena & Sonia for Canadian residency. The process is in motion, and we hope to hear from Immigration Canada by February. With Sonia reaching the end of high school in June, and with plans being made to study in Canada, the timing is ideal for her.Next fall Maya will also be ready to attend school (of a different kind). Deena, of course, has never been to Canada, but like her middle sister has the blessing of dual citizenship.
During this time I will continue in my role as IT Manager for CCI/Russia, assisting with computer work, technical editing, writing and web site work, all via the internet.There are many details to work out along the way, but the process of coming to Canada for at two years has begun. We covet your prayers and suggestions (see following) for this major family transition.
Because 99% of what we own is here in Russia, coming to Canada for at least two years will require a great deal of help!Please join with in in praying for the following major needs:
- Our most urgent need is for a home in Canada, preferably in the Winnipeg area. We plan to arrive in late June, so finding a semi-permanent home by September is desired. What kind of home? Well, certainly one with room for five (possibly six if Nina comes for part of the time)! We would be happy to house-sit for a time, but our goal would be to eventually find a more permanent place we could call home in Canada.
- We will also need to obtain a vehicle of some kind; again, something suitable for transporting a large family!
August: Living Grace Youth Camp
Forty-four youth & staff had a wonderful camp this past August (15-18). Maya accompanied me to camp (our first trip together), making her week a real adventure and mine a lot busier! Thankfully our new youth pastor came with his two boys so Maya was in great company.It was week of cool weather, but hot fellowship between the youth and our staff and pastors. Just prior to the camp our church had hired a new youth pastor, and this was a great time of getting acquainted and bonding. I was pleased to be able to run the program for the third year, and even more pleased to see the deep commitment in our youth--what a thirst for God! Every night a large group stayed after the evening service to ask questions, seeking a deeper understanding of God and His plan for their lives.
Thank you for prayerfully upholding our church!September: Playground Completion & More
On September 17 the crew assembled the last of the playground equipment, bringing to a successful completion the three-month construction project. While Maya & Deena were happily testing the new play structures Lena was being blessed by grateful parents and neighbours.From the 21st to 27th, CCI/Russia sponsored a Campcrafts and Tent Camping Seminar in Gomel, Belarus. The local leadership in Belarus has gone through numerous struggles over the past few years, so successfully running this seminar was a huge boost for them and the region.
On the 27th, Maya celebrated her 5th birthday.October/November: Training & Preparation for Training
In our 12th year of training programs, CCI/Russia launched a new initiative on October 15 with the Camp Directors' Institute (CDI). Twenty-two camp directors and staff took part in the inaugural seven-day session.
During my time at CDI (on October 22nd), Deena celebrated her 2nd birthday.Immediately following the CDI, the Christian Camping Leaders Conference Committee met for three days to plan.
Currently our staff are very busy preparing & distributing materials pertaining to the winter conference. This is our biggest training event of the year and everyone at the office is involved.
Lena’s Hair Care
Having successfully completed two hair-dressing courses, Lena is seeking out every opportunity to practice her new craft. Lena has been providing free hair cuts to local seniors, friends and even Sonia's classmates. Recently Lena's "hair care" ministry expanded greatly when Vera Z., director of "Rainbow of Hope", invited Lena to come to the centre to give free haircuts to "their kids".The Rainbow of Hope Centre is a street ministry that works with families in crisis and with maladjusted children and their families. We have been friends with Vera and her husband Sasha for many years, but this was the first time one of us has had the opportunity to work at the Centre.
Lena spent an entire day cutting hair, all the while sharing God's love. She had meaningful talks with each of her "clients", including 15-year-old Katya (pictured). Katya has been with Vera & the Centre for the past four years. Since Katya was 10 years old she has been living with a man who is not her relative. She still sees her father, but does not live with him.Please remember Vera & her staff in their ministry and of course kids such as Katya.
Did you know...
...that handmade twig "brooms" are still commonly used in Russia? This picture of the inside of a St. Petersburg streetcar ("tram") could easily have been taken in 1960! (The bottle of water in the background is used to wet the floor before sweeping.)For a weekly dose of Russian trivia, be sure to subscribe to Hamm Prayer Points!
In Other News...
—From Sept. 3-12, my cousin Vitaly and friend Georg camefrom Germany for a visit...—During this same time we hosted a pastor couple from Texas at Nina's apartment...
—Lena completed two hairdressing courses this past summer/autumn. She is now offering free haircuts to local seniors and volunteering her time at a local Christian street kids ministry.—Nina recently began English language lessons. Two times a week she travels downtown to receive instruction in English.
Upcoming Events
December 2005
- 25—Christmas Day
- 31—New Year's Eve (traditional gift-giving day here)
January 2006
- 1 & 2—New Year's Days in Russia
- 7—Orthodox Christmas Day
- 9—School resumes for Sonia
- 14—Orthodox New Year's Day
- 29—Christian Camping Leaders Conference begins (until February 3)
In Closing
The darkness of St. Petersburg winters is upon us (we'll soon be down to six hours of daylight), but our home is filled with light.
Thank you for providing our family with prayer and financial support. Your encouragement by way of gifts, calls and written words fills us with joy and helps us to minister to many others here in Russia.May God richly bless you as we celebrate the Birth of our Saviour!
— Kevin, Lena, Sonia, Maya & DeenaStuff At The End
- Hamm’s Headings is written by Kevin Hamm except where noted. The material contained herein is personal, and is not necessarily reflective of MBMSI or CCI/Russia. We welcome your comments and questions.
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- This newsletter is online: visit www.krhamm.com/current for our latest newsletters and back issues
- For info and photos from our life and ministry, please visit www.krhamm.com
- We need your support! For a number of great ways that you can get involved, visit www.krhamm.com/support
- Vital links: the CCI/Russia site at www.ccirussia.org/en and the MBMSI site at www.mbmission.org
posted by Kevin R. Hamm | 22:08
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