Hamm's Headings - May-June 2006
Changes
The past two months have seen a lot of endings and beginnings in our life. Sonia graduated from high school and began new studies in jewellery design; Lena completed a five-month hairdressing course; Nina spent several weeks in the hospital for high blood pressure and an indeterminate heart condition; and I have begun the process of transitioning out of day-to-day CCI/Russia work.With all the changes in our lives we take comfort in the fact that God is preparing the way ahead of us: “The LORD will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.” Psalm 85:12-14 (NIV)
As you will read on page four, our financial support level has also changed in recent months. If you can help take the place of supporters who are no longer able to help, please contact Jake & Elsie Hamm at (204) 857-3802 or visit www.krhamm.com/support for more information. Thanks to all who support us with prayers, encouragement and material assistance!
Keep in touch!
Hamm’s Headings is primarily a bi-monthly summary of Hamm Prayer Points.Every Monday a new Hamm Prayer Points is sent by email. If you would like to receive our weekly updates, filled with news, trivia, praise reports & prayer requests, send an email to hpp-subscribe@myinjesus.com and we'll be happy to sign you up!
If you have any questions about our mailings (or wish to stop receiving some or all of them), please contact us directly at kevin-at-krhamm-dot-com.
Nina's Health: In Brief
Lena's mother Nina has had a hard past two months. After babysitting during our absence in Uzbekistan, Nina has been admitted to hospital twice for extended stays and tests. With an uncertain diagnosis, she is on expensive medications awaiting possible surgery.May: Ministry Travel and Hospital Visits
Staff Training in Tashkent. For the second year in a row Lena, Maya & I travelled to Uzbekistan to train camping leaders. From May 4th to 9th we joined 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. We were thrilled to have been a part of God's work in Central Asia! Please view our pictures at www.flickr.com/photos/krhamm/sets/72157594152329586.
Nina's Heart. Two days after we returned from Uzbekistan, Nina was at the medical clinic for tests when her doctor asked her to go to the hospital for further care. Upon her arrival she was told that she was close to having a heart attack. From May 12-26 Nina remained in hospital as doctors made little progress in diagnosing her condition. During Nina's stay Lena made journeys to the hospital to bring food and supplies. Nina was released on the 26th and put on heavy medication, the monthly cost of which is twice her monthly pension, and was told to meet with a doctor about the need for surgery. He told her that she clearly needed open-heart surgery (at the cost of 7000 USD) but there was a very good chance that the surgeons would refuse to operate because of her deteriorated state. This came as quite a shock to Nina, as the hospital had said nothing about this. We appealed for prayer and resolved to get another opinion. Upon meeting with a respected heart specialist Nina was told that instead of certainly needing open-heart surgery, she certainly does not! The specialist told her that in her case it is either going to be long-term medication or corrective surgery (a coronarography). We are very thankful that open-heart surgery appears to be unnecessary. As you can imagine, the ups and downs of the medical news have been quite unsettling, especially for Nina. Recently Nina received very encouraging news: a Canadian family gave 250 CAD to cover the cost of her June medications. What a wonderful blessing! Praise God for the blessing Nina has been to our family as a caregiver and helper. Without her regular help in the past three years we would have hardly been able to travel to teach at seminars and serve at camps. We are so thankful for our mother and babushka—our only family in Russia! Please keep her in your prayers.June: Endings and Beginnings
Staff Training. Praise God for the Christian Camp Leaders' Conference in Vladivostok. Seventy-five students and instructors took part in the 7-day course for senior camp leaders and pastors. Twenty-one camps were represented in our furthest-flung region—a wonderful answer to prayer! As well, we praise God for the successful completion of six Staff Training Workshops. Over 600 participants from 154 camps received hands-on training for summer camp ministry. Our staff covered territory from Riga in the north to Tashkent in the south and from Minsk in the west to Vladivostok in the east (tens of thousands of kilometres on plane and train) to help lead these vital training events. Praise God for His mercy & grace!!!Coming to Canada. We had been wondering why there had been so many delays in our move to Canada...perhaps now we know one of the reasons: As my mother pointed out the other day, God knew that Nina would need us here this summer! Very true, we believe. Nina returned to the hospital in mid-June for almost two weeks, but was released in time for us to travel to Finland in early July as a family (more on that in the next issue).
Sonia Speaks!
Hi! I think it's time I wrote a few words about my life. School is finally over: it's funny to think about how just a month ago I was sitting in my room preparing for upcoming exams! Thankfully everything went well; I got high marks for all my exams. Thank you for praying for me during that time! The graduation party was a special time with my friends and teachers.
And right after my grad I started attending the School of Jewellery Arts and I have to admit that I felt like an alien on a distant planet for quite some time. I mean, I've never melted silver, I've never used a fretsaw or, as a matter of fact, broken so many of them in one day. But I've learned that this kind of “labour” can be very rewarding when you get results from your work, such as the ring I just finished making (I designed it myself). So I think that my future job will be connected with jewellery-making.I am looking forward to my next year in Canada. I miss my family and friends there, though I know that time will pass quickly. Thank you for remembering me in your prayers. Please continue to pray for me as I study, because the work load is immense. Looking forward to seeing you in Canada!
– Sonia
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 frequently!
...that as part of the "Last Bell", the official end-of-year ceremony at school, Grade 11 students are given a tiny bell pinned to a sash to wear?
...that there is a saying in Russia, "God loves (the) trinity". This is often quoted when drinking as an excuse to have a third round! As well, this why Russians traditionally greet one another with three kisses! One more "three": when you say something that you want to happen, you should spit three times over your shoulder!
For a weekly dose of Russian trivia, be sure to subscribe to Hamm Prayer Points!
Upcoming Ministry & Family Events
August
9 – Kevin's Birthday14-17 or 17-20 – Living Grace Youth Camp (Kevin directing)
25-27 – Sport Seminar in Helsinki, Finland (Kevin teaching)
September
27 – Maya's 6th Birthdayflickr= Photos
View hundreds of photos of our family, ministry and travel at www.flickr.com/photos/krhamm and at www.flickr.com/photos/soniqueBlessed!
Dear Jake & Elsie Hamm,Daffodil season is over and so I have completed another season of selling daffodils at the road in aid of Kevin and Lena. Also I grew a good amount of vegetables etc. and made a lot of jam most of which I give to the Food Bank or charity but I did sell some last year and so am able to send a little extra money this year. I've had 2 years struggling with Fibromyalgia - however I am feeling quite a bit better now and I hope it is passed. As long as I can stay in this place I will try to carry on with this little help. In Jesus,
[name withheld to protect privacy]
Over the past six years our family has been blessed with an incredible group of supporters. We are so grateful for people who give of their time, money and material blessings to support our family. From growing daffodils to crocheting tablecloths to care packages to monthly donors there is no end to the ways God's people have been caring for us.
As time passes, however, circumstances change and people have to make adjustments, often with age. Over the past few months three of our regular supporters have had to end their support for such reasons. As we have told you before, we have never reached full pledged support and with the loss of this support we are falling further behind.
Lord willing, we will continue in our ministry with MBMSI and CCI/Russia for the foreseeable future. In order to continue in this work, our family needs more regular support. Ten dollars, twenty or whatever you can donate per month would be a tremendous help. Thank you for your prayerful consideration, and thanks to all who regularly give!
– Kevin, Lena, Sonia, Maya & Deena
Hamm's Headings
- A newsletter from Kevin & Lena Hamm, missionaries with MBMS International, serving with CCI/Russia in St. Petersburg.
- 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.
- The print version of this newsletter was created using Scribus, a free desktop publishing program available at www.scribus.net.
- We welcome your comments and questions.
- This newsletter is online at www.krhamm.com/current.
- View current and past issues at http://hammsheadings.blogspot.com.
- Subscription preferences can be changed and online issues viewed at http://hh.injesus.com.
- Vital links: the CCI/Russia site at www.ccirussia.org/en and the MBMSI site at www.mbmission.org
posted by Kevin R. Hamm | 11:19
|
0 comments
