Dear Praying Friends,

Growth, Change, Commitment, Opposition!  When people decide to find & follow God, things happen! 

Our small church took a major step this past week, voting to formally organize and register with the authorities.  The next few weeks will involve a crucial decision process regarding a pastor and his support, our registration location, membership requirements, etc.  Please pray that the right decisions will be made and that God will receive the glory.  Our church is growing each week - the house where we meet is full every Sunday and interest in our Wednesday Bible study is increasing.  The leadership is weekly implementing Biblical principles as we study and grow together.  Evangelistic community presentations were performed over the Christmas/New Year holidays in six different villages and local pastors are following up with those who made decisions. Pray that God would give His Word free course as we continue to work in these areas.

Our main problem is “space”.  We desperately need more room and have been praying for God’s guidance.  Recently, a local government official proposed the purchase of a 2200 sq. ft. office building, with a large meeting hall and room for expansion, in a prime location on the west side of Kiev, where we are meeting now.  This is probably the fastest growing  region in all of Ukraine, with more people, businesses and problems arriving every day.  Our opportunity to make a difference right now is phenomenal and our time is short.  Pray that God will prove Himself powerful and work in a mighty way to provide the facilities we need for this group to reach their community for Him. 

We also ask for a special season of intense prayer in regards to two personal needs.  First, Shawn's mother’s husband, Alan Violette, passed away this week - he had been battling cancer for more than a year and the Lord finally took him home.  His mother has requested that we come to be with her, so we will be in Orlando from Feb. 25th through March 16th.  They are both strong believers with a precious testimony, pray that we will be able to spend some quality time with her and be a comfort during this difficult time. 

Secondly, pray about our housing situation.  Our landlord is increasing the pressure for us to leave.  Although we do have a legal rental contract, he is a wealthy and powerful man in Kiev and to oppose him may not be wise.  We feel some concern for the safety and stability of our family.  This is our third address already on our first term and it has been difficult to feel settled and fully concentrate on our ministry here.  The only way to avoid this situation from happening over and over again is for us to purchase our own house.  To get a mortgage loan here is almost impossible and the banks in America want local collateral.  We are praying that God will provide a private lender or businessman that would like to make an investment in the form of a private mortgage for us.  We have done all that we know to do, we are just waiting for God to show us the next step.  Whatever happens, we know it will be a miracle, no other options exist and we know He wants us here for the long term.

Thank you for all of your faithfulness and care for us.  You are loved, appreciated and missed! 

In Christ,
Shawn, Amy, Cody and Kayla Sullivan