The Sullivan Family 

Missionaries to Ukraine

November 2004

Dear Friends,

Ukrainian and American politics has been a hot topic of conversation among our friends here in Kiev.  Presidential elections were held here at the end of October, and were conducted peacefully.  Amid talks of "revolution" and "war", with soldiers, tanks and policemen surrounding all of the precincts, most of the people behaved themselves and the results were a runoff between two pretty extreme choices.  Pray that God will maintain order in the next phase of the election to be held on November 21st.  The "lesser of the two evils" is how we advised our Ukrainian friends to vote.  Ukraine seems to be stabilizing while Russia and Belarus revert back to a harsher stance against missionary and church activity.  We are in a unique position of opportunity right now in Ukraine.

Speaking of stability, our landlord has agreed (with another rent increase) to let us stay in our house until the end of our original lease - 2007.  We have no real legal recourse here, so negotiation and compromise are our only option.  Housing in Kiev is very expensive and is rising.  Hopefully, this agreement will give us the time we need to find financing to purchase land and build our own place.  We feel this is the only way we will be able to afford to stay in Kiev for a long period of time.  Renting, very soon, will no longer be a viable option for us. Please pray for God's direction in this matter.

Shawn was able to visit a special orphanage in Komarovka last month, about three hours drive from Kiev.  The facilities are in very bad condition; the children have no indoor toilets or showers and the 150+ children must share one outhouse, 200 yards from the dormitory, and bathe in the four sinks inside.  Most of these orphans have no underwear, socks, or winter shoes and their coats are practically useless rags. The heat in this facility barely warms the radiators, so everyone studies and sleeps wearing their outdoor clothing to stay warm.  We have developed a good relationship with the director and staff of this facility and our hearts are broken to help these children.  The necessary   repairs to the facilities are very expensive, but we are trying to help them anyway we can.  Please pray that God would intervene on behalf of these children ....... winter is fast approaching.  Visit the website www.orphans-ukraine.narod.ru to find out more information about this orphanage. 

As we look to the end of this year, we are both excited and burdened about our first furlough.  Invitations to present the work in Ukraine are already being penciled into our schedule, preliminary planning has already begun and yet our hearts and energies are still focused on the task here on the field.  Pray that the preparations for transition will go smoothly and that the work here will be solidified.  We ask that you all join us in a season of prayer for the tremendous opportunities presenting themselves here in Ukraine and for the serious needs of those around us.  We want to make a difference, to see God glorified and to see lives changed for eternity.  Pray with us as you continue to partner with us.  Thank you for your faithfulness!

In Christ, 

Shawn, Amy, Cody and Kayla