Prayers from the least of these.

Today in church, just our seventh service, we asked for prayer requests and then had a time of open prayer. Two of our children-at-risk, one 9 years old, had the same prayer, "Help mom not to drink and to get up tomorrow to go to work". The nine year old then listed several other names of relatives asking that they not get drunk. Life is tough at nine when you are the one responsible for your mother's work attendance. This particular nine year old lives with 6 other brothers and sisters, grandmother and her mother, all in an one room apartment with about 140 square feet. Bathroom is down the hall with water from a pump on the street since the inside water was cut off long ago. Puts my own prayer life into perspective.

Life Needs.

Pray for Ivan S., one of our street youth who was slashed in a knife fight and is on the lam from the police since he violated his probation. He was in church today. We got him to an emergency room to get stitched up. He has a lot of potential, but his street life weighs him down. I will be in Moscow for the next few days in a Cabinet meeting, which is a meeting of district superintendents with the bishop. Pray for that as well!

Conferences and More.

The European General Conference Delegate Consultation in Kiev came off well with surprisingly few unexpected events. One delegate was delayed at the airport 9 hours and there were a few illnesses, but most of the delegates from 14 countries and 5 bishops came in on time, without delays, lost luggage, hale and hearty. We were also worried if the meeting would fit into the main room of our St. Luke's street children center, but with some creative arrangements of the tables, they all squeezed in. The delegate conference was the first test of our new center to host an event, but with work, organization and help from the kids, I think we passed.


The first night was at the conference room of the Kozatsky hotel where the delegates stayed, with the praise team from Istochnik UMC showing off Ukrainian talent.



Istochnik Praise team.


Tight fit, but cozy fellowship for the plenary session at St. Luke's Children Center.


The kids helped to keep the kitchen on time serving lunch.


Worship and Communion at St. Luke's with participation from our kids.


A Happy Norwegian Superintendent!