This week's prayer requests

The container shipped to Ukraine has still not been released. The port is apparently contacting our Canadian shipper demanding storage fees, when in fact it is illegal for them to charge such fees. Please continue to pray that this is resolved soon and that the container is released without additional charges.

• The Mercy Team to Kiev, to be led by Marilyn is now just over a month away. Please pray for the team members as they prepare to go and visit Mercy Ministry clients.

• Pray for MPI's staff and Board as they as they work on plans for the ministry's future.
  

This week's prayer requests

Our container in Kiev is still being held because the port is demanding storage charges. However, we have just learned there is a new law that prevents such charges for containers of humanitarian aid. Svetlana, who is clearing the container for Christian Hope Church is confident we will get the container without additional funds. Please continue to pray to that end.

• Fund-raising efforts are underway for the next container, to be shipped to New Life Drug Rehab Centre, St. Petersburg. Please pray that enough funds are raised that we can ship by the summer. The warehouse is filling up!

• Children's Hope Orphanage, Kiev, is undergoing a major structural re-organization (both physically and administratively), due to government regulations. This is good, but expensive. Please pray for those involved and that funds become available to complete required renovations before fall.
  

This week's prayer requests

Doug and his wife Gloria returned early this week from the Leadership Conference Team in Crimea. Ron and Heather return at week's end. Pray for their safe return and that the team's teaching and fellowship will have lasting impact.

• The recent container is in Kiev and is due to be released shortly. Pray that all goes well and that the contents are distributed to just the right people who need each item.

• In Crimea, Doug and Gloria visited two small drug rehab houses. Alcoholism and addiction are major problems. Most of the leaders of local churches and those leading the rehab ministries are themselves recovered addicts. Give thanks to God for his saving grace and pray for these vital ministries.

This Week's Prayer Requests

From Marilyn...

While Doug is in Ukraine for the Leadership conference, he has asked me to monitor the blog. Thank you for your prayers.

Pray for Doug and Gloria, Ron and Heather and David Distaulo as they are in Ukraine and travelling to Saki for the Leadership conference. Pray that their words would be annointed to encourage the many pastors in attendance. Pray also for Andrei Shander and Andrei Shaitar as they translate for the team.

Pray for operations at the Canadian office as we run short staffed during this time.

Pray for the summer camps coming up for the Together Camping Ministry in Minsk, Belarus. Many children want to go to camp this summer and have a life changing experience with Jesus there. Pray for sponsorship for the children who cannot afford to go.

This week's prayer requests

This week, Ron, Heather and Doug, along with Pastor David DiStaulo and Doug's wife, Gloria leave for the Leadership Conference to be held in Saki, Crimea. Please pray for safe travel, health and a great conference!

• April and May are our Food Campaign months. With the newsletter just out, we are already receiving a good response. Since the campaign's success determines if we can meet our commitments to help feed the kids at Children's Hope Orphanage and provide food subsidies to Mercy Ministry recipients, please pray for the Campaign's success.

• Efforts to secure funds for our next container, hopefully to be shipped mid-year, are now underway. Pray for the provision of those funds - about $5000 to send about a quarter million dollars worth of aid to New Life Drug Rehab Centre in St. Petersburg, Russia.
  

This week's prayer requests

Continue to pray for the container we shipped to Christian Hope Church in Kiev in February. It should have arrived and cleared customs, but we have not heard any news of it. Pray that its contents are quickly distributed to just the people who need it most.

• It is less than 2 weeks to the Leadership Conference for the Ukraine Missionary Union pastors and workers, to be held in Saky, Crimea. Please pray for all those planning to attend, that plans would all work out and that the conference will be a great blessing.

• Our newest quarterly video has just been released (you can see it from our video page). It features Together Camping Ministry with which Andrei Shaitar works. Camping season is fast approaching. Please pray for the Camp Committee as they prepare for the summer and that we will be able to provide funds to sponsor kids who otherwise could not go to camp this summer.
  

This week's prayer requests

Our most recent container should have arrived in Kiev, so our people are looking for it! Please pray that it would clear customs quickly, not incur any additonal charges and that its contents would be distributed to just the right people.

• The annual Leadership Team is less than 3 weeks away. Pray for the team as it prepares material to share with approximately 120 pastors and leaders from all over Ukraine.

• Thanks for praying for finances this winter. There has been some improvement, but it is difficult to catch up. We are especially grateful to those who have responded with an extra gift. Of course, we appreciate those who pray, so, don't give up!
  

This week's prayer requests

Please pray for Marilyn, who is off sick. Her husband had the flu for well over a week, and now it seems she has it.

• We have not received word about our latest container, but it should be in Kiev proceeding through clearance. Please pray that all goes well and that it does not incur extra storage charges.

• Wayde is working on plans for the next container, intended for New Life Drug Rehab Centre near St. Petersburg. We are also working on raising funds to pay for its shipping. One former team member to the Centre has agreed to raise some funds, and we are asking others to do the same. Please pray that we will have the necessary funds and the container can be shipped some time around mid-year.
  

This week's prayer requests

As noted in the past couple of weeks, finances this winter have been unusally low. Other charities and churches are also reporting this. This week we are seeing some improvement and we are working to address the issue. Please pray that God supplies.

• Wayde and Marilyn had some great conversations with some people at last week's MissionFest Toronto. In spite of the weather, there were some very keen folk there to learn about missions. Pray that God would use their words to change lives - and the world!

• Marilyn's husband, Shaun, has been suffering with flu for more than a week. Ron has also had it for several days. Please pray for their recovery.

This week's prayer requests

For some reason, perhaps uncertainty regarding the strength of the economy, many charities are experiencing a decline in income this winter. Please pray that God's people realize their security is in God, and that the causes they care for need steady income.

• Lydia, the accountant at Christian Hope Church in Kiev, has pneumonia. Lydia is one of the three key leaders of all the church's ministries and handles a lot of MPI business as well. Please pray for her recovery.

• The container we shipped to Kiev just a month ago is due to arrive at its destination any time now. Please pray for its quick clearance so that it does not incur extra storage charges and so that its contents can quickly get into the hands of people who need it.
  

This week's prayer requests

Plans are going forward for this year's leadership seminar to be held in Crimea in mid-April. MPI facilitates this conference for about 120 pastors, workers and spouses and take a Canadian pastor or two along. Please pray for everything to fit together and for an effective conference.

• Continue to pray for our containers - one on the ocean and one in the final process of clearing customs in Ukraine.

• Please continue to pray for MPI's finances over these winter months.
  

This week's prayer requests

This week Ron and Heather head to Florida for a few days in the sun, to visit friends and contacts and to preach in a church or two. Please pray for safe journeys, a good rest and successful ministry.

• Please continue to pray for the infant daughter of Chad, the interim director of Children's Hope Orphanage in Kiev, who is continuing to recover from heart surgery. Chad has returned to Kiev, leaving his family in the USA for now.

• Anya, who assists Dr. Irina with the Mercy Ministry in Kiev has suffered a stoke. Please pray for her recovery.
  

This week's prayer requests

The Russian presidental election takes place next month. It appears that President Putin's choice as his successor is almost certain of election, and if so, then Putin has agreed to serve as Prime Minister. This consolidation of power is of great concern to the world at large. Pray for this situation and for the Christians in Russia.

• The infant daughter of the American interim director of Children's Hope Orphanage in Kiev had heart surgery last week. Pray for this family and the baby's recovery.

• Please continue to pray for MPI's finances over these winter months.

This week's prayer requests

Please continue to pray for the container we shipped last week to Kiev - that it would arrive safely and clear customs without difficulty.

• Pray for Shaheeda and her family in Kyrgyzstan, featured in our newsletter some time ago. Her invalid father, has passed away, leaving her as an orphan.

• The winter is very cold in Kyrgyzstan so pray that our mercy workers are able help those who would suffer and perhaps die without intervention.
  

This week's prayer requests

It's container time again! The container we sent in November has been delayed at the port in Ukraine over paperwork from the consignee (ie. the church that is receiving it). Please pray for a quick resolution, as each day of delay costs an escalating amount of money.

• We are also sending a container to Kiev this week, so pray for its speedy journey.
• Wayde and Doug are heading to MissionFest Manitoba this weekend. Pray for safe journeys and that they connect with people.

This week's prayer requests

Tomorrow, January 23 is MPI's annual day of prayer and fasting. We appreciate all those who pray for us daily. It is a humbling experience to know that people care enough to pray! The 2008 Prayer Book is just being released. If you would like one, call Marilyn, 1-877-551-5525 or email mpiinfo@missionpartners.org. We also send out daily prayer reminders. If you would like to receive these, please send an email to Wayde at aid@missionpartners.org.

Here is the basic list of items to pray for:

• MPI's Overseas Partners - Christian Hope Church (Pastor Valery), Children's Hope Orphanage, New Life Drug Rehab Centre (Sergei), Sasha & the Prison Ministry, Kiev Mercy Ministry (Dr. Irene), Krygyzstan Mercy Ministry (Andrades), Together Camping Ministry in Minsk (Andrei Shaitar), Evangelist Paul Sobol, Tanya & Home based orphanage association in Dneperpetrovsk.
• MPI's Canadian staff - Ron & Heather, Marilyn, Wayde, Doug & MPI's Board for direction.
• Ron's health
• Andrei Shander (MPI overseas coordinator) and his family in Kiev
• MPI volunteers (we couldn't be as effective without them)
• MPI Teams - to Kiev, Crimea, St. Petersburg, and travel - both overseas and domestic
• Fund-raising - that God would supply MPI's needs to meet all its obligations
• Humanitarian Aid & Shipping - especially funds to ship and that each piece of aid would get to just the right person who needs it.

Thanks for praying!

This week's prayer requests

Plans are moving forward nicely to ship our next container at the end of this month. Pray for plans to keep moving forward and for sufficient funds to pay for shipping and the rest of MPI's budget.

• As Ron and Doug work on plans for relationships with new churches, as well as strengthening existing relationships, please pray for wisdom and direction.


• Andrei Shander, MPI's overseas coordinator has been in Minsk finalizing arrangements for his new vehicle (that's a praise report!) and is returning back to Kiev shortly. Pray for safe travel and that this vehicle will be protected and be a great blessing to his family and the ministry.

This week's prayer requests

Please pray for the church plant in Crimea that MPI is helping to facilitate. They have faced serious spiritual warfare, have had to seriously re-consider their approach and the Canadian church providing sponorship is working through the issues.

• Please pray that God would supply MPI's needs this month, as there is usually a fall-off in donations as people recover from Christmas spending.
• This month's newsletter announced 2008 short-term teams (to Kiev and St. Petersburg). Please pray that the people who should be on these teams will respond.
  

This week's prayer requests

Happy New Year!

After a short break for the holiday season, MPI and its blog are back at it for another exciting year. Here are some prayer requests to get us started in 2008.

• Praise God for a successful 2007, in which MPI pretty much achieved its goals for the year, including its operational budget plus an exceptional year of donated aid in the warehouse.
• Pray for the container shipped to Ukraine in November. It is scheduled for arrival at its final destination this week. Pray for quick clearance of customs and for those at Transfiguration Church who will disburse its contents.
• Pray for Ron, who has been suffering from bronchitis and a touch of pneumonia since his return to Canada in mid-December.

This week's prayer requests

Ron and Heather conclude their December ministry trip, returning home on Tuesday (18th). Pray for a safe return, lasting results from their trip and a quick recovery from jet lag so they can enjoy the Christmas season.

• Continue to pray for the government of Ukraine. Last week the president's nominee for prime minister was rejected by one vote in Parliament, with accusations that the voting machines were set to prevent a majority. After parliamentary elections in September, a new government still has not taken office.
• Christian Hope Church in Kiev rents a building from the city at very favourable rates because their orphange is based there. The mayor has indicated he would like to give them the building, although it is not clear he can do that. Pray for God's will and provision for the ministry base of this very active church.

This week's prayer requests

Ron & Heather's Christmas trip to Ukraine continues through this week. They will be traveling outside Kiev, to Dnieperpetrovsk and Krivoy Rog this week to meet with various partners. Pray for safety on the roads, strength for the travels and ministry and effectiveness in all they do.

• Pray for Andrei Shaitar in Belarus as he and the Together Camping ministry team prepare for their winter camp, scheduled for the last week of December. Pray that the plans all come together and that the kids that should be there all are able to go.
• With less than 3 weeks to the end of the year, please pray that MPI finishes the year with strong finances. We are on target to meet our annual budget. The winter months are always a bit slow in terms of income, so please pray that God would provide for that.
  

This week's prayer requests

Ron and Heather leave on Tuesday, Dec. 4 for 2 weeks in Ukraine. They will be meeting with many partners, concluding this year's business, planning for 2008 and encouraging many with Christmas fellowship. Please pray for their trip.

• This past Sunday was election day for the State Duma (national parliament). President Putin's party won an overwhelming majority, with the Communist Party a distant second. Pray that God's will is done in Russia.
• As winter settles in, the mercy ministry, carried out in Ukraine and Krygyzstan becomes even more important. Pray that the mercy workers would find those who especially need help during the cold months, and that there would be resources to assist them.
  

This week's prayer requests

• Results so far for MPI's annual Christmas blessing campaign have been good. Pray for a record response so that many Slavic pastors and workers may be blessed.
• Next week are parliamentary elections in Russia. President Putin is leading the party likely to win the most seats. Many observers think his intent is to keep the reigns of power even after he steps down as President early next year. Please pray for Russia!
• Our container was loaded on the ship late last week. It is scheduled to reach its destination in Ukraine in early January. Please pray for its safe progress and that its contents would be distributed to just the right people who need it.

This week's prayer requests

Pray for the success of MPI's annual Christmas blessing campaign so that many hundreds of pastors and workers will be blessed

Pray for the safe and timely delivery of our overseas coordinator & translator, Andrei Shander's new(er) van. It will be a big blessing to both his family and MPI's work.

Pray for the MPI staff as this week we begin to lay out plans for 2008

This week's prayer requests

Pray for the safe arrival of our container in Ukraine in early January

Pray for Wayde as he works this week to prepare the documents for the next container hopefully scheduled for early in 2008

Pray for a church team that is with Pastor Alexander in Belarus