It is so great to see the ground floor of the church finally in use for the Lord’s service. After 100 years, the church is finally ministering in this space. However, it’s a MESS! Not only has it been neglected all these years, but it had to be used to store building materials for the fa?ade repairs this fall!

Nonetheless, church members have cleaned out some areas: church nursery, SS room, and activity room for youth (ping-pong!!) and WIC!!! The plans are to put church offices and library down there, too. But that will take some money!  [MTW Project: #95990 UKR - Odessa Church Building]

See pictures:  http://clayq.smugmug.com/Church/Ground-Floor/9871455_BHEiQ#671899137_rsFxy

After 10 years, the church fa?ade needed some attention, so the scaffolding went back up this summer. The work is nearly complete, and the scaffolding is mostly down. We had hoped to install lighting, but there weren't enough funds to show off this beauty and attract attention at night.

Vova, the leader of the youth group, is going off to the Army this month. Please pray for new leadership and the transition, since the youth group has been growing and very active in ministry, including orphanage and hospital visitation ministry, puppets, music, and drama.

Presbytery was held this fall in Kherson (near Crimea). It was exciting to meet and worship in the new church building there!! We dealt with significant issues in the life of the young churches, and it was good to see the Ukrainian leadership handling its own issues. But Clay was assigned to six committees! He also had to travel to Izmail with a commission this month. PTL for this fellowship of churches, and pray the Lord will strengthen and grow them further as a mature church.