The news you've long awaited -- the court battle is over! Odessa church elder Dinis Dudkin told me that the legal process and appeals are now over, and... WE WON! We now have the full legal right to evict the squatters occupying the ground floor of the Odessa Presbyterian church building!

The elders are still waiting a bit, working with the Actors once again to help find them a home before we actually throw them out. We're trying to be nice, in spite of all they've done. So, we must still see them get OUT and see some repairs made before we can actually use it.

But please spread the news -- that God may receive the glory for this 10-year process!

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Published: 05 September 2009

Odessa News Jan09

• We enjoyed many many Christmas parties, but among them was the very first meeting of all the counselors of the Family Counseling Center and their families. We enjoyed a nice meal and... Bowling!! It was a hoot! Nobody had ever seen a lane or a ball before, and everyone wanted to throw at once! It was so fun to see these servants of Christ -- the hope for many in this city! 
• We enjoyed special concerts, too -- Larry Roff introduced the new organ in Belgorod-Dnestrovsky church -- a FIRST for that city of 50,000. It already drew in people who had never been in the building before! Now, they're hearing the Gospel!
• A marvellous choir also came from 10th Pres in Philadelphia to sing in B-D and Odessa. Wow!!
• [see PICTURES of all this at www.clayq.smugmug.com !!]

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Published: 17 January 2009

Clay and Darlene have finished MOVING to an apartment near the church. We’ve already had some meetings there, and it will also be very convenient to our counseling center, which is just across the street! Our dog and cat, Wookie and Shades, are now living out at the “dacha” in the country, and our neighbor is caring for them.

Assistant Pastor Valera Zadorozhny of Odessa church is assisting the seminary this week in Kyiv. We are glad to see him participating, since he’s preparing to teach by studying in an advanced degree program in Russia.

Clay visited our north Odessa church plant a few weeks ago, and rejoiced at their unity and care. He helped examine one girl who will be joining the church this Sunday! Clay goes back there to preach the following week.

Clay also visited the Belgorod-Dnestrovsky church 2 weeks ago, being present on the Commission as they elected 3 men to be elders! He will return this Sunday for the official Organization of the church as a “particular church” and for the pastor’s official installation! This is a great celebration of the Lord’s blessing on many years of work in this town of 50,000 just an hour south of Odessa. 

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Published: 01 June 2009

Well, we didn't get much rest from our travels in December! No sooner had God closed the door to Russian than he called us to Virginia -- Darlene's mother was passing away. We got home in time to see her before she went, and Clay helped perform the funeral. Our sons also came from Mississippi and Seattle, along with our daughter-in-law and granddaughter Kendra! So, it was a good time with family. Once we got back, though, we were very involved in the church -- counseling leaders, helping prepare for Christmas, work for Presbytery committees, and a seminary tutorial in Kyiv.

The Russia conference went on without us, and God worked even through all our personal confusion so that 3 pastors went from Ukraine and made good connections with our brothers in Russia. Pray for unity there, and for doors to stay open for ministry in an increasingly difficult place. It is thrilling, though, to see national Reformed pastors in Ukraine and Russia carrying on the vision for missions!

This month, after 12 years together, we are closing our Odessa office, which has led to much confusion. Some people think we are LEAVING! That is not the case. Since the CHURCH has taken over many ministries, we continue to work with and through them, so that we no longer need such a large staff. There is now an organized church, a national presbytery, a publishing house, a counseling center, etc. -- so we work with THEM to do the work! Several people are now taking up jobs within those organizations. But praise God with us for all the years we've enjoyed together, and for all the Lord has done through us and in us.

The church was making a major decision this month, as well -- deciding about "the Ark" drug rehab ministry center, which has been closed for the past year. It was wonderful to see the zeal among the church members for the needs of others. Pray for them as they continue to decide what to do, but yesterday they decided NOT TO SELL the property, in order to continue to seek the Lord's will.

The Christmas Season is full. We just had a Choir come from Philadelphia yesterday, and Larry Roff will be giving organ concerts this week! We have an entire cycle of concerts going for the next 2 weeks, and yesterday's concert was packed. So it is a full season. Thanks for your prayers -- there are challenges, but we are encouraged.

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Published: 29 December 2008