34%

+ 1%

65%

Monthly Support

+ 1%  Change

34%  Raised

65%  Deficit

A wise Russian proverb reads: "rigor in training - ease in battle fray." I always enjoyed a good challenge in training, but I never realized that training and preparation can involve so much more than study. The sterile laboratory of a student's mind is quickly messed up by the whirlwind of messy life circumstances.

This past month was full of surprises and challenges. The great news is that Maria's visa to the USA finally passed the first stage of approval, which means I am going to go get her soon. As usual, there are complications with paperwork that will make the next two months even more stressful. I will fly to Ukraine to help her get through the interview at the embassy, and we hope to be married within a few months from now.

The biggest challenge of the month is the hair-pulling anxiety of waiting, especially in the last couple of weeks. We've been engaged for almost a year now. I've always advised my friends to get married within three months of engagement. Now, Maria and myself feel the gnawing embitterment of the emotional burden from the great distance between us racked by the overwhelming desire to be together.

Meanwhile, things are moving along. Maria traveled to Kiev to participate in a ministry conference. She is now studying the core missionary curriculum that I've been punching hard for the past few months. I am finishing the last of the reading this week. She is also wrapping up basic evangelism and discipleship training, and I finished formal discipleship process with two of my friends. I am also putting the final touches on my first book that will be published next month titled "Divine Energy in Orthodox Liturgy."

Thank you for all your support and encouragement. Right now we have a lot of sensitive private prayer requests. Please respond to this letter if you would like to be notified regarding the most pressing concerns among those and support us in prayer (we disclose that information in a separate more confidential letter). Thank you so much for being such a great spiritual family to us! Dima and Maria