Our Special Needs
Current Date and Time in Ulan Ude : 8/30/2008 @ 7:12
God is so faithful and continues to provide through the prayers and financial support of His children - and we are humbled by and grateful for the sacrifice of those partnering with us. Below is a list of projects people can contribute toward. If you are interested in helping to fund one of these projects, please print and fill out the form posted under the “contact info” section and mail it in to SEND International. If choosing not to use the form, please indicate specifically which account the donation is intended to be placed. Thank you for your love and desire to see lives changed in this part of the world.
Church Planters Fund - “Area S” - New Church Plant
Donations to this fund help provide partial funding of the Russian pastor’s salary through a matching program with the church (until there are enough members to carry the full burden of his salary). This fund also allows for special outreach programs etc in areas where there is not yet a local church to support it. Please let us know of any donations to this fund so we can track it properly.
We are praising God for having raised up $1700 for this summer's family camp which will be used for building relationships with and presenting seminars to people already attending or interested in the new church plant. Please pray for the camp July 1-5.
Ulan Ude Camp Fund - “Special Outdoors Ministries”
Some of the biggest problems facing the church in Russia - are alcoholism, drugs and the spiritual apathy of middle-aged men. The church has already been using the outdoors in summer camps to reach youth and children and plans to do the same with families this summer. But family camping falls short in regards to young men who have no families or are looking for more of an adventure. Extreme sports tourist companies are popping up all over and there is a lot of interest. But it is costly and few can actually participate. The church can use the same type of excursions to initiate and build relationships with those not yet interested in checking out more directly church-related opportunities. The goal is to offer opportunities to do winter hiking/trekking in and around the mountains surrounding Lake Baikal. One day in the mountains can be more meaningful than a year of getting together with someone one or two days each month and there is a lot of excitement around this project. Contributions should include a note: "Ulan-Ude Camp Fund - SPECIAL OUTDOORS MINISTRIES."
Vehicle, Garage, and Family Conference - Kerin Project Account
After two years of brutal driving and another year of weathering the harsh climate here in Siberia, our faithful van began having a number of problems. And given that we will be in the States from July-January 2007, we decided it was best to part ways with our vehicle before anything worse happened. As it was, there were about $2000 in repairs needing to be made. So we sold our vehicle and will be putting that money towards another vehicle we hope will last longer and be more dependable in making trips related to the outdoors ministry etc. In addition to a vehicle, we need to purchase a garage. Stayanka fees (guarded parking lots) have increaded dramatically and we are now paying $3/day to park our car (leaving one's vehicle on the street overnight is not an option unless you don't want to see it the next morning). To avoid throwing away $100/month in parking fees and to help with storage of the outdoors ministry gear and other items we have been given approval to purchase a garage. We are hoping to buy part of a two car garage and share it with another American but do not know if it will work out. Our leadership has approved the raising of funds for a vehicle ($8,000) and also for a garage (another $10,000). We trust the Lord will provide in these areas. If you'd like to partner with us through helping with the purchase of a vehicle or garage, you can send a donation and attach a note asking that it be directed to the "Kerin Project Account."
Special Thanks
A special BIG thanks to all who participated in gathering funds for tents used last year in summer camps. The English camp which had 43 students and another 35 leaders, workers and leaders was made possible ONLY because of the tents the team from HCC brought with them (which many of you helped purchase). These tents will be used each year for children’s, youth, family and English camps - what a tremendous blessing! This year we will be doing a family camp in place of the English camp and looking forward to seeing how God uses it to grow His church. We've also already done several backpacking trips using tents brought with last summer's team.
While God in special ways continues to provide for particular needs, we never lose sight of the tremedous blessing He has bestowed upon us through our regular prayer and financial supporters - it is through your giving and praying that we are able to continue ministering in this part of the world. May the Lord bless you in your service to Him. | 
