Dear Friends and Family, As my time in the states is drawing quickly to a close, I'm realizing again just how much I dislike the part about saying goodbye for a year. I hove really enjoyed my time here at home. It has been both restful and refreshing, but I'm also looking forward to this coming season and all that the Lord has planned. Much of how our ministry in Krasnadar takes shape will depend on team dynamics and what each of us brings to the group. This year, my co-workers, roommates, friends and family will be composed of three new teammates from Denver and two old teammates from Ohio. Pray for team unity for us and for an attitude of service and humility toward one another as sometimes loving the people you work and live the most closely with can be one of the biggest challenges in ministry and life.

Another change that will take place this year is our identity. We will work under the name of Caucasus Cross-Cultural Foundation with the primary focus to serve the University and community of Krasnadar, Russia. University officials know that we are Christians so it comes as no surprise that the Gospel comes up in our English discussion clubs and film clubs quite often, but to be affiliated with an explicitly Christian-named organization such as Campus Crusade for Christ could cause us to be asked to leave the University.

We will again have English discussion clubs and a few Ultimate Frisbee teams with the hope of drawing students into our group. Last year it was neat to see the community that was formed by some of our regular attendants. A good friend, Olga, pulled me aside after discussion one day for a cup of tea with her. I still remember her comment; "Kate, do you know, I came just to practice English, but I didn't know I would be loved there too. Now, I don't come to practice English, but I like to be with everyone there and the Americans." Our prayer this year is that students will continue this community and draw others in as well.

I want to also ask for your prayers for one of my dearest friends, Svieta. She has heard the Gospel, but like many Russian students, the effects of communism are engrained so deeply that she won't accept any written information or even a Bible. She also still stands firm on the government ruling that any church that was not Russian Orthodox was a cult. Last year, however, in building a friendship with her, it was almost as if I was experiencing the effect that hearing the Gospel had on her life. I saw her heart opening a little bit more as she started to trust me, and I knew the presence of the Holy Spirit as I saw her excitement grow. The first semester she invited me over for a meal (a cabbage and beat soup composed of 3 parts oil and I part water if anyone would like the recipe). "How can you live so far from home and still be happy? Is it because you know the Lord?" she asked. At Christmas she sat and listened to my teammates and I sing "0 Holy Night." It left such an impression on her that she asked to take a copy of the words so that she could study them. Finally, after watching a movie about a man with no one in his life that loved him, she started to cry and admitted that she really didn't know anyone that loved her except "the Americans." The Lord has given me a great love for Svieta, and I'm anxious to see how He will move in her life more this coming year.

Please pray also for my support. I trust the Lord to bring in the last 70% and ask all of you to consider by faith whether the Lord would bless you to contribute to this ministry as the deadline draws very close. Thank you for all that you've already done and continue to do to reach our mission and prayer for Russia and the world — to have movements everywhere so that everyone knows someone who truly follows Jesus.

God's Grace and Peace to You, Katie Kienow