Dear Prayer Partners:

Great news!  I received my visa last week! God intervened to get it to me in time. It's too complicated to tell you all that happened, but thank you for your prayers!  I am on schedule to leave for Ukraine Jan 12. I am now in Princeton, WV, and will be flying out of Roanoke, VA. Please pray for the weather situation that I might be able to fly on time. Holly Friesen was supposed to leave yesterday for Odessa, but was delayed by weather. Hopefully she is now on her way. Please pray for her as she begins the adaptation process to a new place, a new culture and a new language.  I'm excited to have a career medical missionary partner on her way!

Today is Christmas in Ukraine! In Krasnosyolka they had special services today. They are planning evangelistic services in Kubanka and New Kubanka Friday. Please pray that God would touch hearts in these services to draw people to salvation. Lonya has not been able to get to Shamanovka in several weeks because of the winter road conditions. Pray that those who have expressed interest in spiritual things will not lose ground while we are not able to have contact with them.  Lonya and others have distributed gifts of food bags to 50 very poor in the villages where we minister. Pray for these gifts to turn hearts to Jesus.

Later in January there will be a presidential election in Ukraine. Please pray for a peaceful ethical process that will be accepted by the people and make a positive difference for this troubled country. Pray that the result will not adversely affect our missionary presence in the country.

Upcoming clinics in January:

14    Krasnosyolka

18    Bocharova

21    Sahanskoye

22    Kubanka

26    Berdinovo

28    Shamanovka/New Kubanka

29    Limaniy

Thank you for your prayers as I return home next week!

Leaning on The Rock,

Miriam

Psalm 62:6-7