French Visa Trip to Houston

We had our appointment on Thursday this past week and it seemed to go without a hitch. We met with an officer of the French government and she asked us to return in two hours. This made us a little uncertain but they had all the paper work and I gave her my mobile number. We headed to the Galleria (Houston) and the kids were able to watch a Olympic caliber figure skater practice prior to the opening of all the stores. An hour or so later, we received a call from the consulate and they said our case file looked good and there was no need to come back. They said we should have our visas within 10 business days. They will become active (the earliest we can leave) on May 17th.

Prayer:
1. The USPS doesn't lose the visas as the head back to Denton with our passports.
2. That the remaining $1.500.00 of monthly support comes in (our support need was raised by $700 per month in Jan. by SERVE-Intl.)
3. That God provides the remaining departure fund needs.
4. That we stay unified as a couple and family as we patiently meet with families and await God saying, "Time to go!"
5. For the ability to say, "good bye" well.

Changing Ministry Fields - Russia To France

Dear Friends and Family,

As you well know the last 2 ½ years has been a whirl wind of change in the life of the Server family as we prepared to move our family overseas for ministry opportunities in Russia. Traveling and meeting with many of you during this time, preparing for vocational ministry, and all that goes with career change. Now another change has developed over the last 2 ½ months . . . our ministry field. If you have known us long at all, you know that Karina and I have live, breathed, and bled Russia for well over a decade and anticipated living and ministering there for as long as God would allow. All along we have said that if God were to close Russia we would not leave SERVE-International, but would move to another field.

Two and a half months ago began a journey of prayer, tears, and counsel. First, we were made aware that the Russian government was again making it increasingly difficult for foreign nationals to live and work in Russia. This started the ball rolling as plans were developing for our trip to Russia, Ukraine, and France. Second, we were presented with many options as it looked very probable at the time that Russia would close and our team would pull out to a “fall back location.” This is where the tears came in as we mourned that we would not be living and ministering in Russia. Finally, through prayer, seeking counsel, and discussion one of the possible “fall back locations” began to touch our heart. The Western Europe team, located in Vence, France, will now be the new home of the Server family.

Some of the most commonly asked questions and answers follow.

Q- Is Russia Closed?

A- No, Praise God! There is still work to be done as we found during our time there in June and a new national leadership training board has been formed to lead the way alongside current long term SERVE missionaries.

Q- Are visas a problem?

A- Yes! They are a continuing problem that will not go away anytime soon.

Q- What changed so much that you would move to another field?

A- Through our time of prayer and counsel over the last few months we have realized that we have a heart to do what our name says . . . serve! Whether that is in Denton, Russia or France. We do feel that we are suited for overseas ministry and there are many reasons that France is that place.

1. God has given Karina and me a precious responsibility, our kids, and we want to provide a stable place to minister as they go through many changes. We don’t want to be in a place for a year or two and have to move a second time and add a third language during their developmental years.

2. France is on the cutting edge of post-modernism and most of Western Europe follows what France does. This is a strategic location for ministry as a gateway to Europe, French speaking West Africa/North Africa, and the Middle East.

3. The French language is one of the official languages of both the United Nations and the Olympic Games. Prior to World War I it was the primary business language the world over.

Q-When are you leaving for France?

A- When God allows 100% of our monthly support to be in. We are currently at 60.44%.

If you have any additional questions please feel free to call or email us and we would love to have coffee and visit.

Thanks for your continued prayers and support of God’s work through our family.

In Christ,

Willie, Karina, J and K

Documentaries:The First Bell

(video by: wiredvideo and found on video jug)

Willie just sent out our lastest newsletter yesterday and I thought it only fitting to share with you a short video. Willie mentioned our desire to be in Russia by "First Bell" or September 1st. We'd love to share with you a little culture from Russia and another reason why we love it. Russians LOVE their children and children held in high regard. We do not worry for our children there, because in many ways they will have many, many sets of eyes watching them and many, many arms hugging them. Children are a doorway into the heart of most Russians.

Please pray for the children of Russia as they are winding down the 2008-2009 school year. Also, please continue to pray with us that we'd be fully supported by June 15th and in Moscow to celebrate "First Bell 2009."

Enjoying Today and Practicing Patience

Time passes too quickly to not make note of moments like these. I, Karina, have been trying my hand at digital scrapbooking to see if I like it. It's okay, but not as nice as being able to create with your hands. Just thought I'd share one of my first attempts.

All is going well with support raising. New team members are coming aboard each week and Willie is working diligently. I am starting to become less and less patient with this process. It is difficult at times to watch people start and complete their fund raising adventures while we still work hard. Mind you most of these folks are NOT families trying to get on the field for long term....but I know this is all in God's timing and not mine. I will continue to work on patience. We are right where we need to be now....besides it's almost spring in Texas!

These two are some pair. You know like in Charlotte's Web where Wilbur was called "Some pig," Jake and Katie are "Some Pair."

I at one time tried to get Katie to move to the middle bedroom to sleep, for whatever reason, and Jake threw a big fit. You see, Katie and he share a room. I know this can't be forever,....well, in Russia in small apartments you get creative on creating privacy in one room. But, he absolutely did not want his sister to be sleeping in another room. Just last night I found her asleep in his bed when I went to put Jake to bed.

They are something. I pray it stays this way,...I pray they stay close to one another. I pray that I can model selfless living so that they can share that with one another. I'll need lots of prayer

Clothed with Dandelions

Well,...I (Karina) thought that I was going to be past this issue of worry since I have been on this support-raising 'thing' before. The difference was the first time around I was single and it was before it affected other people besides me. Now, I have a hardworking and diligent husband and 2 precious little ones to consider. So,...as always, my worrisome side got a hold of me for a few moments this afternoon after over analysing the transitions that we will be going through next month as we go on full time support. The Lord has been quietly whispering in my ear not to worry but I continue to do so. Tommy, our pastor, went through Matthew 6:25-34 today and it was also the passage that we studied last week in bible study! (Matthew 6-NET Bible)

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t there more to life than food and more to the body than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky: They do not sow, or reap, or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you more valuable than they are? And which of you by worrying can add even one hour to his life? Why do you worry about clothing? Think about how the flowers of the field grow; they do not work or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these! And if this is how God clothes the wild grass, which is here today and tomorrow is tossed into the fire to heat the oven, won’t he clothe you even more, you people of little faith? So then, don’t worry saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For the unconverted pursue these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own."

The maker of the universe says that he will take care of us and I chose to worry?! That's sin! No doubt about it....plain and simple. This gets right to the heart of the matter within me:

For some reason, we think of doubt and worry as “small” sins. But when a Christian displays unbelief…or an inability to cope with life, he is saying to the world, “My God cannot be trusted,” and that kind of disrespect makes one guilty of a fundamental error, the heinous sin of dishonoring God. That is no small sin."

John MacArthur, The Ultimate Priority

This is what pierces...that I would not trust my God I would to say to others by my actions that He is one not to be trusted as they see me fret and worry about the things I 'think' we will need. I am making a choice to be a hypocrite to all those who know I call myself a christian. Therefore, I must go on my knees and choose to follow and trust the maker of the universe to care for our needs and take care of my little family apart from any effort I try to make. He's done it perfectly well in ages past what makes me think he can't do it today. Another chance for my kids to see faith up close and personal in their mommy. I love what my friend Dana Gailey said to the ladies one evening at church, "Your children will only have the faith that you practice in front of them."

Last little note...today as we were coming out of church I was having a hard time rounding Jake up to head to the car. We walked passed a grassy area which tends to have dandelions and Jake likes to stop and pick them for me and put them in my hair to make it look 'preddy.' My little boy wants to clothe my hair in the precious flowers that our Lord clothes everyday in his most beautiful and vibrant colors.

I think yellow really is my color.





(photo courtesy of 2-dog-farm; http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2036/2508728365_42a3d6174b.jpg?v=0)

How does this all Work?

Well, here's my first attempt at this blogging thing. I, Karina, thought it would be another way to view into our daily lives past the newsletters and prayer support e-mails...maybe more personal with a little silliness thrown in. But, honestly it's another thing that frightens me that I will just start and not finish or just let sit there. It should be a bit hair-raising. So, again, let's try this out and see how it goes. Be gracious....be very, very gracious.