May 2013 update

Update from the Becketts

As I think about what has occurred it seems like we are seeing so many milestones. As of a year ago, January 25^th, AnnMarie and I got on a plane to leave Ukraine for the foreseeable future.  On one hand it seems like ages ago, on the other the fondness we still have for our friends there makes it seem more recent and more painful.  We know that this was God’s will for us.  We have had difficulty accepting that at times.  I, Alan, wanted to blame it on corrupt public servants in Ukraine.  I wanted to blame it on the lack of funds available to us.  But the reality of it is that it was time for us to come to Las Vegas. 

Another milestone was March 22^nd.  We celebrated our 38^th anniversary.  Wow that seems like such a long time, but time waits for no man.  May is the 9^th anniversary of our first trip to Ukraine; A trip which forever changed our lives and forever made Ukraine part of our hearts.  And June 1^st will make 8 years from when we first arrived in Ukraine to go into fulltime ministry.  On one hand it seems like ages ago but in other ways it seems like yesterday.

In this Letter

·       Life in Vegas

·       This summer

·       Conclusion

·       Prayer needs

·       Contact info

Life in Vegas

We know that we have been sent here to love and care for AnnMarie’s mother.  She is not an invalid, but her health isn't getting better.  All I know is that we are fully prepared to surrender to this calling that God has given us to care for Virginia.  There are challenges to be overcome.  We are use to doing things on our terms but love doesn't say “Only if it is easy; only if it goes my way”.  Love says, “I will meet you where you are and strive to build bridges."

I guess one of the hardest things to do is not have a clear idea of what our ministry is to be within the local body of Christ.  We have a ministry in our home, but there is always part of me the thinks (wrongly I might add) that ministry only takes place in the church.  I, Alan, have been asked to teach a class in the Biblical Theology of Missions.  I completed my first class back in December and taught my first class online in February.  I don’t expect to be teaching a class again formally until September.  I was very blessed getting to know my students and sharing my life with them.

I think AnnMarie’s road is a bit harder.  When we left Ukraine she was working fulltime as the secretary for KCA (Kiev Christian Academy); a K-12 Christian school for the children of missionaries.  She loved her job and I know that they adored her.  I know that her mother is so pleased and happy to have AnnMarie at her side, but still AnnMarie misses all the children, teachers and staff of KCA; they were a big extended family.

My days are spent behind the computer, trying to put down all these incredible ideas that the Lord has birthed in me.  I am regretting not being a better student of English at that moment.  Sometimes I am challenged to find ways to explain these thoughts without very long run-on sentences.  But now I have found a friend who has done some authoring and has shown a willingness to guide me through this process.  I feel very blessed for that. 

We have also found a church home here in Las Vegas.  It is a match made in heaven.  They have a heart for missions.  They have four mission trips planned for this year.  They also support fulltime missionaries in at least two continents.  The church has developed an excellent discipleship school of sorts with classes which help prepare people for the responsibilities and opportunities to minister with the gifts the Holy Spirit has granted. AnnMarie and I have taken all the classes in the series. I especially like that they allow people to fail without condemning them.  If someone gets it wrong then the attitude is “Brush yourself off, get up and let’s try again or try something else”

AnnMarie has been attending a series of Bible studies offered by Pastor Paula, the senior pastor’s wife.  Alan has been invited and has been participating in weekly prayer with the pastoral staff and with the church starting a third service we have decided to jump in and help with the 7:30 service.  Right from the start we got involved.  The last Saturday of every month we help with a ministry to the street/homeless people of Las Vegas.  We also joined a home group so that we would have a group of friends to grow and pray with.  The two past Thursdays, we hosted the group. We truly feel like we are becoming part of this body of believers.

Plans for this summer

Alan’s plans are to return to Ukraine again this summer and serve with his young friends in the ministry called Zatseni and to help his friend Yuri with some ministry he is doing with some churches in the provinces.  He is not sure if he is going to attempt the whole travel my military transport again or not.  It would be easier to just hop on a regular airline and get there within 24 hours, but there was something special about all the time spent with those struggling to get through the military transport maze.  But he hasn’t felt God’s release yet either.  He has some health issues that need to be cleared up before he does any long distance travel.

Conclusion

We are so thankful for all the prayers and support that have kept us going.  We are grateful for our new church family here in Las Vegas and glad for the opportunities that God is providing to put our gifts to work.  We are also grateful for the ways that God is stretching us here in Las Vegas.  We continue to have a vision for those in Ukraine and lift them in prayer.  And we are thankful for all of those who have supported us in the past and continue to do so as we look to the future to see how God will use us.

Prayer Needs

·       Provision for this summer’s ministry

·       Please pray for Alan’s health, he has been wrestling with asthma for a while now, and now two more concerns have arisen.

·       For God to make a way for provision in day to day (We give thanks that thus far, God has make enough provision to keep us afloat.). 

·       That Alan’s passion to write and teach would lead to some form of financial gain – he would like to write a book or two

·       Please pray that Alan would be able to find a translator to go with him to Chernighiv for ministry in the provinces/villages.

·       That both of us will keep the Lord’s desire for us first and foremost in our lives

·       We ask that you would prayerfully consider supporting any trips we make to Ukraine in the future.

We appreciate all your prayers

Contact Information

Local address

1417 Mink Creek Rd
Las Vegas, NV 89117
702-255-8119
Skype: preacheral.in.kyiv

Please send support checks to:
            and attach a note saying that this is for the Becketts and Ministry to Ukraine

Meadows Fellowship
7801 W. Alexander Rd
Las Vegas, NV 89129