Fall 2020 Newsletter

A few days after we moved to Colorado, Drew and I hiked a rather remote trail with our friend, Andria, visiting from New York.  As we walked up we were surprised to see a woman walking down.  We were even more surprised when we heard her say, “Nicola??”  It was my friend, Rachel.  We met in Russia perhaps 10 years ago.  Last year we discussed travelling to the orphanage together.  Rachel turned and hiked the trail with us and we discussed an upcoming trip.  It brought excitement to my heart to think of us bringing God’s love to these children for you.  Thank you so much for your prayers and support which send us!  

What We’ve Been Up To the Last 10 Months . . .

             This year has been a flurry of activity for Drew and me as we’re preparing a firm foundation for our next step together in ministry.  Drew has been attending Charis on-line, the Bible school I graduated from in 2002.  Our original plan was for him to do the first two years online, then move to Colorado and attend third year together.  The current third year wasn’t available when I was in school.  Then in August Drew was suddenly hired at the ministry for a job in online marketing.  He began remotely in August.  We sold our house and at August’s end, after 10 months of major decluttering (we gave away over 10 tons of “stuff” - literally) and in 1 ½ weeks we moved 10 hours from his house to mine, then 23 hours from mine to Colorado.  Also in August, Drew’s eldest daughter, Becky, was married in a beautiful wedding. 

             The next week we moved his youngest, Hannah, in with Kaitlin, his middle daughter, to attend college nearby where she’s excelling.  20 years ago I loved Bible school, however, watching Drew’s online classes I noticed a greater depth to the teaching, brought in by a greater number of experienced teachers.  In late September I brought a guest to visit the school and felt God leading me to sign up as a first-year student again.  I’m in my second week now.  This way Drew and I will have the same foundation on which to begin ministering together.  We feel this is exactly where God wants us and He has great plans for us.

Quarantine Tragedy

             The orphanage was under self-isolation for about three months this spring.  In the beginning no one in the villages could leave their homes or walk in the streets.  The whole three months no one could leave their villages.  Consequently, four orphan grads who happened to be visiting “home” at that time were stuck at the orphanage for three months.  They turned out to be a blessing to the orphanage because they know how the orphanage runs and fell into helping both with farm work and the younger children.  They have taken in quite a few new children in the last few months, including a six-month-old boy, and really appreciated the help.  

             One of the orphan grads, against the director’s strict orders, took it upon himself to plant left-over potatoes on the property.  The large tiller he was using kicked back, pulling his right arm and leg into it.  It took 40 minutes to extract him because the tines needed to be turned backwards.  Papa, 25 minutes away by car,  sped home in 10 minutes, flying past policemen.  It should have been another 25 minutes to the hospital but they arrived in 10.  His car ran out of gas at the gate to the hospital, and the children jumped out struggling to carry him on a stretcher to the waiting doctor, who cried when he saw him.  (Not a good sign.)  The doctor knew he had lost so much blood, and the hospital conditions and the doctor’s training were so poor that he would surely die.  His leg was removed below the knee and he survived the operation.  The next morning Papa cried on the phone when he told me, “he spoke!”  This young man endured months of horrible wound cleaning and ended up losing more of his leg and having his arm re-broken not once, but twice.  I spoke with him on video not long ago and was blessed to find him in wonderful spirits.  His life is truly a miracle.  When he lived at the orphanage he was one the laziest and least trustworthy children when asked to do a chore.  Now he says he would give anything to be able to wash the dishes or milk the cows.  Please pray for his continued healing.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if his leg was restored?

Orphan Grad Gift

             This summer my friends Jennie and Gray Hauser asked if they could help with a project just as I was preparing to send two large boxes of baking supplies to one of the orphan grads to help her in a career.  She wants to be a baker.  She industrious and cheerful and not afraid to try anything.  I knew she would use them.  “Papa” loves to brag that she is the only girl who wanted to learn to drive the tractor.  You can see she’s already an amazing baker.  She keeps sending me pictures of beautiful baked goods she has made.  Thank you, Jennie and Gray, for sowing into her future!  

 P.S.  This girl and another orphan grad were supposed to marry in August.  It was postponed due to documentation problems.  The other day she said they need a miracle in order to get married.  Will you join with us in agreeing for their documentation to work out?  She is so grateful for your prayers.

A Letter From Drew

Dear Supporters,

             Earlier, we have shared about significant changes that have happened in Nicola’s and my lives. I want to share with you about these things and where Hope for Tomorrow stands in relation to them. Simply put, we have entered into a time of preparation. 

After meditating on this verse I found that you can think about this in different ways:

1. Use wisdom to sharpen our ax with the Word (Who’s the Word?) Eph. 6:17.

2. BE the sharpened axe the Spirit wields, or sword, or hammer.

3. Spiritually prepare (sharpen) now to face the storms without fear.

Perhaps Abraham Lincoln was thinking of this verse when he said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”

             We’re sharpening our axe as the wisdom of Solomon advised. Even more than that, we have forged our individual axes into one by entering into the covenant of Holy Matrimony over 4 years ago. As Mark 10:8 says, “and the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh.” How do two individuals come together, become one flesh and minister in unity? We’ve decided that being “on the same page” in every way possible must be our priority. To get on the same page, we have made some significant life changes.

             This time of preparation or axe sharpening has tangible, earthy manifestations:

• I enrolled in Charis Bible College.

• I sold my house in Upstate New York.

• I resigned from my career with the State University of New York.

• I found new employment at Andrew Wommack Ministries.

• We moved to Colorado (almost a year ago).

More importantly, it has spiritual and super-natural manifestations:

• We purchased a great house near school and work by God’s favor.

• Nicola, a 2002 graduate of CBC, re-enrolled in the Charis Bible College 3-year program.

• We have enrolled in the 2nd year program together at Charis in Woodland Park, CO.

• We are both steeped in the Word every day through school and work.

• Together, we are deeply engaged in following God’s direction for us as a couple ministering His Gospel.

             We expect this time of preparation to yield eternal results. We will be on the same page ministerially, we will receive direction from God, and we will answer His call. Your agreement in prayer and your financial support of Hope for Tomorrow continues to be important. 

             This process of preparation is changing Nicola and I individually and as a couple. It is also changing the ministry activities of Hope for Tomorrow. Since our marriage, Nicola’s time in Central Asia has decreased, although significant ministry has still taken place. Now that we are in this time of preparation, our ability to go to Central Asia will continue to be limited to one trip a year, depending upon international travel restriction. We planned to spend most of this July there, at the orphanage. But, the rapidly-changing nature of the global pandemic and especially the politics associated are not conducive to ministry there now.

             In the future, HfT’s ministry is likely to expand to answer God’s call to new people groups and regions of the world and our nation. This is at the crux of the transition from Nicola’s call to widows and orphans in Central Asia to discerning God’s call for us as a couple in ministry. Your faithful support during this important time is deeply appreciated. 

             Hope for Tomorrow’s board of directors of is also changing. Nicola is taking on the role of vice president and I have been asked to assume the role of president. Up until now, I have played a supportive role to Nicola and shared her ministry vision. This change will more fully engage my gifts and talents to help guide the future of HfT. To be clear, Nicola’s experience in the mission field, her calling and vision, her heart for orphans and widows will always be our foundation. If you’re like me, you have been immensely impressed with what God has done through her and deeply appreciate, respect, and honor her obedience to God and her dedication and devotion to the Gospel. Praise God, the best is yet to come!

             With blessings,

             Drew

PS—Thank you, for your faithful support as we proceed through this season of “axe sharpening” or preparation. Hope for Tomorrow’s ministry, given by God, is being positively transformed to continue to impact eternity!