Sunday, April 19, 2009

Road Trippin'

It’s Spring-time again here, as where most of you are also. The apricot and cherry blossoms are on the trees, and though a late frost often kills most of them it is a hopeful sign that there will be a harvest.
Another way you can tell it’s Spring is that it’s time for our annual Russia Field forum, when all the missionaries get together to talk business and to hang out. For Kim and I forum ‘begins’ in 7 hours when we catch the 24-hour train to Krasnodar. From Krasnodar we go to Anapa where we’ll all meet for 5 days. After that we get to stay an extra 5 days to hang out with our Russian friends whom we haven’t seen since last June. We have several times planned when everyone is getting together so that we can see everyone at once.
THEN we are loading up a train ‘coupe’- which is a four-bed compartment- with some of our personal belongings that are still in storage in Krasnodar. We’re going to try to cross the border with a minimum of tips paid to the powers that be for the privilege. We could use your prayers for this to be smooth.
We’re sorry to be leaving for this amount of time, feeling as we do that we have so much to do and so many relationships here to keep up with. But in some ways our lives are about managing goodbyes. Going back to Krasnodar is a way to unsay some of those goodbyes for a few days. The fact is we’re far richer for having made all those relationships even if we have to say goodbye more often than seems fair.
So, for now we’ll be out of contact with the Sauna Guys, The Seller-Ladies, The U- with its students and teachers. In a little bit we’ll have to go upstairs and tell Galina and Enver goodbye face to face.
We’ll try to write more here in the next week or so from Russia. If not we’ll have stories when we return.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Cherry Pie

Today is Saturday, the day before Easter and I find myself in the kitchen preparing food for tomorrow's Dinner. I have just put a cherry pie together and in the oven to bake. Tomorrow we celebrate our Savior's victory over death. Living here in Eastern Orthodox countries , we have the opportunity to celebrate Easter and Christmas twice. In the Eastern countries, Christmas is always celebrated on January 7th, and Easter, by the Orthodox calendar almost always falls on a date different than in the West. I like having 2 different days to remember each of these life changing days. This year we Westerners celebrate Easter on April 11; in the East, we will celebrate Easter again next week.

All week long, we have wanted to blog with good news about Ivan but we are still praying and waiting to hear a good report. We have learned that he has a rare blood type. But even so there is a law in Ukraine that says that as foreigners we can't donate blood. (Who knows what that's about?) So, we are still in the same spot as last week, all we can do is pray!

A few days ago, Ivan had a blood transfusion. The doctors are waiting to see how he responds. We don't understand what is wrong with him, would you please continue to pray for him? and for Pasha. Pray that the doctors have wisdom in their decisions as they care for Ivan.


We have been enjoying our time with Parker while he is home for Spring Break. He has come to several English classes with us. The students have enjoyed talking with a real American teenager and asking him questions.
Parker was in track until he came home. He told of continuing pain in his knee- continuing since last Spring. An MRI revealed a 'completely ruptured anterior cruciate ligament'. Yeoch! When Jerry escorts Parker back to BFA next week we hope that he will be able to get Parker into see a specialist to find out what to do next.
Parker's birthday is April 21st but we've been celebrating his birthday for several days. He will be 17!


The cherry pie is finished cooking, and smells like it will taste delicious as tomorrow's dessert. May you have a blessed Easter day as you remember how Jesus took our sin as His, was crucified and rose victorious over death so that we can be forgiven.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Hospital

Hi all,
Thanks for tuning in.
Today our friend Pasha, whom you've seen in pictures in our apartment making sauerkraut, put her husband in the hospital. Ivan's condition has gone from bad to worse in the 6 months we've known Pasha. We've tried everything we know to be some help for him. The only thing left, it seems, is for blood donors to be found who can match his type. We've volunteered, of course, but we don't know if even that will help.
So, here's where you come in: if your reading this would you take 60 seconds to pray for Ivan? We really appreciate your participation with us here in our work and we are still trying to find ways 'in' in this culture and natural friendships are no-brainers.
So, thanks.
We'll keep you posted.