Tim is learning how to take pictures. Here's one he took of Dad.
On Saturday we moved into our new apartment. It is spacious and warm. Tonya has been working hard to get it fixed up the way she wants it. We envision doing a lot of ministry out of our home. Hopefully we won't have to move again for a long, long time (other than when on furlough in the States).
On Wednesday we will head to the States. We'll leave in the afternoon, change planes in South Korea, change again in Chicago and arrive in Pittsburg in the evening the same day (strange thing that international date line). We'll spend Christmas with Cecil's brother and then go on to the World Missions Summit. Please pray that thousands of the students attending the summit will hear from God about their place in missions and in the Kingdom of God.
Cecil finished his finals today. He's enjoyed the challenge of studying with smart University students who are about half his age. His grades are good, but most importantly he is speaking Russian much better than before. He has high hopes for what he will learn next semester. His plan is to study for one more semester (until May) and then devote full time into the work here.
One of Khabarovsk's winter specialties is ice carving. They take big frozen chunks of ice, set them up and carve them in parks and other public areas. Right now most are still in the starting stages.
I took these pictures at noontime. The sun doesn't get very high in the sky this time of year.
I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product.
They didn't take the ice from the Amur River this year because of the toxic chemicals spilled in the river in China. You would be amazed at all the rumors and information and misinformation that is spreading even faster than the pollution. However, the official word is that the main slick is passing through the Jewish Autonomous Republic right now and will reach us in a few more days. It seems we keep hearing that the poisons will reach us in "a few days." I guess they are flowing down the ice-covered river slower than expected. We had been told that our new apartment is in a part of the city that gets its water from a well, but we've found that too was not correct (we are just next to that part of the city). But we had stored up large quantities of water, so we've been using that for washing and such. But it looks like we'll be out of town when the worst part of the toxic spill arrives.
Tonya formed a friendship with a lady and has been meaning to invite her to church since this lady was interested in spiritual things. With all the activity going on with the apartment purchase, moving in, preparing for a trip to the states, etc., Tonya didn't get around to inviting her. But on Saturday the lady called us and asked if she could come to church with us. Sunday she came and after the sermon she decided to make a commitment to follow Christ. God is so good.
We thank you for your prayers, because of them there is fruit.
Blessings to you all,
Cecil, Tonya, Timothy & Vera
