we've been playing "Real Life" with the kids at the orphanage. It is a board game where you have to make friends, get education and do positive things to win. It's a lot of fun too, and the kids love it. We were surprised how hard it was for them to make decisions about where to go and what to do while playing. We've been using this game as a ministry tool.
Five students from this orphanage are graduating. We had a graduation party for them at a nearby church. Please pray that we will be able to stay in contact with them as move out of the orphanage.
Last weekend we went to the town of Novi Orgal. You can't get there by car, except when the river is frozen so you can drive on it. So we took the train. A year ago a church in the States sent an offering to the church in Novi Orgal to help with construction. We wrote about it on our web log http://eshelman.blogspot.com/2006_04_01_archive.html (if you want to check out what we wrote about our first trip there). Anyway, we went to check on the progress. The building certainly does look better now, but they've some more work to do.
One year ago:
One week ago:
It was a windy day but beautiful day. Construction guys might notice the foundation looks unusual. That is because Novi Orgal sits atop permafrost.
We had a wonderful time of fellowship with the pastor and his family and some church members. They took us out to a retreat center on Saturday night. It so happens that Saturday was graduation day from the local school and the graduating class went to have a party there. When one of the graduates discovered Cecil was an American he invited us to join the party. The pastor kept an eye on our sleeping kids while we went and talked with the youth. We soon had a crowd around us with lots of lively questions about America. This went on for quiet a while and then during a lull in the conversation Cecil ask what the kids believe about God. They answered that he is big, powerful, and loves everyone. So he asked why there is suffering if God loves everyone. They answered that is because God us punishing us for our sins. So he asked if everyone sins. They said yes. So he asked them what can we do about this problem. That was a question they didn't have an answer to, so we explained how Jesus forgives sins if we ask him to. Around midnight two of them said they wanted to pray with us for salvation, so we prayed. Many others asked us for our phone number since they will be going to universities in Khabarovsk in September, and they would like to talk some more then. Please pray that what has begun will continue to grow, and that they actually call us this fall.
A quick praise report is that Tonya passed the road test for her driver's license. Now all she needs to do is submit her documents to the road police (this takes several hours of standing in line) and she will be the proud holder of a new Russian driver's license.
We want to introduce a new member of our team. This month we hired Olga as an assistant. She is an able translator and all-round wonderful helper.
Talking about adding to our team, we want to mention Aaron and Beth Barnes. Lord willing, they will come to Khabarovsk this summer and stay for a year or more. Aaron is the outdoors type, he loves musical instruments and small crafts (think pinewood derby). Beth is into reading, swimming, traveling and the challenges of teaching middle school and learning languages. Just to let you know, the first time they dated Beth broke up with Aaron since he wanted to become a worship leader in the States and she felt called to missions. While Beth was spending a semester abroad in China and had no contact with Aaron, God called Aaron to missions during an all night prayer meeting (through Jeremiah 1:4-10). He changed his major from Music Education to Church Ministries: Ministry Arts. Several months later God brought Aaron and Beth back together.
They both have a passion for youth. Aaron had a burden for Russia, even before God defined his all to missions, while Beth's burden for the Chinese as intensified during her semester in China. So now they find themselves on their way to Khabarovsk, Russia...
The ministry opportunity they most look forward to in Khabarovsk is Royal Rangers, a program for both boys and girls. They will make Royal Ranger literature available, train Royal Ranger leaders, and help establish Royal Ranger outposts among churches and orphanages.
This Sunday we will be meeting with someone who might rent a fully furnished apartment to the Barnes. Please pray for us to have wisdom and guidance as we prepare things for the arrival of Aaron and Beth, and please pray for them as they raise the finances to come.
Peace to You,
Cecil, Tonya, Timothy & Vera
