it's been a while since we updated you all last. We've been on trips.
Our first trip was a safari in Turkey.
Well.... not exactly. We went to Turkey to join a conference and training for AGWM workers who live in the former Soviet Union. It was indeed excellent training. We also got to see friends and to establish connections for future ministry. And the kids had a great time too.
Two days after returning to Russia from Turkey, we were on our way to Sakhalin Island. To the Southern end, not far from Japan (although we never got to see Japan).
We decided to drive and take the ferry since we had a load of Bibles we wanted to deliver. We had been warned that it was about a 12 hour drive to the ferry, but the road was rougher than we expected, considering it is marked on the map as a highway. The van that Speed the Light bought for us two years ago is still in good shape, and we only had one flat tire along the way. What a road.
It was indeed a 12 hour drive. So we stopped several times to stretch our legs and take a break. Beautiful.
After the drive, the 18 hour ferry ride was very relaxing and we arrived in good spirits. Other than delivering Bibles, Cecil spent a week with Royal Ranger training. Royal Rangers is like a Christian Boy Scouts. We hope to find a way to use it with our orphan ministry. Cecil loves that outdoor stuff.
While on the Island we got to try some of their local delicacies: sea snails. Taste kinda like crab, only much chewier. Olga, our assistant (on the right), even worked up the courage to eat one raw. Yum, yum. Very salty, she said. Tonya waited for them to boil before trying hers.
We returned to Khabarovsk in time for Tonya to bake a birthday cake for the USA. Sorry, no fireworks here to celebrate the 4th of July.
However, Leslie and Barbara Cartwright arrived on the 4th to do some short-term ministry. Cecil took them to Komsomolsk, a town straight north of us. You can get there from here by train, boat (on the Amur river) or car. Cecil drove. Its only a six hour ride, and road is paved. They ministered in several churches there along with a rehab center. A pastor drove us out to a village church. Leslie and Barbara thought it was the end of the earth, and that was only a two hour drive on gravel. We stopped for a break along the way. That's Leslie and Barbara on the right next to Olga. The guy with sunglasses is the pastor, and other two are his helpers.
Leslie and Barbara left on Wednesday, and Cecil has decided he isn't going on another trip anytime soon. Actually, he has a little time to himself right now, since Tonya and the kids went to church camp on Monday and will be there for a week. Time for him to catch up on paperwork, even though he wishes he was camping.
Vera and Timothy have a special announcement they want to make. We are in the process of getting them a sister. Her name is Deanna, and she is six years old (13 months younger than Vera). She lives in an orphanage a couple miles from our house. We get to take her out during the afternoons sometimes. She has already started calling us Mama and Papa.
What do you think? Do they look like sisters?
Actually this is a major prayer request. We were told that we would be able to adopt Deanna through the Russian adoption system because Tonya is a Russian citizen. After completing all the forms and providing all the required documents we had a home inspection. After passing that we expected her to be placed in our home. Instead we were informed that we could only adopt her through a licensed international adoption agency. Due to some political maneuvering there are presently no licensed international adoption agencies in Russia. Therefore we must wait and pray.
Please pray that:
1. An international adoption agency in Khabarovsk to receive licensing.
2. For no one else to adopt Deanna (presently we have no legal right to her).
3. For the fees to be affordable to us.
4. For us to be able to complete the adoption before we return to the States for furlough next spring.
Also, please pray that Aaron and Beth Barnes can finalize things and join our team here in Khabarovsk. We have already made arrangements for an apartment for them. Specifically, pray for their finances, their visas and their tickets.
From our hearts,
Cecil, Tonya, Timothy & Vera (and Deanna)
