You can see our latest snail mail newsletter in pdf format at http://101649.agwebservices2.org/siteFiles/101649/Content/Newsletter/NL2007summer.pdf
We had a wonderful time with Cecil's folks, Martha and Ivan. We showed them the town, some of our ministry, and our favorite stores. Mostly they seemed to enjoy time with the grand-kids. They are still in jet-lag from the return to the States (flying across the Pacific is quite a trip). We wonder what stories they will tell their friends now that they are back home safe and sound.
The process of adoption has had some unexpected turns. We met with a lady who works for an agency that was just licensed to do international adoptions in Khabarovsk. She opened a law book that clearly stated we should be able to adopt by Russian law since we live in Russia and one of us is a Russian. So she said we don't need to do an international adoption. So we are going to press the government office here in charge of adoptions for a document to that effect. We'll pray and see what happens.
A really good surprise was when the director of Deanna's orphanage told us we could take Deanna home for a month. So we did. We are now living as a family of five. The kids are already acting like brother and sisters. The girls would stay up all night if we let them. And even Tim is enjoying another sister.
Praise the Lord for Deanna getting to live with us. Please pray for the documents to make that permanent.
Another praise report is that Aaron and Beth Barnes will be joining us on September 5th. They will be staying with us for a year (and maybe more). Please pray as they take care of all those last-minute details and packing.
Jason will be helping some with the construction team, but he flies back to the States on August 29th. He plans to return to Russia early next year. He has applied for a job as an English Language Teacher at the University, and hopes to use it as a platform for campus ministry.
God bless each of you.
In His Name,
Cecil, Tonya, Timothy, Vera and Deanna
