we rejoice to tell you that as on Monday (January 14th), we received the documents finalizing Deanna's adoption. This is the main step in the process we've been going through as this makes her legally one of us. Of course there are more things to be done (change the her last name on her documents to Eshelman, get her a passport, etc.). She is an active child, speaks no English, fits in well with our family, and will turn seven on January 28th.
Oh, and she is learning to bake cookies.
January 7 is Christmas in Russia, and we fixed a big dinner for the folks at Open Heart Homeless Shelter. They now have 74 residents. We couldn't have done it without the help of our entire team. Aaron, Beth and Elf and our kids spend hours peeling carrots and potatoes and stewing the beef and boiling eggs and buying food and so on. Even with all the preparation the actual serving seemed like feeding the 5000. We told the Christmas story, and many of them had never heard it before. This center is such a miracle from God.
We've been having a Royal Ranger group meet in out home for several months now. Two different churches have adults who have been helping us lead it. We have five boys who belong to the group so far. Anyway, it was about time to do something outside the house. So on Saturday we took them to the woods. For several hours we went tramping through the snow, climbing hills, tending a fire, cooking sausages and having a generally great time.
The temperature was about -10 degrees F (-24 degrees C). We had to keep drinks next to the fire or they would freeze in short order.
Olga, our translator/secretary, has announced that she is getting married to a nice young Christian man. He works as the administrator of her church. However, along with this change, she has decided not to work for us any more. We know she will continue to work for the Lord, especially with Royal Rangers, which she has become very involved with. Olga, may the Lord bless your marriage and your future!
Announcing a prayer request. Aaron and Beth have joined with a couple (the husband is Russian and the wife is Chinese) to start an Alpha Course. They are gathering a small team and will have a planning meeting on Saturday to seek the Lord's direction in this regards. Please pray that the Lord send them the right people and that His hand be upon their efforts.
Lord willing, we will be coming to the States in June for a year of home service. We plan to start by attending Missionary Renewal (that's the new name for summer School of Missions) and then travel and speak. If you would like us to come to your church, just let us know.
With Love from the Russian Far East,
Cecil, Tonya, Timothy, Vera and Deanna
