travel and speaking are the main things on our agenda. We've settled into Greensboro, the kids are doing well in school, and we've found where the stores and post offices are. However, we spend a lot more time travelling while we are on "furlough" than when we're on the "field." This year of home service our opportunity to meet our supporters face-to-face and let folks know about what the Lord is doing in the Russian Far East. But we're not complaining; a full calendar is a good calendar. Please pray that it continues to fill up and that the Lord would use us as we speak to churches and other groups.
We have some praise reports to share. A lawsuit was brought against the homeless shelter and the judge ruled that the building didn't have the proper permits and must be removed or dismantled. The local news gave them quite a bit of coverage during the appeals process. This was very positive for the shelter. Somewhere someone in the government gave an order, the lawsuit was dropped (before it came to court again) and the documents are being issued for the shelter to keep both the house and be given ownership of land under it. We praise the Lord they homeless who live there will have another winter in a warm and dry home.
Also, the pastor who is living in our apartment while we are on home service tells us all is well in our Russian home. He also reports that his church has grown to the point where there are usually ten to fifteen people who must stand through the services. Are you hungry enough for God to be willing to stand through an entire church service? Please pray that they can get a larger meeting place.
Here's a couple quotes from the family:
Timothy, when meeting his great-grandma after being apart for several years asked her how old she was. Upon hearing that she was 95 years old he said, "Wow, you must have really honored your father and mother."
Deanna, while quietly walking through the park suddenly said, "God is our Father so the church is our mother."
Cecil, when asked what a typical day for a missionary is like paused for a while and then said, "well, it depends on what that day is like."
Please pray for Deanna to be able to get a visa to Canada. She doesn't have U.S. citizenship yet, and is in the country on a tourist visa. That requires her to leave the States after six months to stay legal. Since we entered exactly six months before Christmas, we want to spend Christmas in Canada and then return. This week we'll put in a visa request with the Canadian consulate for that visit.
We've gotten out a newsletter in the mail and hope to post it on our web site soon.
Blessings,
Cecil, Tonya, Timothy, Vera and Deanna
