Dear Friends,
we've been on the road a lot lately (especially Cecil). Since August our car has averaged over a hundred miles a day. Mostly we've been speaking in churches, but also home groups and fellowship dinners and even a Bible College. So far we've spoken in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Missouri. Our kids seem to keep finding friends wherever they go.
The goal of our itineration as missionaries is two-fold. First is to raise missions awareness. The second is to raise funds for our return to Russia. While offerings have been generous, we have received very few new commitments of ongoing support. We will need to increase our support level to return to Russia. Please pray that the Lord would open people's hearts to support us on a monthly basis. Please also pray that we would book more speaking events. Usually itineration is done for one year, and we really want to get back to Russia on schedule (in August '09).
While our itineration and deputation work has been the main focus for Cecil's energy, the family has also been busy with a number of things. Over Thanksgiving we all got together with extended family in Pennsylvania and had a great time with a family reunion. For Christmas we will be going to Canada and staying with the family of the man who was the best man at our wedding. Leaving the country will also meet the requirement that Deanna stay in the country no longer than six months (she doesn't have U.S. citizenship yet). Please pray that we don't have any problems at Passport Control.
On November 4th the kids went to observe how voting is done. Of course, the rest is history.
Timothy has joined a basketball team. They've played two games so far. They are the only two games he's ever played. His position is center, and he's gotten several rebounds. He's also scored one point (a free throw). The girls decided they wanted to do cheerleading. I'll send photos sometime.
Timothy and Vera also entered an art contest. There were several categories including photo, drawing and even video. Timothy entered a video that won, and has advanced to the county competition.
Vera and Deanna were invited to help bake holiday cookies with a friend just before Thanksgiving.
Cecil is still trying to get inspired to write a good newsletter. Please pray for the inspiration to come.
As many of you know at the end of this month World Missions in tandem with Chi Alpha will host the second World Missions Summit (www.twms.org). We're looking forward to having a great time and praying to meet people who would come to Khabarovsk and join the work there. We'd really like to have more Missionary Associates. Speaking of Missionary Associates, Jason is doing well and keeping busy with his language study. Please pray for him as he is alone in Khabarovsk during the Christmas holidays.
If you have any questions about the possibility of coming to Russia on a short term mission, feel free to write to us. If you'd like us to come to your church and speak sometime we can send you some information to give to your pastor about us.
Because of Him,
Cecil, Tonya, Timothy, Vera and Deanna
we've been on the road a lot lately (especially Cecil). Since August our car has averaged over a hundred miles a day. Mostly we've been speaking in churches, but also home groups and fellowship dinners and even a Bible College. So far we've spoken in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Missouri. Our kids seem to keep finding friends wherever they go.
The goal of our itineration as missionaries is two-fold. First is to raise missions awareness. The second is to raise funds for our return to Russia. While offerings have been generous, we have received very few new commitments of ongoing support. We will need to increase our support level to return to Russia. Please pray that the Lord would open people's hearts to support us on a monthly basis. Please also pray that we would book more speaking events. Usually itineration is done for one year, and we really want to get back to Russia on schedule (in August '09).While our itineration and deputation work has been the main focus for Cecil's energy, the family has also been busy with a number of things. Over Thanksgiving we all got together with extended family in Pennsylvania and had a great time with a family reunion. For Christmas we will be going to Canada and staying with the family of the man who was the best man at our wedding. Leaving the country will also meet the requirement that Deanna stay in the country no longer than six months (she doesn't have U.S. citizenship yet). Please pray that we don't have any problems at Passport Control.
On November 4th the kids went to observe how voting is done. Of course, the rest is history.
Timothy has joined a basketball team. They've played two games so far. They are the only two games he's ever played. His position is center, and he's gotten several rebounds. He's also scored one point (a free throw). The girls decided they wanted to do cheerleading. I'll send photos sometime.
Timothy and Vera also entered an art contest. There were several categories including photo, drawing and even video. Timothy entered a video that won, and has advanced to the county competition.
Vera and Deanna were invited to help bake holiday cookies with a friend just before Thanksgiving.
Cecil is still trying to get inspired to write a good newsletter. Please pray for the inspiration to come.
As many of you know at the end of this month World Missions in tandem with Chi Alpha will host the second World Missions Summit (www.twms.org). We're looking forward to having a great time and praying to meet people who would come to Khabarovsk and join the work there. We'd really like to have more Missionary Associates. Speaking of Missionary Associates, Jason is doing well and keeping busy with his language study. Please pray for him as he is alone in Khabarovsk during the Christmas holidays.
If you have any questions about the possibility of coming to Russia on a short term mission, feel free to write to us. If you'd like us to come to your church and speak sometime we can send you some information to give to your pastor about us.
Because of Him,
Cecil, Tonya, Timothy, Vera and Deanna
