The high today was about zero F.
We've been doing birthday parties once a month at a nearby orphanage. In November we only had three kids with their birthday that month. So we took them, a staff member, and some of our helpers to Hope Center for the party. This orphanage has some older kids who were under the tutelage of an Orthodox Priest who trained them to hate Protestants. So the kids coming to the birthday party had a secret concern that they would be persecuted by others for going to a Protestant Church. When we walked into Hope Center for the party, the girl said, "Praise God it's not a church." We continue to laugh about that comment here at home.
Anyhow, it was a great time and we now plan to do our future birthday parties at Hope Center as well.
We had a Thanksgiving Day feast for the our family and a few other Americans who we know here in Khabarovsk. We also put on a Thanksgiving celebration at Open Heart Homeless Shelter. Before serving the meal I gave a short history of Thanksgiving since most of them have heard of it but don't know about it. I love to give a thanksgiving message, because if you are thankful for something you are thankful too someone, so it is only fitting to be thankful to God, who is that source of all our blessings. And they were indeed thankful for a hearty meal. Their gratitude made it worth every potato peeled, egg boiled, beef stewed, baked pie, etc. Cooking for 85 is a challenge for my kitchen, but the most worthwhile meal ever cooked there.
Ready to Preach (above) Ready to eat (below)
We're so glad the Hinson Family is here in Khabarovsk. They are a real answer to prayer. Here's a photo of my kids teaching their kids some bad manners.
We've just finished printing our latest newsletter and will be mailing them out shortly. You can get a sneak preview at
A few other things in the News:
The Siberian Tiger has some issues.
The border island between Russia and China here at Khabarovsk has been making some changes.
The Peace of the Lord be with you,
Cecil, Tonya, Timothy, Vera and Deanna
