last weekend the temperature finally rose above freezing for the first time this year. Yeah! And the temps have stayed warm, so now the snow is melting and making rivers in the streets.
Yesterday at Hope Center we had two different visits by police. The first was the local policeman who just came with some strange questions about whether we were involved with a certain Japanese cult, otherwise no problem. The second visit was with three women (two officers and a teacher); they were very hostile. It was during "game night" ministry and thankfully we had written permission from the parents of younger children. We don't try to get kids to come (we target orphan graduates), but some younger kids have been coming on their own. This delegation was investigating a family, and since their children attend our game nights, decided to investigate us as well. Tonya handled it, but it was very unpleasant and they made various accusations. So we don't know what is going on, but one of our volunteers said that with all the attention, we must be doing something right. Please pray that these visits from government officials would stop.
Today Tonya went to visit the family that is being investigated (she had visited once before to get a note from them). The mother is a widow and the children are ages 12, 7, and 5. She has a low-paying job, and often has to work during the game night times. She told Tonya that she really appreciates us letting her kids come, and they always come home happy from it. She also said the same officers that visited us came to her and told her that her parental rights would be terminated if she lets her children to continue attending the game nights without her. We hope she finds a way to come with her children.
By the way, if you think the threat to take away her children is simply an idle threat, you are wrong. Things like that happen here, and this family doesn't have finances or legal assistance to fight such a thing. Please read "The Orphan factory," which is written by a Russian, at http://orphancareresources.org/resource/orphanfactory
Five months ago I submitted documents to receive a permanent resident permit to live in Russia. This is my second try. Please pray that it will simply be approved without any last-minute demands. My temporary resident permit is only good for one more year, so getting a permanent resident permit is very important.
At the beginning of March, Deanna got a new "desk mate" at school named Dasha. Russian school desks are made for two students to sit side-by-side. Dasha and Deanna were good friends, and were glad to be assigned together. The end of that week was a holiday, with an extra day off from school. After the holiday Dasha's parents came to collect her personal things from the school. Dasha had gotten food poisoning and died. Deanna was shocked by the sudden death of her friend (as was the whole class), and is processing the finality of death. She now understands that any of us can be taken suddenly. Please pray for Dasha's family and for the class.
Our latest newsletter is posted on the internet. Take a look at http://101649.agwebservices2.org/SiteFiles/101649/Content/Newsletter/Newsletter%202012%20February.pdf
Tonya is asking for prayers for boldness. She's been facing various situations that require her to be strong. So please pray for her (and I) to be courageous.
We want to praise the Lord that we are seeing an increasing interest among believers here to start foster families and to minister to orphans. The Lord has given us a wonderful team of helpers, many of whom are developing ministries of their own. Your prayers are being answered. Thank you.
The Life Skills classes continue to go well.
Food is the favorite activity, but we also do other things every week. The latest activity we've added is knitting (can you believe they enjoy it?)!
A couple weeks ago a church invited our family to go on a picnic. It was a great time.
The food was delicious.
The icicle was, well, cold? (That's Vera trying out the plain-flavored icicle.)
By the way, we tallied up the votes, and photo number two is definitely the most popular ( see http://eshelman.blogspot.com/2012_02_01_archive.html )
There was an Orphan care conference in Cary, NC, called Pure Religion. For those who are interested, you listen to it at http://orphancareresources.org/resource/article/73798
We rejoice in the Lord for your interest in what God is doing in the Russian Far East.
In Christ,
Cecil, Tonya, Timothy, Vera and Deanna
