we continue to look forward to travel opening up so that we can return to Russia and the work that is waiting for us there.
So many things have happened
and changed since the beginning of the year 2020, so many plans have
been altered that it is hard to decide which one to begin with.
In
January we were in the city of Novokuznetsk in sunny Southwest
Siberia, involved in different outreaches and ministries, working
together with the Russian Church building the Kingdom of God. One of
our favorite outreaches was an evangelistic play “God Is Where Love
Is” by Leo Tolstoy. Cecil helped to direct the play while Tonya
and Diana performed with sisters and brothers from the adaptation
center. Though for most of them it was the first time performing in
a play, everyone enjoyed it, and it was successfully shown in nearby
towns around Christmas, and the Gospel message preached. Our hope
was to perform it in the orphanages as well, but the director of the
orphanage did not give us permission. Please pray with us for God to
open that door sometime.
Another
delight for us was teaching a water baptism class for three new
believers. They were a part of a larger water baptism group in
January. The pastor wanted them to fully understand what they were
doing beforehand.
On
January 11th, we conducted a small seminar for children’s
ministry workers. It was entitled, “Ministering to a Hurting
Child.” We met with wonderful dedicated children’s ministers who
said the subject is very relevant and they would like us to do more
seminars like that. Apparently, God is moving in their city bringing
a lot of physically challenged children and their parents to church.
It is a new field for them and they asked us for specific help and
training. Maybe you have children’s ministers in your church who
would like to share their experience or know of a good resource for
parents and ministers of disabled children. If so, please let us
know.
Well,
in mid February we returned to the States to apply for a new visa for
Cecil. The visa was granted, praise the Lord. Thank you for your
prayers. But we were not able to fly back because international
travel shut down due to COVID 19.
So
three long stay-at-home-order months followed for us in North
Carolina. If you know anything about missionaries, you must
understand that it is hard for us to stay home. Yes, it was not
easy, but we are grateful to God for providing a place for us to
stay, for meaningful interactions with our now grown-up children and
His “grace that is sufficient for us.”
We
are thankful for your prayers and financial support during these
challenging times. We have not given up hope to go back to Russia as
soon as the borders open up again.
Please
let us know if there is anything we can do for you while we are
Stateside, of how we can best pray for you. You are in our hearts
and prayers.
God
bless you,
The
Eshelman Family
