Back for a new visa

The Eshelman Exploits in Russia

February 2020 

Dear Friends,

Greetings from the snowy north. There has been a lot going on, first let me tell you that we have been shoveling a lot of snow here, but that is nothing new to Siberia. 

We were recently asked to lead a baptism class for three people at the center (two residents and one of the workers). There is a Russian holiday on January 19 that can be translated as the Day of our Lord’s Baptism. So we covered ten lessons in advance, and they were baptized that day by the local pastor, along with 29 others from the church.

Thankfully, the water in the baptismal pool was not frozen (not saying it was warm, either).

One of the highlights of December was a Christmas play put on by the church plant that we are assisting. It is a play based on a classic Russian story written by Leo Tolstoy titled, “God Is Where Love Is.” Tonya, Diana, and some of the members of the adaptation center participated. Cecil advised with the directing. A number of new people attended just to see the performance, so it was a good outreach.

We recently led a seminar on ministry to children who have experienced trauma. Those who are doing orphanage ministry and those who work with special needs children found the information to be helpful. We were asked to do more training for volunteers who are working with special needs children and their parents. If you know of someone qualified to teach or train in this sphere of ministry, please let us know.

Renovations of the ministry center in Tiagina continue (mostly inside this time of year). So Cecil gets to use his construction skills. We will return to the States on a short trip to get Cecil’s new visa to Russia. Please pray. 

Sincerely, 

Cecil & Tonya Eshelman

M.I.R. completed

Dear Friends,

        our time as Missionary-In-Residence has come to an end, and we are making preparations to return to Russia.  We’re packing up the dorm room where Cecil has been living, and starting to make phone calls to arrange our speaking schedule.    It has been a good time interacting with the students at the Native American Bible College. 

  Our mission headquarters has instructed us to raise a little more financial support, so we will be scheduling services in churches, home groups, and anywhere else.  If you would like to have us come, please contact us soon!

Christmas

Dear Friends,

things have gone well as the Missionary In Residence at the Native American Bible College this fall. I've enjoyed getting to know the folks there, both in the dormitory and classrooms.  Well, finals are over and I've turned grades for my students.  I've also had a great time getting to know the staff.

Russia continues to be in the news from time to time:  messing with our election, making the N.A.A.C.P. mad, playing with Facebook, and so on-   https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/17/us/politics/takeaways-russia-social-media-operations.html
Oh well, maybe bad politics will end when Jesus comes back.

I'm so glad Jesus came the first time.

The family is doing well and we are ready for the holidays.  The kids have completed their end-of-semester stuff and we're doing Christmas events: set up a tree, listened to community choir, brewed hot cider, attended church activities, decorated the yard a bit, wrapped presents, played Christmas music, and looked for The Star (I even took my kids to the planetarium).  There are gifts under the tree waiting to be opened.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night...

F.Y.I., Cecil is M.I.R. at N.A.B.C.

Dear Friends,

greetings to everyone.


Our latest family news is that our son Timothy is off to college at Liberty University.  He received a scholarship, is moved into a dormitory,  and is starting classes.  He says the food there is great.  He seems to be doing well as he starts a new stage in education.  We're quite proud of the steps he is taking.


The girls are in high school and involved with activities.  Vera has gotten involved with art and drama.  Diana is looking at sports.  They stay in touch with Tim, as well as their friends back in Russia, and are making new friends here.


Cecil is serving as the Missionary in Residence at the Native American Bible School in Shannon, NC ( http://nabc.edu ).  He is teaching a basic computer class.  He also lives in the men's dormitory and keeps and eye on things there, and helps with the regular chapel meetings.  He especially enjoys updating and debugging the computer lab.  After the hurricane the grass is growing like weeds, and so he's been spending time on the big riding mower to help keep the grounds looking good.


Tonya is doing her best to keep the family in line and spends a few hours a week teaching English to immigrants at a local community college.  She has formed some friendships there and using her gifts with friendship outreach.


It seems international conflict has been an issue in the Russian news lately.  They are doing civil defense drills in case they are attacked https://themoscowtimes.com/news/russia-launches-exercises-to-test-populations-readiness-for-external-aggression-63042 and https://themoscowtimes.com/news/russian-media-whips-up-us-war-scare-with-bomb-shelter-food-tips-61124

Do hope things calm down in in regards to international tensions. 


Hurricane Florence came through our area and knocked down some limbs.  Power was out at the Bible college for a few days.  Convoy of Hope came and distributed tons of aid to local communities.

Here are some students and staff (and their kids) from N.A.B.C. who helped Convoy of Hope with the aid distribution.

Word from our friends in Russia is that Hope Center is busy with activity going on daily.  The building at the Dacha is fine, but being used only occasionally.


Please pray for us as we settle into the new normal. 

Please pray for Russia, as our hearts are still there as well.

Blessings to you,
From Cecil & Tonya

New steps

Dear Friends,


we have returned from Missionary Renewal (training) in Missouri.  It was a time of meetings, teaching, connecting, planning, and worship.  We are blessed to have excellent leadership in our mission agency.



Russia had some positive news, hosting the the world cup (soccer) and advancing to the quarter-finals.  Glad to know that sports is something that countries can agree and interact on.  https://www.reuters.com/article/us-soccer-worldcup-rus/glory-in-defeat-crowds-hail-russia-world-cup-team-idUSKBN1JY0PQ



Russia continues to make things difficult for foreigners to live there.  Foreigners have long been required to register their whereabouts so the government can track them, but new regulations are being put in place making it more difficult for many.  While this new regulation would not have affected us (since we owned a residence), it might affect other workers there.  
https://themoscowtimes.com/news/foreigners-in-russia-are-panicking-over-new-migration-rules-62130  



I am serving at the Native American Bible College in Shannon, NC, as the missionary-in-residence (M.I.R. program).  I've been helping with buildings and grounds this summer, as well as preparing the computer lab for classes.  I'll be teaching during the Fall semester.


Tonya has been doing some ministry among local Hispanic people (and teaching English).



Timothy is looking forward to attending Liberty University this fall.  We are very glad that he was able to apply for and receive a scholarship covering most of his expenses.


Vera competed in the Statewide Fine Arts festival and advanced to National competition.  She will being going to Houston with a youth group near the end of July.



Diana is will be starting tenth grade this Fall.


Tonya asks for prayer for discipline in her studies; she is taking distance courses with Berean School of the Bible (Global University).



Please pray for us to have God's guidance as we formulate long-term plans.


In Christ,

Cecil, Tonya, Timothy, Vera & Diana

New assignment NABC

As you may know from previous communication, we are not able to stay in Russia at the present time.  Although we have lived in Khabarovsk, Russia, for more than a decade, Cecil's resident permit was cancelled.  While he is still able to get a visa to Russia, he is not able to live there are before.

Our family will be taking a position as Missionary in Residence with the Native American Bible College in Shannon, North Carolina.  This will involve interacting with students, assisting staff, and generally helping with their program - especially regarding missions.  This is the plan for the coming year.

Evaluation

Dear Friends,

we have returned to the States.

To be honest, our plans right now are not very clear.  We've had some
great successes, but our situation is changing rapidly.  Not sure
if/when we will be able to return to Russia.

It seems like Russia has been in the news a lot over the last year.
Among other things, diplomats have been expelled.  In the midst of all
that, my (Cecil's) resident permit was cancelled and I was told to
leave.  In effect, I was deported.  Later I was able to return on a
visa, but that was only good for a period of time, and I had to leave
again.  This time the entire family has come to the States.

Before leaving Russia, we were able to turn over much of our ministry to
national workers.  Some of the work, such has the Bible School, has been
lead by Russian nationals for some time.  A few other things were fairly
easy to turn over since we have been doing them jointly with Russian
churches.  Other work, such as the dacha project, required us to step up
our schedules.  And in a few cases plans had to be put on indefinite
postponement.

We are very glad to report that rehabilitation work is going on at the
dacha project.  We feel that this is a major project that has been
successfully launched and in operation.  While those who are now leading
this work will likely add their own flavor to it, we feel good about it
and the national workers who are now leading it.

We are settling into a place in North Carolina.  Our son, Timothy, has
already been State-side.  He prepared the house for our return.  Some
folks with a local church helped him out, for which we are very
grateful.  Having a house ready is a nice thing.

We have some plans for ministry such as distribution of Christian
materials in the Russian language via internet and via postal service,
and possibly some support services.  Since Tonya has Russian
citizenship, she doesn't need a visa and is available should AGWM have
need for someone to go to Russia on any urgent business or to travel as
a translator with a short-term team.

But we are also in a time of re-evaluation of what the Lord would have
us to do.  As well as a time to deal with some health issues.  Please
pray for us to hear God's voice, deal with transition, and know His
plans and directions.

Once we get more fully settled in, we hope to send another update.  Feel
free to contact us.

Blessings,

The Eshelman Family

Progress and Changes

Dear Friends,
  

Things are developing at the dacha project.  We had a company drill a well. 

Success!  So we have water now (as long as the generator keeps working).

This is a big deal for us.  With a stove and water, things are very close to someone being able to live there.

While the plan is still to have an outhouse (no sewage system), there will be water available for drinking, the garden, cooking, and such.  As far as the garden:  the onions, lettuce, potatoes, carrots, beets, and weeds are all growing quite well.  The berry bushes need a few more years go grow on. 

We hope to have people living on-site soon.

The purpose of the center is for young people graduating from the orphanages to have a place to live as they learn how to adjust to a normal life.  It is intended to be a safe place with plenty of supervision, programs, discipleship and work to keep them busy, healthy, and on track for a successful life.  We are working in partnership with a local Russian rehab ministry.

In the meantime, we managed to celebrate an American holiday.  No fireworks, but we did have a picnic with cake and cookout.

That's Tonya (with cake), Vera (with watermelon), a friend, and Diana (with sunglasses).

Timothy is stateside, and was able to celebrate Independence Day in America.

Cecil has been working on expanding the library at Hope Center, both bound books and the digital resources.  There continues to be a need for availability of quality Christian materials, especially at the Bible School and ministry training level.

We were also able to distribute a good number of New Testaments in Chinese at the Chinese market downtown.  Most of the Chinese workers looked at them with puzzled expressions, but one young man became very happy and excited when he realized what it was.

Now, my friends, we must mention that some changes are coming in our ministry.  It is becoming increasingly difficult for Cecil to stay in Russia.  Details have not all be worked out, but we are making plans for the family to go to North Carolina (where we own a house).  During this time more decisions will be made.  In the meantime, we are looking at selling the apartment in Khabarovsk.

Timothy is already moved into our house in North Carolina getting things ready.  He has a job, and is preparing to take some college classes in the fall as well.

Vera and Diana are spending as much time with friends as possible.

We would appreciate prayer for us as we make some evaluations and face some adjustments.

Blessings,

Cecil, Tonya, and the teens