I'm Back!

Wow, where do I begin? The last month or so has been an interesting one, to say the least. I am still debating on whether to go into detail and spread the update over a period of time or just give the highlights in one lump sum. At any rate, here I am with a few minutes since my lesson plan came together so quickly today.

So, where were we this past month? A dear friend of ours let us stay at her place. She is going to get a BIG jewel in her crown in heaven for this one. She (Tanya) moved in with "Baba Shura" who lives down a few floors from the Shepherds (the place we stayed for the summer). So we stayed in Tanya's studio with a bed, a pull out bed/couch and some air matresses. The first week we were there was just a period of adjustment. We kept praying and waiting for our apartment to open up.

After a week of being there, Yura was coming home from a Bible Study. As he opened the door to the stairwell, an African came out. Yura was taken by surprise since they are a rare site to see in Siberia. As he was ascending the stairs, he met another African who was descending the stairs. OK. What is going on? - Yura is thinking. When he got to our floor (4th), he had the key in the door when a nearby door opened up and two more Africans stuck their heads out. At this point, Yura had to ask, "Do you speak Russian or English?" An enthusiastic "English!" was the answer. Short version: they are here to play soccer (football to the rest of the world). They are from Nigeria and were invited here to try out for some teams. They were so excited to know we spoke English. They also are Christians and when they found out we were here working in a church, they asked for someone to come over and do Bible Studies with them. So Bill has been there a few times.

A little longer version: They were duped by their agent. He set them up to come, took a significant amount of money from the Russians, and just left them here. So we are in the process of helping them figure this all out. Can you imagine? - Not knowing the language. Came here on the hopes of playing soccer with lots of promises, then left here not knowing what to do. Also, they can't even go out of their apartment because their visas have expired. Someone came to take their passports to extend their visas. That was three weeks ago. There were times where they didn't have food in the apartment. A guy is supposed to come once a week and stock them, but with four grown athletes, they probably eat more than the average person. The bright side: they are holding up since their eyes are focused on Jesus. We are helping them by interpreting when they need it, as well as working on setting up an appointment with someone here so they can get out and play soccer (practice, try out, etc.).

About our move? Last week Yura got a call from Lucia - the owner of our new apartment. Her husband had been sick and in pain and she needed help to move stuff. When Yura got to the apartment, the heavy furniture was already gone, and she needed help moving the boxes and "stuff". So he helped a couple of days. He picked up the key on Saturday morning and we were sleeping in the new place Saturday night. With help from folks from church, we got a lot of cleaning and rearranging furniture done on Saturday and Sunday. The rest of the week has been spent on cleaning, unpacking and rearranging some cabinets in the kitchen. Lucia also came by once to pick up more stuff (the closets are still full in the master bedroom). Vlad (her husband) came by yesterday morning to pick up two sets of tires that were on the balcony. Snow is coming (it came a couple of times, but melted quickly), so we are glad to be in our new place. Our goal is to have everything done by Thursday of next week since the guys are flying in from the states Friday morning.

In the midst of all of this, Yura is putting together a men's conference as well as a schedule for our visitors to be busy meeting and talking with people. David and Kiana have started back at their Russian school in the afternoons. We kept up with English/Language Arts lessons while we were living in the studio. Will pick up on that in the AM's when things are more settled. Misha wants to go to "school" where I teach the 3 & 4 year olds on Fridays. We might start him soon! Pasha is crawling everywhere and is a mama's boy. When we unpacked our photo albums, we realized how much he looks like his sister! Same face and expressions.

I also added a couple of lessons a week teaching first graders English. They are a sharp group and a lot of fun to work with. It is a group of 8, so not to overwhelming.

How am I doing? Mixed emotions. Part of me is so excited to be in our own place and I am looking forward to seeing how God is going to use it. Another part of me is hesitant to call this "home". There is this lurking feeling somewhere that plans are going to change and we will have to move again. I mean, if we stay in this place for more than 5 months, that will be our record since our return to Russia! Kiana calls this place "apartment #5". Pasha is very clingy since it is the fourth place he has lived in since he was born. He just got used to the studio when we moved.

In general, we are very blessed and I am thankful for this place. Those who helped us with cleaning and moving have all agreed it was worth the wait. Since we don't have a lot of "stuff", it looks really roomy! When Lucia came to pick up some things, her friend said,"Look at all the room you had!" And we like it that way. A lot of room to have meetings and a place for people to come and feel welcomed and at home.

Thank you for those of you who prayed. Also, thanks to you who actually read this blog! Love the messages/comments. Can't wait to get some pictures taken and uploaded for you. In the meantime, the goal is to get everything in order. I am truly blessed. Have a blessed day!