A Weekend in Cherepovets

Last weekend I was blessed to take another trip to Cherepovets. I did not go to work with the shelter or orphanages this time, but to try to get some things planned and fellowship with the team there. Igor wanted to talk with the pastor of his church to see if we could use his building to do some lessons there. We were able to talk to him a little after church and he said we might be able to do that. Igor wanted to show me the apartment that I would be living in there too, but we didn't have time, however he assures me that there is room there to do lessons if we have to. We are really getting excited about doing this and getting this project started!
The trip wasn't all business of course. There were two girls visiting from a nearby city that have been involved with the shelter project. So of course we all had to hang out. It was great, we all piled into Olga and Igor's little car; I had to sit in the back because I was one too many. It was ok, I didn't mind and I only had to hide from the police once. We all went to lunch at a place that we eat at often on our mission trips, called the Stump. Then we went and took pictures in a park, it was a beautiful day and the sun was out, but man it was wicked cold! We hung out at Igor's place till we all went to Andrey's mom's house where we had fellowship, tea and homemade perogies. I was able to follow some of the conversation, and if asked a direct question I could sort of figure it out, however I did get a little frustrated, for lack of a better word, because I couldn't really communicate. I didn't show it though, I just got real quiet. At the end of the night I was so tired I could hardly talk in English let alone Russian. I can not wait to be able to jump right in and be part of the group, I can tell that the fellowship that they have it close and full of Love!! And the fact that they are so willing to accept me in the group and try to make me a part of everything is very encouraging to me and a huge reason that I a feel such a big desire to live in Cherepovets. I really believe that the Lord is working and moving in this group, and I am blessed to get to be a part of it! Please join me in praying for this group and the work that we will be doing, and that the Lord will provide a way for me to get moved out there and be part of the group. There is so much fruit waiting to be reaped in Russia like in Joh 4:35 - Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!

Exciting Times

It is amazing how fast time flies. These last two weeks have gone by at an incredible rate, and these last two months even faster. I have been real busy lately teaching English, which is good for hours. I have a private student now, his name is Sasha, and so far we are getting along great. I have also been covering Lisa's classes since she had to travel to renew her visa. Most of my time has been spent preparing lessons, teaching, preparing bible studies, and studying Russian. It is encouraging to me to see over all improvement. I am getting the hang of teaching English, and my lessons seem to be going over really well with the students, the are learning a lot, and at the same time having fun. I am figuring that if you just have fun with them they end up just speaking English and not over thinking what they want to say, I am also already seeing benefits from the training that I am doing with Lisa. And on the Russian front I am now able to hold simple conversation, communicate needs, and get around ask questions about bus routes, that sort of thing. I am seeing light at the end of the tunnel, but it is still a long ways away.

Igor and I are working on getting me established in Cherepovets. Igor's sister, Olga, has an apartment in Cherepovets that I can live in, so I already have a place to stay, all I need is work there. I have met with Lisa we are going to see if we can't figure something out. We are going to try to set up a small school with mostly private students, and Igor has an idea to set up training for nonnative English teachers in the Universities. Another thing we are working on is getting me permanent residency, much like the American Green Card, it will allow me to live in Russia and not have to get a visa, I will be able to come and go as I please, work, live and minister in Russia. In the long run it will be cheaper and less of a hassle, but at first it is going to take time, and a lot of paperwork. I will not be able to actually start the project for a little while, and it will take at least a year to go through the process. So we are have a lot of things to think, and pray about. It is all so daunting, but at the same time it is exciting to see God move, and see the opportunities that God is opening up to minister for his his name. I have no doubts that the Lord will reveal himself in all of the up and coming situations. I am excited to see it all play out.

God is Good in Interesting Times

Things have been a little interesting these past couple weeks. Today was going to be my first day at Motorola again, but because of the Financial Crisis that has hit the whole world the company had to cut the amount of English teachers to two, leaving no room for me and the rest of Lisa’s teachers. However in this time of uncertainty the Lord has been answering many of my prayers. For one Lisa is getting together some lessons for me, so I will still have a job. Then she also asked if she could give me more training, which is something I have been praying about for some time and had never said anything to her about. I was planning on paying for some training online, but when the Lord does things it is always better than what you would have done. Another thing is when I told her my desire to move to Cherepovets she was all for it, and we are going to work on a way to get me established teaching there, maybe a small school, or a teacher training program, we will see. In this time of confusion and uncertainty I believe it is a sign from the Lord that I have total peace and rather than a desire to quit I am motivated all the more to move forward with my plans. I have been praying and I am feeling more and more led to stay here long term, or at least for an open ended amount of time. I am excited to see where the Lord leads!

I am developing a deeper relationship with the team in Cherepovets, Andrey was here in St. Pete for a conference and he came to my apartment to fellowship. He spent the night and we had great time. I am encouraged to find that my Russian has gotten to the point that we were able to communicate ok, but I am still not satisfied. There is so much we are still not able to communicate, and I know that our fellowship would be so much richer if I was better with my Russian. I am more motivated than ever to study and feel that with more hard work and practice I will be able to speak passable Russian by the end of the year for sure, though it will take me a long time to truly master the language.

I thank you for the help that I have received and for your prayers. I would ask that you would continue to pray for wisdom, ability to speak Russian, and provision from the Lord. Also keep the orphans and shelter kids in constant prayer, that they would all come to know Jesus personally and be filled with the joy and peace that come only with fellowship with our Lord. Also that the Lord would show us how we can reach the hearts of the Russian people.

Getting to Spending Some More Time in Cherepovets

I was glad to be able to spend some real time at the Shelter in Cherepovets this last week. We had a great time playing uno, simple computer games, and getting used to each other. The kids and I were shy at first, but soon we were communicating in whatever way we could. Some even took it upon themselves to teach me a little Russian, which gave me opportunity to teach them some English. Igor has a pretty good idea to try to teach them English from a children’s bible, but I think it is best to earn their trust and build relationships first. This being the first time I got to really see the kids in their own environment, this was sort of an eye opening experience. What really hit me was how hard these kids really are. I don’t really blame them; I can’t even imagine what they go through at home every day. Oddly this did not discourage me in the least, but impressed on me how much these kids need Jesus and how important the work there really is. I believe the Lord can do great things, if only we are willing to be used by him. I just hope that I am able to help instill a love for Jesus in their hearts. I believe if they can see Jesus working in me and the rest of the team then that is when they will really be affected. I would ask that you keep these kids in prayer and for us that the Lord would do a work in our lives so we can add more to his kingdom. I desire even more to move to Cherepovets and get more involved in the ministry there!

The next four are of them trying to teach me some Russian :)


Andrew teaching them the power and importance of words, and the value of using good edifying words.



Hagning out having a good time.