Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Oxanna Ivanchuk
Joy has been meeting with two women this year for discipleship and prayer. Oxanna is one of them. She is a worship leader at our church and has recently led her sister and another young woman to the Lord and is helping them grow in their faith. She also meets once a week with a young woman struggling with drug addiction and wanting to walk in newness of life in Christ. She is a full time student at the Biblical Leadership Training Center and I really enjoy our times together. She has been a believer for about five years.
Developing a Discerning Heart
Women in leadership in their churches and I all had a chance to complete the Entrust4 course "Developing a Discerning Heart." We went much deeper in our relationship with each other and in understanding God's process of sanctification in our lives. These women represent leadership from 5 different churches.
Women Mentoring Women
Joy has enjoyed working with the team of women at the Biblical Leadership Training Center in Krasnodar in implementing the teaching of the Entrust4 Women's Curriculum. We launched our first team-taught course this fall, "Women Mentoring Women" and I taught in Russian which was a good faith goal for me. It was stimulating and fun.
Hannah's Idea
During Christmas, I often read the children a little book by Helen Haidle that contains the Legend of the Candy Cane, it is called "The Candymaker's Gift." It uses the legend to explain the different elements of the gospel. Hannah especially enjoyed the book and one day said, "Mommy, I want you to read that book to the children in my school." I explained that I didn't think that would be allowed, but that we could invite the girls to our house for Hannah's birthday party and read it to them there. She said, "Mom, that's no good. All those bully boys at school need to hear that story, you need to tell it to them at my school, please, just ask my teacher." Well, she had greater faith than I did, and to my surprise, the teacher agreed. So, in December, I was able to read "The Candymaker's Gift" in Russian to all of the children and Hannah gave each child a real American candycane (carefully brought back by her dad and brother from America). It was Hannah's gift to me this Christmas, the gift of simple faith!
Watson men in South Dakota
This Fall Tim, his brother Randy, his dad Wayne, and T.J. were able to go on a special hunting trip together in South Dakota. It was T.J.'s first ever hunting trip and he had a great time. He also got to miss a week of school! He loved his time with his relatives in America and told all of his school friends about his adventures.
Tim and T.J.
T.J. and Tim enjoy the sweet moment of success. He tasted great too! What a special time.
Tim and Hannah
Every year Tim gives Hannah a bouquet with as many flowers as she is old. She came home from school (she is still in her school uniform) and dad surprised her with eight flowers!
10th year anniversary
Our church, the Church of the Open Door, celebrated it's tenth year anniversary. We went into the lovely countryside outside of town and had a huge picnic with salads, roasted meats, and took a dip in the river. T.J. and Hannah share a laugh with another missionary friend, Hannah Herrington.
First Bell
The first day of school is called "The First Bell" and it is celebrated by a huge parade of the children, performances, speeches by faculty. The unwritten fashion code for the little girls is that both the bouquets for the teachers and their hairbows should be larger than their head, or even, preferably, body. Teachers receive bouquets from every child in their class, they each need a truck in order to get them all home!
Svetlana Stepanovna and Hannah
Hannah's teacher is also the Vice-Principal of the school. Hannah loves her very much. She is kind and enjoys the children.
Hannah begins first grade
Her sash says "first grader." You can see she has the Soviet salute down pat. She loves her school, which is the same one that T.J. goes to, and loves her teacher.
The Black Sea
The Black Sea is only a 2-3 hour drive from our house. We love going, even if for only a day.
Our home
Dad and Lily got to meet our pastor and his family. Volodia Radjabov is our pastor (on the left), his wife Lena and daughter Sasha (next to me).
Joy's family came to visit Krasnodar
In June, we were so happy to host my dad Larry and stepmom Lily here in Krasnodar. My youngest brother (to the right of my dad) Justin was also able to visit for a couple days. We went to the Black Sea for a day of sunshine and fun.
Ella Sergeievna and T.J>
Ella Sergeievna is T.J.'s teacher. She arrived in Krasnodar when she was in her early 20's as an Armenian war refugee from Azerbaijan. She has taught at the same school for over 25 years. I saw the school pictures from her very first class of students over 25 years ago, it was black and white and her hairstyle was EXACTLY THE SAME then as now. She is a very hard teacher and she takes pride in her work and her students. We have been grateful for such an experienced teacher for T.J.
Lena, our friend and tutor
Children in Russian schools average 2-3 hours of homework a day. Lena helps T.J. and Hannah complete their Russian homework. She is the wife of one of our ministry partners, Alexei Parxomenko. She is daily blessing in our lives.
Spring 2007
Hannah and I enjoyed watching T.J. finish first grade. We are in the courtyard of his school.
The Year in Review
God has been so good to us this past year. The fact that the calendar says "March" tells me its a bit late to be reminiscing on all that has happened the last calendar year. But is it ever too late to "remember the lovingkindnesses of the Lord?" Plus, I'm a new blogger, so indulge me as I share with you some of the top events of the past year that give me pause to thank Him for all His goodness to us in so many ways. Enjoy!
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