Praise and prayer from 2003:  So many answers to prayer!  What a wonderful God we serve! Red text is answered prayers, praises.   December 27, 2003 Praise - Our computer is working again!  This is a huge blessing!  It was out for almost a month.  Hopefully, I can get caught up with correspondence soon now. Health - We're healthy.  Keep praying that we stay well.  Also, Jaan's hernia is completely gone.  From what I've heard that was a really quick cure.  Praise the Lord! Visit - We had a wonderful time with Will's family! Moving - We're waiting for responses to an ad for an apartment.  Please pray that we'll find the right place for us to live in Kovrov. 
November 22, 2003 Praise - We had a wonderful trip to Kovrov the weekend before last.  Please keep praying for us as we work on moving out there.  (For details on our move, see our latest letter.) Health - Poor Jaan has been sick with his first cold.  I have also been a little sick.  Please pray for both of us as we recover.  We're praying that Will can stay healthy.  Also, Jaan has an umbilical hernia.  Today we have our first visit with a massage therapist to treat that. Visit - Will's parents and sister will be arriving on Wednesday.  Please pray for a safe trip for them and a good visit for all of us. 
November 1, 2003 Praise - I haven't updated for the past two Saturdays because we were enjoying a wonderful visit with my Mom.  You can praise the Lord with us for the time we had together.  Now she's safely home in Florida, and we have Will's family's visit to look forward to at the end of this month.  Please pray for them as they get ready for their trip. 
October 11, 2003 Recovery - Praise God!  I'm doing well and healing up right on schedule now. Registration - Thank you for praying.  We finally got Jaan registered. 
October 4, 2003 Recovery - Monday morning I'll go to the doctor to check and see how I'm doing.  Please pray that I'll be completely healed. Registration - We're still working on this.  After a lot of work by Will, it looks like we now have everything ready to register.  Pray for us on Monday, when we try again. 
September 27, 2003 Translating - Tomorrow is the last day of Will's time with this group.  He's really enjoyed it!  They've had some really good witnessing opportunities, and the American group made some new contacts with the government officials in one of the areas where missionaries haven't been too welcome. Recovery - There has been some improvement, but please continue to pray. Registration - This week we'll probably try to register Jaan and get his birth certificate.  Sometimes that can be complicated with babies who were born at home, so please pray that it goes smoothly. 
September 20, 2003 (Happy birthday, Mom!) Praise God for Jaan!!!  If you don't know what I'm talking about, click here. =) School - Will still doesn't have a job, but that's been a blessing in disguise.  It's been wonderful to have him at home taking care of us.  We've really enjoyed these first few days together as a family. Translating - All this upcoming week Will is going to be translating for an American group.  He'll be gone all day, every day.  Please pray for him as he translates and helps (possibly running on not enough sleep) and for us at home without him.  Also, pray that many will come to the Lord through the outreach during the week. Recovery - Please pray for my health.  I'm still having some little problems with recovering from pregnancy and birth.  There's nothing serious, but I've seen a lot more of doctors and medicine recently than I would have liked. 
September 6, 2003 Vika and Vadik - Please continue to pray for these friends of ours.  We had a good visit with them this week.  Vadik has been studying and reading quite a bit about the Bible, but unfortunately it seems like he's just getting himself more confused with Orthodoxy and strange doctrines. Razvilka - The meeting with the officials in Razvilka was a great success!  The man in charge was very open to renting public buildings to our group, and our pastor was even able to pray about it with him in his office.  Now we just need to pray for this man and for something practical to work out for a meeting place. School - We're STILL waiting to hear about a job for Will.  Please keep praying. 
August 31, 2003 Razvilka - One prayer request that I forgot yesterday: tomorrow our pastor will be meeting with the officials in Razvilka to talk about our Bible study group meeting in the school there.  That would be another step towards this Bible study growing into a new church, and it would allow many more people to attend. 
August 30, 2003 School - We're still waiting for directors' decisions and schedules, but it seems like there's progress in the job search.  Please keep praying for something definite soon and for Will to end up with the best job for him. Health - Everything is still going well with pregnancy, and we're really looking forward to the birth of our baby.  Just pray with us for a safe birth and healthy baby. 
August 23, 2003 Visas - Finally!  Our visas are renewed for another year.  We had a wonderful trip to Estonia, so we're feeling renewed, too. =) School - The school year is starting soon, and Will is working on figuring out where to work.  No one has given him definite answers yet, but it looks like he has several options in schools right near where we live.  Please pray that Will can find the right job soon. Razvilka - We've asked for prayer before for the Bible study that meets in Razvilka, just outside Moscow.  It's continuing, and now Will is going to be teaching each time, so please keep praying. 
August 16, 2003 Visas - Well, we did have one little visa problem, but the Lord heard our prayers and resolved it very quickly.  We're leaving tomorrow for Estonia.  Please pray for a smooth trip there and back. 
August 9, 2003 Doctor's appointment - It went really well, and they even decided not to take any blood! Visas - Our visas are ready.  Now we just need prayers for our trip to renew them. 
August 2, 2003 
We're home.  Camp was absolutely wonderful!  Thank you for all your prayers.  My health held up just fine, and we had a great time being with all the kids.  The American team did make it over here, and they were able to be a part of two of the camp sessions and work in the orphanage camp.  We'll try to give an update and more detailed report soon.  For now you can praise the Lord for the way the camps went and pray for us to get adjusted back into life here. Catching up - We have a lot to do here, just because we've been gone for so long. Doctor's appointment - I have an appointment on Tuesday.  Please pray for me.  They might have to take blood, and last time that was really a problem. Visas - Our invitations are done, without any problems.  Now we just need to get the finished visas and then travel somewhere outside Russia to renew.  Please keep praying. 
June 15, 2003 Urgent prayer request - The team did not get their visas in time for their planned departure.  God did supply them with tickets for Thursday, though.  Pray that they get over here safely! Summer - We have found the translators that we needed, but things are a little crazy right now because of all the plan changes.  We'll be heading out to Kovrov this afternoon to help with the camp that starts there tomorrow morning.  Please pray for everyone in both camps, as we'll be starting without a lot of the supplies and help that the Americans will be bringing. (I probably won't update again until we get back, sometime at the end of July.)   June 7, 2003 Urgent prayer request - The team for the summer camp is planning to fly over here on Thursday, but their visas have been held up, and won't arrive until then.  Pray that they would get them in time for their flight! Doctors - This week has been crazy, as we tried to find a doctor who would see us for routine prenatal care and registration.  Just when it got to the point where we had done everything we could, with absolutely no results, God provided a very nice doctor who is just what we needed! Summer - ...still looking for translators. 
May 31, 2003 Health - I'm finally feeling better!  Thank you for praying. Summer - Please keep praying.  Will has found a few translators, but we still need more. School - Thursday was the last day of school for me.  Thank you for all your prayers throughout the past year! Church - Will went with the youth today to an exhibit of religions to hand out tracts and talk to people.  They had many good conversations, and quite a few people were interested in coming to church tomorrow.  Let's pray that they do come. 
May 24, 2003 
Quick update: Vika - She made up with her boyfriend and went back to her old living situation.  We were able to meet Vadik (her boyfriend), and really liked him.  He's even more interested in the Gospel than Vika is!  Pray for their salvation and for the friendship that's growing between us. 
May 21, 2003 
So sorry for the long time with no updates!  It's the usual excuse: too busy.  I have enjoyed hearing from people who were wondering what had happened. =)  I wasn't convinced that many people even looked at these prayer requests, until I stopped getting them out. Health - I have a really bad cough right now.  I'm so thankful for how healthy I've been while pregnant.  This is the first thing that has really bothered me.  Please pray that it will clear up soon. Vika - We have a girl staying with us because she broke up with her boyfriend, has no money, no job, and no place to live.  The main prayer request is for her salvation!  You can also pray for us to have wisdom in talking to her (and for my Russian!  We speak it pretty much all the time now, so that Vika doesn't feel left out.) Summer - Plans for the summer are really picking up now.  The team will be arriving June 13.  Specific needs are for translators and visas.  Our job is to find the translators. Kovrov - Will just got back from a short trip to Kovrov.  He was taking a man from an American mission out there to see about sponsoring some of our Ukrainian and Russian missionary friends.  Pray that they will get some much needed support through that.  Also, Will picked up some new responsibilities for working with this mission and the missionaries who will hopefully be sponsored. Mom and Dad's visit - We're very thankful for is the wonderful visit we had with my parents!  I didn't ask for prayer for their trip, but I know many were praying.  Now you can praise God with us for the great time we had with them. New schools - Will is really enjoying the time he has with the kids in both of the schools where he started working.  It's too bad that we're so close to the end of the school year! 
April 19, 2003 Another new school - Will's starting work in another new school this week.  At the English camp he worked closely with kids from this school, so he already knows many of them.  Now, he'll be teaching Mondays in the school I mentioned before, and Wednesdays in this school.  And he still has some private lessons! Health - I did end up getting the cold, but it was just about the mildest one I've ever had. 
April 12, 2003 Camp follow-up - It all went really well.  We had two different groups over for American suppers, and Will got to visit four schools.  I went to one school with him, and we both were at the first meeting of the weekly Bible club.  Please praise God for a good week and for the fact that we survived it. =)  Please keep praying for the many kids who heard the Gospel in the past two weeks. School - During April Saturdays are regular school days for us, so I'm working a little more than usual.  Pray for strength! Health - Will's still getting over a cold, and I'm really trying not to catch it from him. 
April 7, 2003 
What a week!  We've been so busy that I haven't had time to get the prayer requests up.  It's been really good busyness, though. Camp - Will really enjoyed his week and bonded well with the kids.  I got to visit and spend one night, so, I got to meet the kids and see the camp, at least. New school - As I write this, Will is teaching his first lessons at the new school. Camp follow-up - Will has three visits to schools that sent kids to the camp planned for this week.  Also, we'll be having two groups over for supper.  Then, Friday is a big meeting for all the kids who were at the camp.  Please pray for us to be able to keep up with all that! Church - Sunday is a youth service. 
March 29, 2003 Camp - Will is going to be helping at an English camp for teenagers this coming week.  Student Venture's usual short-term group canceled because of the situation in Iraq, so at the last minute they started calling Americans who live here to help out.  Please pray for him working there and for me at home.  Hopefully I'll get to go out and participate for at least a few days. New school - Right after this camp Will's also starting up a new job, teaching one day a week at a private school. School - Spring break has been wonderful!  I feel so rested and ready to go again. 
March 22, 2003 Church - The visit last week went really well.  Thank you for praying! School - This upcoming week is spring break for me, and I'm really enjoying the thought of a week to rest. =) 
March 15, 2003 Church - Tomorrow we'll be visiting a small church with the youth from Resurrection.  Pray that we would be an encouragement to the people there. Health - Please keep praying for health and strength for me (Phyllis).  I'm doing well, but I find that I'm tired a lot. 
March 8, 2003 Our African friends - We've been in contact with Peter more lately.  Today Will went to meet him and accompany him to the Saturday church service.  He'll take Peter home again afterwards, too, so that Peter doesn't have to go in the Metro by himself.  We were very excited that Peter started calling us again and that he wanted to come to church! 
March 1, 2003 Decisions - Last week I asked for prayer as we worked through decisions; this week I can say that we've made progress on that! Razvilki - We enjoyed another Bible study in Razvilki last night.  Keep praying for the group there to grow. 
February 22, 2003 Decisions - Please pray for us as we work though a lot of decisions. Praise - ...for this past week being a quiet and restful one. 
February 15, 2003 Praise - We celebrated our second anniversary this week! Church - Will still hasn't talked to the pastor, but he has been spending a lot of time preparing for Bible studies and discussions with the youth.  They're studying the book of James, and it's really going well. Health - We're getting better.  Pray that we can get all the way back to full health and stay healthy. 
February 8, 2003 Church - Pray for Will, as he has an opportunity to discuss some questionable issues of doctrine with our pastor.  Many people here believe that they can lose their salvation.  Pray for wisdom and humility for Will as he brings this up. Health - We both have colds. =(  But we are starting to feel better.  Pray that we would be all the way well as soon as possible. 
February 1, 2003 Our African friends - David is still in pretty bad shape physically and also having to start legal processes.  Pray for his health and for things to go well in court.  Racism is such a problem here, that it would be easy for them to try to turn things around and pin all the blame on David, just because of his skin color.  Peter called us, so we at least know where he is.  He's a long way from church, and the only reason he hasn't been coming is that he's afraid to go across town by himself after what happened to David.  Do keep praying for him; the friend he's staying with is not a believer. Health - Well, I was caught up on rest.  It seems that I'm tired again.  I think I'm also coming down with a cold.  Please pray for Will not to get sick, and for me to be feeling better as soon a possible! 
January 25, 2003 Church - The sermon went well and really fit in with the other sermons that morning.  Will said that it was a definite case of the Lord working through human weakness. Busyness - This week has been much better.  We're finally caught up on rest! Our African friends - We have two Nigerian friends from church: David and Peter.  David is a strong believer and faithful worker on the church construction team.  This last week he was attacked by a group of skinheads.  They beat him up badly and broke his arm.  Please pray for his healing.  Peter moved in with a friend who might not be a good influence on him.  We don't know for sure whether or not he is saved, but he was staying at the church and seemed interested.  Now no one has seen him or heard from him for a little while, and we don't know how he's doing. 
January 18, 2003 Church - Will's preaching tomorrow, and since this was a last minute request, he probably won't get much sleep tonight.  Pray that he would be ready by tomorrow. Busyness - If anything, it seems like things are speeding up!  Please pray for strength for both of us. 
January 11, 2003 
Happy New Year and Merry Christmas!  Even if it is a little bit late....  =) Missions trip - The trip was wonderful!  We were safe and healthy and very busy.  In ten days, we traveled all over, visited seven orphanages, four churches, a few different village outreaches, and lots of friends.  Thank you so much for your prayers! Church - The play went really well, and there were many more kids (and parents) than I would have expected. School - I go back to school on Tuesday.  Please pray that I'll enjoy getting back into school life. Busyness - Life should be getting back to normal.  Please pray that we would stay healthy.  So far, we've been fine, and that's a definite answer to prayer. If there's anything we can pray about for you, please let us know.  We will certainly pray!Fall%202003.htmlJaan%27s%20birth%20announcement.htmlFall%202003.htmlshapeimage_2_link_0shapeimage_2_link_1