June 12, 2003
Hi friends!
It's been so long since we've written that some of you are probably wondering if we're still here! So sorry! It seems that our last letter went out around Christmas time. I could try to write enough to make up for all the missing letters since then. Let's see, a page or two for each month since then...no, I'll just try to summarize. =)
It's been so long since we've written that some of you are probably wondering if we're still here! So sorry! It seems that our last letter went out around Christmas time. I could try to write enough to make up for all the missing letters since then. Let's see, a page or two for each month since then...no, I'll just try to summarize. =)
The big news
As most of you probably know by now, I'm pregnant! Everything is going well. God has really been good in keeping me healthy and not sending too much morning sickness my way. We're really enjoying this time of getting ready for the new addition to our family. Baby is due September 27.
As most of you probably know by now, I'm pregnant! Everything is going well. God has really been good in keeping me healthy and not sending too much morning sickness my way. We're really enjoying this time of getting ready for the new addition to our family. Baby is due September 27.
January trip
When we last wrote, there was a small team coming from the States for a trip around the regions that take part in the summer camps. We traveled with them and had a wonderful time. In just a little over a week, we visited seven orphanages, four different churches, and lots of friends. It seems like it was such a long time ago, but I know many of you were praying, and, hopefully, those who were really interested asked for more stories from our trip back when they were fresh.
When we last wrote, there was a small team coming from the States for a trip around the regions that take part in the summer camps. We traveled with them and had a wonderful time. In just a little over a week, we visited seven orphanages, four different churches, and lots of friends. It seems like it was such a long time ago, but I know many of you were praying, and, hopefully, those who were really interested asked for more stories from our trip back when they were fresh.
English camp
In the first week of April, Will had the opportunity to work at a Student Venture English camp. Apparently they usually have a big group come from the States to staff these camps, but because of the situation in Iraq, the team couldnít come. They invited Americans living in Moscow to take their places. Will taught a group of junior high kids and really bonded well with them. In the week after camp, he was able to be really involved in the follow-up activities for the kids who had been at camp.
In the first week of April, Will had the opportunity to work at a Student Venture English camp. Apparently they usually have a big group come from the States to staff these camps, but because of the situation in Iraq, the team couldnít come. They invited Americans living in Moscow to take their places. Will taught a group of junior high kids and really bonded well with them. In the week after camp, he was able to be really involved in the follow-up activities for the kids who had been at camp.
New ministries
Since that camp, Will picked up new jobs at two schools. He was teaching one day at each and really enjoying it. The classes were small, and the kids were fun to work with. Other new ministries are Sunday visits to an orphanage near our church and working with the Russian and Ukrainian missionaries in the Vladimir region. The first is something Will has been able to help with for a while now. A small group from church goes to the orphanage after the Sunday service and does a program like Sunday school for the kids; Will is in charge of the singing. The work with the guys in the Vladimir region is newer. Recently Will took the director of GospeLink, a mission that sponsors national pastors and missionaries, out to meet our friends in Kovrov
(where we helped in an orphanage camp last summer). We're hoping that through that visit, some of the men and families out there will get some financial support for their ministries. Will is going to be helping with keeping them in touch with GospeLink and American sponsors.
Since that camp, Will picked up new jobs at two schools. He was teaching one day at each and really enjoying it. The classes were small, and the kids were fun to work with. Other new ministries are Sunday visits to an orphanage near our church and working with the Russian and Ukrainian missionaries in the Vladimir region. The first is something Will has been able to help with for a while now. A small group from church goes to the orphanage after the Sunday service and does a program like Sunday school for the kids; Will is in charge of the singing. The work with the guys in the Vladimir region is newer. Recently Will took the director of GospeLink, a mission that sponsors national pastors and missionaries, out to meet our friends in Kovrov
(where we helped in an orphanage camp last summer). We're hoping that through that visit, some of the men and families out there will get some financial support for their ministries. Will is going to be helping with keeping them in touch with GospeLink and American sponsors.
Guests
Just recently we had a wonderful visit with my parents. We were so thankful that they got to come! It was really fun to be able to spend time with them and to show them our life here. I think they got a good picture of what we do, as well as getting to fit in a lot of tourist sightseeing. Thank you to all of you who prayed and helped get them over here!
Just recently we had a wonderful visit with my parents. We were so thankful that they got to come! It was really fun to be able to spend time with them and to show them our life here. I think they got a good picture of what we do, as well as getting to fit in a lot of tourist sightseeing. Thank you to all of you who prayed and helped get them over here!
School
I've just finished teaching. It was bittersweet to have the school year come to an end. I know I'm going to miss "my" kids, but I was also really aware of how God was weaning me away from my teaching job. First of all, between sickness and various holidays, I slowly saw less and less of them, instead of finishing off the year abruptly. Second, those last times that we had together were really good and enjoyable. And, last, I was just feeling ready to be done, to focus on our upcoming summer and getting ready for our own baby! That's really different from last year, when I had difficulty saying goodbye to my students, even knowing that I would see them again soon.
I've just finished teaching. It was bittersweet to have the school year come to an end. I know I'm going to miss "my" kids, but I was also really aware of how God was weaning me away from my teaching job. First of all, between sickness and various holidays, I slowly saw less and less of them, instead of finishing off the year abruptly. Second, those last times that we had together were really good and enjoyable. And, last, I was just feeling ready to be done, to focus on our upcoming summer and getting ready for our own baby! That's really different from last year, when I had difficulty saying goodbye to my students, even knowing that I would see them again soon.
Summer
This summer looks like it's going to be just about as full as last summer. We'll be working in the same camps in the Vladimir region, in pretty much the same capacity. At first, while the American group is here, we'll be helping mostly as translators. Later, after they leave, we'll stay on and help however we're needed.
This summer looks like it's going to be just about as full as last summer. We'll be working in the same camps in the Vladimir region, in pretty much the same capacity. At first, while the American group is here, we'll be helping mostly as translators. Later, after they leave, we'll stay on and help however we're needed.
Please be praying with us for:
1) The kids who are coming to the camps. Most of them are from hard family situations or orphanages.
2) My health and strength. It could be a little harder for me to keep up this year! =)
3) Visas for the American team. As I write this, the American group is getting ready to fly out on June 12th. However, their visas were held up somewhere, and they have just hours until they should board the plane. Please pray that the visas will get there in time for the group to get on their flight!
1) The kids who are coming to the camps. Most of them are from hard family situations or orphanages.
2) My health and strength. It could be a little harder for me to keep up this year! =)
3) Visas for the American team. As I write this, the American group is getting ready to fly out on June 12th. However, their visas were held up somewhere, and they have just hours until they should board the plane. Please pray that the visas will get there in time for the group to get on their flight!
Again, thank you so much for all your love and prayers! We'll be away from Moscow, at the camps, until the end of July at least. Please feel free to write to us before then, but we won't be able to answer until we return.
Love and prayers,
Will and Phyllis Hunsucker
Will and Phyllis Hunsucker
P.S. VISA UPDATE: The American group did not get their visas in time for their planned departure. It looks like they'll be coming June 19th now. Please pray that their visas will be found before then! Also, pray for everyone on this end. The camps have to start up, even without the group and the supplies that they will bring. We'll probably be helping out in Kovrov, at the orphanage camp until the group gets here. We know God has a reason for all this, even if we don't understand what what it is. Please be praying!
NOTE: We will have to renew our visas toward the end of the summer. We're already starting to work on it, and we don't expect any problems, but we would still like to have all of you praying that the process will go smoothly! While you're praying for the group's visa situation, you can also remember to pray about our visas. =)