December 4, 2001

Hi everyone!

 

Well, on my way home from buying groceries several weeks ago I noticed something that looked like a coat lying on the ground in front of our apartment building.  My hands were completely full, so I didn't even stop.  It did cross my mind that it might be the answer to my prayer.  Will got home about fifteen minutes after I did, and I sent him out to take a look.  Amazingly enough it was still there!  It's a long, maroon coat, wool with a fur edged hood.  All the buttons had been pulled off, it needed some cleaning, and the lining was torn in two places, but it's in surprisingly good condition, and it fits me.  And it's beautiful!  Plus, the coat had matching gloves left in the pockets, and the scarf that I already had matches the color perfectly.

I fixed the coat up and wore it for the first time.  We were out all day visiting friends in Moscow, then going to an evening church service in Zelenograd and visiting more friends out there.  I told everyone about the coat, and were all amazed.  God always provides, but when He does something special like that it really makes me realize how much He loves me and how He cares for each of His children.

The coat isn't the only special blessing lately.  I could go on about tickets to hear the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, a crate of tomatoes, a long corduroy jumper, armchairs....  God is very good!  Praise and thank Him with us!

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights." James 1:17
Because of Christ,
  Phyllis

Hello to one and all from COLD and snowy Moscow!
Phyllis said we would both write, and so we are.

Daily life here takes as much, or more, effort here as anywhere else.  There is so much demanding time and attention here and now that I often fail to be faithful in correspondence.  Please don't give up hope, if you haven't heard from me.  I am alive and well (we both are), and we are strengthened and encouraged by your PRAYERS and communication.

When I wrote last, we were looking for a job.  I was waiting until we had something specific before I wrote any more.  By now, I'm sure most of you know that we did find work.

The Lord provided just the kind of school we were praying to get into.  It's a private school, 1st-11th grades, with around 260 students.  We were praying that we could work with children, and we are!  Phyllis is teaching 1st-4th grades, and I have 10th grade (14-15 years old).

The school is a neat place to work in a lot of ways.  It's a Russian school in every regard, but it has exceptionally high standards of education, and of course, a very good English program. We don't have full schedules yet, but plenty to keep us busy.  We're praying that we might get a few more hours next semester.  All of our classes are after school, or after the regular classes, which results in tired (or hyper) children for every lesson! =)  However, it is definitely an answer to prayer.

Working with the other teachers is very enlightening and very frustrating at times!  We are very aware that we are in a completely different educational system.  Discovering many differences weekly keeps us alert and striving to learn, to fit in, and to be as much of a help as possible.  PRAY that we could build closer relationships with our co-workers.

I know many of you are praying for the children we are teaching.  Please do continue to do so! =)  Phyllis' classes are made up of 6-9 year olds, usually a joy to work with.  However, the age groups are almost always mixed, their knowledge varies to an amazing degree, and most of the kids are ready to be done with schoolwork by the time they get to Phyllis!

I, myself, have different challenges with the 10th graders.  Most of them have an amazing grasp of the English language.  They also have a less than amazing desire to study in their "extra" English lesson: that is, in my class!  Part of the problem is that they do have a very heavy study load already--and they didn't exactly want more English lessons.  I still greatly enjoy working with them, but, as in as any school setting, motivating the students is a great challenge.  Please continue PRAYING for me as I work with these talented, but disinterested, kids. =)

On a different note, we are enjoying more and more the blessings of being part of a local body of believers here.  We are still able to attend the two youth meetings and Wednesday night Bible study most of the time.  Singing in the choir has been a challenge and ministry--to the choir director mostly--but also to the rest of the church.  They place a huge emphasis on the choral singing in their services.  There is usually a shortage of male choir members.  I make up the tenor section and another young guy is the only bass.  From time to time we have a few more, but most of the time it's the two of us and the ladies! =)

Phyllis has been able to fill a position in the Sunday school program.  She helps with the younger children and is greatly appreciated by the teachers there.  Also, she has the privilege and pleasure of getting to know some of the little ones of the church.

We have both been able to take part in three youth services in the last couple of months.  These are usually a fairly major production for the youth.  They are greatly appreciated by the rest of the church.  We've been able to visit other churches and take part in their youth services as well.  Being able to encourage and edify other Christians as a part of this active youth group is a constant challenge and joy.  We are enjoying it!

So far no one has gotten me to speak in church, that is, to deliver a message.  However, there are plenty who are encouraging me, and I will most likely speak one Saturday this month.  There is usually a lack of teachers/preachers on Saturdays.  I almost always sing a song or two (or three), with some introduction.  I just haven't been able to convince myself that my language is good enough yet.

However, to not speak or share when given the opportunity is basically saying that God hasn't been working in your life; that He hasn't taught you or nurtured you, encouraged, strengthened, or rebuked you through His Word recently, and I certainly wouldn't want to be saying that!

Please PRAY that we would both take advantage of as many ministry opportunities as possible with in the church during this next month.

I could go on, but I know too many details can be as much of a fault as none at all!  The Lord has and continues to greatly bless us in all aspects of life, as Phyllis summarized much more succinctly than I.  In new friendships and old, church life and work, material needs and our own marriage relationship, the Lord continues to richly display His love and mercy and grace to us...and through us, at times, to our own amazement!