When Will's parents and sister were here to visit, they were able to go out to Kovrov. This is what Will's Mom wrote about her time there:
"I LOVED being able to visit in Kovrov! First of all, stepping of the train into the snow and walking up the hill in the early evening, I felt like I was in Dr. Zhivago! (I was very glad that we were met by a friendly face, Pavel, and that he had a car!)
"Kovrov felt like a real 'hometown' as opposed to Moscow which seems like such a huge place to me. Kovrov has wonderful, old Russian houses, made of wood with gingerbread trim and painted in beautiful colors. And, it is surrounded by forest. Five minutes in any direction, it seems that you are in the midst of fir trees. It is on a very picturesque river and there are lovely old churches in several areas.
"And, the people were so kind to us. Pavel, Tanya and their children are so sweet and hospitable. And, more importantly, you can tell they really love the Lord. They were serving other and sharing His Word the whole time we were there.
"I especially enjoyed being able to fix an American meal for them - Southern fried chicken, baked beans and coleslaw. The youth group was meeting at Tanya and Pavel's that night, so they joined us, too. Tanya and the girls all wanted to know how to fry the chicken. It seems Russian don't do Southern fried chicken. =)
"I am so glad Will, Phyllis and Jaan are going to be moving to Kovrov. I think they will be a great help to Tanya and Pavel. And, I think Tanya and Pavel will be great friends and encouragement for them, as well. I can't wait to visit again!"