Dacha Weekend

We had a GREAT time at the Chekalin's dacha this weekend. It was great to get away from the hustle and bustle of Moscow and be out in the quiet countryside of Russia. It was the first experience for the kids to be without running water and indoor plumbing. They enjoyed looking through the gardens, playing in the fields, and sitting by the fire playing games. It was pretty cool and very windy while we were there. After returning home, we were able to go to our neighbor's apartment for a late lunch. We continue to try to develop a close relationship with them. Please continue to pray for Slava, Lena, Karina, and Gleb. Now for a short explanation of the above pictures from our trip to the dacha:

1) Ella after a long, but fun trip to the dacha!

2) Our group in front of a monastery that was started for widows of soldiers who died in battle in 1812 against France.

3) The Chekalin Family who hosted us: - Andre, Misha, Lena, Anna, Misha, and Olga - Please pray for this family. They lead the Good News Baptist Church in Moscow. Many of you have met Misha, Lena, and Olga in America.

4) We came home to Moscow on this electric train with Ella's nanny, Olga. It was Ella's first train experience.

5)Orthodox Church on the monastery grounds.

6) Memorial for the battle at this spot between Russia and France in 1812.

7 & 8 ) The kids had a great time climbing and rolling down the hills around the monument.

9) The dacha we stayed at.

10) There were beautiful flowers around the dacha. These were some of the prettiest.

11 & 12) Kellan and Ella both loved picking apples and pears from the trees and eating them.

13) We are helping salvage some second hand plywood for them to use in building a banya!

14) Close up of the dacha.

15) Picking pears to eat.

16 & 17) Russian soup and salad they preapred for us to eat.

18) The outdoor sink for washing hands.

19) A walk through the garden.

PLEASE PRAY FOR KELLAN

Kellan started to school on Tuesday. We can't believe he is already in 4th grade. He was ready and excited about starting a new school. He likes his new teacher and there are 10 kids in his class. He has adjusted very well so far. We just want you to say a specific prayer specifically for Kellan after you read this post. Pray that he has a successful school year, that he makes many new friends, and that God will use him to be a witness to friends and neighbors. He loves to be outside here and rollerblade, ripstick, or go to the playground. Thanks to everyone who has had an influence on his life. Here are some recent pictures of him. The ones at the bottom are a picture the stop where we catch the bus to school and a picture of his school building. Please pray!

Good Week!

We have had a good week and continue to thank you for your prayers! We survived another week of language. We went to worship last Sunday at Golovinski church. Some special music was given by a man on an accordion. It was very interesting and the first time I have ever been a part of a worship service with an accordion!
On Tuesday night, I went to meet a friend for dinner. We went to a Russian restaurant called Kvartira 44 (which means apartment 44 in Russian) and enjoyed a great salad. I had to leave a little sooner than expected because Kellan hurt his wrist outside playing and I needed to come home to check on him. Please pray for Misha, Oxanna, Ivan, and Anton. Misha would be open to the gospel but has told me 2 times now that his wife is very uncomfortable discussing or being a part of religion. Thankfully Kellan's arm was not broken. We went to the European Medical Clinic for x-rays the following morning he had severe soft tissue damage and bruising. His hand is much better now. He told me 2 days after - "Daddy, I can tell my arm is getting better because I can use more fingers on my PSP!" Healing was measured by success on the PSP!
On Friday night we went to dinner at the home of some of our colleagues and had a GREAT southern meal - barbecue, baked beans, sweet tea, and french fries. We had good fellowship and played some games afterwards.
Tonight, we had our neighbors over again for pizza and salad. We had an interesting time playing the Wii together. There is definitely growing interest in why we are here. It is frustrating to not be able to tell him more in Russian, but our friendship continues to grow.
Continue praying for our language studies and for more opportunities to meet new neighbors and friends! Blessings!!!

ELLA'S BIRTHDAY!

Ella had a GREAT birthday today! We started celebrating on Thursday at an indoor play place here in Moscow. Today she chose to eat at TGI Friday's so she could get fettucini and shrimp. She opened cards and presents from family and friends tonight. Tomomrrow we will celebrate with the Stamey's!

We praise the Lord she is so happy and full of life. She has adjusted so well here so far. Her favorite things are the metro, tramvae, and playgrounds!

Thanks for all the presents and cards!

SHE LOVES TO PLAY AND CHECK OUT ALL OF THE PLAYGROUNDS!

Please pray specifically for Ella when you read this! Pray that she transitions well to staying with Olga full time on August 17th. Pray that she will begin to learn Russian (Spanish as she calls it) quickly. Pray that she continues to love being here and that God would use even her to draw someone closer to Him! Thanks for all of your support, love, and prayer.

Short Update

Just wanted to send out a short update of what has been going on with us! Some day we will learn to carry our camera! We forget it everytime we go out. This past week was a good week for us.

Sunday 27th - We were able to worship at the Golovinski church and see many old friends and people that many of the volunteer teams I brought over worked with the past 4 or 5 years. It was a blessing to be there. I was able to play the piano for a quartet to sing 3 songs. She gave a testimony of how God sent me on that day to play for them. We were able to eat at Starlite Diner on the way home :) It was yummy and the kids enjoyed it. I went to hear a 4-handed organ concert at a Lutheran church here in Moscow. It was very interesting.

During the weekdays we work hard on language learning. Deana has LOTS of homework each night. Thankfully I only have to review the lesson from that day. I can sense some small progress and enjoy trying to talk to people at times.

Deana enjoyed a ladies night out on Tuesday night with fellow missionary ladies. They had a Bible study time and enjoyed the evening together. On Thursday I was able to go out to eat with some of my language classmates - 4 Koreans, 1 Spaniard, 2 Italians, and 1 Russian. One of the Korean's who was once in my group invited all of us to a authentic Korean restaurant and paid for all of us to eat!! I also met South Korea's military attache here in Moscow. I have no idea what I ate but we had a good time together. You will see a picture of our group above!

On Saturday our neighbors invited us to go along with them to Mega ( a shopping mall on the outskirts of Moscow) to ice skate and eat. Kellan LOVED ice skating for the first time ever and they took us to a Portugese restaurant to eat supper. We enjoyed spending time with them and continuing to try to develop and good relationship with them.

This past Sunday we were able to worship at Good News Baptist Church and saw some other old friends and again treated ourselves to Starlite Diner since it was on the way home.

Just wanted to fill you in on the week. Many of you have asked about it and thought this was the easiest way to answer. Your prayers are appreciated!!!!!

Please pray for me as I answer LOTS of questions about the Baptist faith from fellow students and teachers at the University I attend. I want to answer in a way that presents the gospel and also gives them a desire to find out more!