We finally arrived back home in Moscow Monday night. After a little excitement with sitting in an airplane for 3 hours and missing our connecting flight, we flew into Moscow 4 hours later than expected. However, only one of our four pieces of luggage arrived with us. So, there was the long process to fill out paperwork and arrange for the luggage to be delivered to our flat.
Wednesday morning the airport called and said our luggage was in customs and that we would need to come pick the suitcases up. We were busy all morning and into the afternoon. Around 3:00 Constantine took us to the airport again. First we had to locate our bags in the lost and found area, then wait two hours for the paperwork to be processed. After five hours and paying $40 for "overweight luggage," we arrived home with all suitcases intact. At least we did not find anything missing. We are thankful to God that the trip is finally over. Frustration and jet lag don't mix!!
We will soon post pictures from our furlough on our website at www.gatewaymoscow.org. Thanks for your encouragement and prayers on our behalf. We are so grateful to you all for helping to "fill our buckets."
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Another grandson!
This is from our son's, Eric's, website:
We are thrilled to announce that we are the very proud parents of a precious baby boy waiting for us in China!
With much prayer and in God’s perfect timing, we felt led to allow greater room for God to do His handiwork in growing our family. In May, we applied to the Waiting Child program with our adoption agency. Just a little over two weeks later (WOW – we’re still in shock!), on Friday, June 5, we saw our son’s face for the very first time and accepted his referral with great joy! There is a bit more to the story (which I'll post about later), but when we received the call from our agency – we knew immediately he was our son! God is so good!
Here are the details about our son:
Chinese name: Only to be shared upon receiving referral acceptance (about three months from now)
His face: Only to be publicly posted upon receiving referral acceptance, but stop me when you see me, and I’ll show you a picture! He’s SO handsome!
Name we've given him: Zane Leland (Zane - God is gracious/Leader & Leland – Grandpa’s and Eric’s middle name)
Age: 9 months
Resides: Fujian Province
Special need: Unrepaired cleft lip and palate
Fun facts about Zane: He’s active, loves listening to music and playing with musical toys, laughs aloud and has a ready smile, and his favorite activity is being cuddled. Oh, and he’s super cute! :)
We are thrilled to announce that we are the very proud parents of a precious baby boy waiting for us in China!
With much prayer and in God’s perfect timing, we felt led to allow greater room for God to do His handiwork in growing our family. In May, we applied to the Waiting Child program with our adoption agency. Just a little over two weeks later (WOW – we’re still in shock!), on Friday, June 5, we saw our son’s face for the very first time and accepted his referral with great joy! There is a bit more to the story (which I'll post about later), but when we received the call from our agency – we knew immediately he was our son! God is so good!
Here are the details about our son:
Chinese name: Only to be shared upon receiving referral acceptance (about three months from now)
His face: Only to be publicly posted upon receiving referral acceptance, but stop me when you see me, and I’ll show you a picture! He’s SO handsome!
Name we've given him: Zane Leland (Zane - God is gracious/Leader & Leland – Grandpa’s and Eric’s middle name)
Age: 9 months
Resides: Fujian Province
Special need: Unrepaired cleft lip and palate
Fun facts about Zane: He’s active, loves listening to music and playing with musical toys, laughs aloud and has a ready smile, and his favorite activity is being cuddled. Oh, and he’s super cute! :)
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Cristos Voskres!
Easter in Russia was a week later than in America this spring. We follow the Eastern Orthodox calendar, so the dates usually are different.
Costya and Ira, our preacher and wife, suggested we have church at their house. They have been working for months to cultivate friendships with neighbors. We planned the service to be attractive to them. The “regulars” met an hour before the scheduled service. We sang a few traditional Easter songs and shared the Lord’s Supper.
Once our visitors arrived, we began church with two songs: Up From the Grave He Arose and Amazing Grace. John, who organized the music, thought that these two hymns summarize the message of Resurrection Sunday. For the praise time, we were blessed three times over. A neighbor let us use his keyboard, so the songs had suitable accompaniment. Also a visitor who attends a church in a neighboring city was in Moscow and offered to share some songs he had written. He sang several throughout the day, and everyone enjoyed his music.
Costya preached about the resurrection from the point of view of the first ones who discovered the empty tomb. Probably this was the first time some in the audience ever heard evidence for Christ’s resurrection.
After worship time, two of our men grilled hotdogs outside while the ladies set out salads and desserts. Unlike most Easter Sundays in America, we had sleet and snow part of the day! That didn’t interfere with the chefs, and the hotdogs were done just right.
The rest of the afternoon was spent getting to know our visitors and enjoying good food. Of the twenty or so adults, at least eight were visitors. It was obvious from all the conversations and laughter that everyone enjoyed getting acquainted. The children were all at a children’s center 5 minutes away, so they were happier as well as the adults.
We rejoice that the Lord led these new friends to our fellowship. Our prayer is that we can incorporate each one into a home group and eventually our church family.
Costya and Ira, our preacher and wife, suggested we have church at their house. They have been working for months to cultivate friendships with neighbors. We planned the service to be attractive to them. The “regulars” met an hour before the scheduled service. We sang a few traditional Easter songs and shared the Lord’s Supper.
Once our visitors arrived, we began church with two songs: Up From the Grave He Arose and Amazing Grace. John, who organized the music, thought that these two hymns summarize the message of Resurrection Sunday. For the praise time, we were blessed three times over. A neighbor let us use his keyboard, so the songs had suitable accompaniment. Also a visitor who attends a church in a neighboring city was in Moscow and offered to share some songs he had written. He sang several throughout the day, and everyone enjoyed his music.
Costya preached about the resurrection from the point of view of the first ones who discovered the empty tomb. Probably this was the first time some in the audience ever heard evidence for Christ’s resurrection.
After worship time, two of our men grilled hotdogs outside while the ladies set out salads and desserts. Unlike most Easter Sundays in America, we had sleet and snow part of the day! That didn’t interfere with the chefs, and the hotdogs were done just right.
The rest of the afternoon was spent getting to know our visitors and enjoying good food. Of the twenty or so adults, at least eight were visitors. It was obvious from all the conversations and laughter that everyone enjoyed getting acquainted. The children were all at a children’s center 5 minutes away, so they were happier as well as the adults.
We rejoice that the Lord led these new friends to our fellowship. Our prayer is that we can incorporate each one into a home group and eventually our church family.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Church Life
A variety of visitors have been coming to worship recently. One member who teaches English has brought a couple of her students. The Nazarovs have brought their neighbor and her granddaughter. Ira, who attended our first home group, has been attending regularly. These new faces are quite an encouragement to the rest of us. Costya has added something new for the children. At the start of worship, he played two children's action songs. The songs have the children clap, make a circle, and several other fun motions that some of the adults enjoyed doing along with the kids. Then we heard a short story told specifically for children. We intend to make this a regular part of the Sunday service.
Our church is growing!
Our pastor, Costya Nazarov, and his wife, Ira, welcomed a new member of their family on February 25. Simeon is a whopping 9 pounds, 22" long, and was born at home. This is their third child after Elisha and Anecia.
We were invited for dinner after church on March 8th and had a very enjoyable time visiting, playing with the kids, and snuzzling the baby.
Congratulations, Costya and Ira!
Monday, February 9, 2009
Prayer Needs
We have several prayer requests from our family.
First, our newest grandson, Elijah, fell last Friday outside their home and broke his arm in two places. He needed to be given general anesthesia to set the arm. We saw him on Sunday (via Skype), and he appears to be doing ok with the cast. This ended his second week in the US. We pray his future does not involve doctors and hospitals very often.
Our son Kevin's niece (6-year-old Hadley) went to the hospital in Joplin, Missouri, on Friday with swollen feet and legs. She was diagnosed with a condition which could take some time to get over, so please pray that she recovers soon with no long-lasting effects. (The picture of Hadley is from a few years ago.)
First, our newest grandson, Elijah, fell last Friday outside their home and broke his arm in two places. He needed to be given general anesthesia to set the arm. We saw him on Sunday (via Skype), and he appears to be doing ok with the cast. This ended his second week in the US. We pray his future does not involve doctors and hospitals very often.
Our son Kevin's niece (6-year-old Hadley) went to the hospital in Joplin, Missouri, on Friday with swollen feet and legs. She was diagnosed with a condition which could take some time to get over, so please pray that she recovers soon with no long-lasting effects. (The picture of Hadley is from a few years ago.)
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Birthday Month
February is our Chinese birthday month. Elijah turned 10 on February 1, Ami (his sister) will be 3 on February 8, and Elle (daughter of Eric and Kate) will turn 3 on February 15--one each week. It is interesting that Elijah's birthday is so soon after the adoption. He might have the notion that we have parties and presents every month (or week?). I wonder what he's thinking and feeling now in a new family, new house, new country, new language, new culture. Pray for him as he makes many adjustments to his new life.
Monday, January 26, 2009
We Have a New Grandson!
We are thrilled to announce the arrival of Elijah Fengfei (Fungfay) Wolfe! This is not the usual baby announcement, because Elijah is a 10-year-old Chinese boy. Our oldest son and his wife, Christopher and Jocelyn, along with their other 4 children went to China on January 8 after spending a week in Japan with Jocelyn's family. Michaela, Johanna, and Ami love having another brother, but Benjamin is ecstatic! The entire process took 2 weeks, which gave all of them time to start getting to know each other. They returned to their home in Columbia, Missouri, on January 23.
Each day since meeting Elijah has been filled with a roller coaster of emotions for everyone. Elijah has a sweet personality and goes with the flow--exactly what he needs in a family of 7! Please pray for the family as they get back into a routine, and for Elijah especially with the overwhelming adjustments he is facing. Welcome to the Wolfe family, Elijah!
People
Constantine Nazarov serves as pastor of Peace to Your Home Church. Besides the leadership of the church, he is a trustee of the Apostle Paul Christian Academy and manages getting Christian books translated into the Russian language, printed, and distributed. Finally, he is working towards a Master's degree through TCM in Austria.
Costya and Ira have two children--Elisha and Anicia. They are expecting their third child in February. The Nazarovs also use their home to meet informally with neighbors who don't attend any church.
Peace to Your Home Church appreciates Costya's commitment to personal growth and church outreach!
Sheri Medlock taught English for a year in Moscow at the same school where we are part-time teachers. She returned to the US in July to work with the College Heights Christian Church as an intern in preparation for returning to Russia for permanent ministry.
At the church she leads a children's class and is getting acquainted with various staff workers and members. Recently she attended a two-week PILAT course in Colorado. The classes help missionaries learn skills in acquiring a new language. She meets regularly with a Russian lady who is helping her learn Russian now. Sheri also is a substitute teacher in the Joplin public schools.
One priority for Sheri during her time in the US is raising support for her return to Moscow. Recently a sixteen-year-old girl asked her friends to donate money for Sheri instead of giving the girl a birthday gift. She presented Sheri with over $100. In her recent newsletter, Sheri commented on how that act of faith encouraged her. Sheri continues to raise support.
Sheri intended to move back to Moscow in February. However, due to various reasons, she will now return the first part of the summer. She wants to make language learning her first priority. Her previous ministry of working with young adults will most likely continuse just as during her first year in Moscow.
Costya and Ira have two children--Elisha and Anicia. They are expecting their third child in February. The Nazarovs also use their home to meet informally with neighbors who don't attend any church.
Peace to Your Home Church appreciates Costya's commitment to personal growth and church outreach!
Sheri Medlock taught English for a year in Moscow at the same school where we are part-time teachers. She returned to the US in July to work with the College Heights Christian Church as an intern in preparation for returning to Russia for permanent ministry.
At the church she leads a children's class and is getting acquainted with various staff workers and members. Recently she attended a two-week PILAT course in Colorado. The classes help missionaries learn skills in acquiring a new language. She meets regularly with a Russian lady who is helping her learn Russian now. Sheri also is a substitute teacher in the Joplin public schools.
One priority for Sheri during her time in the US is raising support for her return to Moscow. Recently a sixteen-year-old girl asked her friends to donate money for Sheri instead of giving the girl a birthday gift. She presented Sheri with over $100. In her recent newsletter, Sheri commented on how that act of faith encouraged her. Sheri continues to raise support.Sheri intended to move back to Moscow in February. However, due to various reasons, she will now return the first part of the summer. She wants to make language learning her first priority. Her previous ministry of working with young adults will most likely continuse just as during her first year in Moscow.
The Holiday Season--Новый Год и Рожество
In Russia by far the biggest holiday is New Year's. In the last two or three years, the government extended the national holiday season to extend from January 1 through Russian Christmas, January 7. With a little more fine tuning, the actual holiday was ten days. Workers traded the Friday after Christmas for the following Sunday. The good part was ten or eleven consecutive vacation days; the down side was that Sunday was an ordinary work day for many, even public schools.
New Year's Eve is similar to American Christmas in some ways. There is a decora
ted tr
ee, gift exchange, "Grandfather Frost" (who often wears blue instead of the traditional red of Santa Claus), and lots of colored lights in homes and outside displays. Before midnight is family time, filled with many traditions and gift exchange. After welcoming the new year, the children are put to bed while adults head off to parties for the rest of the night. Fireworks are set off at midnight to welcome the new year and continue until morning.
Since the vacation time is eight or ten days, many people will travel to neighboring cities or even other countries. Turkey and Egypt are popular destinations. Of course, snow skiing is popular, as well as ice skating in outdoor rinks, often at one of the many parks or even Red Square. Most of Moscow is flat, but there are some hills for downhill skiing. Cross-country skiing is very popular, even with little children.
Christmas is celebrated according to the Orthodox calendar, so it falls on January 7. Many people attend a late-night service on Christmas eve. The main Orthodox church in the center of Moscow began its ceremonies at 11 pm and went for at least three hours--and there are no seats in Orthodox churches! Christmas is only a religious holiday. As mentioned earlier, Santa, gifts, and decorations are all connected with New Year's.
We enjoyed the holiday season because we had the time to do lots of visiting and fellowshipping with friends and neighbors. It's a great season when people aren't so busy and the routine slows down. We always look for opportunities to talk about the important message of Christmas, that Jesus came as God in the flesh.
New Year's Eve is similar to American Christmas in some ways. There is a decora
ted tr
ee, gift exchange, "Grandfather Frost" (who often wears blue instead of the traditional red of Santa Claus), and lots of colored lights in homes and outside displays. Before midnight is family time, filled with many traditions and gift exchange. After welcoming the new year, the children are put to bed while adults head off to parties for the rest of the night. Fireworks are set off at midnight to welcome the new year and continue until morning.Since the vacation time is eight or ten days, many people will travel to neighboring cities or even other countries. Turkey and Egypt are popular destinations. Of course, snow skiing is popular, as well as ice skating in outdoor rinks, often at one of the many parks or even Red Square. Most of Moscow is flat, but there are some hills for downhill skiing. Cross-country skiing is very popular, even with little children.
Christmas is celebrated according to the Orthodox calendar, so it falls on January 7. Many people attend a late-night service on Christmas eve. The main Orthodox church in the center of Moscow began its ceremonies at 11 pm and went for at least three hours--and there are no seats in Orthodox churches! Christmas is only a religious holiday. As mentioned earlier, Santa, gifts, and decorations are all connected with New Year's.
We enjoyed the holiday season because we had the time to do lots of visiting and fellowshipping with friends and neighbors. It's a great season when people aren't so busy and the routine slows down. We always look for opportunities to talk about the important message of Christmas, that Jesus came as God in the flesh.
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