International Women's Day and a Men's Conference.......

How can we make the women of the fellowship feel special on Woman's Day this year?  That is the question Kevin posed to the men of the fellowship...We as a group of men thought we should treat the ladies to a luncheon that we, the men, would prepare, cook and do the clean up to make this a very special treat for the ladies.

We realized that none of us knew how to bake so we decided that it would be best to buy cakes; you gotta admit that they are nice looking cakes.  They tasted so good too. We didn't have a single complaint that they were not homemade!

Laura planned a few games that the ladies seemed to enjoy....

Of course there are always kids around so we played with the kids that came and fed them in another room so the mothers could enjoy their special day...the kids seemed to enjoy Kevin's spaghetti.

 The ladies truly enjoyed being waited on.  Laura tells me that the time of fellowship and games was a great break from the regular routine that these ladies are normally involved in.

All in all it was a success and we hope to make it an even larger event next year; a day to let the ladies know they are special....Those are smiles of joy on their faces!

                                                                                 

A few of the men were able to take part in a men's conference on Lake Baikal.  There were about 50 men altogether. The other day, Kevin was talking to one of our neighbors and she could not believe that 50 men could get together for three days and not have any vodka! This of course gave him the chance to talk a bit about the conference and why there was no alcohol.  

Our guys on the first day...

Of course we had fun on the frozen lake.  

This is Kevin in an ice cave...amazing what happens when the waves on the lake freeze..

The conference was excellent for all that attended; the teaching has and will impact lives...One night we all watched the film, "Courageous."  If you have not seen the film...you need to!! It's a quality film and the message is right on.  

The sun just before sunset across the frozen Lake Baikal...What an amazing sight!!!!  His creation is truly breath taking!  

I hope you were able to get a small glimpse of some of the things happening here.  We still need to post some pictures of the recent picnic and hike we had with some of the youth.  Until then, keep your focus on Him who gave us the sunset that you see in the above picture!

Have a wonderful day!

Kevin and Laura

"I have wondered at times what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the U.S. Congress."
~ Ronald Reagan

IT'S SPRING......at least that's what the Russian calendar says!

Perhaps it's Spring somewhere in the world; just not in Siberia...at least not yet! We're getting closer to above freezing temperatures...maybe just a few more days ??!!! In any case, we thought it was a great idea to show you around town. We confess our pictures don't show people; mainly because when we were taking these pictures, folks were still pretty much bundled up - you don't see many faces during the winter months. So.... ......grab a cup of coffee and sit back as you walk around our village of Horinsk.

Coming into our village...sign says Horinsk.

The regional hospital as you come into town.

One of two auto parts stores!

Newer of the two gas stations.

Bringing gas from the city.

One of the many grocery stores in our village.

School #1.......nearest to our apartment.

The Post Office/Phone company/
Internet service Offices

WWII Memorial in foreground,
Sports Hall and Culture Center
in the background.

The newest Kindergarten...there are four others with
as many as 100 children in each. The name is
"Golden Keys" and was built in six months by Chinese workers.

Center of town with medical clinics on either side
of this picture.

The county library.

Our apartment - second floor with balcony.

 





















These are typical homes anywhere in Russia. Approx. 80% of these type of homes do not have      central heating or water and have outside toilets as well. 

This is where we live....although there have been adjustments to village life, it has become home for now! This is some added information for those who appreciate more than just the pictures :) Our village is located in a valley surrounded by mountains. The average temperature in summer is 85 degrees with winter months averaging -28C. We don’t get much snow but once we do, it will remain until March.  Our community is approx. 40% Buriat and 60% Russian. (Also folks from Uzbekistan, China and AmericaJ) This village was once quite small but as of 2010, the population is 8,430. It’s the region’s central town and has two schools, four kindergartens (these are separate from the schools because they are open to children from 2-6 years of age), a library, and indoor gymnasium for the community, four small cafes in town and two on the edge of town. There’s also a library, a very old and small museum and of course a monument in the center of town to those who died in WWII. We only have four paved roads, the others are gravel and/or sand with lots of dips and holes. This being the ‘county seat’, we also have government offices and the courthouse.  Not more than 20 years ago, this town also had several factories. There was a chicken farm with 50,000 chickens, a diary farm that supplied milk products to the region, hay was grown outside of town about 20 km on 100’s of acres of land; after ‘peristroika’ the equipment disappeared and all of these farms and businesses closed. There is a local butcher which has also started a small business that makes a national food that’s something like a meat dumpling for this region. There must be 30 or more small stores that sell groceries, an appliance store and two furniture stores, and our version of home depot (only lots smaller). We also have 6 sawmills, however, they employ the Chinese because it’s cheaper and that is where approx. 80% of the lumber is shipped. With all of this you’d think most folks would have jobs….we still see the unemployment rate over 40%!

“I must have walked around your building for two hours before knocking on your door!” It had been at least three weeks since Sergei had spoken with us or anyone else from the fellowship! He had made the decision to go back to that ‘old life’ of drinking and hanging around ‘friends’ that would drag him away from his ‘new life’. March 2^nd Sergei decided he’d had enough….he called Kevin and with heavy feet and a very heavy heart came to our door to ask for forgiveness. We have written about Sergei and his family and of his problem with alcoholism. We’ve also written of how he has wanted to change his life; to be a better husband and father. We pray this time Sergei will stand firm in his faith and trust the only One who can make a difference in his life. PLEASE remember this family in prayer; they’re expecting their fourth child and we see them becoming a huge part in the fellowship’s future. ( We decided not to post a picture of the family because this is posted online.)

In closing, we ask that you would remember not only the family mentioned above but also a young lady from our fellowship that almost lost her arm at work. A very long story, short - they doctor here was able to save her arm. She has feeling in the arm and hand and is able to move her fingers! However, the 'pins' needed to place in her arm to stabilize the broken bones is only found in the city and after six weeks of trying to 'fix' the arm here, our friend will be going to the city for her third and hopefully final operation. PLEASE join with us in lifting this need to the only ONE that can heal in all situations. We are so grateful for the continued prayers and support you so abundantly give - THANK YOU!

   Blessings from Siberia,
     Kevin and Laura

 The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.

- Ann Landers

IT'S A NEW YEAR! Welcome 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!  2012   To all of our family and dear friends around the world!!!!!!!!!
OK...so it's the middle of January already, however, we've been busy not only putting this site together but writing updates, newsletters, making phone calls and sending countless pictures to our many supporters across the U.S.  THANK YOU to each of you who take the time to read our updates then pass them on to so many others, sharing what the Lord is doing in a village in Siberia!

Since the 24th of December, we've been busy doing what the folks here in Russia...celebrating! Well, maybe not like all of the folks here, but we have been celebrating with wonderful friends and looking ahead to how we can better serve others in our community in 2012.

Celebrating Christmas in December???!! Obviously, to us westerners this makes perfect sense. However, for Russia and about 12 other countries in the world, they celebrate the Orthodox date on the 7^th of January. This year, we heard of many fellowships/churches across Russia deciding to celebrate on the 25^th of Dec. one of which was a small fellowship that meets in a village about 30 min. from us. Several of us joined in their celebration of the birth of our Savior! Although it’s a very small group, we were encouraged by their faith in Him. We shared testimonies, exchanged gifts, and eventually we shared a wonderful meal. (The service was several hours long.)

Reciting a beautiful poem she wrote about the 'gift' of Christmas.

Sharing her testimony..of God's grace!

                                                 

                         

                            Exchanging gifts with the fellowship in the next village.

This is only half of the food that was prepared...
sorry, didn't get a picture of us eating together
we were famished after a four hour service!

News Year's Eve 2012!  This year we celebrated the coming of a new year together with prayer, food, games and fireworks! We even had a piñata for the kids filled with candy. Not everyone in the fellowship wanted to come out in the cold and leave their homes for a long period of time. (Someone has to keep the fires going at home!) However, we had a good turnout and a great time of sharing and just being together; not surrounded by drunks! Many shared of looking forward to a new year filled with opportunities to share with friends and neighbors as well as growth in their spiritual understanding of the Word.
     

Tanya getting the food out for our meal!

The kids are ready to eat!!!!

   

Kevin getting the pinata ready......

Round two....almost broke it open!

Finally.....candy for everyone!!!

More games.....Kevin is the biggest kid.

 

A family playing twister,,,,sisterly love :)

They actually fell asleep after watching fireworks!!!

A time of sharing the past and future.

The Pastor and his family.

Christmas in January…. Our fellowship decided to remain with the January date of celebrating Christmas since it is recognized by everyone and wouldn’t give another reason for the community to think of us as a sect. Our time was shared with folks from the city and another village. The pastor shared the importance of remembering what the “Good News” truly is and what a precious gift we were given over 2000 years ago in a smelly stable filled with animals; a gift that changed the world forever!!

Our youngest member all dressed up for Christmas!

Laura's helper on Sundays.

Singing Christmas carols in Russian!

Guests from another village..

Guests sharing during our service.

Finally...gifts for all the kids!!

After reading this update, you may think all we did in December and January was to celebrate! For the majority of people in Russia, this is true! We see non-stop drinking; most government offices and many businesses actually close from the 31^st of Dec. until the 10^th of Jan.! The real ‘reason for the season’ is totally lost in the ‘celebrating’. As for our fellowship, this time was spent in much prayer and a renewed desire to serve the community. Please remember us in prayer as there is such a burden of urgency to share the Good News with others. We see and feel the darkness of ‘the enemy’ and know a battle rages in the heavens! We also know the victor of that battle and stand firm in that knowledge.

Blessings from Siberia,
  Kevin & Laura

[Today was -30F....Friday is supposed to  be  -52F!! PLEASE send warmer weather :) ]

Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed 

to sell your parrot to the town gossip....

                                                              Will Rogers

Merry Christmas 2011

Greetings from Siberia!

This is the best time of year...cookies in the oven, pies going in next.  You have to love this time of year! Christmas songs ALL day long streaming online (I guess you have to love Christmas songs like we do).  The problem with this time of year is that we too often forget the reason for the season...we heard it said best today as we listened to a candlelight service from the states...Please listen to this message from Peanuts...




As you go about your day today remember THE REASON for the season!

In the center of town in front of the 

"New Years tree"

Have a Blessed Christmas day!

Kevin and Laura

Unless we make Christmas an occasion to share our blessings, all the snow in Alaska won't make it 'white'."

~ Bing Crosby (1904-1977)

WOW update November 2011

WOW, what a name for a project in Siberia, Windows of Warmth.  This project was not your typical one, but  one that was rather large for us.  We partnered with the local Music/Art school to remodel the front of their school.  The work consisted of replacing the old style windows, many of which were broken, with new three-pane European windows, insulating the front of the building and installing new metal siding (WOW donations were not used for the purchase of siding/insulation with this project, those funds came from another source). This particular school has over 150 students enrolled in its various programs ranging from piano, art and dance lessons to traditional classes on making Buryat clothing.  This was a VERY visible project for our team in the village.  The school is located in the center of town directly across from the library and next door to one of the local clinics.  Please enjoy the pictures and thank you for making this project possible with the many donations that have come in for WOW.  

Kevin with the load of building materials needed

A glimpse of the old windows and front of the building

The window replacement beginning, and the insulation going up.

Notice our OSHA approved ladders...

beginning the siding work...

Making precision cuts on the siding... 

coming to the end of the building...

Everyone busy with the work...

The front of the building, looks modern now....

The street in front of the Music School

Library in front of the music school

Hope you all enjoyed the pictures of our latest project.  Have a GREAT day and thanks for thinking of us...oh by the way it was a little cold today, it was -17 degrees this morning...what can we expect we do live in Siberia.  

Winter is the season in which people try to keep the house as warm as it was in the summer, when they complained about the heat.  ~Author Unknown