Just when you think your kids aren’t thinking about anything loftier than turning a bunk bed into a fort, they come up with the most amazing thoughts on life. Take Kerith. He’s a child of tremendous intellect, but also tremendous range of emotion (blessedly, usually joyful). So he loves to figure things out, take them…

The extent of my contribution to the discussion on the conflict between Georgia and Russia is limited since it’s so far away. I’ll start with an excerpt from an email from our friend David (whom we visited in April) who is from Tbilisi and was there recently. I appreciate the balance. So much for trying…

Our eyes got bigger and bigger as Tobias and Katarina, the missionary couple with whom we spent our time in Germany, told us about the ministry that provided their covering while in St. Petersburg. Because of our interest, and because of their relationship with the Harbor (now without a contact person in the wake of…

As I wrote before, the freedom with which foreigners in Russia can obtain the right to live here has been severely curtailed since we arrived a year ago. What many are now doing are either becoming students (of Russian) or looking for a work permit (often by teaching English). Since neither of these fit my…

We had an interesting start to our relationship with Julia. We wrote about her in an earlier newsletter: After meeting her the day before, Julia and I met at her bank to sign the paperwork. Since nothing in Russia is quick, we had plenty of time to talk and get to know each other. Julia…

Yuri describes himself as the only Christian to survive the only Christian orphanage in the city. I have heard from other sources that this orphanage turns kids away from the Good News though their methodology, which is sad. Though still an exaggeration, there is no question that God has a special hand on Yuri. Providence…

I have a lot of stories that are still in the percolation stage, meaning I don’t yet have enough to report on that would make it worth reading. This is a story that isn’t ready for prime time, but I have to share what has been happening to date here on my blog. God connected…

These pictures need little comment. You laugh at them. We cry. (Click on any to enlarge.) The first set I call Russian Feats of Transportation: The next set is called Building Blunders: Offices of the Russian State Construction Company, no joke Followed by Shame on Russia: And lastly, Only in Russia: This is not abuse.…

With last year’s changes in visa rules, we have been struggling, along with all missionaries and most expatriates in general, with the question of how to get a new visa once our current one is up in July. To get the background and context, read my earlier post here. In sum, we can’t return on…

Whether at school, play, or at the market, we are always acquiring language. Each of us has improved in our Russian, and all of us have different methods. Lyle already spoke Russian fluently before arriving in St. P, but, there’s always more to learn. He’s written about Ludmilla, our tutor, who has helped him hone…