Tag: USA

Africa and Beyond

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Slowly I’m getting caught up on writing this update. Apologies.

We had a great visit to the States. We spent time with my Dad in Athens, GA and had very good fellowship with our church and many friends there. We spent a few weeks in Texas, mostly in Austin but also visiting folks in other cities. It’s been two years since we were there and it was great to reconnect. I also visited ministry partners and friends in Iowa, North Dakota, Minnesota and Maryland. Our time in the States is always quite full and we’d love to have more time there, but life in Russia beckoned and we’re very glad to be home.

Africa

In February, I visited Uganda and Conga. I went with a small team from New England, once again led by Mike Anticoli. Mike performed our wedding in Russia and later planted the church in Congo where we serve. It’s been really good to reconnect with Mike and I hope we’ll continue working together in the future.

We arrived in Uganda and quickly went to visit Sam Bahiirwa, near Fort Portal. We spoke at Sam’s church and had some good fellowship with him, his family and church leaders. I spoke on Hope. At one point I mentioned how the Bible likens Hope to an anchor for the soul. I saw blank looks on the faces of the congregation. So, I asked how many had been on a boat. None of the local villagers had been on a boat. They live in the mountains and don’t travel very far from home, of course they’ve never been on a boat. Then, part of my teach then became explaining boats, anchors, waves, and wind, and how Biblical Hope is solid, not just wishful thinking.

Sam moved to a new building in a village. His church is a witness to the townfolk, though the building itself is in poor repair. The owner of the building has offered to sell it to Sam at a good price, so we’re hoping God will make a way for that to happen. We also got to see speakers and a generator purchased with funds donated by friends in Athens, GA. Continue reading →

Valerie in the USA

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We arrived safe and sound on Monday evening. We had some trouble with our visas and had to re-route our trip after we arrived in Munich (long story). This added a few hours to our trip, but all is well.

Valerie did great on the flight(s). We were expecting some air-sickness, but she was a trooper. She enjoyed the airports and airplanes.

In order to fulfill my role as an American, a first stop was a visit to Walmart. Actually, we needed to buy Valerie new shoes since all we had were her heavy winter boots from Russia. While there, Grandmom saw a very nice bicycle.  Sherry and Lynda had suggested a small bike, and some friends let us borrow a tricycle. But when we saw the bike we knew that would be better for Valerie.  It took her a little while to get the hang of it, but she’s doing great now. I really enjoy introducing Valerie to new experiences.

We ran into Alisa Howen and her children and Julie Moore at the store.  It was great to see friends and introduce them to Valerie on our first day in the country. We are surrounded by love.

We are so very thankful for the family God has given us.

A Postcard from Georgia — Springtime

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athens_springtime

We arrived in the US about a week ago, just in time for some beautiful spring weather. We are also very thankful to have beat the volcano eruption that has stranded so many people in Russia.

koppero_fin_iceJust a week before we arrived in the States, we were in Finland, which was quite a different setting.

We have news about our embryo adoption: We’ve met with the fertility clinic, and the people there are all very nice; it’s a good clinic.

The adoption process continues to take longer than we would prefer, but we’re content to wait. We’re still waiting for the donor family to finish up some paperwork so the embryos can be transferred to our clinic in Atlanta. We don’t know how long that will take.

If the embryos arrive in Atlanta before May 15, then we can do the transfer in early June. If they arrive later, then we’ll have to wait until July.

sunday_club-2The past week has been filled with fellowship with our many friends here. It’s so nice to have time with Mike’s parents, and our Sunday night home group has been a particular encouragement to us.

I (Mike) am talking with several people who are considering being missionaries with Stoneworks. I’ve been praying for the Lord to send workers to the field, and it’s great to see these prayers being answered.  And work continues as we prepare to send mission teams to Russia and Montenegro this summer.

We’re very thankful for the abundant life that God has given us.