Off to St. Pete

Today we're off to Russia for a preliminary trip to meet some of the folks we'll be working with over there. Jennifer's not going so I'm a bit bummed about that but Pastor Jim is going with me. It seems to be a pretty packed schedule. Sosnovy Bor, Kommunar, Luga, Ukki, St. Peterburg...all in 8 days. I am really looking forward to this trip. It will get my feet wet a bit because I will be on my own in St. Petersburg on Friday. I'm meeting with a man I met there who is a missionary with his family. He's given me some good advice and I'm looking forward to spending some time with him again. I'll try to post hwile I'm there if I get a chance.

Seperation Anxiety

Well...our sale is over. We decided not to have another one in 2 weeks. I'm not very fond of having sales. We actually didn't do too bad considering the blizzard and all. We sold most of it at rediculously low prices...but we got rid of alot of it. You never realize how much stuff you have until you decide to get rid of it all.

Why do we get so attatched to "things"? I found myself not wanting to let go of some things that I've grown to like alot. I mean we kept some of our most prized possessions, but most of what we've collected over the last 15 years had to go. I think it comes down to the fact that one man's trash is another man's treasure...or vise versa in this case. Everyone wants the deal of the century. We ended up giving alot of things away. That was a little hard. I felt like I was having seperation anxiety for my "stuff". It was wierd. The fact that we sold our bedroom suit for food stamps is a bit amuzing but it spends like cash in my house. What can ya do. On buyer backed out of buying it and the other wanted it but didn't have enough cash...so we sold it to them. we gotta eat too right!? I sold our computer as well so I need to get a laptop now. we didn't have any room in our new place to keep a desktop pc. That will have to happen soon because I'm now computerless. I feel lost without one.

I got some good news about the visa situation. It looks like we might be able to get a charitable work visa. The new law doesn't seem to be affecting those types of visas. That's great news! Pray that doesn't change over the next 4 months.

A Blizzard

We are trying to have a sale and liquidate all of our belongings and Ohio decides to go and have a blizzard. Thursday it was nice out and now it's snowing. That's Ohio weather for ya. We're probably going to try to have another sale in 2 weeks. That will be Easter weekend but I think we'll have it on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. We're moving in with Jennifer's Dad and will be there until we move in July. Pray that we can liquidate as much stuff as we can. That will make it easier on us.

This realization struck me the other day. we're trying to sell things pretty cheap to get rid of it...so we're basically selling our life here in this house for a laptop and a camcorder. Kind of puts it in perspective when I think about it like that. I need a nice laptop though so if anyone knows of any good deals on a laptop let me know. That's about it for now.

Dr. Jesse duplantis came to Springfield Monday night. He is one of my favorite preachers. We were able to set up a booth at the event. Thanks Pastor Kevin!! We had a few people sign up for our newsletter. I was a little discouraged though at the amount of interest. We were packing up to leave after the event was over when my pastor came up to me and says, "someone wants to meet you." No it wasn't Jesse Duplantis. He had to leave because they were trying to beat the snow storm that was about to hit. It was however one of his staff. She prayed for Jennifer and I and spoke some words from the Lord over us. It was much needed encouragement. She gave us her card and wanted us to keep in touch with her. come to find out, she has had a heart for Russia for aawhile now. I feel like if that was the only person God wanted us to meet up with there...then I'm cool with that.

Why do I find it hard to trust God at times. I feel like I always need a reminder from him that everything is going to be alright. He has told us time and time again that He has everything under control but I let myself be talked into believing that things are just going to fall apart or something. I wish I wasn't so thick headed about this. He has never let me down in the past so why would He start now.

Psalm 56:3
When I am afraid, I will trust in you.

Another Church Partner

We were able to speak at a local church this last weekend and it went great. We had a businessman donate the printing and mailing of all of our newsletters when we leave. That's awesome because I was just thinking about that the other day and wondering how we were going to be able to handle that. God is awesome. He's putting it all together for us. Just keep the visa process lifted up in your prayers.

Fundraiser Lunch

We had a fundraiser lunch at our church Sunday. We had a great turnout and made a pretty good profit. We served carnitas and shredded chicken with spanish rice and black bean soup. Yum yum! We even had salsa music playing to set the mood. I was very pleased with the turnout and we had alot of fun doing it. Thanks to everyone who helped make that happen. So now we have enough money for plane tickets and visas and such. We can get there but we still have a long way to go for the monthly support side of it. Pray that God brings partners on board with us.

Pennsylvania Trip

I firmed up a trip today to go to Pennsylvania and speak at a church in March. The directors of the ministry we are partnering with were able to get us into their church. That's a blessing. God has been creating quite a few opportunities to speak in churches in the area and even out of state. Pray that more churches become partners with us in this adventure.