March Madness

March has brought its own form of madness -- but in a good way!! Believe it or not, we actually live in a place where it has just recently gotten "warm enough" to snow (if you can get your mind around that). Once it started snowing early last week, it was on and off snow for several days! It actually made the dirty-looking spring snow look white and clean again, at least for a little while! It would be a great analogy--whereas the fresh snow will soon melt, revealing the dirty snow again, Christ sprinkles our hearts anew with fresh snow that makes the dirty snow underneath disappear!

We are continuing to work with our language coach, practice our Russian in varieties of venues, and teach in the ESL program at Akadem Gorodok. Pray for hearts to be opened as we discuss the identity of Jesus in our big group time with a focus on the deity of Jesus! I pray that many seeds are already being planted in student's hearts and lives that, like the mustard seed, will one day become a mighty tree! 

Conversation practice?

It has been an excellent couple of weeks here in southern Siberia, despite some tense moments! We were both walking to church the Sunday before last when I (David) walked across the street when the "don't walk" signal was flashing. I ended up being escorted into the back of a police car for a few minutes. After calling the language teacher on my cell phone, she was able to explain to the police officer that I am new in the country and he let me off with just a warning!!! I imagine this could have been much worse if I had gotten one of the not-so-good cops, but all in all, it was a good chance to practice my Russian phrases under pressure!

Other than that, we have been out and about trying to talk with people and slowly improve our Russian. Today, we went to lunch before our language lesson at the one Mexican food restaurant in Novosibirsk. Chara got chicken fajitas and I got a burrito. We actually set our expectations pretty low (since Russians really aren't into spicy foods), but we were pleasantly surprised as it actually tasted pretty much like Mexican food!

Keep praying as we are beginning to meet people in our ESL class at Akadem (about 20 miles south of the city proper). Pray specifically for (initials only) P and D as they both appear to be seeking the Lord. Also, Chara and I are looking at possibly being the only current teachers in the ESL program for this fall, so please pray that the Lord will give us wisdom as to how to continue and grow the program as a way to share the Gospel!