We're back! (click on the bold links below to view pics/vids)

Yes, we made it back to the USA Sunday afternoon as scheduled. What a great 2 weeks we had in Russia walking through many open doors for ministry. Ashley and I had a great class of about 35 who stuck with the class for the 2 weeks. Overall with the Northwest team we had three classes totaling about 90 students. A great turnout. The final weekend 'Forest Fun Party' was out in the Russian forest which was just the most beautiful birch tree forest you'll ever see. Saturday night they had games and skits for the kids with us Americans as the source for many of the laughs. This final weekend with the kids is a venue to share the gospel through testimonies and to try and plug them into one of three seekers Bible studies that start soon.

Our class had several very interested students. One story from Ashley was about a girl named Irina (right) who showed serious interest in hearing more about Christ and the Bible. These were things she had never heard before in her life and Ashley found out that she had never read the Bible nor had a Bible in her life. Irina's birthday was Saturday so we found a Russian Bible and Ashley gave it to her as a birthday gift. She was very grateful for the gift as her face lite up with a smile. Please pray for Irina that she would come to Christ and get plugged into the Bible studies.

My favorite student was a guy named Ura (middle). Ura was a fun guy with a fun attitude. He was always the first to answer the questions and the first to ask for some candy. He even remembered meeting Ashley a couple years ago at an Athletes in Action hockey game put on by the Campus Crusade group. He's been around the ministries for quit some time but still is reluctant to get involved. He has all the right answers but would love to see him make the big step of trusting Christ. Please pray for him if you would.

As for Ashley and I. We both loved serving together for the first time in Russia. Ashley enjoyed reconnecting with all her old friends, her old apartment, and those famous Russian smells (non-smoking sections are non-existent still). It was great for me to see the economic progress of Russia and it's oil money has improved so much of the country in such a short time. Ekat is close to opening a brand new Hyatt Regency 5 star hotel just to give you an idea of what is going on in this region. I think we both confirmed the fact that neither of us have the personalities to do college ministry full time but it did renew our interest to possibly find another niche in Russia. Please pray that we'll find where we can best minister. It is still so clear that the harvest in Russia (at least this area) is still plentiful but we're not sure how much longer that will be the case. With financial success often comes disinterested hearts. Please pray for the Lord's leading of our direction.

Special thanks to you all for your prayers, support and love. We felt your prayers were with us all the way and God will reward as he's promised to do. It's a great day when we can lay treasures up in Heaven together.

Blessings to you all,

James and Ashley