Novokijinginsk Spring Time!

So great to go see my friends Oleg & Lena in NK!!!

But why does it seem that any trip ending or beginning

w/ Oleg around seems to involve a tire change????

Seriously! Any vehicle I drive; wherever I may be driving;

this is almost becoming a joke . . . oh well, thankful for Oleg!

Good ministry morning; now off for tea (picnic)

and some Capture the Flag . . .

. . . love how well these people know how to have fun and rest.

Ummm, yup, that's me driving!

Thank you, Dad, for making me drive that old Chevy Truck w/

the gear shift on the column . . . you said I could drive ANYTHING

if I could drive that, and you were right!!!!

I did get my turn in the back . . . hold on!!!

Roma, Natasha, Lena, Simon . . . almost tea time . . .

Oleg making sure that tea water gets nice & hot!

Life in Russia is sustainable via tea & bread :-)

Good day!

Natasha has been my language buddy from the beginning . . .

so thankful for her patience and gift of understanding what it was

I really wanted to say in those beginning times!!!

Roma & Natasha moved to W Russia not long ago . . . miss them!!!

Selenginsk Church 15 Year Anniversary

This is my good friend and teammate Svieta's Church . . . fabulous day of celebration . . .

Choirs & Worship Teams Sang . . .

Lot's of Word & Encouragement & Gifts Given (Acts 1:8 here)

Anton & Sergei . . . Sergei is really NOT picking Anton's nose :-)

Genna, the pic man!

And then . . . something for the kids, and well everyone else too.Masha
Eura . . . quite the husband & wife team, these two!
Sasha & Anya
Svyatoslav & Sophia
Wahoo!!!
Luda
Part of their new Air Show Act
Bye, bye, Ksenya!

Russian General Council - Moscow 4/2010

I just got back to Siberia, and a month later, it was time to turn around and fly back 5 time zones to Moscow for Council and to meet the New Bishop (like General Superintendent) Eduard!St. Basil's @ Night . . . the only time there's reasonable

traffic in Moscow is after 11 pm & before like 3 AM.

With Dorothy (from Kenya & studying in Moscow) in Red's Square
Kremlin @ Nite

Meet the New Bishop Eduard & Larissa . . . from Perm
Awesome worship . . .

. . . and choirs @ Council.

Bishop Grigory, Russia Area Director Rick Lang, Head Bishop
Edward, & Tony, a Missionary to Global University

Mike Chowning speaking to the Council w/ John Asachov translating

More Missionaries . . . The Halls & Dianna listening attentively

FABULOUS to be back!!!!!!!!!!!!

HELLO FROM A SIBERIAN SPRING!

It is FABULOUS to be back in Siberia . . .for Easter,

for the turning off of hot water for a week

or so to clean the pipes for the year,

for the melting of Lake Baikal,

for all the sunshine, and to reconnect
with all my friends and teammates!!!

Thank you all for your kind sendoffs! Many of you sent kind, encouraging notes and emails . . . what a great way to go out!

I actually had 3 seats together from Seattle to Moscow, so I got a bit of shut-eye. Now I am in Ulan Ude, preparing to teach youth ministry, waiting for a summer intern to come help with camps on Baikal, looking for a place to live, and getting ready to do a quick run on the border for one of my last visa runs ever.

I have applied for temporary residency that will allow me to remain in Russia for 3 years without interruption. I should hear something around October 13 . . . please pray!

Please look for a Newsletter (click the "Newsletter" link on my home page) from me soon!

For Siberia,

Kara

Up Up & Outta Here

Seattle to Houston to Moscow . . . 16 hours

Drive across Moscow to the other airport . . . 3 hours

Flight to Siberia is ALWAYS an overnight flight . . . 7 hours

These 30 hour + trips are just nasty!

Awwwww, the mountains of home!

Nice shoreline of Lake Baikal

Ulan Ude . . . my stop!

Hey, ALL–

I had quite the wait for all the right documents, but 2 days ago, I got my visa in Seattle in 40 minutes . . . that’s incredible! And now, in about 4 hours & 29 minutes, I fly back to my other home!!! It has been so fun to see everyone, and I’ve made many memories in this year of itineration. Bottom line, God is VERY good! And you are a terrific support community! Thank you!

Look for me to communicate again when I get settled back in Siberia!

For Siberia,

Kara

Goodbyes & Moving Days

Goodbyes are just hard . . .
gotta get in lots of hugs (my nieces, Bri, Dani, & Sam).
Love you guys!

Thank you, to everyone who gave me Starbucks gift cards this year!
Methinks I shall be able to sustain my habit in Siberia just fine!!!

Last visit, for this time, to Starbucks @ The Pike . . .
GREAT to spend it with an old friend Monica!

All 3 of our families moved at the same time!!!
Crazy!!! LOL! But it was quite the garage sale.

My nieces, Samantha & Danielle took turns in "the dancing box"