Yarmarka

Yesterday, Friday, our team spent the morning and early afternoon setting up for the yarmarka (yard sale). Kerry has been organizing and heading the sale up. She has done a great job! Today is actually the day of the sale. We have sold a lot of the furniture already! We are hoping to sell a good portion of stuff today. There are kitchen things, bedding, books, videos, DVDs, carpets...you name it! A lot of the items are things from Global Partner past missionaries as well as things that have just collected over the years. If you aren't too busy, you should stop by:)!

Look at my nice organized sheet/bedding section:)

On another note, Philip went to Moscow this morning bright and early! Adalynn woke up this morning and asked for "Daddy". Philip and Brian went to pick up Blair from the airport. Monday will start his classes on Church Planting at the Bible School. Philip and I will be taking turns going in the evening!

Blessings,
Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and baby Gwen

Events

Another family picture!

Upcoming Events:

*The Tokareva Wesleyan Church is in the process of financially taking over the current building which has been used for years by the Bible College, Church, and Global Partner's offices. Therefore by the end of this month, Global Partners will be finding a new location for their offices. We are fervently praying for new office space. It has been a hard task trying to find somewhere to rent. Please pray for our field director, Brian, as he searches for new space in the next 2 weeks. We are trusting in the Lord to provide the right place! It is hard not to stress out about it as the month of March seems to be flying by! We will be moving out of the current building by April 1st.

*Because of the transition out of the current building, we are having a yamarka (garage sale) on Saturday! We are selling a lot of things including furniture, books, linens...you name it. On Friday, our team will be taking things from the garage and storage rooms and organizing it for the sale on Saturday. We have already sold a handful of items, so that is something to be thankful for!

*Also on Saturday Philip will be joining our field director, Brian for a trip into Moscow. They will be picking up Blair Richey from the airport. Blair will be teaching a week long intensive course on Church Planting at the Bible School. Though Philip has to get up and be ready to leave by 5:15am, I by no means feel sorry for him since I hear there will be a STARBUCKS stop once in Moscow! (Adalynn and Philip are discussing his Starbucks trip on Saturday...Adalynn tends to agree with me...we are jealous)

*In three weeks, yes just THREE, we will be on our way back to the good old state of Indiana in the States. We cannot believe how fast the last 10 weeks have gone. We will be flying "home" for the birth of our 2nd daughter. Gwen is due May 20th, so we will be home in good time to prepare for another life change...1 child to 2! Pray for us as we begin to prepare for yet another transition.

Blessings,
Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and baby Gwen

Church Planting Team

(Meesha, Andrey and Lena, Natasha, Lena and Volodya, Brian and Cara, and us)

This picture of our new church planting team looks it was taken a century ago, but I promise it was just taken a few nights ago!

We had our second church planting strategic meeting Monday evening. It was and evening filled with good discussion, yummy treats with tea, and a time of prayer. This team of 10 (including us) will be planting another church here in the Vladimir region. Our field directors will be leading the group as we focus toward creating a vision and direction for this new church. There is so much that goes into planting a new church! The evil one is well aware of what a new church will bring. Please be praying for our team members as spiritual warfare is evident. We need unity, strength, humbleness, and boldness as we face the future together. We will continue to meet together each week.

Blessings,
Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and baby Gwen

p.s. Another one of our faithful supporters has renewed their Faith Promise!!!!!! Praise the Lord!

Happy Woman's Day!

Though she doesn't look thrilled, Adalynn wants to wish you a Happy Woman's Day! It is the second biggest holiday in Russia! It is a day to celebrate women with gifts, flowers, and candy. Sounds pretty good, doesn't it?! We got our Russian tutors gifts and they were both thrilled to receive them! The Russians worked this past Saturday so they could have Monday and Tuesday off to celebrate this holiday with family and friends. Many people will go out to eat, go to a coffee shop, go shopping, or spend time with their families. We are going to Brian and Cara's house for lunch today to "celebrate"! Adalynn and Sophia like to play together as well, so it will be a fun time for all!

Blessings,
Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and baby Gwen

On Thursday Philip spoke to the youth group at the church. He did a Bible study on Psalm 32. Thank you for your prayers because it went well! Afterward he spent some time with the small groups. After small group time, they had tea...of course! There was an unbeliever who came and Philip and a few other guys were able to spend some time answering some questions he had about the Lord!
Again, thanks for your prayers!

Blessings,
Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and baby Gwen