Makin' da move

Looks like we have some concrete plans for the move!!!!
That does not mean it will happen, of course, but at least we have something to work towards.
Our new apartment is now almost empty, we meet the landlord today.
Lisa and I clean this evening and tomorrow, and begin to set up some of our stuff (some of our furniture has already been moved).
Wednesday - we clean and set up some more.
Thursday we move the rest of our stuff in a van, (the rest of our stuff is now in 4 different apartments across the city).
Hopefully we will be able to get the internet set up today or tomorrow. We will feel a whole lot more like we live here when we can unpack our suitcases and spread out a little bit.
We not only moved back to the field - back to our old place - but we are MOVING, with all that entails.
Lord willing, by the end of the week, we will be settled.
Pray for the move - pray for Tessa (running a fever for the 3rd day now) - pray for the upcoming vol. teams coming to Udmurtia - and here is a new one - Pray for the Chuvash People of Russia (more on that later!)
Living the Dream!
Tim for the Wickers

Rea Valley in Russia

Sitting in church yesterday and what do I see?
Rea Valley Baptist's name on a Tee (shirt that is)

Kostia and Zhyena in from Udmurtia
Wearing a shirt - a gift from one of ya (Jack that is)

The singing was great and so was the sermon
But hanging with old friends - well it doesn't get any better than that (sorry no rhyme)

Good day - hope to move to our new apartment this week - keep praying!!!

Living the Dream!
Tim for the gang

And thanks Caleb for the little video ditty!

summer memory.

hello family and friends. i found this memory on my computer. enjoy.
also, i am doing well. project are piling up, nights are getting longer.

peace and love.

caleb

Praise God for the Weekend!

Good first week back in Russia -
-Got the kiddos back in school
-Met with Ed (twice) about moving forward on some new cities and People Groups (very exciting!)
-Got over jet-lag (or at least the worst of it)
-Renewed some old friendships and made some new
-Finished a couple of papers for my latest DMin seminar
-Got to see our new apartment (we hope to be moving early next week - can't wait to be out of temporary housing!)

Coming up this next week?
-The move - please pray as we seek to get settled into the new place - lots of changes
-Another meeting planning out the next couple of months (3 trips in the works now)
-Church tomorrow - please pray that the Lord would give clarity as to where he would have us worship and serve over the next few months and years

Living the Dream!
Tim for the family

Girls on the way to school and Tim's 'office'

I found my card reader!
Fall is a beautiful time of year - the sun is shining, the temperature cool, the smog seems to be blown away in the breeze. We are going to try and enjoy the weather while we can - snow is on it's way!

Jet lag and new/old foods -

Jet lag and new/old foods = tired people with belly aches.
That really does not sum up the past couple of days, but we have had plenty of both!
The girls are settled back into school - old friends welcoming, new kids checking them out.
Lisa has the temporary apartment spic and span and organized so that we can now find the stuff we need - temporarily.
I have more meetings today to plan and prepare for the next few weeks and months. Some exciting things happening.
Lisa and I are headed out in a little bit to check out our new apartment. Some of our belongings have been moved already into one of the rooms. The rest we will be moving next week. Looks like we can actually move in next Monday or Tuesday.
I have taken pictures of the girls on the way to school and of my temporary office (the local Coffee House - coffee, 3 dollars - internet, 2 dollars - chance to connect with the world?, priceless). But - can't find my card reader for the computer - so can't download and then upload any pictures yet - sorry. Will soon -
Thanks again for joining us in the journey -
Pray for our move and all the stuff that goes with it.
S'Bogum
Tim for the Wickers

Family, friends and new acquaintances -

Family, friends and new acquaintances - relationships are what it is all about.
It is good to be back and renew friendships and relationships. It feels so good to be welcomed back so warmly by our IMB colleagues, Russian partners, and school friends.
Tessa is hanging with her BFF Allie even as I type. Rach is on her way to visit with Alexa. Lisa spent much of yesterday with fellow IMB gals and I have been able to talk with both Russian and IMB friends and partners.
In addition I made a new friend yesterday - Marak. Marak helped me get my old phone up and running and helped us get a phone for Tessa and new phone cards for Rach and Lisa. I deliberately made 3 different trips to do each of these tasks. Marak speaks some English and wanted to practice. I spoke in Russian and he spoke in English. At the end of the evening when I went to get Rachel from her youth meeting, I even saw and talked to Marak in the Metro. Coincidence? I don't think so.
Pray for Marak - pray that I get a chance to talk with him more and share Christ with him.
Pray for sleep.
Thanks for being a part of our ministry.
S'Bogum
Tim for the Wickers

Ministry from the Ozarks to the world. . .

Thanks to White River Baptist Association in Arkansas for loaning us this 'cool' van to come home in last year and to go back to the work in this year. If you ever wonder what some of that cooperative money goes to, here's one example; a nice comfortable van with enough seating that we got to stretch out and nap on the way to the airport. When you have a lot to carry it's great to have a 'family' to help. Paul and Barnabus would have loved it.

We Made It!

Greetings all from Moscow, Russia.
The Wicker family made it safe and sound.
It was a long trip - we were welcomed with long lines and lost luggage but we did not let the lack of love linger long - (sorry - still tired).
Our bags made it to our apartment in just a couple of hours - so really no big deal.
We are staying in a temporary apartment for the next two weeks. We will have limited internet, but will try to check our email daily at the local TGI Fridays.
Lisa is out grocery shopping now with a couple of our missy friends (who have a car) PTL.
Rachel is gone to a school youth night. Tessa and I are out running errands - including updating the blog.
We love you all and thank you for being with us in this next chapter in our ministry.
S'Bogum
Tim for the Wickers
(and thanks Jack for the last post - good words and a good picture)

Good by Yellville. . . hello Moscow; here we come again!!!

It's hard to believe that over a year has gone by since they got off the plane at Little Rock, ready to be 'home in Yellville' for awhile. But, the 'while' has vanished among many other things. One thing remains though, just like the Bible says. . . "the greatest of these is love". That is stronger now than a year ago. The send off prayer of Bob Wicker, Tim's dad, echoed the heart of the call that is on the lives of this special family. The family may be geographically separated, but not in the heart. They are very together in their hearts because of that love.

Continue to pray that God's plan will be fulfilled as they work and minister together from various parts of the globe to add more details into God's incredible painting of His 'family' portrait.

Send off fishing trip

Pastor Mark - on fish, Missy Tim - on fish, Deacon Duane - on camera and commentary.