Quick Trip to Udmurtia

(Katya - Rachel - Sara Beth - Sveta)
Rachel and I just got back from a quick trip to Udmurtia.
There was a volunteer team coming through to Udmurtia from Arkansas - there was a need for some introductions - some need for videos and pictures and interviews - and some meetings - so we took the team and headed out.
We were able to visit some old friends (both from Udmurtia and with the team) and we were able to make some new ones.
We had some great - very productive meetings with Sasha, Valodia, Kostia, Jack and myself. God is as work and it is so exciting to sit down with these guys and hammer out concrete ways to be a part of that.
Rachel went to Udmurtia for the first time with me and just loved it. She, and Sara Beth (another IMB MK) helped with an English club out in one of the villages. They met two Russia/Udmurt teenagers and talked - in English and in Russian. They invited the girls to church the next day and both the girls came (for the first time ever!). After church the girls went to one of the church members home and went online and looked at their facebook pages.
Please pray for Sveta and Katya - that the contact/testimony of our 2 MKs will stick with them. Pray that they will come back to church and be drawn to the Father.
S'Bogum for now
Tim

Udmurt Team #2 hard at work

Pray for Jon, Katy, Mark, Kevin, Jack, Cathy, Maurice and Gary as they minister in Udmurtia this week. They are visiting homes, churches, with people on the street - everywhere they go sharing Jesus!

VOcational and VAcational Missionaries

We all understand what a Vocational missionary is - these are the people who, as a vocation - job - do missions. They move to another country, learn a new language and culture, and seek to share the Gospel in a way that people will become saved and a part of the Kingdom of God. These are the full-time RLMs (real live missionaries). We, the Wickers, are vocational missionaries. We live in Russia with the goal and purpose of helping Russians, and other nationalities who live here, find Hope and eternal life in Christ.

But are you familiar with "Vacational" missionaries? I Googled the term the other day and found a lot of places where non-native English speakers have misspelled the word 'vocational', but that was about it. "Vacational" missionaries are those who have other jobs (day jobs), but do missions for the same reasons and with the same goals as vocational missionaries. The only difference being the amount of time they are able to devote to it. In other words, these are people who spend their weekends, days off, spare time, and 'vacation' time from work and do missions. Most of the time, they receive nothing financially for their time and effort, rather they support themselves and the projects they are involved in. In other words, they don't get paid to do missions (like the vocational missy), they PAY to do missions. They give of their time and their resources in order to advance the Kingdom of God in another place, culture and language.

We not only have the great privilege of being one of your vocational missionary families - but we also have the joy of working with many 'Vacational' missionaries as well. Last week we were with three 'Vacational' missionary teams as they came through Moscow. This week we will be joining with one of these teams on a trip to Udmurtia.

The Lord has called us all to be about the advance of the Kingdom to all the world. Whether we are called to sell our homes, leave our friends and families in order to live overseas, OR whether we are called to stay at home and work, and participate in the Great Commission on a vacational basis - we are all in this together.

What are you doing for your next vacation?

Vocationally yours-
Tim

We Got It!

Yesterday, we finally got our long term registration and visa extension.
What does that mean?
It means we can stay in the country until at least April 14, 2009.
It means we can travel inside the country, outside of Moscow.
It means we can leave the country and return to Moscow without any problems.

Thanks for praying with us about this.
Because we now have this status, I can now join the 2nd Udmurt Vol. Team trip this next week.
As a matter of fact, Rachel is going to join the trip also. We cannot stay the whole time, because of school and other things. But we are excited to get to ride the train with the team, to be back in Udmurtia for a couple of days, and to help minister face to face with the Udmurts.
We are looking forward to being with Pastor Mark, Kevin and Katie from our home church New Hope, and the other team members as well - Mo (as in Maurice), Cathy, Jon and Bill.
We bought our train tickets yesterday and will be in the same wagon.

Follow the news of the first team and then the second team at - http://udmurtvsc.blogspot.com

S'Bogum for now
Tim

Progress - - -

I was Red Square today with a vol. team from AR.
We took pictures, watched the changing of the guard, ate at the underground mall, the whole tourist thing.
But standing in Red Square, as the team was touring St. Basils Cathedral, I could not help but just reflect on how much has changed - even in the last 10 years (since we have been in Russia), not to mention the last 20 years.
Progress in capitalism (good and bad), progress in ease of life (good), progress in so many ways.
Before I met the team this morning, I met with Ed, my boss. The conversation went several ways, but progress - progress in the Gospel going out - Yeah - that's a good thing and that IS happening.
Life is not always easy here. Results are sometimes hard to measure.
But in the long run - the big picture is becoming clear - God IS at work - the Gospel IS going out - and yes - we - (ALL of us) - are making a difference - for the sake of the Kingdom.
God is good . . .
And all the time . . .
S'Bogum
Tim

one thing a day

When we first moved to Russia, someone told us "consider it a good day when you can get one thing done!"

Well, yesterday was not so hot, but Today was a good day!

I spent a good part of the day yesterday trying to put together a computer from the parts we had from 2 older computers. Problem after problem culminated in a rather frustrated RLM.

Today, I went out and bought MORE parts (still cheaper than a new computer - I think). Got everything home, started putting it together, loaded the operating system, and IT WORKED!
Today was a good day.

Of course, we got more done than just that - some groceries bought, some prep done for the group coming tonight, the one coming Thursday, and yes, the group coming Friday.
We are staying busy - and - slowly but surely, getting things done.

3 VSCs (folks Tim is working with) in country right now and God is clearly at work.
People getting saved, churches being started, and ministries opening up.
Can't go into a lot of detail, but it is exciting to be a part of what He is doing.

Check out http://udmurtvsc.blogspot.com for an update from one of our VSCs.

Living the Dream
Tim for the fam

Missin' da Bird

This weekend is our home town Yellville's annual celebration paying homage to the beloved Turkey.
"Turkey Trot"
Thousands of people fill the streets for the parade, music, crafts, games and to visit the myriad of booths hosting wares from all over the county.
There are contests including Miss Turkey Trot, not to be confused by Miss Drumsticks, a rodeo (also not to be confused with Miss Drumsticks), and of course, the National Wild Turkey Calling Contest.
There is the community wide Turkey dinner and all sorts of other interesting fair type foods, including Turkey Drumsticks, home made root beer, funnel cakes and nachos.

But the highlight of this annual Turkey focused extravaganza is the "Turkey drop."
This is not an organization sanctioned event. There is no listing for it on the schedule of events.
BUT 4 or 5 times during the two day event, a mysterious airplane flies low over the town square - a side door opens - and out flies a live turkey (or 2 or 3). The turkey usually flaps for a second or two before getting it's bearings, then settles into a smooth glide down to the mass of humanity waiting below.
The square temporarily becomes chaotic as children, teens, and even a good number of grown-ups chase the turkey down. The captor earns him/herself the admiration of all, a picture or two in the local paper, and finally, a Thanksgiving meal.
(I am proud to say that I had my 15 minutes of Turkey Trot fame while a Freshman in High School - and yes the picture to prove it.)

Sarah is there in Yellville today - enjoying being with the family and the events.
We are not.
Yes, we are a little down today - thinking of family, the food and the Kamakazi turkeys.
But that's okay - we have memories from last year and pictures to remember the good times.

I have tried to explain Turkey Trot to some Russians. They just don't get it - go figure!

S'Bogum and missin' da bird
Tim for the Wickers

Strategy Day

Billy Arnold, VSC for Bryansk is passing through Moscow on his way to Bryansk (spending a couple of nights with us).

I spent most of the day today in meetings with Ed and Billy.
We talked over breakfast, which led to lunch.
We talked over lunch, which led to tea.
We talked, and prayed over tea, which led to evening.
We are now back at the house.
Great day.
God is at work and therefore, the enemy is frustrated.
But what a blast it is to be able to think, pray, discuss, brainstorm, and seek His direction for life and ministry in Russia.
God is doing some amazing things - and it is exciting to be a part of it.
He has brought together some of the neatest people - and it is very humbling to be able to work with them.
Thanks for praying - thanks for being a part of what He is doing - and thanks for letting us be a part of what He is doing here.
S'Bogum
Tim

Udmurt Team #1 To and Thru Moscow

Lisa and I had the great privilege of meeting the 1st of the 2 vol. teams going to Udmurtia this month. Jack, Sara, Nellie, Suzie, Bob, JoAnn and James arrived just fine, with all of their luggage.
We were able to spend the day with them coming in from the airport, to the train station to unload their bags, to lunch and then back to the train station for the send off.
I was hoping to go with the team, but because of registration issues, I cannot leave Moscow, yet. Lord willing I will be able to go with the 2nd team.
The team will spend the next 10 days or so doing cultural exchange evangelism in the homes of believers their in Udmurtia. The local believers are inviting their lost friends and relatives to their homes to meet and visit with the Americans. They will be leading the conversations which will include questions about faith.
Pray that the Lord would use EACH of these team members for the sake of the Kingdom.
Pray for their safety and health.
Pray for His will to be done.
Thanks for being a part of what the Lord does with this team through your prayers (Rom 15:30)
Living the Dream!
Tim

PS - Follow their trip at - http://udmurtvsc.blogspot.com

Fly-Fishing For Souls?

Duane Hada, a deacon in our church, taught me to fly-fish this past year on our Stateside Assignment. He even gave me a bunch of equipment - with one catch (no pun intended) - the stuff was to be used as a tool for reaching people.
I saw online yesterday that there was a big Hunting and Fishing Expo on the north side of town.
I went in hopes of finding a fly-fishing store or group or whatever.
Of the hundreds of displays, I found ONE store representing fly-fishing. So I talked to the guys there and found out about their store. I asked about a fly-fishing Club, and they told me about one. I got all excited until I asked what they do. "Drink and Lie about their fishing adventures," was their answer. Sounds like a bunch of Ruskie good ole boys. I asked about clinics, or seminars, or whatever. The more we talked the more open they became. In the end they invited me to visit their store. In November they will be starting some 3 week fly-tying classes - stuff you can do in the Winter.
Pray that this will be the first step in relationships that will eventually bring some into the Kingdom.
Duane - thanks for the foot in the door!

Living the Dream
Tim for the Wickers

Apartment Bldg Pics

6th floor right above the arrow sign pointing the way!














The tall narrow brick building - 6th floor - that's our new home. (Rachel in foreground)

Ya Can't Take It With Ya

Well - we moved all of our stuff -

It is amazing how much stuff you can accumulate over the course of 9 years. I bet we have 20 boxes, just labeled "Stuff"!

Because of the need for another family to move into our old apartment while we were still in the states, because our new apartment was still occupied until this past week, and because we don't have any real storage places here, our belongings were moved and scattered to 5 different apartments.

Wednesday was all about collecting the stuff from one place, taking it down the stairs, loading it in a truck, taking to the new place, stacking by the elevator, loading it on the elevator, stacking outside of the elevator, moving it into our new apartment - anywhere in the new apartment. Then - doing it all again -

The last 2 days have been all about unpacking, putting furniture together, figuring what is going to go where, and throwing out (or giving away) what we don't need or what won't fit. We have downsized a bit.

Moving on the mission field is not a whole lot different than moving in the states. Lots of work, sore backs, but also a little bit fun in an 'all things new' kinda way.

The Lord is in control and has a reason for it all. We are in His able hands - looking forward to what He has and wants to do.

All in all, I can't help but smile when I think about the old saying -
"You can't take it with you" -
Very, very comforting right now -

Living the Dream!
Tim for the weary Wickers