Trimming the Tree

On Thanksgiving weekend it is our family tradition to trim the Christmas tree.
Yesterday, Rachel and I went through the balcony looking for all the boxes labeled 'Christmas'.
Lisa and Tess began the traditional baking of the peanut butter 'Kissy' cookies (no real Hershey Kisses this year - so a substitute was found).
With the tree finally put together and the boxes emptied - we began testing the lights. Two years without use did not do the lights any good. 3 of our 5 sets did not work. Since we always put the lights on first, and since it was already fairly late on Saturday evening - the tree trimming had to be delayed until today - Sunday afternoon - after a trip to 'Nash' to pick up more lights.
Every thing was set to the side and we decided to spend the evening playing Clue instead (for the 3rd time this weekend!).

Today we got our act together.
The tree is now trimmed.
The cookies were baked and eaten (and they were yummy!).
We watched the movie 'Elf'.

And now we are looking forward to the week.
I am thankful for Thanksgiving - for the time it gave us as a family to hang out - to play - to relax - to sing - to laugh - and to pray.

God is Good . . .

Don't Forget Lottie Moon

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving at the Tarletons -


Thank you Lord for our family and good friends -


God is Good -
All the Time -

Volunteers Make a Difference!

Today we visited one of the 3 Baptist churches here in the capital of Chuvashia.
The church was filled with young people, the music was lively, there was one sermon and 3 testimonies. There were Russians, Chuvash, Tatars, Mari, Mordovan, Udmurt, Mexicans and Americans all worshiping together in that one small rented room. God is Good . . .

During the testimony time two of the guys who spoke talked about critical moments in their journeys to Christ.
One said it was an American volunteer who visited him in a Rehab center in Udmurtia, that shared his testimony which the Lord used to bring conviction on his heart. That American volunteer later asked him if he could pray for him and later that evening the young Tatar drug addict prayed to receive Christ. As he began to grow in Christ and as he was contemplating his future, he was invited to a seminar about working in Rehab centers, but he could not afford to go. He prayed that if that is how God wanted him to serve, then God would have to provide the way, otherwise he would go back into secular work. The next day an American volunteer visiting the center, not knowing anything about this, gave him $100 - because the Lord just laid it on his heart.

Another testified that an American volunteer, who came to help with an evangelistic outreach, saw him standing alone in the back corner of the meeting and approached him when no one else would. This volunteer asked how he could pray for him. That led to a conversation, to an introduction to the local pastor and to his salvation.

Both these guys gave praise and thanks to God for sending folks just like you guys to make a difference in peoples lives. Both these guys are now serving the Lord full-time by beginning a Rehab center here in Chuvashia!

I know that sometimes we wonder if all of the money, time, and energy spent is really worth it.
YES YES YES - We Make a Difference -
We plant seeds, we water, and sometimes - sometimes we get the Glorious privilege of seeing the harvest.
Thank you guys for Making a Difference in Russia
S'Bogum
Tim

A Real Momma Chuvash

Marc and I had a great day outside of the capital city, in a smaller town and village.
We had a very insightful Chuvash culture lesson from Sergei's old Chuvash teacher in the town of Krasnoarmeiskoye (Red Army) or 'Trakye" (in Chuvash).
We learned the Chuvash words for:
hello - 'Salam'
goodbye - 'Chebir-yull'
and thank you - 'Tauvta push'.
We also learned why the Chuvash believe that if their good works outweigh their bad deeds then they can earn their way to heaven.
After a quick fix on the car, we went to visit Sergei's home in the village. (Sergei is a student in Moscow who attends Marc's English Club and is native Chuvash).
The rest of the evening was filled with a display of Chuvash traditional costume, duck and dumpling soup (man, that was good!), and a good ole Chuvash version of the banya!
It just doesn't get any better than that!
Pictured is Sergei's mom Tatyana in her Chuvash engagement dress, and some duck and dumpling soup.
S'Bogum
Tim

Tim in Chuvashia

Tim and partner Marc are doing what they do in Chuvashia.
The Chuvash are the largest non-muslim people group (besides the Russians) in all of Russia.
Nearly 2 million.
Right now there are only 7 Baptist churches in the whole region. Only one of them uses the Chuvash language in part of their services.
There is NO native Chuvash church!
Unbelievable!
We are here gathering information, taking pictures and video, doing interviews and visiting cities and villages trying to understand more about how we can help reach the Chuvash with the Gospel.
In the next few days and weeks I will send you links to websites about these people and other places in Russia.
For now these pics must do - Momma Chuvash - and my impersonation of Momma Chuvash.
S'Bogum
Tim

Rachel at Belle Notte

Belle Notte - Hinkson Christian Academy
This year's theme?
"Sounds of Freedom"

Rachel's first choir concert at HCA was a huge success. She was beautiful and sang like a song-bird. (yes - her parents are proud!)

Part of something Big

Yesterday evening we had 4 different guys over for dinner. All are now missionaries, with their families, in some way, shape or form. All of us have been involved in ministry in Russia for several years (total 45 years or more together).
The discussion went from topic to topic, but it was all about reaching the lost with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
As we were closing with a word of prayer, I became overwhelmed with a thought - literally tens of thousands of people have heard the Gospel as a result of these guy's collective ministries! Only the Lord knows exactly, but hundreds, if not thousands, will be in heaven because these men heard the call of the Lord to join Him in reaching Russia, and were obedient to that call.
Everyone here came from a different walk of like - a former bank executive, a carpenter, a school teacher, a journalist, welder and a homemaker. Not quite the 12 apostles, but in a way - yeah - just ordinary people that heard the call and responded.
How cool it is to be a part of something that Big.
S'Bogum
Tim for the gang

Home for a Whole Week!

Life is busy - life can be crazy - but it is all good
Since our last post, I spent a week in Prague, a couple of days at the "office" and a whole day just hanging around the house. My favorite was the whole day just hanging around the house.
I am now looking forward to a whole week of being home before my next trip.
Yeah, I have a lot to do - emails to write, blogs to post, VSCs to visit with, two manuals to work on, research to do on another unreached people group here in Russia - but all from home.
For me, for now, that is good.
Talked to Caleb - sounds like he finally got a job - whoa hoo - look out Toys R Us!
Grandma sent him a care package - I know he is looking forward to a taste from home.
Sarah is sky-diving today - I am soooo jealous! She is one busy girl - and it sounds like the Lord has given her some direction for life after college - I will let her share but gotta say that we are some kinda proud!
Tessa had a sleepover last night saying goodbye to a friend moving back to Australia.
Rach went to the Kremlin Theater for a Romeo and Juliet ballet this week and her school choir has a concert this Friday.
Lisa starts a new Bible study with some ladies from our mission this Wednesday. She is looking forward to that.
I guess that is all for now.
Just wanted to touch base - good to be home
S'Bogum
Tim

Wicker Flop House

On our return to Russia we moved into a new apartment. Our new place is not located far from where we used to live, and is a little closer to a Metro. Our apartment is quite a bit easier to visit for those traveling through Moscow.

Because of this we have been able to get together with several of our VSCs, volunteers and just friends as they pass through town. We've had several over for dinner and even more spend the night. The last group had some problems with hotel reservations - so we just spread them out all over the couches and floor. There was quite a chorus of snoring going on as Maurice, Mark, Kevin, Jon and Gary all occupied the same small space.

Billy, one of our VSCs, calls us the Wicker Flop House.

I kinda like that -
(of course I did not have to do all the sheets after the guys left!)

Next time you are coming through town - whether with a volunteer team, as a VSC or as a friend, please look us up - and if need be - we might even let you flop!

S'Bogum
Tim for the gang