Sarah Graduates!

Mom and Dad are so proud!
Our daughter, Sarah Virginia Wicker, graduated from Union University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Psychology on May 23, 2009.
Sarah, as you all know, is an amazing young lady. She finished her degree in 4 years despite a transfer and change in majors. She spent the last 2 years working as a Resident Assistant for one of the dorms and working at Union Station. She was there when the wind blew strong (tornado), assisted in the clean-up/rebuilding, and encouraged many through the difficult days that followed. She has been a faithful member and servant in her church- Cornerstone Community Church, as well as being the best big sister in the world.
More than all that, Sarah loves her Lord and desires to serve Him with her all. To that end she has applied and been accepted into the Masters of Christian Counseling program at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. She is now spending her summer in Jackson, TN working as a nanny and plans to begin her studies at SWBTS in the Fall.
If you would like to send Sarah a note of congratulations her address is:
Sarah Wicker
123 Fairmont Street
Jackson, TN 38305

Phone – 870-736-0965
Email – misswicker@gmail.com

Thank you all for your prayers for our family over the past few years and please join with us in celebrating this mile-post in her and our lives.

S’Bogum
Tim and Lisa

We've Got News!

Dear Friends and Family,

The following is a copy of a letter we mailed out to our colleagues today.

Dear Colleagues,
Greetings from Moscow!
It seems strange to be on this side of one of these letters, but here goes.
With much prayer and consideration and after 10 years serving with the IMB in Russia, we have come to the conclusion that our time here has come to an end. We will be going on a leave of absence starting April 15, when our current visas expire. There are many contributing factors to this decision, but in the end, we believe this is simply the next step of our lifelong journey following the lead of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We have been so blessed over these past years to work with some of the finest people on the planet. You have blessed us, ministered to us and helped us grow in our faith and we will treasure the memories we have made with so many of you. Please know that we will keep you, your families and your ministries in our prayers.
We look forward to being back in North Arkansas for a while, living with and helping Tim’s mom and dad. We are excited about being closer to family for the next couple of months and are looking forward to Caleb coming home at the end of May when we can all celebrate Sarah’s graduation from Union University. After that, only the Lord knows.
We sincerely love you all and wish you God’s very best.
S’Bogum!
The Wickers
Tim, Lisa, Rachel and Tessa

Happy Valentine's Day

We had to celebrate Valentine's Day a day early - Tim leaves in the morning of the 14th to the largest city North of the Arctic Circle. (in February?)

We went to TGIFs and enjoyed walking through the mall and just hanging out.

Home to bake cookies and watch a movie.

Love - Love - Love is in the air!

S'Bogum 

Tim for the fam

It's Not Fair

I know, not words a grown-up should be using about his daughter. 

But that's how I feel.

At the invitation of a friend from school, Rachel spent this past week in London.

Her friend and family had to leave Russia for new visas, they invited and paid for Rachel to join them. Lucky . . .

Anyway, she is back now with stories and pictures and memories, and yes, I am jealous.

Above are a couple of her pics . . . 

Glad to have her home, 

but again - not fair!

S'Bogum

Tim for the gang

In Udmurtia

Tim, Marc and Jimmy made it to Udmurtia today.
Jack and Mark, pastors from Arkansas came in a couple of days ago to do a seminar on spiritual gifts. Tonight was the first session.
Both men did a great job.
Jack was even introduced as the "Bishop of Arkansas" - guess he was promoted since we left Arkansas last summer.
We are here helping some, but mainly trying to get some video and pics for a piece on their ongoing partnership with the churches here.
God is using partners like these guys all over the country of Russia.
You don't even have to be a "Bishop" to help lead one.
S'Bogum for now
Tim

Tim and Pastor Sergei

Had a good day yesterday.
Met with the Senior Pastor and learned a lot about the Khanti and what God is doing among them.
Plans were made for the week.
Did a little night time sightseeing in Surgut.
Right now it is minus 30 F outside.
We are getting ready to head to the Surgut Museum of Local Lore to learn more about the history of the Khanti people.
Thanks for praying for us on the trip and the family back in Moscow.
S'Bogum
Tim

(pictured Tim and Pastor Sergei)

Tim to Surgut

Pull out a map - find Surgut, Russia.
Hint - East of the Ural Mountains, Northwest Siberia.
Oil fields, gas fields, and frozen tundra.
Tim is headed there with Marc and Jimmy this evening to see about a partnership with the Russian Baptist church there working with the Khanti people group.
Please pray for Lisa and the girls while Tim is gone.
Pray for a safe trip for Tim and the team.
And
Follow the progress of the trip (if we have internet connection!) at:
www.engagerussia.blogspot.com
www.engagerussia.org
S'Bogum
Tim for the gang

Happy Birthday Tessa!

Tessa turns 13!
Our youngest is now a teenager.
She is such a joy to have around.
She is growing up so gracefully and is full of life and fun.
Mom and Dad could not be more proud!
Here she is on her b-day and with her BFF Ali.

Cool Night Out

A night or two before Caleb had to leave - one last trip to Red Square.
Winter has finally settled in, it has been running in the teens Fahrenheit the past couple of weeks. For the most part we holed up, watched movies, tv, played games, and just enjoyed the warmth.
Winter break is just about over for the kids. We aren't mentioning the "s" word just yet, still the weekend to go.
The Engage Russia initiative is gaining momentum. Our team has expanded to Tim, Marc, Sarah D (doing research), and Jimmy B (photographer).
Keep an eye on www.engagerussia.org - right now it is sending you to a blog, but soon and very soon it will be a full-fledged website with videos and prayer guides to download and use in your church. More later . . .
Enjoy the weather, whatever it is - - -

New Years Eve 2009

New Years Eve 2009 - Red Square.
It was a little insane.
We got there about 11:40 PM.
Red Square had been closed off for a long time.
So we hung out with the THOUSANDS of other unfortunates on the streets outside of the Kremlin/Ohotni Ryad, downtown Moscow.
Enjoy the short clip!
Happy New Year!

Long Time No Post

Greetings all - hope you had a Merry Christmas!
Sorry not to have written more the last few days, but I am guessing you all have been busy with the holidays, as well.
We had a good Christmas - with a little bit of snow - so it was technically a White Christmas.
It is good having Caleb around for a few days. Been watching a lot of movies, eating a lot of food, doing a little work, playing some games, and for the most part just enjoying the gang - minus Sarah - sniff sniff.
Because of a picture or two on the last post - 2008 Wicker Year in Pics - posting any pictures of the girls without their prior permission has been forbidden - Ha! Censorship, not always a bad thing, not always a good thing.
Anyway, here are a couple of pre-approved photos from the holidays.
We love and miss you all
S'Bogum
Tim for the gang

Wicker 2008 Year in Pictures

Click on the off-centered slide show on the right and see some of our favorite 2008 family pics.
Or check them out on our Facebook (Tim Wicker) page.
More soon . . .
S'Bogum
Tim

High Priest of Hinkson

No, you have not traveled back in time to ancient Israel!

For their Bible project this year, Rachel and her friend Amanda made this High Priest outfit.
Rach and Amanda worked long and hard and the results are amazing.
Mr. Clarke, long-time Bible teacher at Hinkson, said that it was the BEST Bible project ever, and the only project that he ever wanted to keep and use in the future.
Not only did the girls learn about the High Priest, his role and function, they also learned how to use a sewing machine.

We are so proud!

Chuvash Videos

It's that time again for Southern Baptists - LMCO - or Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.
This annual offering for international missions allows us and more than 5000 others to serve the Lord throughout the world.

This week has been a busy one. Marc Hooks and I have been trying to get some video promotion pieces ready for you and your churches to use as you pray and give and think about joining us in the work overseas.

We got a lot done and the fruit of our labor can be seen at www.engagerussia.org
There you can see some of the videos on the Chuvash People of Russia.
There you can follow the links to download these videos and handouts for use in your churches.
There you can learn more about how to join us as we seek to Engage Russia with the Good News.

Even if you don't plan to use them in your churches, I would encourage you to check this site out, watch the videos and pray together with us for the work among the Chuvash people. The site is brand new and under constant revision - so bookmark it and follow along.

Today is Saturday, a day off, a day planned with the family - glad for it -
S'Bogum
Tim
(here's a sneak peak)

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