Sunday, 08 June 2008 06:07
Our Internet access continues to be shaky. We can still only use the old laptop. Although the computer "master" finally agreed to our buying a new modem (and stopped trying to fix the broken one), he was unable to find the modem we need anywhere in the city. And somewhere in the process of working on the modem, the hard drive on the new computer was completely wiped out. I suppose we'll laugh about this someday, but that day isn't right now. Meanwhile, we've had the computer access we've needed for the essentials: balancing the field finances, and trying to get me registered for the seminars in Moscow at the end of June. I'm convinced it's prayer that's keeping our Internet connection limping along at this point.
Another thing that's been accomplished by prayer--I'm sure of it--is that Kopek's ringworm is finally getting better. I don't think I wrote about how bad she got. She was losing hair in big clumps, and no matter how carefully we treated her, the bald patches kept multiplying. We began to be really worried about her. As far as the local veterinary clinic goes... The first time we took Kopek there (for her shots, when we found her) the vet took a thermometer out of its case, inserted it where they insert it to take dogs' temperatures, read it, and put it back into the case without cleaning it. I've never seen her wash her hands. This week when we went (to have the ringworm looked at yet again), Kopek sat on the table, six inches from a pair of rubber gloves covered in blood and other animal substances that I didn't care to contemplate. It's a very frustrating feeling to know that somewhere in the world there are such things as oral antifungal medications, and medicated shampoos and creams...even clean vet clinics...but that that place isn't here. Instead, we've been instructed to treat the ringworm with iodine. Anyway, when Kopek lost so much hair that her coat started to look like a used-up Brillo pad, I began to pray. I reasoned that God made this little creature, and He cared about her enough to heal her. And she really is getting better. Her hair is growing in long and glossy again, like it's supposed to be, and the bald patches are slowly filling in. All things by prayer and supplication, amen?
The kids are out of school for the summer. Tim and I have 3 more weeks before our break. Ahead, we have an oral evaluation that will tell us at what level we're speaking. We need to acheive a certain level of proficiency before we can begin ministry, so this evaluation will be a good benchmark to tell us how we're progressing toward that goal.
We went to church this morning, but the first sermon was given by a Korean who spoke in Russian. I have my limits, and trying to decode Russian spoken in a Korean accent is one of them. I was just too tired to even attempt it, and I "checked out," mentally. The next 2 sermons were given by Russians, and I had better success with them.
The weather continues to be on the cool side, which is just fine by me. A stomach bug seems to be making the rounds of the family, starting with me on Thursday night, and Sarah last night. Other than that, we are plugging away at all the things set before us, business as usual.
Thank you for your continued prayers and faithfulness to us as we continue to adapt to the constant adventure that is life in Russia!
