October 9, 2006
Dear Family and Friends,
Well, the rain has started, and they tell us that once the rain
starts, the weather goes from bad to worse until it begins to
snow. As for now, we are absolutely loving the wonderful array
of fall colors in the many parks that surround our apartment.
For the month of September, Bob and Stacy were in intensive language
from 9:00 to 3:00 every day. We are now able to distinguish the
words, even understand quite a few, and respond by stringing together
a few hopefully intelligible words in Russian. Our grammar is
terrible, but people are very sympathetic if you just try, and
we certainly are trying.
The girls are doing very well. Each of them has invited a friend
or two to the house nearly every weekend. We are thankful that
our house is being used to welcome people and friends. The very
nice playground right outside our backdoor provides a wonderful
place for the girls and their friends to play. Rachel continues
to correspond to a number of people by email back in the States.
Naomi has discovered a wonderful love for cursive writing and
poetry, and Bethany has found a friend at school who has a Bittie
Baby doll just like she does. The girls have really not only adjusted
but seem to flourish here in Moscow. This past Friday afternoon
they tried out their ice skates for the first time. Although they
got a few blisters, they can’t wait to go again. Praise
God and keep praying for them.
The Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy has been very patient with Bob
and Stacy during the month of September, realizing how important
language classes were for them. Stacy is involved in organizing
Sunday school and a women’s Bible study, both of which have
begun and are going well. Bob has started a Thursday evening basketball
group that plays at the U.S. embassy, and everyone seems to enjoy
the fellowship and fun. The first Sunday in October was the first
meeting of MPC’s new youth group. A scavenger hunt led six
young people and a couple of advisors all over Moscow. After returning
to the church, Bob taught a lesson on the lost sheep in Luke 15,
and everyone ate pizza and enjoyed the fellowship. We are thankful
for the people who are involved in MPC and their energy and desire
to serve God here in Moscow.
Last month the United Nations High Commission on Refugees’
local office contacted us and told us about an 18-year-old man
from Afghanistan who had recently converted to Christianity and
was living in Moscow. Because of his conversion, he was forcibly
kicked out of his house and out of the Afghan community. They
were wondering if we could provide him a community and some support.
We, of course, said that we could. We look forward to the beginning
of this relationship. As we mentioned before, this is one of the
strengths of MPC. We are continually amazed at this community’s
ability to welcome the stranger. Everyone seems to be able to
find a place at MPC. Just last Friday at the newcomer’s
dinner one young man witnessed to the love and community he found
at MPC.
You are all probably wondering about Immanuel, the homeless refugee
who sleeps at an Internet café. Bob continues to pursue
opportunities to serve the large numbers of refugees here in Moscow.
Bob attended a two-day workshop sponsored by the U.S. State Department.
Attending this workshop will allow a handful of NGOs to pre-screen
refugees before they are recommended to the U.S. embassy for relocation.
This will be important for the church as it continues to provide
relief for those who are here in Moscow because they are fleeing
from their “home” countries. Please pray for this
young man as he literally tries to begin a new life. It is these
kinds of realities that reinforce the reason why we are here and
the very important work of MPC.
Last month another student of color was killed in St. Petersburg.
As you can imagine, our community was very much on edge because
they say that when one person of color is killed another murder
soon follows. It truly is amazing the level of intolerance that
people of color face here in Russia. We have just set up a 24-hour
hotline through our racial task force for those who might suffer
violence or harassment so that we can make sure that they are
given the best possible help.
Please continue to pray for our family as we live here in Moscow.
Pray for that young man from Afghanistan and all of our students
of color as winter begins. The metros are the most dangerous places
for them, and it is the only mode of transportation during the
winter. We will continue to pray that God will abundantly bless
you during this month.
We are your servants in Christ,
The Bronkema family
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