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