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RBC-supported missionaries M. & C. moved from Russia to Germany last week. Here’s an update from them, along with some prayer requests. Please take some time to pray for them and their family as they transition to a new area of life & ministry.

This is the last time (at least for a while) that we will be writing you from St. Petersburg.  We leave for Germany on Wednesday, July 2nd. Six and a half years ago, God brought us to this special city in this special country to serve Him.  It hasn’t always been easy, but we have been incredibly blessed ministering here… supporting Bible Translation, providing education for missionary families, doing orphanage ministry, leading a Bible study, and serving in our Russian church.  For two of our children, Russia has been their home for more than half of their lives.  We are very sad to be leaving this place that we love so much, but we know that God will continue to use us in Germany, just as He has used us here.

As is often the case, when we don’t write a monthly prayer update in a timely manner, it usually means that we are very, very busy — ironically, when we need prayer the most.  Today is our last day to pack before the container truck arrives on Monday (C.’s birthday is tomorrow and we are trying to set time aside to celebrate) and yet as much as I want to be packing, I know that we need to send out this update, because we need your prayers and we want to share our praises with you.

We are not providing a calendar this month, but we ask you to lift up the following requests throughout the month…

– Praise God that our children have been accepted at Black Forest Academy!  We waited two months to hear back from the school about their acceptance and so were understandably very excited to hear this news.  Also, C. has been offered a full-time teaching position in the high school Math department! She is extremely excited to continue serving missionary kids in this way.

– Praise God for giving me (M.) recent opportunities to provide online training in Bible translation software for translation and Scripture Engagement consultants from all over the world.  This is one of my first chances to provide support for a wider area than just the former Soviet Union.

– Praise God for all that He has done during our time here in St. Petersburg, for His divine providence for our needs, and for blessing us by allowing us to serve Him.

– Please pray about our car.  Until two months ago our car was working great and we had a buyer lined up.  After one seemingly minor incident, we suddenly had major problems. While the car is now drivable, it is still experiencing a lack of power that we just can’t seem to find the cause of.  We have spent days taking it to various mechanics without any good results. If this problem is not fixed, it is unlikely that we will be able to sell the car. Due to Russian regulations, we can’t take the car with us to Germany without incurring significant costs.  Please pray that the car will be fixed and that we will be able to sell it.  Please pray that someone will be able to help us with the car if we leave without having sold it.

– Please pray for our finances .  Moving and having to furnish our apartment in Germany is expensive, and without having sold the car, our finances are very tight.  Also, the cost of living is a little bit higher in Germany.  We know that God will provide for our needs, but we know that He works through the prayers of the faithful.

– Pray for us to be able to receive our belongings quickly once we arrive.  We need certain documents to receive the shipment and the process can take a few weeks.  Please pray that we will be able to get our documents processed quickly and get settled in our new home.

– Pray for new relationships. So much of what makes a home a home is the people that you share life with. Please pray especially that our children will quickly make new friends who will be an encouragement to them spiritually.

Thank you so much for your prayers, encouragement, and support!