Life on the Other Side

Lingering Spring

2007-05-13T21:28:00.000+04:00

I can’t believe that it has been almost a year since I have updated here. There is so much that has happened. One of the more significant events in my life is the fact I lost 50 lbs this past year and am feeling so healthy and enriched because of the change in my body as well as my heart. It is amazing what being healthy can do for one’s attitude and view on life.

Timothy and Abigail continue to grow at such a rapid pace, I want to slow time down and grasp each moment as it comes. Abby has become a blond headed princess, doted on by everyone who meets her. Tim is tall and strong, healthy despite his periodic bouts with Asthma. He loves to run and play and frequently knocks his little sister over in his exuberance. Life is a book to him, each page opening to find new worlds to explore, new experiences to walk through, with every new aspect greeted by a thousand questions. “What is that mama? What does that do? Where are we going? When will we get there?” It is a nonstop monolog of questions, interrupted by a few replies from his parents. Because Tim has some problems hearing, due to large gland’s blocking his ear canal, his questions are twice as loud as a normal child’s, a fact which draws attention to us when we ride on public transport.

I quit work at the International Clinic to stay home full time with the children. They are plenty of work wrapped up in two bundles of energy. I struggled, however, with the sudden decrease in interaction with other adults and found myself discouraged during the long dark winter, hungering for fellowship with other women. It continues to be a large area I miss in my life. I feel isolated from the world, lonely at times. It is during these times that the Lord reaches out to me and reminds me that he is ever near – and that fellowship with him is sweetest of all. As the summer months approach and we are able to get out of the apartment more frequently, the children and I spend up to two hours a day walking, playing, and roller-blading in our courtyard or nearby parks.

Golden sunlight streams through our window at 5 am in the morning now and doesn’t stop till 10 pm. The long days of spring are upon us. This is the time I love most in our city, when twilight lingers for hours as the sun slowly dips below the horizon to rise again in a few hours. Plants grow madly in the long days, and couples can be seen strolling the along the canal till late at night, enjoying the golden glow. Children play in the courtyard until well past their bedtime – a constant arguing point with Tim – and boats with loads of tourists prowl the canals. Tim, like the sun, is getting up earlier and earlier – I’m threatening to put black paper over his windows so he won’t get up at 4 am later this spring. Life slows down, and we all enjoy the beauty of this time of year.

Please pray for Aaron and Kelly as they continue to work on starting their business. Our family will have to make a decision within the next month or so on whether we are to stay in Russia or return home. It was our hope that the business would be started by the end of this month, but it looks like there are some delays to expect. Our resources are dwindling so we need to know for certain if the business will start soon or not.

Continue to pray for my sister Rebbecca as well. She is battling for her life with bone cancer and is one of the bravest persons I know.

Blessings and in His Love

Ramona

Under the summer sun...

2006-07-29T10:15:00.000+04:00

It is late at night and I am weary, but determined. It has been a long time since I’ve updated my journal and things are happening fast and furious. I feel out of touch with many of you and I am sure you feel the same with me.

Aaron and I returned to Russia following our visit with my sister and family. Before long we were off to celebrate Aaron’s brother’s wedding in Slovakia. We spent a wonderful 10 days celebrating with friends and family – taking a side trip to Prague and Vienna. So much rich culture and history in these ancient cities! Prague was breathtakingly beautiful with its cobblestone streets and towering cathedrals. Massive thundershowers dumped periodic bucket-loads of rain on hot tourists and shop keepers alike, while gargoyles spewed the rain off steep roofs onto passersby below. Vienna was prim and proper, with its streets laid out in perfect order with neatly trimmed gardens and lovely lily pad draped fountains. The lilting tones of Mozart and other famous composers could be heard piped into the gardens near the town center. Dear Abby and Tim were dragged from one amazing site to the next. Tim walked for miles with little complaining, eager to take in the new sites, sounds, and tastes of the world around him.

Back in Slovakia we stalked the halls of an ancient castle where the Hungarian kings once held sway over vast tracts of land. And we ate, and ate, and ate some more. Our Slovakian hosts (Danka’s Parents) fed us till we couldn’t move. I tried, probably for the first and last time in my life, Absinthe liqueur, one of the highest proof alcohols sold. Tasted like bitter mint mouthwash with a major kick. Two sips was enough! 

Beautiful memories made with beautiful friends, a time we will never forget. Our prayer for John and Danka as we left them was that they would find the beauty and love of a Christ centered marriage as wonderful as Aaron and I have.

Back in Russia Aaron is busy hitting the road, traveling from one side of the city to the other, looking for potential sites for the new business he is working on starting. Kelly and he are meeting three times a week in Sestroretks, a 1.5 to 2 hour commute for Aaron. He comes home weary and ready to sleep standing up. They continue to look for major investors so they can open up the first Fast Lube Service Center in Russia. Please pray for them, that God will open the storehouses of heaven, and bless them in this endeavor. It is hard living on faith that this is what God wants us to do, as our savings slowly dwindle away. God is faithful, however, and we put our trust in him daily.

I continue to work at the clinic 2 times a week for 4 hours a day. Recently, Tim spent 3 days there in intensive care during a severe asthmatic attack with underlying bronchitis. They could not get him off oxygen without his oxygen levels dropping dangerously low and his heart rate trying to compensate by going much too fast. After 3 days of antibiotic therapy to get his bronchitis under control, as well as inhalation therapy and massage to get the secretions moving, he was finally released into my care at home with nebulizer treatments 3 times a day, and a host of other medications. I spent 2 days and 3 nights of almost no sleep by his side until he was out of danger. It’s terrible watching your child struggle for every breath. It pains me to think of it now.

My sister Rachel is visiting with us now and will be with us for the next 3 weeks. We have had some wonderful conversations and times of prayer together. She has been a huge encouragement to me.

It is now 2am and far past my bedtime. Love to all of you, and know that we miss you and hold you close to our hearts.

Aaron and Ramona

Homecomings

2006-04-10T17:05:00.000+04:00

We made it safe and sound all 13 hours of flying. I got no sleep on the way over but the kids and my husband did. We are flying home to be with my sister, Rabecca, for several weeks who has been diagnosed with terminal bone cancer.

It is awesome being with family again. My family is large. With seven of us and our children things can be a little crazy. When we get together it is absolute mayhem - but a fun mayhem nonetheless. Kids and babies everywhere, adults trying to talk - my papa who is mostly deaf just sits and takes it all in, looking with love over his large clan. We chat, laugh, play games, go for hikes in the mountains, go skiing, golf in the Columbia River Gorge, watch movies with all the girls crying at the sad ones while the guys pass the tissues and laugh at us. Fellowship is sweet as is God’s presence in our midst.

I glance at my sister, not wanting to go. Tears come as I gently take her hand. Today is the hardest goodbye I will ever have to say. I may not see her alive again as cancer ravages her body.

She is frail now, finding it hard to even stand, unable to eat for weeks due to unrelenting nausea. I remember her whole and healthy leading the way on our long mountain hikes, water bottle in hand eager to see what is around the next bend in the trail.

She bows her head matching tears making a wet path down her own cheeks. "You'll come if things go bad quickly?" She pleads in a quiet voice. I want to grab her and hold her close in a tight hug, but even touching her hurts her bones and every move I make has to be gentle and slow.

"I'll be on the first plane out" my voice catches as I promise to come for her death. We sit there quietly heads bowed, hearts heavy. I know thousands suffer from diseases such as this, but this is my sister and if only I could take some of her pain on myself, I would do so in an instant. "This isn't goodbye," I whisper, "only a see you later, in this life or the next". She smiles up at me, her dark curly hair a halo around her pale face.

"I know" she whispers back.

Becky, I love you, you will always be my hero! God is your strength and refuge!

With Love

Ramona!

Go Go Batmobile...

2006-01-03T00:41:00.000+03:00

I sink lower in my seat trying not to be seen by the passing people or cars. “Go go bat mobile smoke screen”. Aaron yells as we take off in a cloud of billowing black smoke. The car behind us sits for a second or so in stunned immobility as our lovely diesel van leaves no visibility for the next 100 yards or so. The traffic policeman in the intersection rotates to watch us pass his mouth open, a look of astonishment on his face. “You know we are the reason Russia cannot pass its clean air act”, Aaron continues to crack jokes. I slide lower in my seat. “Oh man, look at that guy.” A poor smoker frantically roles up his window as we pull even, our smoke catching up with us as the wind blows it foreword and rolls it into the crowd crossing the street in front of us.

“Dear God” I pray, “please perform a miracle on our poor car and heal it of this disease”. Pedestrians cover their noses with scarves or sleeves as they pass and stare at me, sitting in what should be the driver’s seat because our car is a right sided steering model from Japan. ‘This must be God’s answer to keep us humble’, I think as I turn to fiddle with something, anything. “Let’s take public transport next time” I suggest helpfully. Aaron nods his head abstractedly, glancing in the rear view mirror.

“Well no one will rear end us in this vehicle” he comments “they have to stay so far back just to be able to see the road.” I peer back through our smoke cloud and see the cars trailing far behind, an almost unseen event in Russia. Suddenly the humor of the situation hits us and we start laughing.

Our car, the thorn in our flesh, has spent more times in the shop than out, giving us one trial after the other. Bills continue to mount as we and our mechanic try one thing after the other to find the problem and fix it. To date we have probably spent over half of what we bought it for in trying to repair it. It currently sits on a road on the way to Aaron’s work where it broke down once again. Our desire is to get it in running condition and then sell it to someone who loves to fix cars for a very low price, just to get it off our hands. But we can’t even get it running, so it sits, deserted, lonely, cold, and we continue to pack up the two kids, with all our stuff and go by public transport to various destinations. Every time I think about it, my heart aches for Aaron because he has to deal with the situations that arise. But God is faithful, His ways are not our own. He can even use a car to teach us.

I have started back at work at the International Clinic and Hospital MEDEM. I spoke with the Director and he has agreed to start a fund for needy people instead of paying a salary to me. I decided that whatever money I might make at this job would be used to bless and benefit others in need. He was so shocked by my suggestion of starting this fund that he asked if others could donate to it. Smiling, I quickly agreed. My hope is to find individuals who cannot pay for an operation, or medical treatment, and use the clinic to treat them, paying their way using money from the fund. As MEDEM is one of the best clinics/hospitals in the city I want to see it used to bless and serve those who are less fortunate than others.

I start a medical terminology class next week with a group of 11 doctors and nurses. That is all I can allow in the class at this time as it is difficult to teach a larger group. There are over 300 staff working at MEDEM with 150 of them being medical, all in sore need of English language training. Another nurse from the States is joining me in teaching these classes (also a missionary). Please pray for us as we work in this secular field that God can use us to touch and minister to the lives of many.

We had a lovely New Year’s party with the YWAM staff. I found the last turkey in our local grocery store, almost had to fight off another shopper for it, and we had roast turkey and stuffing for dinner that night. Several of the Russian staff had never eaten turkey in their life, so it was a culinary experience for them. I made fudge and the rest brought Russian salads. We ate from 8 in the evening until close to midnight, a very Russian tradition, and then everyone (except for us and the base leaders) went out walking until morning. Fireworks from the neighborhood parties stopped around 4 am when Aaron and I went to bed. It’s amazing the kinds of fireworks you can buy here. Some of them should only be lit by professionals, but you have groups of drunk men lighting these massive four feet rockets from the streets below our balcony. I’m surprised more people aren’t seriously injured by the amount of explosive material being lit on New Years morn. Our windows were rattling from the blasts as one group after another made their way out onto the street to set off their noisemakers and rockets. Fun fun fun !

Blessings to all of you in this coming year.

Aaron, Ramona, Timothy, and Abigail

Pastoral Care & Pastoral Scenes

2005-10-21T16:48:00.000+04:00

October 21, 2005

Warm smells of pizza waft into the room as we chat about light topics ranging from my first (and last) experience drinking Vodka in my ignorant innocence on my first trip to Russia, to the strange way YWAM has of sending people off on trains into the unknown with someone to meet them on the other end who has never set eyes on them before. In this case a family coming to St. Petersburg from Moscow and being met by a girl who has no idea as to which train they are on let alone the wagon they are in and she has never seen them before – the only info, a 5 am train arriving from Moscow. I laugh as I remember my own YWAM experience of getting placed on a train with two drunken men in my compartment on an 18 hour ride to the Ukraine from southern Russia. The man who was supposed to meet me thought I was coming the next day and I sat for several anxious hours until some passing students helped me contact him.

We are meeting with the YWAM staff of St Petersburg, praying with them and sharing our vision for the new pastoral care ministry we have taken on for the base. Our hearts are to see this base covered in prayer, to see an unusual unity among the staff, and to see the churches in the city become more involved in missions. There is so much fear in the hearts of many pastors here. They believe that to send someone out means that the church will loose their potential talents for themselves, when in truth the church should be eagerly sending out missionaries to fulfill the great commission! Many of these churches were planted by people called by God to cross oceans to preach the good news of the gospel, how can they not desire to continue that commission? If only they could see the immense blessing the Lord pours out on churches that are active in sending others. My heart breaks to see this spirit of fear and control so active in the churches here.

So with hearts full of God’s calling and purpose we have become intercessors for this city, for the base, and for individuals God has brought into our lives.

A praise report! The wife of the YWAM base leader was having complications with her pregnancy and ended up in the hospital with her placenta separating from the wall of the womb. Doctors feared she was close to miscarrying and placed her on medication to stop the uterus from contracting as well as bed rest. We began to pray intensely upon receiving the call from her husband. Two days after being released home on bed rest she came in for a follow up ultrasound and the placenta had reattached itself to the wall and was almost completely healed. The doctors were amazed at this miraculous recovery. I was not. Some of the prayers I prayed were “Lord, You are the Healer, Creator, take this placenta and stitch it back into the womb.” Although she is still on bed rest for another two weeks, we are looking for a complete recovery and the birth of a lovely child in six months time.

I glance around at the beautiful chaos that surrounds me, children laughing, five or more conversations going on in different parts of the room. I study faces I have not seen for years, my mind trying to memorize features of children now on the brim of adulthood. Where has the time gone? Not long ago, I was one of these laughing dancing children, wondering when the adults would be done eating so I could go outside and play. Now I’m an aunt many times over and even a great aunt to a child of my oldest niece. Personally I don’t think you should be allowed the title “great” anything until you are over the age of 40. Aye aye aye!

The time home with my family was lovely. Not only the faces, but the surroundings ministered to my soul. The peace of Silver Star Ranch and the surrounding mountains and valleys called out the name of my Creator. Crisp nights where a myriad stars shone as only they can shine miles from any city or town. The haunting call of the coyotes put me to bed at night and the sweet sound of birdsong woke me in the morning, that or my son bouncing on the bed shouting “Getupgetupgetup”.

Midway through the trip I came down with pneumonia which, as a typical nurse, I did not have checked out for close to a weak. We are renowned for self treatment therapy (i.e. Cough syrup and 1000mg of Tylenol every 4hrs). I also did not sleep for that week as I was up coughing all night and ended up sleeping in a lounge chair to help me breathe. After temps ranging from 102 to 104.2 F for more than a week, I decided it would be best to get a second opinion (the first doctor said I had a viral infection). I was promptly diagnosed with pneumonia and placed on antibiotics which lo and behold actually worked. Strange that. What hit me the hardest, once I returned home to St. Petersburg, was the fact that during almost half of my 26 days in the States, I was miserably sick and unable to function properly or even visit with others without feeling miserable. I had a good cry and let God know my disappointment and things were suddenly better with my heart. I cherish the memories there and look foreword to returning to my family in a better state of health next time around.

To all you at home and abroad we send our love and blessings.

Aaron, Ramona, Timothy and Abigail

Fighting the Good Fight

2005-10-02T22:18:00.000+04:00

October 1, 2005

Wow, we made it home finally. What an ordeal. The flight was fine, both children behaved wonderfully, what met us in St. Petersburg was not fine!!! By now, I (Ramona) was almost hallucinating from exhaustion from a week averaging 2 - 3 hrs a night due to my fight with pneumonia (up coughing all night) and no sleep for the 20 hour trip from Washington to Russia. After hauling all 10 pieces of luggage up to the 5th floor where our apartment is, Aaron gave us this discouraging news. "The door doesn't open". I gazed at him not comprehending his words. "The key doesn't work in our door".

We ended up sleeping for a few hours at a local hotel then dragging ourselves back to the apartment where we tried once more with a different key friends had taken from us. Still no go. Aaron dropped me off at Sasha's flat were Tim, Abby and I had lunch then he called to tell me he had a flat tire and could not come to pick us up, could we please walk. He also gave us the bad news that the reason the door would not open was that someone had jammed it after breaking into our apartment and making off with our stash of money.

Tonight as I sadly cleaned up my nighties, socks, and slips it was hard to imagine some stranger rifling through my drawers looking for hidden treasures. They didn't get much.

Please pray for us as a family. We really feel God leading us in new directions and believe the enemy would love to discourage us from being obedient. Thank the Lord that we are able to rejoice even in the midst of difficulties. He is God in heaven and on earth and we are His ambassadors. Our hearts are determined to do His will.

Blessings!!!!

Aaron, Ramona,
Timothy and Abby

PS. This is a just a brief update so that you can all start praying. More to come...

Prayer in the sanctuary

2005-08-18T23:24:00.000+04:00

August 18, 2005

The air is oppressively hot, no breeze filtering through the windows flung wide open, no relief from the humid closed air. Beads of sweat gather on our foreheads and upper lips as we gather in a circle to pray for the coming service. “Lord we leave all our worries behind us as we enter into your presence”. “May the songs we sing minister to those who come today, let them be blessed and refreshed”. “What a privilege it is to worship You”! As the prayers lift to the rafters in this ancient Lutheran church, I think of the generations who came before us. Did they pray for safety for their loved ones from the oppressive Communist regime? Did they ask for food to feed their starving children as the Nazi Blitzkrieg encircled their city cutting off all supply routs? Were the whispered prayers lifted quietly in secret, lest someone hear them and report? Suddenly the magnitude of the history, the tears and prayers that have been uttered in this place seem thick as the humid air around us. “Lord, I have no understanding of what the saints before us have suffered”, I pray quietly to myself “But may our praise and worship rise from hearts that long to do your will no matter the consequences.” Do I really understand what this means? I don’t know. In my life, I have never had the choice between clinging to my faith or clinging to my life. In truth, the latter means nothing without the former.

I gaze at her in wonder as she makes her slow way down the aisle. This was the girl who was never supposed to walk again?! Who lay in a coma for months, the doctors giving dire predictions of no recovery? I remember hearing about the horrible accident her taxi got in as she made her way home after her birthday party. She normally took the metro but wanted a quicker rout home to celebrate with her family. Natasha is a medical doctor who attends our church. In her late twenties, she is also a gifted musician who played with the worship team. When we heard of her accident, we immediately begin to pray as did hundreds and possibly thousands around the world. Emails were sent out, phone calls made and word passed on, a call for prayer. I rejoice in the miracle I saw today as Natasha came to church, her very presence a shout of joy for the wonders our God has performed!

We chat late into the night, sharing our life stories, catching up as only two sisters can. It has been such a blessing to have my sister Rachel here with me for the last few weeks. Sometimes I don’t realize how lonely it gets until I have someone here with me during the day, sharing my tasks, listening to me and sharing her thoughts and prayers with me. Timothy has loved the extra attention he gets as well as the outside play times he has with his aunt. My sister encourages me to reach out to other single missionaries, using my home as a place of ministry. There are several single missionaries I know who could use a dinner with a family in a home where love and the Holy Spirit dwell. “Lord, let me be an instrument of blessing to many weary workers in this field.” I look at my home in a different light now, as a place where healing and encouragement can touch the lives of others. Thank you Rachel for your words of wisdom! I have been struggling with the change in my life as I go from full time minister to full time mom. But God continues to work in my heart in showing me my home as being a place of ministry.

We continue to establish relationships with many wonderful missionary families around the city. One long - time relationship is with a couple and their three lovely daughters, Perry and Lynda Friesen and Sarah, Katelyn, and Rayanne. We have been so blessed by their relationship and hope to bless them as well. Please pray for their ministry as they church plant in an area with very few bodies of believers (if any) in the northern region of the city.

Our prayers and love go out to you all!!!

Aaron, Ramona, Timothy, and Abigail

New Joy

2005-06-16T22:10:00.000+04:00

June 16, 2005

I gaze at the numerous pots gathering steam on my stove stop. A sigh escapes my lips as I think of the number of things needing washing; me, Abby, Tim, the pile of dishes from last night’s dinner and this morning’s hurried breakfast. Pot after pot goes on the blue flame to boil and then pour out into the bathtub basin as the morning ritual begins. I have a month of no hot water to look forward to. Thank goodness, the washing machine heats up its own water. As first a protesting Abby and then a giggling Tim gets soaped and scrubbed, I begin to smile at my pessimistic attitude. This may be inconvenient, but it is certainly not suffering. As I begin to pray for those who are truly suffering, my heart begins to rejoice in the blessings I treasure in this life. The laughter and smile of two beautiful healthy children, the love of a wonderful man, the lovely sunshine streaming through my kitchen windows, the Word of God written on my heart and open in my hands. How blessed I truly am!! “Thank you Lord for dishes to eat on and food to put on those dishes”, as I start the dishes, “Thank you for the clothes we wear and the ability to wash them in a machine” as I hang up the morning laundry. “For Your provision and blessings both spiritually and physically, for the love which sent You to the cross and raised You from the dead!” The complaining attitude disappears as does the dirt.

The skies rejoiced the morning she was born. I was up at dawn as the contractions came closer and closer together. When I left our tiny cabin in Porvoo, Finland I was greeted by one of the most beautiful sunrises I have ever seen. Rose tipped clouds were accented by a brilliant gold to mauve colored sky. We chose to name her Abigail Joy because joy was present from the day she was born.

Abigail “The Joy of the Lord” has brought a soft feminine touch to our family of rambunctious wrestling boys (Tim and Dad) and one tired mom. She is certainly different from Timothy even from the very beginning. Whereas Tim would finish feeding in 15 minutes max. leaving spit up all over mom and himself, she takes her time, gazing up at me, flirting with her eyes. 40 minutes later we wrap up with a polite burp, compliments to the chef. Tim at her age would scream with all the pent up passion in his little body at any excuse. She lets out small complaints only wailing when seriously scared or hurt. Tim woke the neighbors; she just wakes up papa who at the slightest whimper jumps to the side of her crib to make sure all is fine, nook in mouth, blanket keeping her warm. I think a father’s ears are particularly tuned to an infant’s cry, because I can sleep through her loudest wails until Aaron nudges me several times to remind me it’s my turn. Truth be told, she is a very easy baby, sleeping from 10pm to 6am (Go Baby Wise!) at two months of age, and is happy with a full tummy, good sleep, and clean diapers. We coo and awe at her, snuggle her close and smell the sweet baby smell of her. She has charmed us utterly, winning our hearts.

Tim as an older brother is doing splendidly well. He kisses and hugs her, gives her all manner of toys, and is even willing to share his “Blanky” with her. He watches mom and tries to comfort Abby by putting her nook in her mouth if she is crying. I have to watch him in his toddler eagerness as he gives her all manner of stuff to entertain her. He has never struck at her, or shown jealousy. I do my best to have “snuggle” and “story” time with him several times a day. Sometimes I have a child in each arm as we sing “Jesus Loves Me” with Tim hitting half the words in his sing song voice, Abby looking at us in wonder as we sing louder and louder, our voices clashing.

“Boat mama, Boat!!!”, Timothy yells from the bedroom window. I am used to the tourist boats traveling up and down our lovely canal so I glance with little interest out the window. A crowd has gathered on the opposite bank watching a dilapidated police boat as it trowels up and down the canal close to our home. I watch a little more closely and with some disbelief as the two officers on board frantically try to snag a body floating face down. With long hooked sticks they circle round their pray trying to get a lassoed rope around the corpse. As one officer takes a dunk by leaning too far over, Tim claps his hand excitedly at the action. Grabbing my delighted son from the wide windowsill, I try to get him interested in his toy box. “Let’s play with your cars, Tim” I encourage my loudly protesting toddler. Thirty minutes later, I notice they have successfully caught the body and it is now lying face up, its arms and legs reaching skyward on the stair landing just above the water in plain view of all passersby. There are no police to be seen. I can just imagine the tour guide on the passing boats as they explain that sight. I gaze at the poor lonely fellow, his outstretched arms a plea, forever caught in the grips of rigamortis. It is only a matter of time before two young men stop their car for a smoke and walk over to the landing. Sudden shock registers on their faces as they grab their cell phones and, I am sure, alert the police to their abandoned corpse. More time passes and an investigative team comes to dust him for fingerprints and remove all items from his pockets. Once their job is done, they also leave him alone. Two hours later, I gaze in wonder at my new neighbor lying in the warm sun, and decide we will not be taking a walk down the canal at this time. Several dogs and their walking companions have also discovered him and mayhem is breaking out across from our window. I can just imagine the switch board officer taking calls one after the other at each new discovery. “Did you know there is a dead man down here on the Fontanka?”, goes the question. “Yes sir, we are in the process of investigating his death, please do not touch the body.” Two and a half hours after his body is pulled out of our canal, the corpse is finally picked up by a city ambulance. That has to be a nice job. Life on the canal will never get boring!

Sometimes I forget I am living in a different country and different culture until I run across such instances as the above. Dignity in death is not part of the Russian culture. The only ones who care for you or about you after your spirit leaves your body is your family or friends. The police do not cover corpses and if you don’t get to the morgue by between 1 and 3 pm Monday through Friday you will not be able to claim your dead. We had one patient who died and her family had arranged a flight for the body back to the States. Unfortunately, the rude and very drunk morgue attendant refused to release the body as it was “after hours” on a Friday and it wouldn’t be till next Monday when they could pick up their relatives remains. The dignity for the living individual has never been a big part of this society as well. We see it in the policies set by this government. They are just beginning to get out from under the philosophy that the good of the one means nothing in comparison to the good of the many. Yet it was for the individual that Jesus died, and it is to the individual that we will minister.

With much Love in Him

Aaron, Ramona, Timothy, and Abigail

Abigail has arrived!

2005-04-04T16:33:00.000+04:00

Dear Friends and Family,

On Sunday, April 3, 2005 at 10:22 am Finnish time Abigail Joy Bogott joined our family. Ramona began feeling contractions at 3:30 am and by 9:00 am they were frequent enough to warrant a trip to the hospital. The nurse examined and determined that she was 3 cm dilated. Soon the contractions got heavy and Ramona asked for an epidural. She also noticed that she wanted to push and the nursed looked and said that there was no time and that the baby's head was already visible. Then after three good pushes Abigail Joy entered the world.

Here are the details:

Name: Abigail Joy Bogott
Weight: 4.24 kgs (9 lbs 5 oz)
Length: 52 cm (20.47 in)
Place of birth: Porvoo, Finland
Date/time of birth: April 3, 2005, 10:22 am

Baby and mother are both doing fine. Ramona and baby arrived back to our cabin this afternoon. Enjoy the pictures of our little girl.

Thank you Lord for this miracle of life! We dedicate her to you and to your service.

Aaron

Battle on Through Prayer

2005-03-25T14:05:00.000+03:00

March 24, 2005

The battle rages on. God has gripped my heart thoroughly these last few weeks and my time in His word and in prayer has been sweet. Around me the battle rages on in the lives of many dear friends and other missionaries. My desire is call upon those prayer warriors who have years of intercessory experience. Tuesday was an especially difficult day. We received two calls. One telling us our landlord had been killed and money and apartment documents stolen from him. He was a gentle young man, whose soft spoken voice will be greatly missed. My instructions from Aaron – Don’t open the door to anyone you don’t know, ever! Our names and address were on the apartment documents taken, as well as how much we pay a month in rent. The second call came minutes later when a close YWAM missionary friend called to tell us that his fanny pack with his family’s passports, car documents, credit cards and money for the base ministries was stolen. Because his license was in there as well, he will not be able to drive his family of four, and the cost to reregister the car, get new visas and passports for the family, etc is well beyond their budget. He saw the men who stole it get into a Mercedes Benz and drive off. This family has been hit especially hard the last few months as they have decided to take on the YWAM base leadership here in St. Petersburg. The enemy loves to attack those who step out for the Lord.

Our third prayer request is for a Baptist pastor and his wife who have served for 17 years in the former Soviet Union. They have been forced to leave the mission field due to his serious health problems - a direct result of stress in his life. Currently, one of their Russian neighbors is filing a suit against them for supposed damage done to her ceiling during remodeling of their apartment. They offered to repair the cracks in her ceiling which could have happened long before their remodel job, but she is insisting on $20,000 compensation, 10 times the actual cost of a high quality repair job. The husband is with the children in the states while the wife is here alone packing up and getting ready to leave. 7 men showed up at her apartment last Thursday to “arrest” her furniture (meaning she could not sell or give it away) and told her she could not leave the country till the court decision was made – a decision that could take years. A local member of their congregation stepped in and took responsibility on behalf of the missionary family. Please pray for peace for this family as well as justice done in this court decision. Many times judges here base their decision on the size of the bribe offered by one or the other party. And pray for Kathy, the wife as she is especially vulnerable in this time of being alone while her family is home in the U.S. It has been an emotional and difficult time for her to be solely responsible for packing and selling 7 years worth of living memories.

For those of you who don’t know, we bought a van which was promptly impounded two days after Aaron started driving it. Evidently the law was changed the first of this year and not all the documents were in perfect order, so the road police, who pull over people randomly looking for bribes, took our car. At least this officer was honest enough to admit to Aaron that he gets a cut of the impound fee from the towing company for impounding cars. We got a chuckle out of that honest crook. After 300 dollars in fees and a change of ownership documents we finally got our van back. Lo and behold the same officer pulled Aaron over again (most likely hoping he hadn’t done everything correctly) but all our papers were in order and he was forced to let Aaron go. Now however, we are struggling with a huge problem with the intake manifold which will cost close to $2000 to fix (a third of the value of the car). Our car is a rare breed (Estima/Enima), made in Japan for driving in Japan, and the parts are horrendously expensive. Of course the labor isn’t cheap either. The advice from the repair shop, sell the car and don’t tell the new owners what the problem is. Of course this is not an option for us, so pray that we will be able to find the part in Finland when we leave to give birth to our second child. In the mean time, we are only burning half our diesel and leaving the rest in a cloud of black smoke behind us. Who would have thought car ownership could be such a burden here.

Wow it sounds like life is depressing for us here, but in truth we are truly blessed, and the Lord has been working in our lives and in our hearts. We have an opportunity to start a pastoral ministry for the YWAM base here, a much needed service, and we have become coordinators for the worship ministry at our church. Timothy and I have started daily devotions and are having great fun learning about creation, drawing, coloring, and cutting included. He is growing in leaps and bounds and at 2 years 3 months is adding words daily to his vocabulary. The difficult part is figuring out if they are in Russian or English, or just his own Baby talk. Mom is getting to be a pretty good interpreter! We wait with joy for our little girl, and are slowly accumulating a few pink outfits, bows included.

To my dear sisters who have written and called I want to thank you for your intersession on my behalf. I have felt the prayers in my life and my spirit is being renewed every day as I come into the presence of the Lord. He is amazingly good and merciful.

We love you and look forward to seeing you this fall.

Ramona, Aaron, Timothy, and Baby Girl Bogott

Christmas in Norway

2005-01-12T21:07:00.000+03:00

January 2, 2005

So much to write about, so little time to write! I sit here, my tummy getting bigger as baby Bogott grows and grows and grows. Three more months and a new little one will join the Bogott generations. Although the doctor tells us he is 99% sure this one is a girl, we haven’t bought anything pink yet. Grandma B. was ahead of us in that one. Names? This time is much more difficult for some reason. Aaron keeps coming up with such silliness as Penelope, Buttercup, and Chiquita!?!? Timothy just pats my tummy and says “La, la”, (the Russian diminutive for infant) or “Baby”. Maybe we should just name her Abigail La Chiquita Bogott, and then we can all be happy :). We are all looking foreword to her arrival with great joy and expectation, well mom and dad at least are. I don’t think Tim understands what momentous change is about to hit his centered little world in about 3 months time. His only concession to change is sitting next to mommy when she reads him a book, rather than on my lap as room is running out. My heart’s desire is to not loose track of those precious moments together in the crazy busyness of caring for a newborn. He is such a precious joy to me and our “snuggle” times are some of my favorite moments during the day.

Timothy wailed in fear and clung to Papa as our plane lifted off for the beginning of our Norway Christmas adventure. My spirits rose with the craft as we left the dark weather and dirty streets of St Petersburg behind us. Thoughts of Christmas with loved ones in a land that actually celebrates the birth of Jesus filled my mind. Mom and Dad Bogott gave us the lovely gift of celebrating Christmas in Norway by paying for three round trip tickets to meet them and Amy and Jon in this land of the Fjords and mountains. Included were a trip to the lovely town of Bergen and a small trip through the mountains and Fjords called “Norway in a Nutshell”

We were met in Oslo by a young University student who offered us beds for the night. Her hospitality and graciousness was a huge testimony of God’s love to us. And then it was off to meet the family at the airport the next day! Aaron and Timothy went to the airport to meet Grandpa and Grandma and Auntie Amy. On their return, Tim promptly went to sleep and woke up feverish and vomiting. For the next five days he struggled with vomiting and diarrhea as we traveled from one part of this lovely country to the next. The worst day was in the charming bed and breakfast in Bergen, where he vomited profusely all over their antique rugs, down comforters, and feather pillows in a record six upheavals. Our dear hostess kept bringing in towel after towel as we attempted to protect their furniture and bed from his sudden upchucks.

Through the upset stomachs, diarrhea, vomiting and colds, we had a wonderful time and Christmas in Norway!!! A family who gets sick together sticks together. Luckily, not everyone was sick at the same time and we saved a lot of money on food as no one really had an appetite the final week of our trip. Some of the highlights…There was waking up on Christmas morn to the beautiful sight of soft falling snow with several inches already on the ground. The sweet smell of flavored coffee greeting us in the morning, coupled by beautiful surroundings and a quiet so peaceful, I forgot what it was like to live off a busy street. The towering snow clad cliffs on either side of us as we made our way up the Fjord to catch a mountain train back down to Oslo. There were candles in the windows of every home; music played in the stores, smiles on faces all around us. Donna and I browsed the bookshops, looked longingly at the candles and decorations and kept our money firmly in our pockets due to the extravagant prices of everything we saw. And last but not least, Timothy learned how to say AAAMEEE in reply to his coaching aunt. He now repeats it over and over when asked. These are memories I will treasure, holding them closely in my heart.

God has given us an incredible gift in the form of His Son. He has also given us families who know and love Him … a rich heritage of righteousness upon which to build. Both Aaron and I have had the privilege of growing up being instructed in God’s word, learning at an early age the love which God has for us. It is now our responsibility to pass that knowledge and love on to our children. This is where peace is, this is where the blessing flows. May all of you find peace and rich blessing in this coming year. You will find it in the presence of God, in the shadow of His wings.

Much love to all of you!!!!

Sister & Sun

2004-11-11T23:54:00.000+03:00

November 11, 2004

Smiles, hugs, long conversations, good food, and great fellowship, our time with my sister Rebecca was truly precious in every way. Even to have a sister here for a long period of time was such a blessing for me. The hardest part of living in Russia is the lack of close fellowship with family. Sometimes I look out my window at the gray sky and darkening days and I wish I were back home where life and laughter and loved ones abound. But God has a purpose for us here and until that purpose is finished we will stay. During her time here, it was wonderful to see Russia through the eyes of a newcomer. Sometimes I forget how different the culture and living conditions are here as opposed to other places. Let me give you a short example of her letters home…

… Now let me say more about toilets. This must be the only place on earth where one PAYS to use a public restroom. Yep, 25 cents for the privilege of comfort, and you don't dare sit on the seat (please don't ask for details) And you bring your own tissue, always, when out on the town, because it ain't always supplied even for the 25 cents. I used one port-a-potty perched happily on a downtown street, on other occasions we were at a restaurant so a potty was available there. Life is topsy turvy here...one public park bathroom stood out for its amazing cleanliness and pretty tile work, but the toilets at church, which gathers in a rented theater, were so foul you want to close your eyes and plug your nose, but of course you can't, because all energy is focused on squatting just so, and finding the tissue in your pocket and not letting your skirt touch ANYTHING in the tiny, damp closet of a bathroom. I strongly suspect the natives go around dehydrated to avoid the NEED for potties in public places…

I had a wonderful laugh at that one!

We hit all the highlights of Russian culture including the palaces, the Hermitage, the ballet, and the Russian Art museum. Everywhere we went I learned more about Russian toilets through the comments and laughter of my sister. Thank goodness I didn’t take her to the holes in the floor at the major train stations which serve as toilets there.

Please pray for my sister as she is currently battling breast cancer. She returned from Russia to learn that a lump in her breast was cancerous. I believe that the prayers of God’s family are 100% more effective than all the treatments our medical community can offer.

Sunshine, palm trees, and clear blue water. Aaron and Timothy and I took our first vacation as a family and flew to the warm Egyptian shores of the Red Sea. Air temperatures stayed in the 80s and Water temperatures in the 70s. Coming from the cold north it was funny to see a plane-full of frozen northerners stagger out into the desert heat of the far south, coats over arms, eyes squinting in the brilliant sunlight, boots and long sleeved shirts out of place in this sudden summer. Plane after plane was landing from all over Europe unloading hundreds of passengers into a tiny airport where tour guides were shouting frantically to attract the attention of those who were to join them for a trip to their specific hotels. After an hour and a half wait in the long line through Passport Control, we were loaded on busses and made our way with much honking and crazy driving to our beautiful glass fronted hotel. With three swimming pools and terraced levels the grounds of this 4+ star resort were absolutely stunning. And the service was hard to describe. Every day our cleaning man (only men work in the hotel for both cultural as well as religious reasons) would leave a beautiful sculpture made out of our towels and lovely blossoms of every color.

And then to the beaches and the warm warm water. Fish of every hue, size and species swarmed the coral reefs of this lovely town. With snorkel gear in hand, Aaron and I took turns for several hours a day exploring the rich world of a tropical coral reef. Timothy played in the sand and surf, chasing the occasional white heron which would land nearby looking for smaller fish swimming close to shore. We built sand castles, ate falafels from a nearby cafe, and strolled the walking streets lined with shops. With Timothy’s blond hair and blue eyes, we were an attraction for every passing Egyptian. With grins and whistles they would lift our startled son into the air, kissing him on the cheeks, exclaiming over and over how beautiful he was. It was a contest for the staff at our hotel to see who could make him smile or laugh the most. They would dance in front of his highchair at dinner, blow him kisses across the dinning room, and the chief chef would make a mad dash from the kitchen every time he heard Tim’s voice, to kiss and hug him.

All in all it was a lovely 10 days of relaxation and fellowship as a family.
May there be more to come!

Blessings to all of you and may you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Summer Fun

2004-09-10T08:27:00.000+04:00

September 10, 2004

Time flies when you're having fun, and we have been having loads of it!! We grilled shashlik (shish kabobs) on the beach with dear friends, walked through Kiev at midnight to hear the bells of St. Michael's play the national anthem, and paddled our hearts out on the Dnepr River with family.
We spent one glorious week in Kiev, Ukraine, visiting a good friend and missionary, Natasha Shure. We were so blessed to visit her and Vicky, her housemate and ministry co-leader. We also had the double delight of spending a few days with my sister Ruth and her family just leaving the Ukraine after 10 days of ministry in the south. What a much needed time of refreshment and blessing.

Then back to St. Petersburg where my clinic had finally moved into its new home under a new name. We went from a one story outpatient clinic with 8 exam rooms to a full 6 story hospital, 20 exam rooms, and 30 inpatient beds, operating theaters, diagnostic centers, a full floor of dentistry. Talk about bouncing around an empty can. Our poor little staff of 100 full time workers felt really lost. Of course the clinic forgot to order enough supplies to fill all those exam rooms, so we were running from one floor to the next in sharing our pulse oximeter, ECG machine. We didn't even have enough basic supplies to stock our outpatient clinic. It took a week before we could really say we were ready. But the floors looked beautiful in their Italian marble and the 5 story vaulted atrium where our reception is located was absolutely breathtaking.

And then of course was the exciting discovery that we are expecting another little Bogott sometime mid April. This has truly been a summer of many blessings.

Aaron has been working hard in a new project taken on by Jensen Group, to lease close to 900,000 square feet of storage and factory space for a company situated outside the city. He spends 3 to 4 days traveling to this site and has not been getting home before 8pm. It has been difficult and extremely wearing on him. My prayer is that he leases the space quickly and gets back to his regular work schedule at Jensen. Of course with an active
21 month old and another on the way, poor Aaron gets an exhausted wife to greet him when he does get home.

Timothy continues to grow - at an alarming rate - and now falls in the 110 percentile for his height and 120 percentile for his weight. That means he is really big for his age J. Most people walk up to him chatting to him in Russian and are somewhat surprised that he chats back in baby-talk as he looks like a three year old. He walks around the house with a phone attached to his ear, sometimes two, and babbles away at "Baba, Papa, Mama, or whoever it takes his fancy to hold a conversation with. I listen to him in amazement at his long involved conversations and exclamations and wish I could understand his special language. He certainly must have something interesting to tell.

In ministry, we continue to meet the needs, especially medical, of those who God leads us to. Aaron and I have helped several families in crisis' pay their medical bills as well as see some of my clinic's physicians at a reduced price. I continue to give medical advice over the phone as different missionaries or Russian friends call with various ailments or health questions. This week I gave a presentation to a group of foreigners who had just arrived in the city for a stay of one or more years. We discussed health issues in Russia, vaccinations needed, quality of health care, food, drinking water etc. The U.S. Consulate asked me to take a job with them as their nurse, but I had to decline as they were also asking me to pay for my own work visa as well as the cost of procuring it - close to a
thousand dollars. All in all it has been a busy summer and fall with more
and more being added to our plate.

One of my greatest joys has been leading worship in our church one Sunday a month. More and more people have been joining our team and now we have a full team with two to three guitars, a drum set, and four singers. Aaron and I bought a case for the electric piano he bought me and we have been hauling it back and forth to the church when it is our time to lead worship.

God's Storehouse

2004-05-26T08:37:00.000+04:00

May 26, 2004

Her name is Maria and she has four children, the oldest is 13, the youngest 4. Her husband, Francesco, is from Cuba and due to the extreme prejudice in this country, has been unable to find adequate work to support his family.
They live in one room of an obzerzhetye (or dorm), no kitchen, toilet in the hall, showers in the basement for the whole building. I have seen them come to church over the past few years, their clothes old and well used, the children in boots too large or falling apart, the parents tired and careworn. And yet this couple loves the Lord, often weeping openly during worship. Until today, I looked at them without thought to their circumstances, without a desire to know their needs, even though they were obviously struggling. Then I saw them weeping before the Lord, and their simple, unashamed faith broke my defenses down and I began to see them with the Father’s eyes. As I bowed my head, tears streaming down my face, I asked Jesus to forgive my pride and lack of interest and tell me how we, as a couple, could bless this family.

After the service, gently, and with compassion, I was able to ask Marina how she was doing. She paused and then shared with me some of the trials her family had lived through these past few years. “But God is our strength and joy and He is enough!” I looked at this beautiful woman, her threadbare dress hanging on a frame too thin to be healthy, and I saw the beauty of Jesus shining in her face.

James 2:15,16 “If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, Go in peace, be warmed and be filled, and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?” I love James, he puts the obvious so well. How many times I have shook my head in concern and said, “I’ll pray for you my friend, that God will open His storehouses of heaven for you…” then gone on my self righteous way. WE are God’s storehouses, we are His blessing, His answer to prayers of brothers and sisters in need. I turned aside to Aaron, my wonderfully gracious husband, and said, “I believe God wants us to bless this family.” He pulled out his wallet and opened it up.

“How much?” he asked. I thought of an amount that would feed them for two weeks and then doubled it. Knowing it was more than her husband might make in a month, I quietly slipped the amount into Maria’s pockets with a kiss and told her God wanted to bless her. She vainly tried to push my hand away, but I am rather quick and persistent. It wasn’t until later that I thought to pray that there were no holes in her coat pocket.

God’s love is amazing!!!! Aaron and I have been able to bless so many these past few years. Believers and nonbelievers who have found themselves in the midst of desperate situations and have been utterly blessed as we have met their needs. Your generous gifts over the past years have been passed on, in the name of Jesus, to so many. The birthing cost for a beautiful little girl named Emma, whose parents had no idea where the money for the hospital and birth would come from, an operation for a 10 year old Ukrainian girl, removing massive growths on her legs so she could walk again, a missionary out of food and asking for a loan received a debt free gift of money till his support came in. The list goes on… In every instance the grace of God was extended to these, many responding in tears of relief and sometimes disbelief. My coworker who received the money for the operation on her niece’s legs stood dumfounded in our staff lounge crying because a group of people who knew nothing about her niece had given to help others.

You think you guys have it fun!!!!!!!! No way! Try being God’s banker for a few years and see how blessed you get!

It’s not just the money. Aaron and I have been able to use our home, time and again to bless others, to show them hospitality. Just the other weekend we had thirty women stuffed into our living room for a woman’s conference put on by our church. It was supposed to last 4 hours. 7 1/2 hours later, we finally said goodbye to the last ladies. Teaching, prayer, worship, filled our home for the better part of a Saturday. As a church team, we fed them, ministered to them, and fellowshipped with them. The women were deeply moved, and as one of the team leaders I was able to write down every name, and a bit about each one. What an effective tool for intercession.
My dear husband kept Timothy entertained, fed and changed while I helped to host the event.

So my challenge to you dear ones is to ask the Lord how you can be an effective blessing in your congregations, neighborhood, workplace. Find someone, or a family in need, get to know them (don’t be shy!) and then ask God to open your eyes – to see them as He does – but be warned, He will break your heart for them!

Winter Fun

2004-03-03T21:01:00.000+03:00

March 3, 2004

She hobbles out of her door, two small mutts in attendance. Timothy greets her with excited shouts, barking loudly at her two companions. “Come on,” she yells at him, her face wrinkling in a smile of greeting, “hurry up or we’ll leave you behind.” She makes her painful way out into our courtyard and heads for the street, Timothy toddling after her with gasps of excitement. Her two small dogs run up to him, their bodies wriggling in delight to say ‘hi’. Timothy continues to bark at them in mutual greeting. Our ancient neighbor yells again “Hurry up! Time for a walk.” Timothy is beside himself with joy as he does his best to keep up with his new learned walking skills. We are off on a tour of the surrounding area, sprinkling oatmeal on the hard packed snow for the local birds. The neighborhood pigeons have come to know Timothy’s excited shouts and come in a whirr of wings to settle nearby for the feast. A flock of sparrows and finches come to investigate, as well as a couple of large crows who soon loose interest in the offered meal.

Our ventures out into the freezing cold everyday are a highlight for both Timothy and I. He protests in loud cries on having to go inside, frozen nose or no. We have made friends with the other mothers or grandmothers who bring their small ones out for a bit of “fresh” air everyday – a Russian tradition no matter the temperature. On days where it reaches close to 0 degrees F. I tend to do the quick 20 minute tour. If it is in the teens, we are often out for 45 to 50 minutes. Several times a day, Timothy insists on sitting in our deep set windowsills to watch the cars and trucks go by, as well as the few hardy folks walking their dogs. Each dog is greeted with excited barks and tapping on the window. Timothy thinks cats are just a smaller version of his favorite animal and bark at them as well. He really is a delight as his personality blossoms, and he becomes more communicative. He uses sign language to say “please and thank you” , as well as “all done” and is just beginning to add words to his vocabulary, “duck” being his first word after papa and mama. Aaron insists it sounds like “dude” and says Tim is bound to be a surfer.

Life seems to slow down during the long bitter months of winter. We wait expectantly for the spring thaw, mud and all, and the warmer weather. This year, we will not be returning home to the U.S. We have chosen instead to take a family vacation and visit the ruins of the New Testament churches located in Turkey. Ephesus has some of the best Roman ruins in the world as well as the wonderful attraction of being on the Aegean Sea. We also plan to visit a missionary we support in the Ukraine and meet with John and Ruth Maletz and their family (Ramona’s Sister and Brother in Law) in Kiev. They will be traveling to the Ukraine for several weeks of ministry and are bringing their four children with them! We are delighted to be able to spend time with them as well as Natasha this summer.

Of course the downside is that we will not be able to see all of our family as well as many of our good friends this year. Please feel free however to come and visit us in St. Petersburg. We will give you the royal tour and you can sample Ramona’s gourmet cooking free of charge.

For those of you who have followed the Tajik story. Many of you know that the families returned to Tajikistan following the brutal killing of one of their children. Ricardo, the YWAM base leader had a chance to fly down to Tajikistan with Alexei to meet with the families there, and see how they were doing. All they had in departing St Petersburg was a telephone number and the name of a town. They were able to miraculously contact one of the men who met them and brought them to the compound where the families were living. They are doing much better there in their homeland, each family having a room to themselves, running water, etc. Ricardo and Alexei were treated like royalty, and were joyously received by the families who were astonished that the YWAM leadership had kept their word to visit and check up on them. The leaders of the families say that there is no work available in Tajikistan, and they may have to come back to St. Pete’s to find work, a matter that the women are distressed about. Please continue to pray for them as a group. They have heard the gospel, and God’s word does not come back void. Pray for Christian contacts in their area as well as a continued stable living condition for them as a group.

Blessings and love to you all in the name of our Lord!

Tender Moments

2004-01-14T08:46:00.000+03:00

January 14, 2004

Candle light gives the large room a warm, intimate feeling. We are sitting around a rustic wooden table in a restaurant in the heart of Old Town, Tallinn. There is no other light source except the candles which light every table here as well as grace large wooden chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The smell of warm wax and spicy food fills the dining hall. Our menus include such entrées as "Bear, Wild boar, Elk, and Lamb done Mountain style". Old Hansa, the name of this restaurant is famous for its medieval atmosphere and spicy cooking. Pickled vegetables of every kind, roles stuffed with savory spices and nuts, our food comes out on large wooden platters in huge portions. Spiced beers and ciders compliment the various dishes. We were lucky to get a place in this three story restaurant, packed to its capacity on this cold wintry night. The servers are dressed appropriately in medieval costumes, while musicians stroll around entertaining the guests as they feast. I look around the table at my loved ones, wanting to capture this moment in my mind. Thank you Lord for the gift of good fellowship and good food!

Our time in Tallinn with Aaron's parents was a time I will cherish in my memories for a long time. We were blessed to stay at a small hostel situated above a restaurant in Old Town. We walked the small enchanting alleys of this beautiful city, gazing at the lovely Christmas displays, stopping in for a hot cup of coffee or tea and a pastry at the local coffee shops, or just enjoying our time walking through the Christmas Bazaar in Market Square. Evenings were spent playing cards and fellowshipping in our rooms. Aaron and I event went out on a much needed date while Grandma and Grandpa watched Timothy. That also was a delight to watch as grandparents and grandson became reacquainted with each-other. For the first time in years, I felt like we were celebrating a true season of Christmas, brought to this family from across the ocean by loved ones.

"We have to go over that?!" Donna, my mother in law, looked questioningly at the filthy highway divider separating us from our destination. I nodded, apologizing for not warning her. She smiled and gamely hiked her long coat to scramble over the thigh high barrier. We were on our way to a large bulk food's store called Metro to do our weekly shopping. Two large back packs rested on our shoulders, ready to receive the load of groceries we intended to buy. I had done this so many times before, I forgot to explain in detail exactly how we were going to "go shopping". An hour away by public transport, Metro was still the best place for us to go to find an abundance of high quality imported and domestic foods. Because of its size, it also boasted the lowest prices around. An hour and a half later, we struggled out of the store weighed down with our purchases, a bag in each hand as well. The wind was blowing snow in our faces as we waited by the highway for 20 minutes as one after another of the rout taxis passed us by, full, and unwilling to stop. I could feel my own strength starting to falter and wondered how Donna was doing. Finally a rout bus pulled up and let us into its overcrowded but warm interior. By the time we reached home, both of us were exhausted.

Sometimes I don't think anymore about the reality of living here in Russia without the convenience of a car. Everything that Aaron and I purchase, we bring home by bus, metro, taxi etc. We carry everything on our backs or in our arms, including our 26 lb son. Often times we walk for miles every day, to the bus stop, from the bus stop, to the nearest metro station, or just out to take baby for a stroll in his stroller. We meet all sorts of interesting people as Aaron flags down cars for us to get us to one place or another.

The other day, we met a gentleman driving a BMW who had his own business in "weak" alcohol. We were once again on our way home from "Metro", loaded down with our weekly purchases and had decided to take a taxi home. He was from Dagestan and was playing Arabic music as loud as his good quality speakers could play. After glancing in his mirror at my pained expression, he asked if the music was too loud. I smiled and said just a little. He promptly went into a long dissertation on the woes women could bring and ended up nearly in tears as he told Aaron how he had just been spurned by the love of his life, a Russian woman who "Did not know how to love" as he put it. He pulled out her picture and showed us her face, shaking his head at remembered pain. "What should I do?" He asked Aaron. "I didn't mean to fall in love with her!" Aaron replied he had no words to say. In the end, they traded phone numbers and shook hands as we said goodbye. I don't know if he will ever contact us, but God never just puts us in the path of others without a reason. I have been praying for this man since, believing that God has the answers he needs. The truth is, no man or woman can truly love if the love of the Father in not in him.

Aaron and I attended the first Couples meeting at our church last night. It was a precious time as we shared amongst ourselves the troubles and triumphs we were going through in our relationships. We are going through the Bible, studying the reasons God created marriage, as well as what His purpose is for a Godly marriage. Because we have agreed to keep all things shared confidential, there is a much freer atmosphere to be honest in our sharing.

I believe strongholds will be broken and freedoms gained as we study God's word and pray and intercede for each-other. Pray for this group. It is rare that good Biblical counseling is available for Christian couples here in Russia. We will be hosting this group in our home next week. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will be there in the midst of us as we explore what a Godly marriage relationship entails.

May the peace of God be with you and in your hearts.

Thank You

2003-11-23T18:21:00.000+03:00

November 24, 2003

Winter has come in with a vengeance. Temperatures in the teens to low twenties with strong winds and blowing snow have hit St. Petersburg. Our kitchen continues to be unheated so Aaron wakes early in the morning to brave the icy room and light the gas stove so we can venture in to have our breakfast. I love this stormy weather and bounce from window to window to see different views of the drifting snow. When we take Timothy out we bundle him up in so many layers his arms stick straight out. He looks a bit like a stuffed snowman with only his rosy cheeks and big blue eyes peering out from the scarf wound around his hat. He gets so excited when we get him ready to go outside that he begins to sing. Our son has a little song he sings in baby language when he is very happy. He hums his tune to us as we stuff him into his back pack carrier and lift him on to papa's back. Down the elevator and into the freezing weather he bounces and sings his joy much to our enjoyment and entertainment. His hat is a bit too big so as he turns his head from side to side to see the sights of this wide world, it stays in one position while his head turns. He peers at me with one eye showing sending me into peals of laughter at his comical appearance. Poor papa has to be content with a word by word account of what is going on.

This birthday was such a blessing for me. Messages mysteriously began to appear on my cell phone a few days before my birthday. As words of blessing came pouring out of that little piece of electronics, my confusion grew.
"How does she/he know my cell phone number", I asked Aaron several times.
Then when a message came in from my sister Ruth, I knew something fishy was going on. Except for a few exceptions, my family is not known as the most computer savvy group of people and cell phones are almost unheard of amongst us. I finally cornered Aaron and forced a confession out of him. What a wonderful gift that was from him and all of you. I was so blessed to receive your blessings from around the world. THANK YOU!

The night before my birthday Aaron called me from work, as he often does, and explained that he had more business to attend to in town and would be an hour late in getting home. I sighed and put his dinner aside to warm later.
Eight PM rolled around and our doorbell rang. I raced Timothy to the door and opened it to find a huge box sitting on our doorstep with Aaron peering around the side. My mouth fell open as I read the lettering on the side "Korg, SP-500 electric piano". "How did you get it home," I gulped then helped him in the door with it. "The salesman took me home in his own car as the store was closing soon" he explained. As soon as we got the box into the living room I gave him a huge teary eyed bear hug. As many of you know, I was a worship leader in two different churches for four years before coming to Russia. I laid my music down when coming here, not knowing when I would be able to pick it up again. That night Aaron and I worshiped for 3 solid hours, him on his guitar, and me on the piano. I didn't realize how much my soul longed to worship in music until I spent two years without a piano. There is something about pounding the praise out and entering into the presence of the Lord with soft worship on a piano that is hard to replace when that has been your instrument of worship an entire lifetime.
So I am pounding and worshiping to my hearts content, disturbing my neighbors at all hours of the day, and delighting Timothy as he sits and rocks in time to the music. And the presence of the Lord continues to be in our home and ministers to us in a new and delightful way.

I have a special prayer request for our pastor, Joel Kurtly and his wife Heather. For the past two years they have been trying to adopt two Russian children, ages 12 and 14. Both children at the age of 16 will be turned out of the Russian social system to make it as best as they can on their own, which often means living on the street. The children have been allowed to live with Joel and Heather for the past 8 months as the orphanage felt the adoption was a sure thing. Two weeks ago the judge threw a huge wrench in the process, forcing Joel and Heather to leave Russia and return to the U.S. to live and work before considering their adoption case. They have two months to return home, find a job, a home and do a home study in the U.S. before they return for one last try to adopt Sergey and Ira. When the judge gave her ultimatum, she also told Joel that he had the option to stop trying. He promptly stood, and very strongly declared that he would do anything she told him to adopt these two children, "Whatever it takes to bring my children home, I'll do it". These two beautiful children have become a part of the Kurtly family, calling Joel and Heather, papa and mama.
They were all planning to come to the States to celebrate Christmas with their new grandparents and other relatives. Imagine Joel's painful task as they waited outside the courtroom all dressed up and ready to be made an official part of this family, when he had to tell them that not only was the adoption refused, but they could not go to America for Christmas and had to return to the orphanage for several months while Mama and Papa went to the States without them. Please pray for them as a family, this has been a huge change in their plans and an emotional testing for all of them. Joel and Heather have lived and ministered here for close to eleven years raising two boys ages 3 and 5 in this city. They now have to leave the church they have lead for ten years, and suddenly return to the States to live and work.
It was a very emotional service this Sunday as Joel prepared the congregation for their leaving and informed us of Boris' confirmation as the new pastor. Aaron and I have offered to take Sergey and Ira for the four days around Christmas. If the orphanage will release them, we want them to be in a family setting for this time while their other family is away.

Thank you for your continued love and support!

Happy 300th

2003-06-26T23:42:00.000+04:00

June 26, 2003

We gaze down into the street below us. The crowd, 1.5 million strong, line miles of the Neva River. It is near midnight, May 27th, and the three hundred year anniversary of St. Petersburg is about to begin. I thank God for this beautiful apartment, four stories above the madness. Timothy is sleeping in the bathtub, the darkest place in the house, away from the booming, window shaking music being piped throughout the waterfront. The crowd becomes progressively drunk, broken bottles lining the streets by the thousands. Riding the metro to get here was a scary experience with hundreds of thousands trying to get to the center of the city. Every train was a crushing experience. I stood in front of Aaron, facing him, arms extended to keep a protective cushion around Timothy. As people rammed into my back, frantically pushing to get onto the train, I’d yell “I’ve got a baby!” at which point everyone would backed off.

Now we sit peacefully, enjoying the lovely view of the Peter & Paul Fortress across the Neva. We are surrounded by good friends and Aaron’s coworkers, sipping on tea and nibbling on sweets. The firework show is astounding and we have the best seat in the house with the fireworks exploding directly in front and above us. WOW! Sailing ships built in the style of the Russian navy during Peter the Great’s time fight a mock battle off to our left, while the local yacht club sail their lovely sailboats under our window in formation. The sun slowly sets near 11pm, a majestic ball of fire settling behind the towers of the fortress cathedral. The laser show from Japan will not start till 1am as it is not completely dark till then. As we walk for miles to reach a friend’s car after the event, we see the effects on the street of a wild night of partying. There is garbage knee deep near the populated areas, broken bottles everywhere. I sympathize with the clean-up crew that has to clean all this before the morning arrives. What an experience! Timothy slept so well in the bathtub we have utilized it in visiting other friends.

I am so hungry! My time in the States woke such a strong desire for fellowship and the movement of God’s Spirit in my life. There was such sweet fellowship with other believers, anointing and prayer flowed around us. It is difficult to describe the lack of fellowship here in St. Petersburg for expatriates. Everyone is so focused on ministering and feeding those we came to minister to, that our own fellowship and feeding suffers. Many missionaries have left broken, bitter people, exhausted, starved. I so understand their frustration as I struggle with the loneliness and exhaustion of being a new mom in a foreign culture. I sometimes get half a worship service in on Sunday mornings then it is time to sit out in the entrance hall to feed and watch Timothy. No teaching, for months at a time, no fellowship beyond a few days a month having dinner with friends. And so I dig into God, crying out to Him for an outpouring of the Spirit in my home, in my life. In the hunger of my seeking, I cry for the Living God. I cannot, will not live without His presence.

Blessings and love to all of you dear friends!

God's Blessing

2003-05-26T00:13:00.000+04:00

May 26, 2003

The last time I wrote a journal entry, I mentioned the fact that I believed the Lord wanted to pour out His Spirit through Aaron and me as well as into us, I had no idea what He had in store! This last month in the States was such a time of refreshing and blessing. We are so humbled by the love of our Father, shown to us by our relatives and families, churches, friends. We were able to share with 8 churches while home, and one mission committee. In every circumstance the Holy Spirit was present in a mighty way and I believe hearts were touched to answer God’s call on their lives. Sometimes the only response was simply the bowing of heads and weeping. If I could only sit down with each individual and tell them the continued blessing and anointing which has come to us in answering that call. We do not fear what the future has in store for us but rest assured in the peace of God’s plan.

Let me tell you one small story of God’s provision for us. A sweet friend in Seattle handed me a check for $120 to buy a formal dress to use for the various social events Aaron is required to attend as part of his work here in St. Petersburg. I had been longing to buy something graceful and lovely to accompany my sharp looking husband and had been wearing one cotton print dress to 4 of the last 5 events. Sometimes women are so silly. But God made us this way, to desire to be lovely for our men. My sister in law, Amy took us shopping (a dizzying experience in America), and I found an elegant floor length ball gown on the JC Penny clearance rack for $89.90 marked down from $139.90. I rushed off to find a scarf to go with. When I returned the lady at the counter (looking rather stunned) told me to guess what the gown rang up at. Not understanding her I shook my head. “Nineteen dollars and seventy cents”. I turned to Aaron and Amy who were chuckling. “Twenty dollars?” They nodded. “God is so good!” We laughed and exclaimed all the way to the escalators. I could not even spend the money given to me for the dress – God just kept blessing us over and over.

My sister Rhoda and her husband Brian gave us a three wheel jogging stroller for Timothy. I had no idea what a blessing it would be till I took it over the roughest roads and paths in our neighborhood here in Russia, with all the uneven broken pavement, pot holes and mud puddles. I think Timothy enjoyed the roller coaster ride and the stroller handled everything! I had a crowd of 6 year old boys circling me asking me where I got the cool stroller, could it turn into a bicycle, did it have a motor on it, could they try pushing it … My entourage and I circled the neighborhood several times attracting the attention of every stray dog who joined in the procession with barking excitement. The local grandmothers watched and shook their heads in wonder, while others just stared at the strange contraption, possibly the first in St. Petersburg. “Well, I suppose everyone will know I’m a foreigner,” I thought to myself, “So much for blending in.” Timothy, king of the parade, enjoyed it immensely, gurgling and drooling his approval. Thank-you Rhoda and Brian!

This is one thing I have learned over the years in serving the Lord, that the more you give of your time, effort, and finances, the more He pours out in return. It is a godly principle that has never proven false. And so we sit basking in the favor and love of our beloved Father.

We love you and ask the Lord's blessing to be poured out upon you!

Land of Beauty

2003-03-18T18:24:00.000+03:00

March, 18, 2003

I open my eyes to glorious sunshine beaming through the windows. Looking out the windows of our sixth floor room in Helsinki, a view of stunning beauty greets my eyes. Every tree branch, every object is lined in ½ an inch of hoar frost. “Lord, thank you!” I breathe. Coming from the oppression of Russia into this place of refuge, a beautiful retreat for foreign missionaries, it’s as if a huge burden has lifted off my shoulders. As I grab my Bible to start morning devotions, a sense of peace envelopes me, something I have not felt for a long time. Aaron and I are staying the Lutheran Mission Home in Finland to renew our visas, a trip Aaron and I always enjoy. This home was set up to minister to Lutheran missionaries from around the world, providing them with a beautiful place to stay when home on furlough. There are multiple apartments, with small kitchenettes and a chapel and dining room for the use of the families. Part of it has been converted into a bead and breakfast for the public. This place has had much prayer and love put into it. You can feel the presence of God when you walk through the door.

With Timothy in tow, Aaron and I venture forth into the beauty for a long walk. “Let’s go walk on the Finish gulf”, I suggest. Hundreds of people are out on the frozen Baltic ocean, some cross country skiing, others jogging, or just walking. We venture out, half a mile or so from the shore and watch in astonishment as a 9 story ocean cruise liner sails majestically into the harbor through a large trough in the ice cut by icebreakers. People, looking like tiny ants as they walk on the ice, are dwarfed by the massive ship. Aaron and I decide to head back towards shore.

Her face lined with wrinkles, she eagerly waits for us to unwrap her precious Timosha, and hand him to her. She coos and tickles, kisses and hugs him, calling him beautiful, smart, and strong. Clucking and bouncing she pours out her love on our son. Four of her front teeth are missing, replaced by a metal bridge, most would look at her and see no beauty, to me she is lovely. Timothy’s Russian grandmother, Martha, has invited us over for the anniversary of his month since he was born. She knits him stockings and makes little caps to keep his head warm, giving me all sorts of advice on how to dress him, hold him, feed him, etc. Multi course feasts await us every time we arrive, her preparations starting the day before. Bent over, walking with a cane, she makes her way back and forth from the kitchen to the table many times. I insist on helping her, even as she tries to shoo me away. I wonder at this amazing woman. She lost every close male relation in the wars Russia has fought. Her husband, brothers, uncles. A whole family decimated by events beyond their control. Her only daughter died in a car accident with her husband, leaving a mentally handicapped child behind for Martha to care for. Yet without bitterness and with great love, she continues to minister and bless others, giving thanks to God for his abundant blessings.

For many of you who have given towards the Tajik ministry, I want to do a brief update. I continue to be in close contact with those ministering in the camps. There are two groups now that YWAM is working with, one with 30 families, the other with 15 (these number change frequently as families come and go). Currently, in one camp there are 9 pregnant women who will give birth sometime this year. I continue to provide funds for medicine, but mostly now for vitamins as there are no medical personnel available to minister to the families. This summer, after Timothy has finished his series of vaccinations, I will take him with me to visit one of the camps perhaps on a weekly basis. Those who know me well have asked repeatedly when I will return with him so they can rejoice with me in this long awaited child. The Schoolteacher, leader of one of the camps, has been able to find consistent work with a Finish construction company, and has helped several of the men in his camp to find work as well. Their situation has improved immensely due to this influx of income. There were many times during the bitter cold this winter, when my heart went out to this group of people living in plastic tents and garden shacks outside the city. They are no longer distant faces, but friends whom I love and know. Continue to pray for their situation, that there will be a lasting change in their lives as the Gospel is taught both in word and action.

Much love to all of you.

The Countdown Begins

2002-12-08T18:30:00.000+03:00

December 8, 2002

Her faced wreathed in smiles, every ounce of her body exudes joy. I was so privileged to spend the last 4 days with a dear friend, Sasha. Aaron had left for a 4 day conference to Tallinn Estonia, and as it was only 10 days before due date, he wanted someone to spend the time with me. She only stands 5’2” but has more energy than a person twice her size. Together we fixed up the baby’s room, she did most the heavy lifting. We experimented with new recipes and cleaned the apartment till it shone. I can truly say that I have never met a more generous, or considerate person. The reason I say this is because she gives out of her poverty, with joy. I look at myself, and realize that most of the time I give out of my excess, holding that which is best back for my family. Sasha makes $70 a month as a neonatal intensive care nurse, watching out for 12 to 16 very ill newborns 24 hours at a time. I am amazed at her wisdom, and the love she shows for these little ones, some of whom are abandoned by their parents due to severe birth deformities. She tells me of one tiny 3 lb baby who no one thought would live but for a couple of days. The doctors basically told her not to bother trying to feed him as he would be unable to swallow. With persistent love and tender care she patiently taught this little one how to suck and swallow until he was able to take in enough food to survive. She tells me this story, a light in her eyes as she proudly speaks of how well he is doing now and the hope there is for him in the future. A Christian Finnish pediatrician has decided to adopt him. She plans to take him back to Finland for intensive therapy and surgery, giving him a second chance at life. Sasha has hundreds of children she has loved and cared for, sending home healthy well fed babies, receiving a new set of tiny preemies or failing newborns every month or two. She laughs when she tells me about seeing a full sized newborn. “They’re so fat and big!” she exclaims. “I always think they are at least 3 to 4 months old.” Jesus surely loved these little ones by sending them this precious woman.

Wednesday doctor said baby is not ready to be born yet, but is getting very big, close to 9.5 lbs by his estimate! Next Thursday, December 13th, if contractions have not started, he has asked me to come in to the Hospital for preparation to induce. He is afraid that the baby will get too big if we allow him to grow much more. I don’t completely agree with him on this issue, and am unsure on if I need to challenge him on this issue or not. Being a nurse, I know of many women who have delivered 10 lb and larger babies without great difficulty. At the same time, for a first baby, it could be a very difficult labor. Pray that God gives us wisdom in this matter, as well as the Doctor who has been following me and will deliver the baby. I continue to be pretty active for a woman who is supposed to give birth in the next few days, going to Church, attending Aaron’s company Christmas party, traveling to Christmas bazaars near the center of the city. Try as I might, I just can’t sit at home and wait, so I go waddling all over the city, traveling public transport from one end to the other. The embarrassing thing is how slow I move these days, I have been passed by several grandmothers canes in hand!!! They are the ones who watch out for me on the busses, prodding young boys or men to stand up so I can sit down. Believe me, you don’t want to get into an argument with one of these venerable ancients. And my coat? I can’t even close it in the front any more. Not always convenient when the temperature is in the single digit numbers. Aaron keeps telling me that I don’t look THAT pregnant. He is such a sweet man!
This week Aaron came home from work with a notice from the post office saying we had a package waiting for us there. As he worked the following day, he asked if I could pick it up. I quickly agreed until I looked at the weight written on the notice. “Babe, this is close to 25 lbs, I don’t think I will be able to carry it all.” Aaron grabbed the slip and looked at it closer and instantly agreed. The next day, I waited eagerly for him to come home after work and a client Christmas party. Aaron had called me earlier to taunt me with the fact that there was so much stuff, he could hardly fit it in our big back pack. Aaron and I had immense fun that night opening all the gifts and cards from the Bet Tikva Congregation in Seattle. We had worked with the youth of this Messianic Congregation for close to two years, as well as participated in worship. Many of our close friends there held a shower for us and recorded hellos from everyone attending. What a blessing!! To all of you who participated thank you so much for the package you sent with all the gifts for baby Bogott (Aaron loves the chocolate and candy – I am on a sugar restriction, which he does not mind at all). We are so blessed!

Soon dear friends, we will be writing you an announcement to let you know of the birth of our son. Aaron says if it turns out to be a girl, we will be really in trouble – no name, no girl colored clothing etc. Dr. assures us that the ultrasound shows a 95% chance of it being a boy. Aaron’s excitement is growing exponentially as the day approaches – he will make such an awesome father!
We love you and miss you all!

Aaron, Ramona, and Squirmy Bogott

The War of the Rat

2002-10-06T18:10:00.000+04:00

October 6, 2002

1st night: CRASH!! I am jolted out of my sleep by a loud noise coming from the kitchen area. Aaron continues to sleep soundly. My heart pounding, I wait to hear footsteps, thinking someone is in the apartment. I debate on waking my exhausted husband and decide to let him sleep. Silently, I pray for our computer and printer, that whoever is there will not take it. Then I pray for our own safety. After 30 minutes of hard listening, I decide that maybe one of the dishes fell and no one is there. Our floor is so poorly made no one could walk across it without loud creaking sounds. In the morning, Aaron wakes up early to get ready for work. I hear a loud “Ramona!” coming from the hall. Aaron stands near the kitchen door holding up our bread bag with a huge hole through both bags and a large chunk of bread missing. I poke my head in the kitchen and see dishes scattered on the floor, and a trail of white dust coming from behind the fridge. “I think we have a rat”, Aaron comments. I look at the size of the teeth marks in the bag and agree.

2nd night: “I’m going to try the water bucket method”. Aaron is gathering the needed supplies and filling our mop bucket with water. I look at him skeptically as he places a thin board on the edge of the table with a piece of bread and peanut butter on the end. “You see, the rat should walk out on the board to get the food, then fall into the bucket of water below it and drown,” he explains to me. I imagine a very wet and angry rat greeting us in the morning from our mop bucket, and tell Aaron he has the job of getting rid of it if his method works. 2 am and a splash is heard from the kitchen. Aaron and I race out to find the board in the bucket, but no rat.

3rd night: We are getting worried as our guest from Seattle is arriving tomorrow and her room is located next to the kitchen. After 3 hours of searching, we have finally found a heavy duty metal rat trap, strong enough to do some serious damage. It has large teeth on the edge and looks like it could take the head off any rodent. Aaron carefully bates the trap, attesting to its effectiveness when he catches his finger in it leaving several bloody wounds on his poor first knuckle. The next morning, bread and peanut butter are gone, but the trap is not sprung. Not only that, but our pet has now taken a bite out of every apple and tomato in our produce basket ruining the whole lot. From the size of the teeth marks this is one huge animal. I suggest rat poison, but Aaron is afraid of not finding the body until the smell leads us to it.

4th night: We apologize profusely to Andrea, a lovely girl who studied with Aaron at the University of Washington. “We have a critter living with us”, Aaron explains nervously. I had told him earlier that it would be a good cultural experience for our guest, and not to worry because Andrea is a world traveler. 4 am and we hear the trap spring. After several nights of little sleep Aaron doesn’t want to crawl out of our warm bed to investigate. Ten minutes later a horrendous noise begins as the rat goes through its death throes. We wait till no noise comes from the kitchen then Aaron bravely marches out to find out what we cought. He quickly returns to the bedroom, a look of disgust on his face. “It’s the biggest rat I have ever seen” He exclaims. Shivers run up my back as I think of what we have been living with the last few nights. With gloved hands, Aaron double bags the creature and we throw it into the nearby trash bin across the street. Our guest states she needed to use the restroom, but heard the rat and was too afraid to venture from her room till we had taken care of it.

What amused me most about our adventure was the reaction of my Russian coworkers. Their horror and disgust was greater than mine. The ambulance crew from my clinic was ready to drive over to our place and take care of our little problem the first day I talked about it. I had every advice from what kind of poison to use, to what kind of trap to buy. Someone even offered to loan me their cat, although I think the cat would have been terrified of what we caught. Whatever the case, it is dead and gone, and hopefully none of its relatives will follow.

Blessings to all of you! Sleep tight.

Ramona the Beautiful

2002-01-01T15:55:00.000+03:00