Certainly life at Hope House has brought its share of trials. In some cases, plenty of the kind the Apostle James spoke of in the first chapter of his epistle. Doing life with a dozen 18 to 23 year-old boys will guarantee you that, regardless of their past and upbringing. But, this article isn't going to elaborate on those trials. Nor, will it reflect the kind of trials that take place in the judicial system of a society. Though we've had a few of those in Russia too.

This is a trial of a much better variety, but it requires your prayerful intercession nonetheless. We are currently undergoing a trial run with Russian house parents at Hope House, while Ann and I are out of the country. Gennadiy Petrov, his wife Liza, and four-year-old daughter Ludmila, are filling in for us at Hope House in our absence, but they are also seeing how they might fit in the role on a more permanent basis. So far, in the teleconferences we've had via Skype, all seems to be going well.

What should be fairly clear, at least implicitly in this newsletter, is the fact that we are trying to change our ministry focus somewhat, raising our level of involvement in the advocacy aspect of transition to life outside the orphanage for our kids in Voronezh. It's an area of ministry that has been part of our vision for some time now, but with our 24/7 commitment as house parents, as well as other ministry and administrative responsibilities, we have just not been able to give enough focus to these areas we sense God is leading us to embrace more fully.

We've believed since launching the Hope House (residential) ministry in 2006, that a Russian couple could be better suited to the task, but God had not raised one up. Though we fell into the job, seemingly by default originally, it has seemed to be part of God's plan for us and for Hope House for these past years, but we are seeking God's direction and provision for what might lie ahead in this next phase. Please pray with us for God's wisdom and direction in this regard. Both for us, and for the Petrovs, as well as for our pastor Oleg, and all of those whose counsel we seek as God makes His plans evident for the next steps we take.

Our time in the states

We are in the states for what was intended to be six weeks, but has stretched into a few months. That has brought on some trials of our own of the James 1 variety, but yet, it all seems to have been under the full superintendence of our Lord.  We came to the states, aware we desperately needed some time for what we've come to call "cultural decompression", especially now that we have residency in Russia and don't tend to come out as often, and for briefer periods. But, we also had some issues that needed our attention regarding the house we still own in Garland. Those issues were much more consuming in many ways than we could've anticipated, but God had other plans for us in the states as well.

Some of the surprises God had for us included the women's ministry training which Ann discussed in the article, "Equipping Ann & Robert for a new focus", as well as my first seminary course, though since that is done online, it can happen on either side of the ocean. We were also able to attend an excellent seminar held by the Association of Biblical Counseling, and participate in a local ministry project with our home church, Fellowship Dallas. We also had the privilege of sharing ministry updates with our home office at the Hope Center, as well as a few supporters. We also participated with our home office ministry family in an East-West Day of Prayer.  And, we got some valuable time with members of East-West leadership, including time with our new president, Kurt Nelson. 

Through our time in the states, some of the cultural decompression we desperately needed has come, but not quite in the ways we'd hoped or expected. Some of the most healing moments for our souls came with time spent with our American kids, though those times were too few and far between by our assessment.  But, to be sure, they were a deep solace for our souls. On several occasions we got to see them serving in ministry responsibilities in their respective churches, and the first of July the three of them, both of our sons and our daughter-in-law, joined us to celebrate Ann's birthday. Time with them was the best gift Ann could get! 

Being in the states in July also provided me (Robert) the opportunity to attend my 40^th high school reunion.  It was an amazing time of celebrating our shared experiences from 40-plus years ago.  Many were attending their very first reunion, so this was our first visit in over forty years.  But, most wonderful of all was what God did on Sunday morning as about thirty of us gathered to share of the impact the truths of the Gospel had on the past forty years, and how those truths shaped our perspective on each day that lies ahead for us.

In August, we'll finish final repairs on our house in Garland before assigning the house over to a new rental agent who will manage it for us and try to find new renters as we return to Russia.  I will also finish my first seminary course online, and Ann will complete the second phase of the women's ministry training.

This week, we are taking some much-needed soul-care, provided by friends who gave us time in their cabin in the woods.  Please pray with us that the time alone with our Lord this week will provide our souls the refreshment and renewal needed before we return home to Russia in August.