1. From September 25th till November 5 th Frank Chappell came to visit us here in Voronezh. His two main purposes were to encourage the Voronezh Church and to see what could be done to bring Sasha Anokhin back to Church, and make future plans since Northland is now overseeing the work here. ( see under # 2). As usual, Frank became for 2 weeks a preacher, a teacher, a doctor, a pharmacist, a construction worker, a counselor, a generous banker, and a friend. He had some long and very productive conversations with the leaders concerning future plans. It has been decided that we will have an evangelistic campaign and a VBS in Voronezh in the last 2 weeks of March. Frank met with Sasha, but unfortunately his conversation with him did not bring the results he was expecting.

2. From Frank: This was my 20th trip to Russia (my wife, Betty, is keeping track) and as usual I thorough enjoyed my time there. We appreciate the support from everyone who makes the establishment of the Church in Russia possible and even more I appreciate the personal support of a number of people from time to time helping me to go. I feel blessed at being able to be involved in a city, Voronezh, which is becoming a center of influence for the church throughout the region. The congregation is blessed with mature men and women and has developed a strong Russian leadership. I anticipate that we will be able to appoint elders within the next two years.

We at Northland are pleased at being asked by the Red Bank elders to take the oversight. They and Jimmy Eaton, who first started the church in Voronezh, have accomplished a great deal and have laid a very strong foundation. Our view is that mission work in Russia requires frequent visits from the supporting congregations and we all felt that I could provide additional hands on time in Voronezh to build on what Jimmy has started. Jimmy and I have worked together since the evangelism team from the Barnaul School of Preaching was first sent to Voronezh and we plan to keep doing so. The only thing that has really changed is that instead of Jimmy being called first when some problem arises, I will be called first.

The church is now registered which removes a number of restrictions imposed by the government on its operation. We can now invite people to come for campaigns; we can once again have the Vacation Bible Schools pioneered by the ladies at Red Bank; and we can advertise. We pray now with this improved flexibility of the government that some American people will "adopt" Voronezh and make regular visits there to help them grow. This is being done in some other Russian cities and is working well. Write if you are interested.

Each time I go to Russia I learn something more about the culture. One reason I like to go is that the culture reminds me of my youth, growing up in the 30s. There are many aspects of the Russian culture I find like the 30s on the north side of Houston; the small stores, the transport system, the formality of personal relationships, the dressing up to go to town, and the respect for older people. Grey hair counts for something in Russia and gets respectful treatment even from strangers and auto drivers.

I have to return to Voronezh soon. Some of the, shall I say, mature ladies (my vintage) prefer to be baptized by a "mature" man. I have two waiting for my return to baptize them. It was not possible to arrange for their baptism when I was there last because of some health problems. They are now able and are pressuring me to return. I hope to do so very soon.

As some of you may know it, I can stay here in Russia because I have a students visa. I am indeed studying Russian philology at the Voronezh State University. Within a year and half that will give me a BA in Russian language and literature. Obviously, my language skills have improved as I have to listen, write and read Russian literature. It not only helps me at the linguistic level, but it has opened my eyes to some deep cultural aspects of the Russian people. They have a tremendous respect and love for their language and their writers. The more I know them, the more I feel closer to this great nation. Indeed, to love is to understand, and to understand is to love.

My wife Anna is doing fine in her pregnancy. She has all the symptoms of healthy pregnant woman. The cravings for pickles, ice-creams or tomato juice are sometimes followed by heavy indigestions, but her moods and tiredness are perfectly normal. Her level of insanity is directly proportional to the energy level of our very healthy boy Yann. She considers us to be her 2 most favorite men in the world, but she still asks your prayers to give birth to a girl ! :)

A few weeks ago we moved to a new flat because our landlord wants to sell the one we lived before. It will be our 7 Th flat after more than five and half years in Russia. That's makes an average of 1,272 flat a year : wives of missionaries have to be quite flexible.

Talk about great wives: two weeks ago, the 6 Th of November, we celebrated our 5 years wedding anniversary... and my wife is still alive ! Truly, our God has been good to us by protecting us and strengthening us into a solid marriage. What older couples say is really true: " If you learn to love God and each other, then it only gets better and better every year !

Because I have a diploma in agriculture and there are only 3 Swiss citizens in Voronezh, I naturally have good relations with the "Swiss-Russian fond for the support of Agriculture and Economic reforms ", a Swiss humanitarian organization dedicated to help Russians farmers and small entrepreneurs. Last year, I had ordered about 800 Kg (1760 lb) of potatoes from them, and because of their outstanding quality ( far above the best quality of the local market ), this year every one in the church was wanting to have their part as well. This year I ordered 6080 kg. Converted into pounds it makes 13376 lb!

The potatoes were exceptional in every aspect. In the quality, the shape and the taste. The Northland Church of Christ and myself contributed financially so that some of the poor brothers and sisters could have the quantity they needed. How happy and thankful they were ! And how relieved I felt. I know that as a church we will be able to face the next 6 months of cold winter without fear. With a growing inflation, with an avoidable war in Chechnya that will bleed an already disastrous economy, with major political changes to be expected, Russia can only expect very tough times ahead.

Already in my conversations with most members, I can feel that the economic level of most of them has considerably gone below what it was 6 months ago. As a shepherd who lives among them and cares for them, I hurt for them. Because of this I have already decided to give every month 25 % of my salary to help the church. Even in doing this, I know that life will not get easy for many of them. If you too are willing to help, we would like to buy some good quantities of buckwheat cereal, rice, sugar and flour for the members of the church, with a special attention to the poor ones. It would be a wonderful Christmas present to give to your Russian brothers and sisters. If you do want, please send all your checks to the following address below and please do not forget to mention on it " For the poor in Russia " :