The Eshelman Family

 

Our First Term

Since we were pioneering the Russian Far East for AGWM (meaning we were their only workers here) we knew that we would be asked to do a variety of things, so even our goals had to be flexible.  We wanted to work primariely with orphans, but since the nearest workers with our organization in Russia are more than 1,000 miles away we came prepared to do whatever was needed.  We also planned to find a residence, study the language (except for Tonya, who was already an excellent translator), learn our way about the city and in general settle into a new life.

How has it gone?

Well.....  

We've been greatly blessed with finding a residence.  We didn't have anyone to set things up for us before we arrived, but we only spent five days in a hotel before we signed a rental agreement and moved into an apartment.  Within the year we purchased a an apartment with AGWM funds and so now we are our own landlords.  God has provided us with a large place perfectly suited for ministry as well as living.

The children are now fluent in Russian, and poor Cecil struggles to keep up.  He attended Russian language classes at a local University for 15 months, and is now (mostly) conversational in Russian.  We've learned our way around the city and settled into our new home.  Yes, we call Khabrovsk "home," and no longer refer to the States as "home."

We've also...

Preached.

We are often invited to speak at churches and other events.

Oragnized pastor's conferences.

We've hosted three (one every year that we've been here) and attendance increases each time.

   

Brought in some more team members (through the M.A. and MAPS programs).

Here's Jason working on a construction project.  His primary ministry is outreach to University students.  He came with MAPS and returned again as an M.A.  So far he's spent two and a half years helping us in Khabarovsk.

That's Beth and Aaron, who came as Missionary Associates.  Aaron helped start Royal Ranger outposts and Beth did ministry with the Chinese who live in Khabarovsk.  

 

Elf came for a year and did friendship evengelism in the dormitries, living there and witnessing through lifestyle and word.  She has her own blog at http://elsbethpotter.blogspot.com/

Here is Joy (short-term minister abroad), Elf (MAPS) and Aaron (Missionary Associate) helping us with ministry at the Homeless Shelter.

Christian Prison Half-way House renovations.

 

To read an article about it click here.

Homeless ministry

Open Heart Homeless Shelter is a Christian outreach that provides community, discipleship and rehabilition to those in need.

        

Last fall we hosted a MAPS construction team that came and put a roof on the house that the homeless are building for themselves.  Below are before and after photos.  It is now warm and dry inside.

  

To see an article about the shelter click here.

Ministry trips to other towns and villages. 

Literature distribution.

     

Hosting visiting proffessors and ministers. 

  

Church building construction

Novi Orgal is a village that you can't get to by road (only railroad).  The church there did what they could to build a facility, but needed a little help to finish it up.  Here is a photo of how things looked when they asked for help, and the latest photo. 

   

 Also, a church in Khabarovsk itslef needed the roof on their office replaced, so we had a MAPS construction team give them a hand (before and after photos).

   

Camping Ministry 

That's Cecil (the camper of the family) at a church summer camp, and at a Royal Ranger training campout.

  

Ministry in Mongolia

When Cecil needs to leave the country to get a new Russian visa, he likes to go to Mongolia and join some old friends of his in ministry.

Translating for the Bible Institute. 

Tonya has translated for a number of professors at local Bible Schools. 

  

And most exciting of all, adopting a child, Deanna, from a Russian orphanage. 

 

 

Coming with a burdon for orphans our three main ministry goals for our first term were to make connections with orphanages, churches and goverment officials. 

How has it gone?

Well.....  

Connections with the Russian pastors is great!  We've formed good friendships with church leaders cross the region.  Connections with govenerment officialls is a bit more hit and miss.  Some have been helpful and opened doors for us, others have been a bit cooler.  Orphanage directors have also given various responces, however, more doors have opened for us than we have time to go through.  The fields here are ripe for the harvest.

We endevor to have a orphanage ministry that is Bible based and relivent to the lives of the youngsters, and fun enough that they want us to come back.

 

Here is one group watching a presentation.

 

Every lesson includes some kind of instruction.

Here's a young lady working on her homework (this lesson has to do with the ten commandments).

 

Arts and crafts are a popular part of the lesson.  This lesson has to do with Christmas.

Our all-time favorite is when we play a board game called "Real Life" which includes making life decisions.

Our team also went to all twenty orphanages in Khabarovsk and showed movies dealing with life issues.


Our greatest burdon is for the young people graduating from the orphanages.  The transition is very difficult and very few are able to successfully navigate it.  We have found the problems to be much more crushing than we expected.  God has greatly redifined our vision for the work among these young people.  You can read more about that by clicking on the "vision for ministry" tab.

 

 

 

 

"Sympathy is no substitute for action." -- David Livingstone, missionary to Africa

 

 

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