July 7, 2011
Dear Family, friends, and ministry partners,
Looking back on our first year and a half in Moscow, we can see a pattern of God doing ministry in the midst of survival and adaptation. We began this past school year in survival mode, starting with the intense heat and thick smoke that greeted us when we returned to Moscow last August. School began with both of us still being overwhelmed with the newness of the task and of our surroundings. Even having done the previous spring, the planning and expectations of a new school year were daunting. We were also still adapting to living in a foreign culture where we don’t know the language. It was stressful individually and as a couple. Each of us handled the stress differently and at times those different coping styles CLASHED! God stretched us to sometimes what seemed like the breaking point, but we survived and we have grown immensely. For those of you who continued to pray for us and give even through the silence,we are so thankful because you helped sustain us and get us through a very difficult time of adjustment.
As the year progressed we gradually went from surviving, to learning to adapt. We are increasingly becoming more comfortable and confident in what we are doing. We are also learning to find the balance between school ministry, ministry outside of school, and personal time to rest, relax, and refresh. There is no lack of things to be involved in; the trick is learning where to say “yes” and where to say “no”. We have been busier this past year and a half than at any other time in our lives, and we are thriving on it. Evangelist David Nasser said, “When it comes to living out the rest of your life, do you want to have contentment, or do you want to be overwhelmed (by God)?” God has truly overwhelmed us not only with the task but with His goodness, His provision, and His blessings; and for that we are thankful.
One part of that provision, He has blessed us with, is we will be able to renew our visas, in country, this fall without having to leave. After being forced to go to Prague last spring and Kiev in the fall to renew our visas, we are finally here on one year work visas. This is a huge praise. The trips were nice, but they came at great expense financially and in disruption to classes at Hinkson.
One way we began the transition from surviving to adapting and thriving was when God blessed us with a three room apartment over Christmas. Moving was the last thing we wanted to do over our Christmas break, but it has been a very positive thing in our lives. Our first apartment was one room, a kitchen and a bathroom. Lois described it well as a dorm room. It served us well for a year because it was affordable, simple, and a short 10 minute walk to school. However, as the months wore on, the cramped space and inability to invite people into our home became more of a burden. It was a place to live, but it was not a home.
Our new apartment is an old Soviet apartment a few metro stops from the school. It’s not new like the other one, but we have more room and a lot of storage. This apartment is about $200 per month more than the other one but it is a bargain for a 3 room. Most importantly, it feels like home and allows us to do what we need to do. The new apartment has allowed us to open up our home like we have always done. We have already helped some fellow teachers, that needed temporary housing, and play host to another missionary friend when she is in Moscow. However, our biggest thrill is the home discussion group we are now hosting that was born out of the English Café.
Our home discussion group started with about 8 or 9 individuals from the Café that wanted to talk more seriously about questions of life and faith. They are looking for answers. It is another step in building the bridge from the world to Christ. The group is made up of young adults, university students, and recent graduates. They are highly intelligent and very well equipped to debate the issues that come up. Our new found friends run the spectrum from atheist/agnostic, to skeptic, Buddhist, orthodox, and everything in between. But they are all seeking in one way or another. We are working to create a safe environment where everyone can feel comfortable sharing their thoughts without fear of ridicule or condemnation. They know who we are and are learning more of what we believe. Please pray for our home discussion group. Pray for wisdom for us as we lead and pray for our group members that they continue to be drawn to christ.
We have continued to work with the English Café that meets at Hinkson. This year we joined a leadership team of about 13 that shared the load of planning and hosting. The Café met about every 3 weeks through the school year and had about 50-75 each time we met. Some come to practice their English and have a good time, but some come because they are searching for answers. Please pray for next year’s leadership team as several from last year’s team are not returning to Moscow. Also pray that the Lord will continue to draw people to Himself through English Café.
God has given Lois the privilege, through one of the international churches in Moscow, of working on a repatriation committee that collaborates with the embassies. This committee was formed to help foreigners stranded in Moscow, mostly as victims of human trafficking from Africa, to be able to return to their home countries. So far, the committee has been able to return 9 individuals in the last 3 months. Her time has been very rewarding. Pray for wisdom for this committee. Obviously they can’t send every one home, it is very difficult making decisions that effect peoples lives.
The doors are also opening for Lois to be a part of C-entral A-sian women’s ministry. We have a large number of C Aers in Moscow. Many come here because they can make more money to send home to their families. There are a lot here for religious freedom which seems more than a little ironic, particularly when they have to face so much persecution here. The group is an opportunity for C A women to come together in fellowship and to share the Gospel of Christ. Pray that the Lord would continue to work in the lives of these C. A. women and men. Pray that they would continue to be a witness to the thousands that are here and without Christ.
We hope to be part of English camp for the third time this July. We attended an eight hour leaders training seminar, a few weeks ago, in preparation for the upcoming camp. They write a new curriculum each year and this year it is about the life of Abraham. This camp has seen 300-400 people come to Christ, so we are excited to see what God does this year. Pray for the Lord’s financial provision for us to go to English camp in just a few weeks. Pray for the camp that God would prepare the hearts of the campers coming to be open and receptive. Pray that the leaders would be prepared and ready to lead. Pray for another great harvest for the Kingdom of God.
This spring we celebrated the 20th anniversary of Hinkson as a school. Hinkson is one of the oldest evangelical Christian ministries operating in Russia today. The celebration was a big one and many people from the school’s past came to join the party. Nehemiah 12:43a was chosen as a theme verse for the celebration which says, “And on that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because God had given them great joy.” The events of the anniversary banquet were translated into Russian and Korean to accommodate the entire Hinkson family. It was like a glimpse of heaven as the nations gather around the throne. As we celebrated and heard the school’s history recounted, we were reminded again what a privilege it is to be part of a truly great work that has endured countless challenges and hardships over the past 20 years. Thank you for being a part of this also.
Graduation was another time of reflection and great satisfaction as we watched 13 seniors graduate. They will leave Hinkson for Russia, Korea, the United States, and Europe. We saw the fruits of our labor through speeches, testimonies, cards, and conversations with the graduates. In a card, one of Tom’s students wrote, “…(M)ore than the physics, thank you for showing how the Bible is the standard for all subjects. The standard is not math, physics, chemistry, biology, but the Bible.” That quote will be going up on the wall in his room in the fall! Another senior, Lois had in ESL, wrestled with not only English, but also deep topics of faith and molding his worldview. Lois and he had a lot of deep conversations. He and his Buddhist family came to know Christ because they went to a church in Moscow to find Korean community and found a relationship with Christ as well! His father, from the business community, told us that his son could have stayed in Korea and done better academically, but he is so thankful that he came to Hinkson for what he has learned and how it has molded and impacted his life. Pray for the school’s need for teachers and staff for this upcoming school year. Many longtime staff have left and are not coming back in the fall.
One final prayer request, please pray for Lois’ health and lack of sleep. She has wrestled with her sleep and health issues since August.
We started out fighting for survival and then adaptation. We are now beginning to function and thrive. We continue to delight in the overwhelming of God. Nehemiah 12:43a is a great verse that expresses our hearts as well, “And on that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because God had given them great joy.” Thank you so much for being part of our joy with your prayers and financial support. It is such a blessing and encouragement to us and it is only because of you that we are here and these things are being done for the Kingdom of God.
Abundant Blessings Through Christ Jesus Our Lord,
Tom & Lois Ford
