Moscow West Mission

Checks are not used in Russia as far as I know. Disbursement of branch and welfare funds is all cash so receipts are all important. We get our funds by using a debit card issued to the branch. It is possible to have some cash on hand by simply withdrawing some but it is against this mission's policy to do that. It is also against mission policy to use your own funds to bridge the gap between immediate need and when you can get to the ATM machine. We have had a particularly heavy draw on welfare this month so it has been really difficult keeping track of all the expenditures, also having people do services for what they receive. A baptism of fire for me this month.

We have had some really good news from home this week. Jeff and Fawn, after years of effort, have been sealed in the Portland temple and their two youngest were also sealed to them. What a blessing. Jeremy, Jeff's oldest was able to come to be with them.

Just prior to our entering the MTC I was blessed to baptize our neighbor April. We learned this week that her husband Brad and 2 of their children, Chloe and Caleb will also be baptized this weekend. We are so happy for them and for April. We are sooo excited.

Last Friday Elder Janson and Elder Davis invited us to a community armateur talent show at the main park in Lepitsk. We came to see one of their young contacts perform a break dance. Here he is with the Elders. A fine young man who has attended a couple of branch activities this week. His family has a much greater income than our branch members as you can see by the camera he uses He also brought to our Saturday party watermelon, coke (5 times more expensive than Russian soda), and two cakes. We need to meet his parents.

After the amateur show (it was amateur!) we took a walk around town and took some pictures of places we had not yet visited.

There are a few of this kind of art around town.

This is a Friday night hang out for some. Those on the right were drinking.

One of our frequently used bus stops. We seldom have to wait 10 minutes to get a bus going where we want to go.

Here is the fish freezer in our local market. It is mostly frozen or dried fish you find in the stores. None of it looks appetizing to us.

One family showed up for our cleaning on Saturday. We wanted to do some heavy cleaning but only got part of it done. We washed marks on walls, baseboards and doors, window sills, etc. We really need to clean the windows but they will take ladders and some other members who need the service.

Armine cleaning the chalk board.

Arpine cleaning the window sills.

We are having way too many parties. It seems like everyone in the branch had a birthday this month including us. Starting next month, only one party for everyone with a birthday that month.

Some kind of Russian charade game. Since we didn't know Russian we passed. They are not real good at it.

Max, our young friend having his turn at Charades.

Members enjoying the meal.

This is a new move in, Oleg with Elder Raymond, He has the Melchizedek priesthood and has been teaching the lesson. We have been working hard to get all our priesthood holders to wear white shirt and tie so they can participate in the sacrament ordinance. Sunday we had six brethren in white shirts. We missionaries donated to the cause.

Ararat had his tenth birthday on Wednesday (another party) in lieu of family home evening. His mother was in the hospital having a baby and his father is in Moscow working so he and his little brother were a little blue to start the evening. They missed their mom.

Oleg, Elder Harris, Ani and Ararat. Ani and her sister Rima put this party together. What would we do without these two young women.

After 9 months in Lepitsk, Elder Harris has finally been transferred. While here he has been junior companion, district leader, trainer, and zone leader. He has also been a big part of the growth here in lipetsk. He will truly be missed.