Trip To The Village

Today we went with Inka and our teammate, Charlene, to a village about an hour away (less if there aren't trains on the tracks) called Zaigraeva. For years now, Inka has been praying about going to live in a village and to be a part of a new church plant. In the last few months, the opportunity has opened up! Zaigraeva is a regional center in Buryatia and there are no Christian churches there yet. Inka will move there along with a Russian family to begin a new church.




Last month, Inka bought this house! It's just the frame, and there's SO much work to do! She'll be dividing it into two parts- one for her and one for the Russian family. Her house is just a block and a half away from the site of the new church. Right now it's just a plot of land. The plan is to work on the church building next summer and in the meantime to finish Inka's house so that they can live and begin working in Zaigraeva this summer. One of the rooms in the house is pretty big and will be great for beginning Bible studies.





This will be Inka's kitchen and entrance to her side of the house. She'll have one small room for living and sleeping, a small kitchen, and an area for a bathroom. It's such a blessing that she'll be able to have water and a toilet! This is not common for a village home.



While we were there, the guys were putting in insulation and floor boards. It was amazing to see the immediate difference it made!




We smoked sausages for lunch. Anneka loved to be outside! When she saw the sand, she immediately said, " I want to go to the Red Sea". But she was happy with backyard sand as well. Leif took her to the outhouse, and she asked if there were pigs in there. (The outhouse at our Ulan-Ude church has pigs on the other side of the wall, and she's used to hearing them squeal.) So funny.



It was pretty cold and windy, but the sun came out and up against the house it was nice. We're thankful it didn't snow!



As we were leaving, one of the men had built a fire under the house. Charlene and I asked him what he was doing. He said the ground is still frozen and it's really hard to dig, so he needs to warm it up first. This is where the septic tank will go.

We have such mixed feelings as Inka is preparing to move! We are SO excited how God is at work and we are thrilled to think of all that God will do in Zaigraeva as a result of her move there and this new church plant. But, of course, we're sad as Inka is our WONDERFUL neighbor and such a huge part of our lives. When we return from the States, she won't be across the hall anymore!

We love you, Inka, and pray God's blessings over you! Expect some visitors in your new home!!!