Fall in St Pete

Well, we did it. We managed to find tenants for our home in Fulton, New York and pack up all of our belongings. Then travel across the globe to our "other" home - St. Petersburg, Russia. The travel went well, all things considered. All of our luggage came through fine and none of our bags were opened for inspection as we arrived. So we flew through passport control and customs in spite of our weary bodies. It wasn't hard for the kids to adjust to the time difference. It was a little harder for mom and dad as we were generally tired for over a week. Thankfully we didn't have any episodes of staying up all night.

The best thing that happened on our trip came right at the very beginning. We were checking in with United Airlines at the Syracuse airport with 5 more suitcases than we were allowed. We were told twice over the phone that each extra bag would cost $121. Believe it or not, it is often $200, so we weren't going to complain. But when they started that part of the process, they told us $150 per bag. So we told them what we had been told and they didn't understand why we were told a lower number. In the meantime, we wanted to fill the silent moments while waiting for a decision and we told the two people that Lufthansa would actually allow us to take these extra bags for free if we were flying solely with them. "But since we start with a United flight to Washington D.C., we have to pay you this extra fee." Well, they talked to a few different people and in the end after looking at the paper we had saying we were international workers, the guy handed us all of our documents and said, (get ready:) "Just go on ahead to the plane. If Lufthansa would have given you the extra baggage allowance, so will we." And so we walked away from the desk not paying the $600 that we expected or the $750 that they were asking. Praise the Lord!!

FROM THE "WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?" CATEGORY - two Zachisms
Alan and Rachel were trying to understand each other in a conversation across the dinner table. They were having a tough time, as expected (since she IS a teen y'know!). Zach was off in his own little world at this point at the other end of the table. Finally Alan slowed his speech in order to clarify with Rachel, "What. . .do. . . you. . . want?" Zach promptly spoke up with slowed and clear articulation, "I. . . want. . . peach-es and. . .meat!"

CARS AND ZEBRAS
Alan mentioned to Trish about a man he met in America that has 16 children. Suddenly Zach chimes in from the back of the car, "Nobody can have 16 children!" Of course, we're trying to think of what would make a 5-year old say that. Does he understand the deep concepts of aging, financial responsibility, minimum of 9 months between having children?!?! I mean, he's still a little unclear on the difference between a week and a year. "So why can't a person have 16 children, Zach?" I finally asked. He proclaimed loud and clear: "Not enough seats in the car."

Speaking of a car - thanks to all who have given to our vehicle account. We purchased a 2003 Dodge Caravan. Its most important feature is that it is an automatic ("YIPPEEE" cheers Trish.) Cars here are so expensive- even used ones. The odometer was rolled back a bit but so far it looks like it is in good shape. In one day we witnessed two accidents as they happened. We were nearly hit as one occurred less than 3 feet from our car. So we always appreciate your prayers.

One of the biggest changes we have seen since returning is that most of the time, cars will stop and give pedestrians the right of way when they are crossing the road on the crosswalk (known to Russians as a zebra: ///////////. Of course the trick when walking is to make sure the cars are actually going to stop - and not assume. Why the change? There's now a steep fine for drivers.

PEOPLE UPDATES
We'd like to update you on some of the people that we've talked about in the past. While on tour, I frequently shared the testimony of a young lady named Alyona, who had lost her fiance and then her father during our last term. At the end of her testimony, she mentions that her plans to attend Bible College have been thwarted twice. Well, she's finally made it!!! She just moved to Krasnodar for a year of intense training and classes. Will you pray with us that God will use this time well in her life; that she will find lifelong friendships there and that she'll return more on fire for God than ever?

Masha visited us initially through an English club that we did at the Friesens home a couple of years ago. Then she visited our cell groups a few times and had many difficult questions in her soul. She was clearly seeking for truth and we tried to help her find it. By the time we left last year, however, she had pretty much disappeared. But God was still at work in her heart. During this past year she began attending our church more regularly and found her deepest questions answered in giving herself to the Lord. Just as we returned last month, she was baptized, as she desired to make a clear statement that she is now on the road to eternal life. Praise the Lord with us for her.

NEW SCHOOL
As our children begin their 5th year at the International Academy, the school moved in to the 4th building since our enrollment. On the positive side, each building change has been an improvement. The present location is not only very nice, but it will also help the school to move down the path to becoming licensed. It is expected that we'll stay in this place for many years. The kids have really enjoyed getting back into their friendships and to what they consider a "normal" pace of life. Unfortunately, the new place is a bit farther away from us than we'd hoped, but it's not horrible either.

SWEET, SWEET, SWEET
We also had another big family event last month. Rachel celebrated her Sweet 16 birthday. Amanda organized a big party for her before we left and then another with our friends here. Rachel is enjoying 10th grade.


One great encouragement has been some of our welcomes. One couple we knew screamed when we called and came to see us the next day even though it was an hour and a half drive. One lady in the apartment above us told us that great rejoicing echoed through the building as the word was spread that "Our Americans have returned!!" Another praise is that many of our colleagues here have gone way beyond the call of duty to help us out in numerous ways. We're glad that God has put us here and we hope that He will do some great things through us over the coming months and years.

Representing you in Russia,

Alan and Trish Eggleton, Rachel, Amanda,, Lauren and Zach