Prayer Request...

This summer has been challenging, but at the same time refreshing and rewarding. We have learned once again that our plans are not always the same as the Lord’s. We are still in the states!!! We were originally scheduled to return to Russia the end of July, but our now on medical leave.

Our concerns regarding Gideon’s development were affirmed in June; Gideon has a learning disability. Gideon completed a battery of tests that showed he is functioning below age level, but was inconclusive in that it was unable to identify the cause. Therefore, a more thorough evaluation was recommended. We have scheduled an appointment at the Child Study Center in Oklahoma City on August 28th. Gideon’s evaluation is scheduled for the entire day and even though we will not get the written results until approximately a month later, we have a follow-up appointment on September 8th.

This appointment is very important. We want to be able to best educate and equip Gideon for the future God has planned for him and pray that we will be given clearer insight into how to do this. In addition, this appointment will also determine whether or not we will be able to return to Russia. We are praying that the diagnoses will be clear and will show us how we could best meet Gideon’s educational needs in Russia. If there is something more serious or it proves beyond our means to educate Gideon, we will not be able to return to Russia.

This has been a summer of trial and learning, and God has proven faithful! We have grown in our walk with the Lord, felt his hand guiding us step by step and have been blessed by family, friends and answered prayers! We have been able to place Gideon and our future at His feet and trust he will lead us according to his perfect plan.

So, right now we are enjoying the gift of extra time with our friends and family. We are currently in New Mexico at the Baptist Children’s Home in Portales, spending all our extra time with Granny and Grampy. Next week some time, we will move to Oklahoma City, to a home provided by Village Baptist Church, to prepare for Gideon’s evaluation.

Please pray for us during this time of waiting and uncertainty.
*Please pray the evaluations on the 28th will clearly show what is going on with Gideon. Pray he is healthy and has the confidence and endurance to complete the necessary tests. Pray we will have wisdom to know the next steps to take.
*Pray we take full advantage of the extra time we have in the States. Pray we have special times with the Lord and with friends and family.
*Before we left Russia we began the process of applying for Russian work permits. Pray the Lord guides our paperwork through the channels of Russian red tape in His will.