When you can't find your own race... make one!

the 'racers' before we begin

This is the second running/walking event that Amy has planned so far here in Tyumen. There's this crazy irony that every time there's a running event, we cannot (I repeat with emphasis CANNOT) find out about it until after people have already started running... and then we see them running the race.

Running is such a huge part of who Amy is, that we've started having an event in November and another one in May. We invite pretty much everyone we know in Tyumen and some show up... about 10 usually.

Well, I enjoy my role as race starter, encourager, water boy, timer, and leader to the food afterwards!

the walkers at the end of their first lap

hardly aware that she is the victor, Amy checking her time!

Zhenya is so thirsty! Lots of folks think that running is easier than it looks.

Several Updates from May

Amy continues to lead the Women's ministry from our apartment. This is our Loggia (it's like a summer veranda. Featured here (from Amy and then clockwise): Amy, Vera, Tanya, and Irina. They are studying Ephesians via inductive method.

Finally some real rain! We've been waiting. I thought this picture was just lovely.

Kroshka helping Amy out with some computer work (probably catching up on emails.

Special festival for the underrepresented populations in Russia. Traditional costumes, music and dancing. Really a neat treat!

This is a chum. It's a teepee like structure where the Nentsi (from the far north) live. Sometimes as many as 15 people from 3 generations! Wow.

Fine wood working

I had an unbelievable opportunity the other day. I was walking with someone from English Discussion Club, and he asked me to step into his friend's workshop.

He is a restoration wood worker. He works all over Russia, but especially in the Tyumen region. His son is his apprentice and they are restoring some of the Orthodox churches here in Tyumen.

Amazing - and he let me take pictures.

The new roof!

Here's the crane that the builders brought in for replacing the roof at the CEC... Third times the charm!

Just cooking deliciousness

Sometimes Amy just has to do something incredible to show her love for everyone.