Aaragon and Malinda felt God’s call to Eastern Europe about five years ago… and by His grace left for their new home and ministry in Eastern Europe in January of 2007, where they now live with their three children: Josiah, Alathia, & Sophia. Aaragon attended Word of Life Bible Institute and Appalachian Bible College in preparation for God’s call, as he is teaching at the Bible Institute there – equipping national pastors to plant churches. Currently they are beginning a church plant in a nearby town of about 12,000 people.

Dear Friends & Family,

An Apostille? Yes, we did not know what it was either until a few months ago. An Apostille is a document that verifies the authenticity of another document. Hence, if you live overseas and you need to submit some paperwork to a foreign government and your original documents (birth certificates, marriage license, etc.) do not have appostilles then chances are that you will run into problems. And that is exactly what has happened to us. Our lengthy application for the 3 year living permit was denied due to the fact that none of our documents had apostilles. Luckily, while we were in the States we took all of our documents to the Secretary of State and had them apostilled (I don’t even know if ‘apostilled’ is a word) never the less we did it. So we are back in Russia now (on a 90 day stay…no more) and we are having our documents retranslated and notarized to turn in again. At this point we are not really sure what will transpire in the next few months. We may need to find someplace to move to in July and stay there for 3 months (remember that the living permit processing time is 6 months), or since all of our documents have been previously gone through, it may take them less time. This is what we are praying for so we would not need to leave in July.

Regardless, at the present we are left with a feeling of bewilderment. If you have ever dropped a contact lens on the ground and tried to find it…while wearing a blindfold, you will understand how we feel.

On a happier note, we have returned here and found that in our absence the ministry is plugging along. Vova (our church plant pastor) and some others have rented a house to help some drug addicts get clean. Alcoholism and drug abuse are major problems here and there are few places suited to help. Also the church plant in Kreme is growing and doing well. Just this morning we were discussing what to do for kids camp this summer.

This brings me to another point. Baseball…it is a completely foreign idea here, in fact when I have played with Josiah outside, there have always been kids who will stop what they are doing to come and see. The other day one of my friends, Oleg told me that he was watching a game on TV and said, “How can anyone catch such a small ball while flying so fast in the air?” I told him, “It’s easy, I’ll teach you.” Therefore I am making a request. If there are any groups or churches that would like to help me collect baseball equipment to use here as a means of outreach that would be great. If we hurry we can hopefully gather enough equipment for summer camp in July. (Mitts, bats, bases, T-balls, and a couple of helmets, etc.)

Josiah returned to school yesterday and he received a very warm welcome from the other kids. In fact I heard him telling Malinda that he did not have a certain book in class but all the kids quickly volunteered to share with him! School has been very difficult for him but we are so blessed that so many kids like him.

Other than that everything here is as we left it. Regarding our future, there is uncertainty but then again whose future is certain? In the midst of not knowing, we know Who does know, and we are comforted by that. Thank you again for you prayers and kindness toward us.

Praises:
Safety as we traveled back from the States and a quick jetlag adjustment! It only took a week this time to change 10 time zones!
Josiah’s school is going to allow him to go on to the next year. Usually you have to test before moving on but we only have him there for the language. But what a praise, he’ll be able to move “up” with his friends and he may be able to help teach the English class that they are going to be starting this next week!

Prayer Requests:
That the government would process our application and get it back to us by July so we do not need to leave the country!!!
For our teammates who are on furlough at this time, they have also applied for the 3 year permits. Pray that theirs would process and would be received in July also.
Language…always a prayer request!

Here to Serve Him,

Aaragon, Malinda, Josiah, Alathia & Sophia Markwell