Are you sitting down?

I'M GETTING MARRIED IN JUNE.   

I realize for many of you who have known me for years this will be a shock.  His name is Drew Hill.  He lives in upstate New York, was married to his late wife, Betsy, for 30 years until 2014 and has three very clever, creative daughters, Becky (30), Kaitlin (28) and Hannah (15).  

    Drew, like his daughters, is clever and creative.  He also loves gardening.  My father would have enjoyed him as they have/had the trait of being curious about everything and the ability to talk about any topic.   My father was an incredible gardener and would have loved sharing gardening advice with Drew.  

    For three years before we met, God began working on my heart - I knew a big change was coming.  I had all sorts of guesses at to what it was - a new country, a new orphanage . . .  I must admit, a husband took me totally by surprise, I had given up on the idea of getting married.  Drew is a blessing to me.  He loves the Lord, is helpful, handsome and thoughtful.   He ministers in several local churches.  I have ministered with him and we have a similar, yet different style that blends well and effectively.  We find each other interesting and have quite a few rather unusual things in common.  We are now doing a great Bible study on the Kingdom of God.  It’s been much richer studying with Drew’s input.  He adds a dimension to my life I would liken to added depth and hues to the rainbow.  

    Drew and I are praying about the ongoing future of Hope for Tomorrow. He too has a heart for missions, having lived overseas with his family on a mission as a boy.  I will stay in New York with him and his youngest daughter for the first year after our marriage, but will be in close touch with you and still be active doing projects for the orphanage.  We’re starting an important new project now which I will tell you about in the next newsletter. Your prayers have carried me safely (sometimes in dangerous times) through many countries.   We are looking forward to life and ministry together and would be grateful for your prayers as we blend families and seek God’s direction for HFT as we minister together.  We will keep you abreast as things develop.

Thank you!

      While I was in Moldova with two girls from the orphanage and village, one laughed and said, “Neekola, you have children all over the world!”  

    I smiled in agreement. Then the girl from the orphanage (who I’ve known twelve years) laughed and said, “Yes.  Drew’s friends will ask you, ‘Do you have any children?’ and you will say, ‘Yes.  200, but I haven’t been married.’”

    It’s true.  I must have at least 200 children, some I've known as long as 16 years and are already in their 30's, babushkas and many other people the world over who are near and dear to my heart that God sent me to love with His love.  I keep up with those who want to stay in relationship.  It was exactly 14 years ago that I moved to Russia.  (If you happen to plan to move to Russia - I don't suggest you do it in January.)  Lives have changed as they learned to see that God is not a fairy tale in a black book, but a loving Father who is concerned about what is going on in their lives every minute.  Without your support and prayers, I could never have gone.    Thank you.

Correction

    I had the unpleasant task of needing to correct two boys who broke into my locked room, searching for and finding where their Christmas presents were hidden.  

     I was dreading the correction, but now my relationship with both boys is better than ever.  More importantly, I believe this experience will help them make good choices in the future.

    Christmas day, as the children tore into their presents I glanced thedirection of these two boys.  They didn’t get presents.  After realizing no presents were coming to them, they wandered around looking lost for a couple of minutes.  The toughest boy decided this wasn't going to affect him.  He started doing his homework (which he never does on his own).  The other wandered around, hands stuffed in his pockets and tears in his eyes.  I expected them to come to me and ask why they didn’t get presents.  They didn’t.  Before bed I prayed with them and asked, "Is there anything else you want to pray or talk about?"  "No." they said. 

     Finally on New Year's Eve I asked if they knew why they didn't get presents for Christmas.  No, they didn't know.  "Can you guess?"  They looked solemnly at the floor.  “No.”  “Someone told me you went into my locked room and found the Christmas presents.  It makes me very sad that you broke into my room and were going through my things.  Do you know that I love you both very much?"  They both looked me straight in the eye and nodded solemly.  My heart grew two sizes.  They know I love them.  I looked at one of the boys, "You have been here two years.  You are clever and funny, brave and such a wonderful helper.   I have loved you since you came.  And you," I looked at the other boy, "I was here eight years ago, the day you came when you were three.  You were so cute!  Your hair was blonde, blonde, blonde and you were very hungry.  You have been special to me for years.  I love you both very much.   I want to tell you about another boy I love very much.” 

     I told them about a 17 year old they know well.  Last year his bad behaviour had him permanently removed from the orphanage.  He’s outworn his welcome everywhere, even at his brother and his sister's homes.  "I have known him since he was five years old."  I told these boys.  "Like you, he was very cute and smart.  He also broke into my room and stole things.  He started making bad decisions and no punishments affected him.  He wanted to pick me up from the airport when I flew in at the beginning of the month, but as much as I love him—and I love him VERY much—I wouldn't let him pick me up.  Can you imagine how sad that makes me?  I don't want you two to continue making bad decisions and end up in the same situation.   I want to be able to trust you when you grow up.  I pray for you all the time, even when I’m not here.   I will always love and pray for you, until my last day on earth.  You are part of my heart and that will never change.” 

     The 11 year old and I had been very close until three years ago.  He stopped looking me in the eye and was avoiding me.  I believe it was because he was breaking into my room.  After we talked, both boys’ relationship with me improved 100%, and the 11 year old has begun waiting for me to walk down the hall and talk with me – and he looks me in the eye.  I praise God for changing their lives.  Please pray that this is a turning point in their hearts and they will be honest from now on.