Let me catch you up. The Fadnesses and Pam left for the states on Saturday afternoon. We were happy that they will be able to have a rest, but we will miss them. For Pam and I, it was a bit strange to be engaged just a few days earlier and now to be saying goodbye. Though we both have a peace that this is the way the Lord wanted it, I do hope time goes by quickly! Pam sent a letter to me Sunday morning and said they arrived safely and were greeted at the airport by many smiling faces. On Sunday afternoon she and the Fadnesses took part in a friend's wedding.

Well, I promised you more details about how the Lord brought Pam and I together.

Pam and I first met when she came to Russia on a two week mission trip back in June of 1996. The strongest memory I have of that time was of the day the team rested at a river just outside the city of Suzdahl. As we were boarding the bus to leave this place, Pam decided she wanted to get a closer look at a shepherd and his goats on a grassy hill just opposite the river. Off she went across the field. Thinking she could use some help, I followed after her. I remember thinking, "Lord, could this be the one?"

A year later, Pam returned to Russia to join our missionary team long term. We got to know each other simply through laboring together in the ministry. Being on the same missionary team meant common projects, church events, team meetings, etc. I began to notice and appreciate the work that God was accomplishing in her. I could see that He had developed in her a compassion for the lost, a desire to reach the russian people with the gospel, and most of all, a servant's heart.

About a year and a half ago, I began to think and pray more seriously about Pam and whether she was the wife God brought me. I sensed Him working in my heart and preparing me for marriage. At church one Sunday the teaching was entitled "Why did God create Women?" I felt the Lord speaking to me that He would give me a wife and that she would add to my relationship and service to Him. I would need to love her as Christ loves the church and lay down my life for her. At the end of the service, the last thought that I wrote in my notes was the question, "Am I ready to do this." However, when I reread what I'd just written, I realized I had accidently switched the order of the words and actually written, "I am ready to do this." I realized that was true. I continued to confide with pastor Jeff and a few of my close friends and asked them to pray with me for God's direction. I can't tell you how important it was for me to have those with whom I could share, receive counsel, and pray. I thank the Lord for each one.

By June 1st, I felt I was one step from making a decision. That final step came when I imagined my life without Pam. I knew at that moment that I would ask her to be my wife. But how and when to ask?

It was at the Sunday evening church prayer meeting that I felt God gave me an idea. I remembered the grassy hill, meadow, and river in Suzdahl. Wanting it to be a surprize, I asked Jeff and Christina to help me out. They called Pam and asked her if she'd like to go on a souviner buying trip to Suzdahl that Tuesday. On the way, Jeff mentioned that he wanted Pam and I to drive to a local retreat center and gather info for an upcoming church leader's retreat while he and Christina shopped for souviners. The real plan, of course, was that I would drive her to the spot we had first visited six years earlier and pop the question. When we arrived, it was just as we had remembered. And so, on a Tuesday afternoon, under a beautiful blue June sky, I asked Pam Bartlett to be my wife. She said yes! Afterwards, we sat for quite some time recalling how God had directed our paths to this moment. We also rejoiced at the anticipation of what He has before us as we begin our new life together. We both agreed that more than anything, we want our marriage to draw us both closer to Jesus and to be an instrument to draw others to Christ as well.

The rest of the day was spent sharing our wonderful news with our loved ones. We were so blessed at the outpouring of encouragement, love, and joy we received from both family and friends.

Please forgive me for not giving you some hint of this over the last few months, but Pam reads my site too! Believe me, it was hard to keep it in at times. Thank you so much for your prayers. Many of you have mentioned that you had thought that Pam and I would one day be together and that you had been praying for that. Isn't God good and faithful to answer our prayers!?

There are many details to work out over the next few months as we are looking to wed sometime at the end of this year. We so appreciate your prayers. Pam is in the states on furlough till August 15th, which we're excited about as we know God is going to do some special preparation in both our hearts during this time apart. Stay tuned for more detials...Rejoicing in God's goodness, Ron

Yes, I had another delay in updating, but with good reason!!! If you haven't heard yet, you heard it here first - it's true - Pam Bartlett and I are engaged! I have much more to share with you...I'll update again asap. In the meantime, some of you have said you haven't been able to open the photo I sent by e-mail so, click on today's photo to see it here. The picture was taken on our engagement day, June 4th. God is incredibly wonderful and I praise Him for His goodness!!! Thank you for rejoicing with us!

Wow, I can hardly believe two weeks have passed since my last entry. I'm so sorry I left you hanging on day two of the anniversary celebration week. It got incredibly busy, I was late to bed and early to rise for a week straight and just didn't seem to have the time or strength to update. My apologies. Please allow me to give you some of the highlights at the celebration events:

For me, the outreach events at school number 23 and 9 were one the best moments. At school #23 the american missionary kids performed music, drama, and testimony with over 200 students in the school auditorium. The best part was afterward when we broke the students and visiting american kids into small groups for some one on one chat. The kids really opened up to one another and there were several discussions about God and the christian faith.

Each evening of the anniversary week there were outreach concerts at a local hall. "Beware of Dogs" was the featured group. They led an outstanding concert and the Lord really gave the lead singer just the right words to connect with the audience of teenagers that showed up each night. Most of the kids were from schools 23 and 9! The attendance grew each night and on the last night was a packed house. over 70 kids came forward at the call to repentance and prayed to give their hearts to Jesus. This was followed up with some group counseling to help them understand the decision they'd made. I'm glad to report that a large handful of these kids have been regularly attending our church services since that time. Please pray that they Lord would give them a solid foundation in their walk with Him.

The outreach at school #9 also went great. The american kids first played a game of basketball against a team of russian students in the school gymnasium and then set up their equipment and repeated the program they'd done at school #23. The kids at #9 were also very open and interested to speak about spiritual issues during the open panel discussion time after the program. Now that the Lord has opened the door, we are praying about possibly setting up regular meetings at both schools in the fall.

On the last day of outreaches the men did some street evangelism in a village located about ten minutes from our church building. It was exciting to see so many stop to hear the gospel out in front of the town general store. I'm sure this was the first time anyone had ever come to preach the gospel in their little village.

The week of events culminated on the last day with a big anniversary celebration. This was the time to give thanks to the Lord for all He has done in our church over the last ten years here in Vladimir. We watched a special video prepared for the event that showed hightlights of the last ten years, which was very moving. It was also time to say goodbye to our american friends who had come to celebrate with us. It was extra special for me to be able to spend some time with so many good friends, including the Marquezes and their baby boy, Ethan.

Truly, the Lord has blessed us here and given us so much to be thankful for - our family in Christ is so very precious, and now we have some new brothers and sisters to encourage and train up in the ways of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers for this event - the Lord was faithful to answer!

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws