First of all we would like to say a big thank you from the bottom of our hearts to everyone who has written, called or texted to check on us. We truly do appreciate the prayers and support that has been shown to us these past few days. With all that has been going on, it has been impossible to reply back to everyone personally, but we do want you to know that every note has been read and has been an encouragement in some way.

First, I will give a quick update on our situation and then explain how you can help as we try to recover and get resettled from the fire.

The Current Situation:
After being initially told that we would receive monetary aid from the government as a small compensation for our material loss, today I was informed that we do not qualify for that aid because we are not Russian citizens. This was a bit unexpected because as permanent residents in the Russian Federation, according to the Russian Constitution, we are entitled to the same rights and privileges as Russian citizens. The head of the relief office was very apologetic that they could not do anything to help us, but they encouraged and advised me to open a court case to try to obtain what should rightfully be ours. After seeking some counsel, I have decided to pursue this in court and will begin that process tomorrow.

Aside from that unexpected development, the Lord has used many others already to help meet our immediate needs. The Krasnoyarsk Baptist Church voted this past Sunday to give 50,000 rubles (about $850) plus a special offering towards our immediate needs, and another group of believers in the Krasnoyarsk area also voted to send us 50,000 rubles. All of the missionaries in the Krasnoyarsk area got to work right away purchasing things that we need and arranging for it to be brought up on the winter road. Lord willing, we should receive these things by Sunday and can begin setting up house in our temporary residence. Many others have already contacted us from the States and have given some funds to help with these immediate needs as well.

The most humbling experiences in all of this has been when the people of Vanavara have given what they have in order to help our family. Some of these people have just been acquaintances that we know only through their work, and some we barely know at all – we just recognize their faces. One family brought some dishes, some cooking oil and a moose neck for meat! Another gave a bag full of toys for the kids while others gave fresh eggs, rice, macaroni noodles and beets from this past harvest! It has truly been amazing to see the compassion and giving of the people here in Vanavara.

How Can You Help?
Many have contacted us an asked how they can give or help us during this time. I know that some, if not perhaps all, of you have expressed the desire to for a list so that you can help meet a specific need. Unfortunately we can’t provide such a list at this time because we are still trying to get back to some form of “normal” life. All of our immediate needs have been taken care of (beds, dishes, clothing, etc.) and it will only be as we start living our life again in this other apartment that we can start to realize that, “Oh, I don’t have _________! That would be handy to have again!”

There will be some big-ticket items that need to be replaced, such as school curricula, our internet satellite (we are using the Dean’s satellite to send out these updates), furniture, kitchen cabinets, etc., but without knowing exactly we are going to end up living, it makes it very difficult to say “We need this couch, or that table, or this set of kitchen cabinets.” These are and will be needs, but they are future needs. At this point we cannot focus on anything more than immediate needs.

With this in mind, our mission board has set up a special account to which donations and funds may be sent. You may read about it HERE on their website and I will summarize it below as well.

All donations may be made out to All Points Baptist Mission, with a memo included to specify that the donation is for the “Northcutt Fire Recovery Fund.”

All Points Baptist Mission
PO Box 977
New Philadelphia, OH 44663
P: 330-339-1035

Thank you again to all who have been praying for us during this time. It is very evident that many are praying and we do not take it for granted. We will continue to update you as best as we can.