Christmas a week early

"David, I need to meet with you today. When can I come over?" Said our landlady's husband.

"Hmm, before five" I said as best as I could in Russian.

"Ok, I'll be there at three with a translator."

Great, I thought, he's coming either to renegotiate the lease with us or tell us it's official and we'll have to leave. We prayed for courage, for God's will and for wisdom.

A couple hours later he showed up with his niece and a broad smile. "How are you?" I asked. "Super." he replied. We sat down around the kitchen table and he said everything turned out well and we can now live in the apartment for as long as our lease says. He even wanted us here for three years.

This was a major turn around to the conversation we had with him and his wife just days ago. After a lot of prayer, and a bit of worry God calmed us down and reminded us again that he is in charge and that we have nothing to fear. For if God is with us who can be against us? As for the situation the landlords were in he did not tell us specifically how things worked out, only that they were "super".

Thank you for praying for us and for them. We are elated that we have a place to live for the long term and that we will get to unpack our things and celebrate Christmas in a home of our own. That is a Christmas gift we are happy to open early.

This also means that we have a place for you to stay if you ever want to visit or need to pass through Moscow. Come and stay with us, we'd love your company!

With praise and relief,
Dave and Jess