Today as I walk home from work I hear a loud helicopter overhead and look up to see it carrying a huge bucket. "That's funny" I think to myself why is it flying into town when I have seen them outside town fighting forest fires with such helicopters. As I peer off into the distance I see some smoke. My first reaction was that it must be the local market where people sell cloths and other goods. As I look closer I realize that through the haze and low clouds it is the local Troitsky Cathedral which is on fire. The helicopter is dropping water on the dome of the cathedral which has sunk into the building and is still on fire.

The fire started in the early evening when a wielder or somebody accidentily had exploded a can of solvents or something like that. It didn't take long until the wooden scaffolding was ablaze around the central dome and one other small dome.

Amazingly enough nobody was hurt in the fire and most of the icons and other historical relics were unharmed. There was a service taking place in the cathedral at the time of the fire.

The governer has promised to repair the cathedral in a year's time. I hope that this is true although they have been working on this cathedral for nearly 3 years and were no where near finishing when the fire took place. I hope that the governer can restore it quickly.


A picture of the Toritsky Cathedral several years ago before it was remodled.

A helicopter trying to put out the fire on the central dome.

The central dome buring as the fire trucks wathced helplessly unable to shoot water to this height.

Days after the fire. The once large dome sits sunken into the church.

Sasha’s New Apartment – Making a House a Home

Sasha put on the full spread, a feast of kings. She is a wonderful host and it is marvelous to see her in her own kitchen. She used to fix these feasts in a communal kitchen which was used by four other families. Her face just lit up when we came over and she was able to show us around her home.

Timothy at Sasha’s front door

Sasha in her own kitchen preparing a feast

Sasha, Nina and our family

Sasha and Timothy in her kitchen

Sasha’s New Apartment – A Stroll Through Kolpino

Our dear friend Sasha recently received a new apartment for the one room she owned in the city center. She now lived 1 hour outside St. Petersburg in the largest of its suburbs. The city is called Kolpino and the Russian government used to build tanks there. It is a very quaint and green city. We really enjoyed our time there.

Timothy playing in the sand

Abby paying in the sand

Ramona, Sasha, Timothy and Abby by some flowers in Kolpino

A Pastor’s Conference

Calvary Chapel put on a pastor’s conference in St. Petersburg, Russia. The pastors traveled in from all over Russia. The speakers for the conference were so encouraging and edifying. One particular teacher, Gayle Irwin, brought some really anointed messages. He also wrote the book, ”The Jesus Style.” I highly recommend reading it.

Me translating the first day’s announcements for pastor Boris

Pastor Gayle Irwin sharing with the pastors

Ramona leading worship at one of the sessions

A Date Nite!!!!

Ramona and I get a night out together. What a time we had. We went down to the local square and had a coffee at the polar bear café. Of course we had to take pictures with the polar bear as well. We also took pictures at the local arch down at this square. It was a nice relaxing evening spent together without the kids.

Me and the Polar Bear


Ramona and the arch

Ramona and some lovely clouds