Dear Friends and Prayer Partners... Attached is our Christmas/Holiday note. If you are unable to open the attachment the text is below: ************************************************************************** January 8, 2001 Dear Friends, It's the day after Christmas here in Russia and we're finally getting our Christmas note out to you all. We have yet to celebrate old New Years so we're not quite yet finished with all the celebrations. The Christmas trees will stay up for almost another week. It seems like every year is a busy one in the Sunberg household. Sometimes we wish it would slow down some but then again, we are somewhat accustomed to it all by now. We are now in our ninth year of living in Moscow and continue to love it. Of course, there are those days we call "Russia days" but they don't happen all that often. Those days include fun things like...the elevator breaking, the pipes leaking and flooding the neighbors downstairs, the old Russian man with the Black Volga (a type of Russian car) that thinks his place is our driveway and often blocks our ability to get out of the garage, people stealing our phone bill from the mail box so it doesn't get paid on time, and having to visit the international post office. All of those things can be enough to make you want to cry. When they happen simultaneously you not only want to cry, you really do cry! The girls just continue to grow (which I suppose they are supposed to do) and we are amazed at them. Christa is now 13 years of age and in 8th grade. She has grown so much this year that she is now taller than her mother is. One of the biggest difficulties has been finding enough clothing for her. She just grows out of everything too quickly. She has developed into a lovely young teenager and really has a heart and desire to serve the Lord. She and Cara were able to attend the Missionary Kid retreat for our Region this summer in Switzerland. Christa came home and reported that she had been called to become a minister. She is very serious about this. Christa still plays the piano. Cara is now 11 and in 6th grade. She and her sister attend Hinkson Christian Academy here in Moscow. We are so grateful that they can attend this school. The school moved into a new facility and now it takes them only about 40 minutes to get to school every day on the public trolleybus. This year they incorporated the 6th grade into the Middle School so Cara was pleased to find herself in Middle School with her sister. They both played on the school soccer team together. The highlight of the season (with Coach Tim Wetmore) was when they beat their old school (Ango-American School) 2-1. Cara scored one of the goals that day. She was thrilled. Chuck and Carla keep up with the usual things, Chuck directing the Field and Carla working for Compassionate Ministries. As the work expands it seems that we are constantly on the go. There are many blessings as we get to travel and see so much of what God is doing here on the Field. Carla continues to take students with her to study at the Seminary, working on their Masters' degrees. Someday she hopes to finish that degree. Chuck says he's taking up nursing next. We are grateful for our family and friends who support and encourage us in our work. Thanks so much for your prayers! The most difficult time of the year was when Sarah Norris passed away. Our hearts have broken for Lonnie and Connie and the boys. We are missing having them here with us in Russia at this time. No crazy picture from Red Square with 2001 glasses this year! On New Years' Eve we were privileged to attend the Nutcracker ballet at the Bolshoi Theater. The picture is taken outside of the theater, before midnight! We pray that God will bless you all in this coming year. Thanks for your friendship! Love, Chuck, Carla, Christa and Cara Sunberg
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