Russia Dental Trip Update

10/28 I'll just keep adding the updates here....

This update came from Brad Heck Sunday evening.

Grant, Melanie, Sheryll, and Dr. Al made it in last night at about 9:30 p.m. Tired and weary from having spent the better part of twelve hours in the airport, they were about done in. The airline kept telling them the plane would leave in one hour, but then delay it again. Frustrating, I’m sure. They are here though, and that is what counts. We immediately went to the church and started to unpack their equipment and supplies. We got back to the hotel around 11:30 p.m. Because of delays, Grant’s crew was not able to register at the hotel in Moscow ; we’ll see how that plays out when we leave. Artyom explained to Gus and me the importance of the whole process. Seems there are religious groups that are coming in on “Tourist” visas rather than “Religious” visas. Following the rules is very important, and we are.

Immediate prayer requests:

1. Dr Al had a bag of his rip open somewhere in transit. Several vital pieces of equipment are missing. I think we can cover it, but we need prayers for peace. Things have worked out so far; God will see us through. We just make adjustments.
   
2. Endurance and good rest. We are going to need it.
   
3. Please do not forget to pray for these believers here in Tomsk . Their daily existence is dependent on God; we seem to forget that ours is too.
   
4. A personal request…I have had a three day migraine that has been no fun.
   

Thanks for all the prayers so far, they have been effective!

Brad Heck

Next-10/31

Snowed most of the day here, but warmed up a bit this
evening. Started at 8am, got done at 10:30pm.

The workload for Grant is unbelievable. He and Mel
are working together, doing all the root canals. Very
labor intensive, and almost everyone is getting one it
seems. They are holding up ok. Mel has a chair that
she can sit in for a little bit during the procedures.
We are still having air compressor problems, maybe
have to get another one tomorrow.

Our interpreters have been quite the hoot, though.
Alyia is a seventeen year old, giggly high school girl
that would fit in perfect with our youth group.
Valeria is her sister, highly intelligent. Katya is
our late night one, twenty six year old mom of a two
year old firecracker. We've also used a petroleum
geologist named Alex. All believers, all good kids.

Haven't seen my buddy Andre since church, must be in
school.