20 years ago today - Odintsova and the Family - July 1998

After spending over a month sick and cooped up in the apartment, under doctors orders with one of my favorite companions, Jody (the cop) Ekley, from Milford. I was excited to be transferred to a city on the outskirts of Moscow called Odintsova. My new companion was Lair-bear Callahan from Alaska.

My first experience after moving to this city was that I was able to meet the Chentsova family. They had already been informed of my arrival and welcomed me so warmly. One of their sons Anton, held my hand while we were walking to and from service teaching English class. It felt so good to finally be in a family environment.

The Chentsova family welcomed us nearly every day for dinner. They invited us over to have discussions not just with them but with their friends and acquaintances that they would invite over as well. We enjoyed many a night laughing, eating and playing with "the family", as we had so endearingly coined them. I recall that it was a rare thing to be able to teach an intact and young family with a mother, father and their three young boys. We spent hours playing throwing and kicking balls with the boys, having discussions with the parents and their friends. It was during this time that I fell in love with Ukrainian borscht.

One of the many meals we enjoyed together with "The Family".

Andre overate.

I don't recall who this gal was but keep in mind, most people don't speak english. Nore would she have put together exactly what the letters "EZ" could imply with her pregnant belly. 

Andre at the end of a long day at work.

Cramming the family and local members in the car for a ride to church. Even in these, less than safe riding conditions, it was just as safe as riding the train back into Moscow and loads quicker.

At the Families baptism.

Their youngest son who wasn't yet old enough to be baptised. 

At the meeting place where the baptisms were performed. 

One of the many times we helped the family with service. We helped them move some furniture. 

Their oldest son Sasha. He had recently lost the tip of his finger in an accident.

Laundry time. My clothes weren't that dirty, the water comes out of the tap that color. 

The mission district.

We helped Andre with service this day by putting in a fence for another member. 

Digging the post holes with a manual auger. 

I caught so many frogs that day. 

We got home late. This was us on the train at the end of a long and exhausting day. 

A car so Andre could work as a professional driver. 

This was the Families friend. She worked and sold meat at the local outdoor market. 

We enjoyed so many amazing meals. It was awesome!

The local Branch.

After I had been transferred, getting to see "The Family" at a regional conference.