NEW HOME ADDRESS:
17454 Plaza Otonal, San Diego, CA 92128 (please note zip code change)
Life is back to as normal as it can be after 3 months of unexpected adventure. At the beginning of December we were told by our Landlord, who was going through a divorce, the home we had rented for over 5 years was being sold. We had to move out by January 4, 2012. Meanwhile, back in the middle of October, I had seen an ophthalmologist in an emergency situation for unusual black spots, floaters and flashes in the vision of my left eye (good eye). Ev looked up my symptoms on the Internet and it appeared to be a retina detaching. Because it was a weekend emergency, my regular ophthalmologist could not be seen. The emergency doctor examined my eye and concluded that the retina was okay and what I was experiencing was normal for my age. He added that the floaters and spots would drop out of my line of vision with the help of time and gravity.
All seemed back on track until Ev's dad, Dr. Grant Yeatman, took a turn for the worse health wise and had his glorious homecoming on December 12. Grieving the loss, we began taking care of his final affairs and the planning of his memorial service along with other family members.
During this time, our search for a new home was also in full swing. It was a trying search, as rent in our area has increased greatly with all the foreclosures in the housing market. It became clear that we were going to have to move further inland. Thankfully, a place in Rancho Bernardo came up on the radar and turned out to be the perfect solution, providing a spacious office for the SMS studio.
Once the issue of where to move was settled, we were faced with how to move. Thankfully, family members and friends pitched in to help and we began slowly moving on December 15, with the hope of being completely moved by January 1. All was humming along well with both the move and Grant's memorial service plans.
Unexpectedly things became more complicated. On December 22, I phoned Ev to say that I was losing my vision in my left eye and wondered if I should wait until my ophthalmologist appointment the next day to have it checked out. My next call was to the doctor who told me to come immediately; obviously, Ev didn't think I should wait! He took a quick look and rushed me to a retina surgeon at the hospital for an emergency surgery on a detaching retina. Within two hours I was in surgery with no promise that my vision could be saved due to how fragile the remaining attachment was in the center of my eye. Thankfully, the surgery was very successful with full restoration of my eye and vision. The only negative was I learned I would not be able to work for 10 weeks and had to be face down for the first two weeks, 24 hours a day.
Clearly, I was not going to be able to help Ev finish our move. The Lord promised to provide all we need and the strength to accomplish all he allows in our lives and that He did. We look back in wonder at all He provided for us, especially loving family and friends who sacrificed significantly to help us as well as the financial resources He provided to sustain us during this challenging time. The Scriptures tell us to be anxious for nothing and this experience confirms again just how we can be at peace in the midst of every storm life brings our way. He is faithful!
With all this behind us, we are looking forward with great expectation for what God wants to do in and through us in 2012. I am sensing a leading to take on more responsibility with the SMS Website (smsinternational.org) and after meeting with the head of SMS Communications, Jim Leonovich, I am praying about that increased involvement and will tell you more as God reveals it to me. Ev may have more responsibility, as well, possibly ministering to women in Russian churches and via the Website.
Please pray with us:
— For God to make clear His will regarding these new responsibilities with SMS.
— For increased support, as so many of our support churches have had to significantly reduce their financial support.They have been incredibly faithful for many years and we are so grateful. We simply look to the Lord to add new support partners.
— For another car or carpool opportunity, as our new location makes it difficult to work with only one car.
— For increased opportunities to touch lives with the Gospel message.
— For His protection and strength. I recently heard a Bible study leader say of Christians: "We are the net . . . don't let us tear as we save souls." I believe that only happens if we are ministering in our own strength.
Know you are always in our thoughts and prayers as we partner together in ministry. We have an opportunity to reach the unsaved like no other generation due to present day technology. What a joy it is to share together in this way.
Your Brother and Sister in Christ,
Slavic Missionary Service International, Inc. /Support Gifts-Indicate for T. Semenchuk: P.O. Box 307, South River, NJ 08882 / Tim & Ev Home: 17454 Plaza Otonal, San Diego, CA 92128 / Tim's mobile: 619 208 0292 / Email: timsemenchuk@sbcglobal.net
