Tonya was just a young woman when she traveled by helicopter to Ust-anzas, a remote Russian village with no access roads and only sporadic electricity. She was there with two other Russian girls who had gone there to help in whatever ways they could.
After they had been there just a short time, they heard that three prisoners had escaped from a local labor camp; later that night, the prisoners broke into the small cabin where Tonya and some others were staying. One of the girls passed out from fear as Tonya was assaulted by the prisoner’s leader. Eventually someone managed to slip out to get help and the prisoners were recaptured.
Tonya was traumatized by the experience and desperately wanted to go back home; however, the helicopter that was scheduled to come the next day was grounded because of a lack of fuel. She went to the attic of a cabin and prayed, “God, if you’re really there, please send a helicopter.” She finally fell asleep, in tears.
She slept for a few hours and woke to the sound of a helicopter. She ran to the landing site and found a military helicopter that had been hired by some Czechoslovakian tourists. She was able to leave the village on that helicopter and then rode a train back to her home in Novokuznetsk.
Such a horrendous experience would have deterred most people, but not Tonya. She is a modern-day heroine–a brave, strong, funny, gutsy, godly woman who continues to sacrificially live her life for other people.
Tonya and her husband, Cecil Eshelman, have been missionaries to Russia for many years; their primary focus is working with teenage orphans who have aged out of the orphanage system. (It’s especially interesting that they are missionaries since Tonya was once an atheist.)
Last Sunday, our family was honored to get to host them for lunch after they had spoken in our morning service.
I’ve often said that one of the great privileges of being a pastor’s family is the opportunity to get to spend time with amazing people and the Eshelmans certainly fit into that category. Their commitment to living and working in a poor, isolated, very cold community in far east Russia (just a few miles from the Chinese border) is an absolute inspiration to me.
And not only have the parents made the commitment to this challenging lifestyle, their smart, bilingual and funny children are involved whole-heartedly as well. (Tim is the oldest, then Vera, and then Deanna–who is holding Summer.) The family adopted Deanna from a Russian orphanage several years ago; she is an absolutely delightful young lady.
Deanna especially enjoyed spending time with Summer; she wants a dog so badly but the family’s lifestyle just doesn’t allow for one. For instance, it cost $9,000 for the family to travel from Russia to the U.S. for a 6-month furlough. They traveled through fifteen time zones to get here. And to transport a dog that far? Not an easy task.
So Summer was Deanna’s adopted dog for the day.
Sarah had fun hanging out with her globe hopping, English/Russian speaking new friends.
And Cecil and Tonya?
What an amazing couple. Really and truly. Amazing.
They have dedicated their entire lives to the challenging, heartbreaking, and rewarding task of rescuing orphans from a lifetime of hopelessness. Their broad expanse of experiences make them fascinating conversationalists; in fact, during lunch, we discussed culture, books, theology, language, missions, adventure and world travel.
This is a family who is all about helping people and we are so honored to call them friends. (If you would like to find out more about them, you can go here.)
P.S. This is the lunch I served the family after church which I had on the table in fifteen minutes. In the future, I will do a post about the process of getting a quick meal ready to serve.
the Eshelman family is quite a blessing!!!
one of my favorite junior kindergartners was adopted from a Russian orphanage.
couldn’t believe the pictures of her when she was adopted…so under-nourished and
physically developmentally delayed. She had a fire cracker personality, and I absolutely adored her. She was adopted when she was 3, but when she was a teenager, the doctors decided that she was probably 5 years old when adopted.
How interesting.,,, I know I mentioned that my brother got married in March. He married a Russian girl who was adopted by a family in South Carolina from a Russian orphanage when she was 10/11 years old. Although she still truly loves Russia, she has some rough stories about life in the orphanage. I can’t imagine how difficult the transition is for the children who don’t get adopted. What an amazing way your friends are choosing to spend their lives!
That’s really neat Kristina, thanks for sharing about your sister in law. As an adoptive mom I really love hearing about people who were adopted as older children and are doing well as adults as I worry so much about my daughter.
Jenna,
I can certainly understand how encouraging that story was to you–so glad Kristina shared it. Hugs to you and your sweet family.
You’re welcome, Jenna 🙂 . I’m glad it was good for you to hear it! Ira and Steven are so good together, and incredibly happy… Ira’s adoption has turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened to BOTH of them!
Kristina,
What a wonderful, wonderful story of hope and a young girl getting a second chance at love and life. I LOVED reading about your wonderful, brave sister-in-law!
Oh I would have loved to meet them:) I guess I never got around to tell you Becky but Ikhave a interest in Russia 🙂 Never been there, but I would love to. It sounds like you had a lovely time with them.
(I did try to study Russian at uni for a year but it did not go well :P) Russian is a very beautiful langauge I think did you get the chance to hear a bit of spoken Russian?
What a beautiful and interesting family, thanks for sharing about them. I really think people like this- who devote their lives to helping other people in need- are true heroes. Our culture tends to put such an emphasis on celebrities and sports stars, but it is people like this family who really make a difference and make our world a better place.
Jenna,
I couldn’t agree more. I would love to have dinner with Russian missionaries over movie stars any ol’ time!
Trine,
Yes, we DID get to hear them speak Russian; in fact, Steve had him close the morning service by praying in Russian. He also wrote out for us the Cyrillic alphabet which was fascinating. I can certainly understand that you would be interested in that country!
Dear Trine,
we plan to come back to the States the end of the summer (2014) for about five months. We could get together sometime. Maybe my wife could fix a Russian meal for you. We’re not yet sure where we will stay, but most likely in the Greensboro area of North Carolina. We could talk in Russian for you all you want.
Not sure how to contact each other.
I just noticed this web site today, and didn’t realize there was a discussion about us until just now.
Cecil,
How great to see your name pop up here! 🙂
Trine is a blog reader who lives in Denmark so it would make getting together a bit of a challenge! I know she would absolutely love the chance to sit down with you all though–you guys are such great company!
I’m curious as to how you found this post!
Blessings to you all,
Becky