Russian Family Celebrates Christmas In Their New Home

No matter where you go in the world, Christmas is a universal celebration.<br><br>Here in Tulsa, there's a Russian family that is had an extra special day in a new house habitat for humanity house.<br><br>The

Tuesday, December 26th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

No matter where you go in the world, Christmas is a universal celebration.

Here in Tulsa, there's a Russian family that is had an extra special day in a new house habitat for humanity house.

The Selyuvok's celebrated Christmas in their new home.

â€œIt's cool it's like the biggest present in our life," says Alex Selyuvok.

The family moved to Tulsa two years ago because the fighting in Grotsky was getting to close too often.

The father is a sheet metal worker, who says he never expected to have a piece of the American dream so soon.

â€œAfter two years we have new house, and it's wonderful," says Paul Selyuvok.

And the children think so, too. They all seem to be glad to have their own home for the holidays.

There's eight of them: 16-year-old Alex, 14-year-old Max, Eli who's 15, Arten who is 12, Sam who is ten, Max at eight, 7-year-old Dasha and last but not least, Jessica who is two.

The oldest says he helped build the home and wants to build more for other families.

â€œIt was nice to come in here and smell the wood it was great because you know you have your own back yard," says Alex.

A yard they plan to plant a garden in come the spring.

Inside, there are two beds in each of the five bedrooms, and two bathrooms that look like they might get a little crowded.

But it's just right for this family who is happy to have a home.

â€œI love it because itâ€™s ours,â€ says Alex.

Habitat for Humanity volunteers finished the house on December 5th of this year.

It was a project of the First Baptist Church of Tulsa.