Russian Family Gets A Big Gift

It is a wish come true for a family new to Tulsa . They're spending their first Christmas together in America and soon they'll have a place here to call their own. <br><br>The Seyukov family of

Sunday, December 26th 1999, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

It is a wish come true for a family new to Tulsa . They're spending their first Christmas together in America and soon they'll have a place here to call their own.

The Seyukov family of ten is at home in Tulsa a world away from their homeland. They left the unstable southern Caucuses of Russia near Chechnya to get away from war and economic ruin. A year ago, Paul Seyukov was out of work he raised tomatoes to sell and to store for his family's food. Now, they couldn't be happier to be celebrating Christmas all ten of them in a small Tulsa apartment full of presents.

"The best place is Tulsa for us.. because there are lot of church(es) and Christian people," says Paul Seyukov.

Those Baptist elves went to work. Seyukov and his family followed the guidance of Ukranian emigrant Michael Gavrilov. He and new Oklahoma friends helped get the family in touch with Habitat for Humanity. The charity helps build homes for people who can't afford them.

"I'm in the United States almost 12 years and I have my own house and I know how kids are excited and I know how Paul is excited. We were sitting together trying to fill-out the application," say Gavrilov.

Which led to the biggest Christmas present of all.

"Sure enough, it came Christmas Eve yesterday afternoon about three o'clock," says Seyukov.

He said that we start new life in America. And looks like a baby. She looks at everything and doesn't understand much.

"I'm very happy about the house," says Seyukov.

Construction on the Seyukov's new home could start as early as next month.