Sunday, July 13, 2008

The Siberian Team - Novokuznetsk, Russia

After a challenging time of preparation for the mission trip to Novokuznetsk, the team is finally here and ready for ministry!  Twenty-nine enthusiastic Americans converged on Moscow yesterday, Saturday, July 12, 2008, jet-lagged but eager to get ready for the last leg of the trip to Siberia. It was not without the usual challenges of overweight luggage and coordinating with members of the team flying in from their various states and countries.  But, the Lord granted us favor and by 11:30pm (Russian time), the team boarded the flight to their final destination – Novokuznetsk.  For many, it was their fourth or fifth flight in 36 hours!

“This is my first mission trip,” said Emily M. from Texas.  “I have always wanted to go on a mission trip ever since I heard about it 4 years ago, but I was only able to raise support to come this year.”  Emily is one of the many young adults on the summer mission trip this year.  Though a bit apprehensive about how it will all turn out, she is confident that God will take charge of everything.  Her supporters praying for her and the team include more than 80 persons from her hometown and church who helped her financially or otherwise to be on the mission trip.  “I am really looking forward to meeting the children in the orphanages,” she said with excitement in her voice.  The team will visit homes for the elderly and disabled, prisons, camps and orphanages as they distribute humanitarian aid including CarePacks and share the love of Christ to hundreds in the far away land. 

We ask for your prayers as we put into action, plans that have been laid out months in advance.  Pray that God will give us multiple opportunities to share the gospel and that many will seek a personal relationship with Him.

 

 

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Church on the Rock, Novokuznetsk, Russia

Today, the team visited Church on the Rock, a vibrant church with a unique ministry to alcoholics and drug abusers.  More than 150 persons packed the small church in Kuznetsk District to worship God in their third service for the day.  The team, bursting with God-given talent gave greetings and shared in the service – Kristen B. encouraged them with a rendition of How Great Thou Art in English and Russian, and Aaron D. played Amazing Grace on the bagpipe! 

God’s presence was truly felt when Jim P. shared his testimony of his alcoholic father and the emotional abuse inflicted on him from the early age of 6.  “He told me every day for 10 years that I will amount to nothing,” he said.  Though, he made a commitment to follow Christ at age 16, he struggled for a number of years to maintain his walk with God.  He prayed, trying to get an answer from God to the internal turmoil he felt from feeling inferior and wondered for many years if there was any good in him.  After reading the bible and seeking God, about 15 years ago, he was able to forgive his father and embrace the refreshing release that came from extending this forgiveness. “It took me 45 years,” he said as he encouraged the congregation, “but I know that Christ was with me and He will be with you too all the way.  You only need to listen to Him.” 

Many will share their testimonies during the next 10 days in Novokuznetsk to hundreds in orphanages, prisons, homes for the elderly and disabled.  Pray for the team, that God will use these testimonies to draw men, women and children to Him and into His kingdom.