Thu 1 Feb 2007
The Belarus team has now completed two full ministry days here in Leeda and God is certainly doing amazing things! At our first ministry site, an orphanage [far outside the city limits], we were met by the director who told us that she had just received a call from a government official who said that she could not allow us to visit. At great risk to herself, she allowed us in to share with the children and distribute the gifts that we had brought. The time with the children and staff was incredible.
We then found out that afternoon that she was called down to a government office for an interview and questioning about her actions and our visit. Our team is in prayer for her situation, and would ask for additional prayers for her as well.
That afternoon, just as we were arriving at the second site a team of three government officials showed up to see what we were doing. They asked to see what we were handing out and to know what program we were going to do. We should them and they allowed us to continue. By the end of the day, the one government official who stayed with us the entire time was smiling and appreciative of what we were doing for the children.
The second day was just as amazing as we were also greeted at the first site with three government officials. The initial meeting was more cordial and by the end of the day the two officials who stayed with us were also smiling and talking about the wonderful partnership that we had in serving the children at the orphanage.
All the team remains well, with spirits lifted high, because we know that it is God who is opening these doors [for our team]. Please remain in prayer for us, and we are confident the God will allow the name of Jesus to shine throughout the land.
3 Responses to “Update from Leeda Belarus”
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February 1st, 2007 at 9:27 pm
Friends,
Here’s an update for Feb 1, 2007, from Leeda, in the western part of Belarus, near the Polish and Lithuanian border. Team Belarus completed their second full day of ministry. They had two town meetings with “village kids” with a crowd of about 300 kids per day. These are local children that a local church encouraged to come. She reported a great day of ministry of aid, compassion, the love of God and the Gospel. They also visited orphanages each of the last two days. A couple of the directors of these orphanages were feeling pressure and being discouraged by some of the local government officials not to let the GAiN group visit. Some did not let the GAiN group visit, while others did—[*Comment edited for confidentiality - TB, moderator]. But every director reported that their visits were very well received and they want to have them back again to minister to and love on their kids. The directors said they are doing a great job, loving on their children and these visits are worth [it]. Last night they split up into three groups and went to separate churches to worship with believers there. They mingled with the people who prayed for them. Amazing! Then, one of the leaders of the Global Aid Network (GAiN), Mr. Duane Zook, flew in from the US and they had a banquet together and shared the GAiN vision—another great blessing. [*Comment edited for confidentiality - TB, moderator] Their group donated $600 to one pastor whose small church had a roof leak (the pastor said this equaled one year’s salary!), and they donated another $650 for heating and other needs in one orphanage.
For our Seaford folks: Amy is always cold and it has snowed non-stop for 2 ½ days. Her “scarf” knitting has turned into “sweater” knitting! Amy and group had a snowball fight with a local pastor and a bus driver—and her snowballs would make Jenny proud! Rick is having a blast—the other night he went to a four hour church service—and loved it! (No more complaining about Seaford!). He said the service was like an old time Baptist revival. He knew he was being stretched out of his comfort zone, but not like Stretch Armstrong! What really shook him up was seeing men kiss each other—and then he began to get a little concerned when one man kept his lips on Rick’s cheek longer than Becky ever has! Becky, Sandra says to pass on: “What a great woman you are!” I think this means she’s getting to know Rick a lot better on this trip. Sandra has now fully developed her split personality—one as “Sunny Girl” (puppet) and the other her normal wacky self. She’s loving spending time with and loving on these kids. Sandra’s friend Karen from Albuquerque continues to be a blessing to everyone—on the team and those she’s ministering to.
The team asks for prayer for all the orphanage Directors, and for those government people [they serve under]. They ask for prayer in how to best handle hundreds of kids to be most effective with their message.
Thank you all for your support!
February 4th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
Belarus Update #3, 4 Feb 07
Dear friends, family and my precious Seaford Family,
How do I begin to describe the incredible doors that the Lord has opened for our Believers in this land? How do I tell you what it feels like to be humbled beyond belief by fellow brothers and sisters who now struggle with the task of evangelism under [their current conditions]? I spent the evening with college students who asked me to ask our youth to pray for them and to make them stronger in their faith and bolder in their endeavors to share Christ in their land. I have NEVER seen youth so intent on their task of spreading the gospel. They truly understand the idea of dying for their Lord. What do you say to a twenty year old who says I need more fervor, for what God has called me to do? My life must reflect Christ in Every way because people must ask me what is different. I can respond but not initiate! I ask myself as I look at the young faces sitting in front of me, how often has someone asked me this question. They wait anxiously every day for this opportunity! I struggle with what I would say and the circumstances in which it would be asked.
I want you to think back to the prayer requests that were sent out when our group heard that we were not going into the public sites. This included some schools and government social centers. We felt that we needed to pray that these sites would re open to us. What arrogance on my part to think that God did not have a plan! We only needed to be obedient and go. God would do the rest. This ministry time has been a stretch for us and at first a disappointment as we realized each day that more restrictions would be put on us. No longer did we have the small intimate settings of sharing the gospel. Now we would have 300 children at a time but not be able to share the gospel! Why were we here if not to share the gospel? Friends I believe we are here not to be the harvesters or even the sowers. We are here to hold the door open for our fellow believers in Belarus to bring in the harvest. The Lord gave me this picture when my roommate and I stayed up late into the night talking about the believers in this land. They are inspiring to watch. They have none of the tools we have […] but they will at all costs share the gospel.
What seemed to be a bad thing has become the start of a revival in this town. [*Comment edited for confidentiality -TB] Our job was not to convert the town of Leeda but to show how much fun it would be to walk inside of these churches. What did the children and adults find when they walked into these churches? They saw puppets, songs, dancing, balloons, games and crazy Americans. One of the great benefits of being a Christian in a free country is that we are very free to laugh and have a good time. This we have done with all our might. We have gotten over this American tradition of “let me tell you how many people got saved on our missions trip” and learned humility. God is doing a miracle in these churches. There are Belarusian believers waiting with open arms to welcome these children and adults into their churches. We are just holding open the doors of the local church. They will do the rest. They are strong, brave, and have incredible faith. We have learned much from them and we will never be the same.
We have watched [certain staff members] risk their jobs to allow us in. We have seen government officials soften after watching our antics with their children. After all, how can you not love those who love your children? We have seen the excitement of local believers as they trust that God is doing something powerful in their town.
For me personally this has been a joy filled time of being a child again. My last trip here the Lord taught me what true healing meant. This year He showed me what it felt like to walk in it! I have truly enjoyed being a child again. My role here is to be available and enjoy being a child again. I wish I could erase all the hurt I see in the eyes of these children. I can’t but I can hold them, kiss them, and play with them. I am doing that with all my heart.
Thank you again, for your constant prayers, your financial support and for being here in spirit. What a team you have been!
Serving the Lord together
Sandra Burgess
February 7th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
All,
Sandra called today with a Team Belarus update. The team left Lida and is back in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. They will stay there one more day to outbrief, attend cultural events, relax and then fly out on Friday back to Warsaw and the states. Planned arrival back in Norfolk is Saturday night at 10:30 pm—but more to follow on that below under Prayer Request.
I must announce […] Tickle Me Elmo and Sunny Girl have decided to defect to Belarus and they will not be returning to the USA. They have fallen in love with the kids and people of Belarus and decided to stay in country. They sadly said goodbye to the American team—speaking in their new home language. But there is hope! They said they hope to see many of their Seaford and American friends next year when they come back to Belarus for next year’s GAiN outreach trip.
The team was scheduled to meet with local government leaders to discuss the trip. The meeting was supposed to only last 15 minutes, but it went on for over 45! There was also something in the media about this event. The team had a banquet last night with their Belarusian contacts—and they thanked the Americans for being great “bait!” They have a heart as “fishers of men” and the fact that the GAiN team was there and loving on the kids and people so much, the doors were open to ministry by local church members. This was also the first time many local pastors had actually met each other and work on a project together. This was a great unifying work! To God be the glory!
Rick S and the Seaford team literally “brought down the house” in one church. They were bouncing a beach ball around this small church, and actually broke some pieces of a chandelier. Uh oh, another international incident by team Seaford!
Amy is STILL cold after being in country for 10 days. She did experience about 5 minutes of warmth one day while SITTING on a hot radiator in one of the rooms. Her nice sweater that she started out with now has only one arm. Hold on Amy for two more days! Also, Praise the Lord! Amy led devotions today for the entire GAiN team in Belarus. What a blessing it was for Amy and everyone there.
Karen S is also loving the people and ministry opportunities in Belarus. She may never be the same! Look out Albuquerque!
Sandra is loving the orphans and ministering to the interpreters. She and the team were able to share at a local prison.
Sergei and Sveta (In Country Coordinator for GAiN and his wife) will be coming to the USA later this year, and we are hoping they will be able to come to Virginia so we can all get to know them better.
PRAYER REQUEST: please pray for Rick S’s return flights. On the flight up from Norfolk to Newark, the cramped spaces in the regional jet caused some physical problems. He is already concerned about the return flight on Saturday. They are discussing other options—such as a train ride instead—so please be in prayer for wisdom for the team, and for Rick’s and everyone’s health and safe return. Also, one woman on the trip, Olga, the wife of an American pastor, has been having some serious health issues. She was able to meet some relatives there for the first time ever, but she needs prayer for her health and decisions about her trip back home to the US.
Where in the World is Seaford? Reaching out, touching lives, loving God and loving people.
On Behalf of Team Belarus, Rick Burgess