"Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. -- 2 Corinthians 5:18
(This verse is written on the top of the picnic shelter we built yesterday for breaks from the sun. It is in English on the left side and Russian on the right side. I'll post a picture of our translator writing it in Russion this afternoon.)
Thanks so much for all of your comments to this blog. They have been read each morning during our devotion time and are a great encouragement to us.
Your continual prayers are making a difference. Over the last week the church has really begun to take shape thanks to clear skies during the day. (I will post a picture to the photo site I just took during lunch today.) Today they are pouring a concrete cap on the top of about half the foundation so it can cure over the weekend. Lord willing, the floor will be laid over that portion on Monday morning which means construction of the walls could begin as soon as Monday afternoon. All the roof trusses are now complete and wood has been cut for the wall sections.
It has been incredibly hot here. Temperatures have hovered around 90 for the last two days with clear skies. (Not quite what us Americans might expect in Siberia.) There has been a nice breeze blowing for the last two days and that has helped curb the fatigue. We are all tired from a combination of heat and irregular sleep. Some of us still have stomach ailments, but we are all still in good spirits. God continues to care for us in so many ways. On Wednesday night a severe storm blew in just as we were packing up the work site. The group that rides the bus was able to board their bus literally seconds before a terrible downpour hit with lighting and high winds. By the time we reached our bus stop, the rain had stopped and the storm had passed.
Because most of us are riding the bus to and from the work site each day, we have become a topic of conversation among the locals. Americans are not a common site here in Lesosibirsk and it is all over town that we are here and helping to build a church. Our translator rode the bus alone last night without us and said that people on the bus were talking about us. This is already creating interest in the church and in salvation through Jesus Christ.
The editor of the local paper stopped by the work site yesterday and was impressed with all the activity. He knows Pastor Roma quite well and often prints the pastor's sermons as well as testimonials from people in the Lesosibirsk Church. Through a translator, the editor remarked, "Your saws and hammers are changing centuries of history here in Russia." The message for us and all of you back home is that your step of faith can impact the world for Christ.
As we wrap up our first week here it has been amazing to hear the testimonies of church members and how Christ has transformed their lives from darkness to light. The church here has a tremendous outreach to alcoholics and drug addicts in their rehabilitation centers. We have seen with our own eyes how Christ has transformed their lives and given them hope again.
We think often about all of you back home and will be praying for you as we worship this Sunday at 10 a.m. (10 p.m. Saturday your time). We will sing "There's Power in the Blood" this Sunday. You can also pray for several people being baptised this Sunday at 8:30 a.m. in the Yenisey River which borders Lesosibirsk. We will pray for you and think about you at church on Sunday as we go to bed here.
We may not be able to post until Monday after lunch (our time). Keep your comments coming.
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16 comments:
Hi! Glad to receive another update. I just want to dance with pure joy for all that the Lord is doing thru you. :) The blogs are being posted in the narthex for all to read. Angie & I are trying to figure a way for the pictures to be shared on Sunday. Your update brought to mind a devotional I just read "The Whole World is Watching" by Jon Walker. His scripture ref John 13:35. By showing your love for one another (believers) the world is seeing your unity with the Father and each other, is doesn't matter if you are from Maple Rapids or from Siberia, you are one body. We too are watching thru your blogs and encouraging one other here as we share in your joys and your concerns. We will continue to lift up each one of you in our prayers. All for Him! Bubba & Nanette
Hello from the Miller household...I love to start my day out with the encouragement that I recieve from the blog! It makes me cry(Suprise) , but they are tears of pure joy and not of sadness! It is so uplifting to see how God's hand is all over the building of His church! We continue to pray for safety and good health! Remember...a smile goes a LONG way, especially when you can't speak their language! Love In Christ, The Millers Phil. 4:6-9
Shalom everyone! It's been great to read the updates and see the pictures! And also to think that you (especially my parents ;) are half way around the world building a church in Siberia! Amazing! As I read the posts, the one thing that jumped out to me most was thinking about how your lives are perhaps the biggest testimony of all! Like, imagining the locals wondering "why would a group of Americans leave everything that's comfortable to come here?...and to build a church? Maybe there's something more..." Way to be an incarnation of the gospel! Hi to mom and dad! Hi to Jared! Hi to Jerry! And hi to all the rest! Emma and I are praying for you all here from Phoenix!
Howz God's Squad today? I feel like a cheerleader...... Go Team go! Remember, Christ is working THROUGH youz! Since you won't be at MRCCC this sunday, let me give you a sneak peek at the sermon! The Lord has laid on my heart, "Ordinary people & Little things!" Listen to this quote by Blaise Pascal- "Let us do little things as though they were great, because of the majesty of Jesus Christ who does them in us and who lives our life; and do the greatest things as though they were little and easy, because of His omnipotence." Or how about these two by J. Hudson Taylor- #1......"All of God's great men have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on His being with them; they counted on His faithfulness!" #2-......"How often do we attempt work for God to the limit of our incompetency, rather than the limit of God's omnipotence?" And finally a quote from Phillip Brooks- "Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers that are equal to your tasks." John 15:5- "....apart from Me you can do nothing!" Phillipians 4:13- "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!" So if you ever catch yourself saying, "I can't do that." Then you are absolutely right and absolutely wrong! We are with youz! We are praying! We are proud! Be encouraged, through technology you are surrounded by 'a cloud of witnesses!' Build on in Jesus name! Jerry W. Keranen
Wow, what an amazing entry it was in the blog today! I know that many of us are used to getting stares, but now those stares, like Nick said, are actually making people think! And, even better, making them think about things they were created to think about. Who knew that being weird could be a ministry in and of itself? God is good in so many ways.
-Becca
P.S. Kristen, Paint says hi, I haven't told her that you were with another cat, she'll take the news hard, I'll break it to her gently. :)
Can't believe it's cooler here than it is in Siberia! Praying for relief from the heat. We'd love to see pictures of you with your host families! So great to hear from you. We're still praying. Love you!
-Joanne
Hi all!!!! Reading the blogs every day is very encouraging in so many different ways! Thanks so much. Sounds like things are going better than expected, praise God! Thank God that none of you have gotten seriously injured! I'll continue to pray for you all!
Love, Faith
p.s. miss you all, as well.
Hey! from the Verwey's. It's so wonderful to hear how God is working. It's been so encouraging to read your updates. Thank you so much! We've been praying for each one of you. Praying that God will continue to bless you and your efforts. Love and Miss you all. K, L and Z
A great big "Preevyet" to Roy, Jared, Jerry, and all the rest of the MRCC team! I've been praying for you daily, and have been dying to get an update on how you're doing. Nanette sent me a link to the blog this afternoon, and I just read through it and looked through the pictures, with tears and rejoicing. It's killing me to not be able to be there with my brother and nephew and supporting church - I tried hard to change my schedule so I could be with you in "my turf", but I couldn't make it happen.
I know you are being greatly impacted by the experience and relating to our brothers and sisters in Christ in Siberia. I can't wait to hear all the stories and testimonies of what God did in your hearts, in addition to the structure that you were able to build, by God's grace and for His glory.
Hey, make sure Roy keeps his hat on in that scorching Siberian sun! :-)
With love and prayers from your missionary with SEND,
Carl Kresge
Hi You All!
It amazes me that you folks are so hot and we are actually very cool. I think we reached 78 today with a stiff west wind all day. We had a very hard and fast storm yesterday as well. It rained 1/2 in. in 15 minutes. They say a tornado touched down in the St. Johns area. It was kind of a "flubber" day on the farm yesterday. Nothing major just some little bumps along a fairly smooth haul. I would imagine you all have experienced some of that. \"/ What God is teaching me in this is that if I get up and begin my day with Him and His agenda, nothing can be that much of a flub. He is so very good and blesses us through everything we are willing to see Him do and accomplish, we just need to be willing vessels. Thanks for the pictures and the diligence to keep communicating. We miss some more then others, \"/ but all very much. Ps.27:11
Love Kay
P.S. All the kids say hi Dad and miss you and Jared
Oh praise the Lord for you all! You cannot imagine the buzz your blog and pictures are creating here at home. Thank you for allowing us the privilege of sharing in your adventure. It is wonderful to pray for all you and know without a doubt that God will quickly answer those petitions. We miss you all very much but are thankful for Ephesians 2:10 work you are doing. Since Jerry II gave you a little sneak peak of the sermon, I thought I would give you a little sneak peak of the facilitating. It amazes me how God not only uses ordinary people to extraordinary things, but He intentionally sends them to minister outside their comfort zones. Think about the uneducated Peter sent to speak to the very educated Jews. Think about Paul the Pharisee among Pharisees given the task of sharing the gospel with the Gentiles. I believe He does this so there can be no mistake about who is doing the work and draw those He sends closely to His side. When we are aware that of our dependence on Him and His presence our relationship with Him changes dramatically. Only when we are close to Him do we receive the agape love He has for each one of us and are in turn able to pour that into the lives of others. So today, I am praying that your dependence on Him will increase and in turn your faith as well. I am petitioning the Lord to flood you with His grace and love beyond your wildest imagination so you may be strengthened and empowered to show that same unconditional love to those around you. Bless You All. We miss you so much.
Oh, dear ones...
How glad we have been for your news updates. Thank you for being so faithful in keeping us posted, even when you're tired. We know you are missed by your families, but we can see from the blogs that EVERYONE is growing in faith from your steps of obedience. Thanks for giving us glimpses into God's handiwork through you.
We know the Lord is inspiring you with words and actions both at the work site and in the homes. Your work among these precious people reminded us of a quote from Mother Teresa: "In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love." Shine on. We'll be praying for restoring sleep and cooler temps.
Lisa, for Dave and Joe
Hello! We want to encourage your hearts today by reminding you that there are people all over this country that are keeping you in their prayers. It is so neat that you are 12 hrs ahead in time. While you are sleeping I am awake praying for you especially Jerry, that you are able to get some good rest. Then as I awaken during the night I pray for you as you are working in the heat. I hope you are finding God to be everything you need in each and every situation. It is my prayer that you will know Him and His love in ways you have never known before.Col. 2:2,3 expresses my prayer for all of you..."that (you) may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that (you) may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that (you) may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Thanks so much for the updates. We are always anxious to read them and see how God is working both through you and in your own hearts as well. We are doing well here, but continue to miss you greatly. Love, Bonnie and family
Hi! All of you have been on my mind and in my heart this evening (my time). To think right now you have already started Monday. It is my hope that this last weekend you all were able to get alittle R & R. Now as you face the start of the week, it is my prayer that your day be a celebration of God's glory. We were able to share the pictures you have posted with the church. Thanks!!!!!
You have no idea how good it is to have 10 years of prayer and dreams being fulfilled. My heart is there even if I am not--this time.We are making excellant progress on our own project though."hi" to the church there from us
Hello to each of you. You have all been on our minds and in our daily prayers. We look forward and are excited to read the blogs each day, even Faith and Conner like listening to the blogs and are also praying for the entire team. God is so awesome working through each one of you. Our continue prayers for your health, rest, energy and relief from the heat.
Hi You All,
Hope your Monday has begun very well and you are trusting in the Lord's abiding love and strength.Joe, what a blessing you gave Bev this morning. I have never seen her so weepy, she certainly enjoyed hearing from you. I also wanted to pass along this information to those of you who share this interest. The Counsil approved the Perspectives class to begin the process with the Deacons kind of heading it up. It was a good meeting and John Warnke was there presenting it.
Roy, Derek wanted to let you know that 10 cows have freshened since you left and only one calf didn't survive the birthing. (and it was a bull)It is so neat to know that so many people are praying for you and for each other at home, what a neat family God has!Aren't we so priveleged to be a part. Keep working hard for Jesus. We love you guys!
Love Kay
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