Roof, Rain and Relationships

The past week has been riddled with rain. For some portion of everyday we have had to stop work because of the rain, yet the work continues.

With the help of Lena (our translator) and four of the Russian brothers, the main roof is complete and the platform for the steeple is finished. Some of the window openings have been boarded up for winter and more wood siding has been put on.

Since rain has slowed down the progress, we have taken advantage of the time to have some Bible training. Bob has been teaching from the Word of God daily. There have been some good questions and great discussions.
Lena has fairly good mastery of the English language and has been much help. We are enjoying prayer time and fellowship with those who work along side of us in this work.

News:

Pasha (Paul, the youth pastor) was recently given a scholarship to attend a year long Bible college in another city. We are rejoicing with him at this opportunity. We know that this will give him the skills he needs to serve God's people more effectively.

Ira continues to visit with us. She is an 18 year old young woman who lives in Lesosibirsk, but got connected with the church through a youth festival in Krasnoyarsk. Ira tells us that although she has not repented, she is thinking about it. We are thrilled that she frequently comes and spends time with us. She came to our apartment (the Ivins') recently and spent a few hours with us. She speaks a little English and is very curious about us, but we sense that it is the Holy Spirit of God that is drawing her. Pray for Ira's soul. It may be difficult for her at home if she chooses God, but we pray that she will.

Volva -many who have been here this summer will remember Volva (Volodia). He is a hard working willing servant. Recently Volva has diasappeared. We fear he has returned to drinking. Please pray that he will think clearly enough to once again reach out for help and find his way back to the rehabilitaion center.

We have learned today that a women's Bible training will be getting a "kick-off" this Saturday. This is a very wonderfully exciting work since there are no such things for women here. It is a 6 year commitment. They will start with the fundamentals of the faith and move on to cover such things as older women training the younger, marriage, and children. This training began in Russia in 1999 and has spread all over Russia, but it is new in Lesosibirsk. They will meet once a month in smaller groups then twice a year for the entire region. It is exciting to consider what this will mean to the Christian women in the area.

Please keep praying for the work here both physical and spiritual. We will try to update at least one more time this month.

Team 3 Update

Today, Tuesday, we continue to praise God for the good weather to work. The work was steady putting up the metal roof. Panels were completed on the east side. One quarter of the west side was completed by evening.

We also have been training the Russian brothers to continue the work with Bob Ivans after we leave tomorrow.

Dave says, "Hi", to Janice. He sends his love. The team is looking forward to seeing all our family members. We have been greatly blessed to have had this experience with fellow believers in a distant land.

Team 3 Starts week 2

On Saturday, we worked on the roof again. It was exciting to see the first sheets of metal roofing going up.

Then on Sunday, we had a wonderful day to go to Pastor Roma's church and share in song and testimony what the Lord has done for us. Gary and Linda sang the duet, "We Press On". Dan and Marianne shared testimonials and Linda finished with another song.
The sermon was about forgiving offenses.

After church, we visited their rehab center for alcoholics, drug addicts, and the homeless outside the city. We saw many familiar faces that work with us on the project and enjoyed hearing their stories.

We learned two of our workers were graduating to move into a more independent lifestyle. The church furnishes housing for the most successful clients at
$25. a month, if they will work.

Monday we continued work on the roof. By lunch, 80% of the roofing on one side, had been completed. The Russian crew helped with the roof and filling cracks along the foundation. We had a very productive day with only minor cuts.

Progress

Thursday, August 2, 2007
May Jesus Christ Be Praised

We had real progress with sunny skies. The team worked on putting on the vapor barrier. We reached the peak, putting in the purlins as we climbed.

The front pulpit area was clad in siding boards, thanks in part to this church's youth pastor, Paul. Paul also has talents in building steeples. He did the gold overlay on the Russian Orthodox Church in Lesosibirsk. He drew out his vision of our steeple as green with a gold cross. This would match the new tin roof, which will be similar to green Mexican tile.

The excavator arrived and is digging around the foundation. This will reveal any cracks left by the contractor which need to be filled with mortar. It will take several days to finish.

Our health is all good. Thanks to you for your continued prayer support.

Progress