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.