Lesosibirsk: Reconciliation Church Project 2008

May 30,20

Blagoslovenia! (Blessings to you!)


At this writing we have been in Russia a little over two weeks and although much has transpired, we still can’t believe how quickly the time has passed. After spending a week in Krasnoyarsk, we were very happy to travel to Lesosibirsk…this is our purpose for being here. Our first stop in Lesosibirsk was the church property (the Tserkaf) and before we knew it we were surrounded and warmly greeted by Genadi, Pastor Roma, Dima, and Elena. It was a wonderful reunion.


The next few days we were busy with finding an apartment. Natasha (our friend from last summer who opened her home to several team members) offered her apartment for us and the missionaries to stay in while searching. After two days of searching, the Lord provided us with a fairly nice apartment. We have only a kitchen, bathroom and living room, but it is adequate for our needs. We have had to buy a sofa/bed and a few other items, but we are now set up and running!


On Sunday Bob was given the opportunity to preach, so he shared some of what we have been learning about God’s plan for missions and challenged the Russian believers to consider that God may be asking some of them to take the gospel to areas outside their local region. Our time in church greeting old friends and meeting some new ones was great and we look forward to more weeks of worship with our Russian brothers and sisters in Christ. Robin came prepared with CEF materials and Pastor Roma has asked if she if would like to teach Sunday School for the rest of the summer and she is eager to do that!


Bob found that there is plenty to do at the church property. At least for now there seems to be money to buy needed materials. We have been working all week with several men from the rehab center doing some concrete work and preparing for the bricklayers to do their work. We are pleased that there is much to do.


We want to encourage all of you who are praying for us and for this work, that yours prayers do make a difference. We had almost no problem with jet-lag and the time change, we found an apartment at an excellent location-right next to the worksite, we are communicating in Russian, making purchases, etc, with some ease, although we must sound like children, we are remembering many words that we have studied…actually understanding some things that people are saying to us! Thank you for your faithful, faith-filled prayers. They support us greatly.


For those of you who have been praying for Vova, he has returned to the rehab center. He is struggling with his alcoholism, but is once again turning to God for help! If you have prayed for Ira, she has not been in church but has asked to go with us this week! It has to be God’s Spirit that is drawing her, because although we can barely communicate, but she is very happy to see us again. Please pray for her some more. Ira needs Jesus.



We plan to attempt to update this blog once a week, so keep checking. From the other side of the world, resting in God's faithful, loving care, Da svee danya!