Russian greetings!

Greetings of God's Peace, Love and Grace to you all!

I am working a night shift this October 30th evening then in the early morning, about an hour after I get home, I will begin to make my way to the mainland airport in Vancouver where I will board a flight bound for Russia!  Brother Brian Niemitalo will head in the same direction as I am, but from his home way in the east in South Carolina, and if all goes well, with God's good grace, we'll meet up in Moscow on November 1st in the late afternoon.
 
Once again Brian and I have a very busy schedule for the month we will spend in Russia.  Actually, we will take a side trip for a few days to Simferopol, Ukraine, to make good on an invitation brothers Brian and Misha Krupinov received from a family (visiting from Ukraine) who they met in Russia on their last trip.

They say it is very cold in Moscow right now. I was warned just this morning from a Russian friend who said “Greg, you be sure to bring warm winter clothes!” but I hear that in Simferopol one can expect +20 degree weather, as this city is located in the far south very close to the black sea.  

Brian with Russian college students

                                                            Gregory with Russian friends.

I request your precious prayers for the whole of our November Russian trip, and in particular right now for the time we will spend in Simferopol, Ukraine, which will be during the first days of November.  We are just not sure what the Lord is opening for us there in Simferopol, but we certainly expect and witness His hand in it all.
After Simferopol we will visit Schekino and Rzhev, which are cities in western Russia near Moscow, then we will head on east via train to the Chuvash, Mari, and Udmurt republics, then finally on to the Ural Mountains and Ekaterinburg.  Along our way we will be visiting many different cities, villages, churches, homes, universities and colleges.  Our purpose is to preach the gospel of repentance and remission of sins; to plant the seeds of the blessed salvation gospel in the soils of the heart. 

Please pray that in each venue and situation we are lead to, that the Lord would work in us, and that we would recognize His work, imparting His saving grace to as many as He has called.

.
In His love,

Gregory,

October Foreign Mission Monthly News

Endeavoring to obey the Word of our Lord...Go ye into all the lands and preach the Gospel to every creature.

From South Africa: TILL THE STORM PASSES OVER Last night we held services in this church in Ikageng in Northwest Province. Storm clouds were gathering as we entered. I was speaking from Revelations 7 as the storm broke over this little shack in full fury... Jonas was translating. The wind shrieked, thunder crashed, lightening flashed continually and rain plummeted down. We spoke louder and louder. Finally the din was so great and the metal sheets that held the shack together were banging so threatenly that I could only shout, "In heaven above there will be not more storms, fear, pain or sorrow when our robes are washed white by faith in the blood of the Lamb!!" Then I quickly said a prayer and the benediction and we all scurried for home. Next to where we were staying three shacks collapsed in the storm and Leona and Jonas went to help the people try to save some of their possessions in the deluge. "Keep me safe..." Dennis Hilman (picture by Leona Matson) You can follow your Foreign Mission Pastor Dennis Hilman on Facebook at Dennis Hilman.  The Foreign Mission has a facebook site at Foreign Mission where you can follow us also,  as well as at the FM Newsblog at www.foreignmissionnewsblog.blogspot.com Word from the Field: (The below is part of the monthly Pastors Report from Guatemala)  The Lord gave us the opportunity to complete all the things we had in our program for this month. Zacapa: We had all our services on Sundays and Wednesdays. We thank God because our attendance remains in both services. Juan Ponce:   Thank God also because we see also how the attendance in Juan Ponce remains. Piedras Azules:   We have now two new houses open for home services on Tuesdays. Praise God for it. This new people are able to receive us in their house to preach the Gospel.    About home visits: I made home visits in Zacapa and Juan Ponce this month. It is always a blessing to visit our brothers and sisters at their place and to share time with them knowing better each other. Support options  Email or click on the Donate link above for regular support options. Special projects Only funded with earmarked funds > Main church building in South Africa (any amount) > Bicycles for poor pastors ($80 each) Verse of the Month:   1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. Upcoming events > Dennis and Raymond Hilman will be going to the Philippines during the last week of this month into Novermber. Please pray for that time of ministry! > Gregory Greve and Brian Niemitalo are going to Russia in early Novermber. Please remember them as well! > Kenya, India, Ghana, Togo, and Liberia are upcoming trips as well. Some of these trips may be able to accept a few more people. Email: foreignmission@comcast.net for up to date information. Prayer and praise > The Foreign Mission had a wonderful yearly planning meeting in October! Please pray for the entire board as they desire to follow the Lord's leading. The FM board members along with their positions are:  Bob Maki : Chairman, Dan Olin: Vice Chairman, Secretary: Scott Niemitalo, Vice Sec. Gregory Greve, Treasure: Al Traffie, Vice Treasure: Tom Lappi Trustees: Chad Kuivanen, Shane Juuti, Brian Niemitalo > About 17 trips were planned to 13 countries during this years meeting. We know that the Lord decides, so please pray that His will be done! > Pastor Sylvester in Kenya has been released from the hospital. $2400 remains to be paid on his bill. Feel free to continue to help with that bill.

www.themissionsite.com | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Mailing address for DONATIONS: The Foreign Mission 1601 NW 4th Avenue Battle Ground, Washington 98604 Add us to your address book Mailing address for CORRESPONDENCE: The Foreign Mission of the ALC 63 Poor Farm Road New Ipswich, NH 03071 Copyright © 2012 The Foreign Mission, All rights reserved.

Hello from South Africa

Dumelang! Hello from South Africa!

Dennis Hilman and I (Leona Matson) arrived in South Africa just over a week ago and we've been busy since we arrived! Here are some pictures that give an overview of what we've been up to!

Much of my time is spent with the children. Here is the most recent group of kids I've taught. We were talking about who Jesus is, why He came to earth, and how much He loves us!

 One day last week we went to the prison to visit a friend of ours who is awaiting trial. We arrived just after eight and were able to visit for 10 minutes at about 10 o'clock!

These wonderful ladies are from the Thausanang congregation. We were with them last Sunday. Their congregation is mostly children! There are 20 or 30 kids and about 10 adults.

This was taken during an evening service held in Sufurbult last night. After the service we had a time of prayer for the sick. You can see Dennis' silhouette as he prays for a lady who came forward for prayer.

 Today we had pastors' seminars. Here are some of the pastors who attended. There were nine pastors and church leaders in all.

Isn't God's creation marvelous!? I've been here just over a week and I've taken dozens of sunset pictures. Dennis and I are here in South Africa for another couple weeks. Please pray for our time here, specifically for our friend's court case tomorrow, for the Letlape family who just lost their grandfather (we go to the funeral tomorrow), and for the big youth conference that comes up in a week and a half.

God's Peace to all!