Philippines- Dennis

Philippine Photo Fare
There are so many sides to the Philippines. Our team of Colin Kinnunen, John Ruotsala, Karl Somero, Frat Aho, Randy Kinnunen, Leona Matson, Jada Questad and Julie Matson saw many of those sides after we met up in Manila on January 19. First we all flew to Cagayan do Oro on the southern island of Mindanao where we got started with our church meetings and home visits. Then it was up in the very northernmost tip of that island where the majority of our mission efforts took place near the city of Surigao at a place called Kitcharao. I know you won't remember all of these names but you might have a bit of fun pronouncing them or looking them up on Google Earth! Maybe for you these places might seem like the ends of the earth since they are exactly on the opposite side of the globe from New Hampshire, for instance. Mindanao, by the way is an island that in itself is bigger than Ireland and even bigger than 122 entire countries on this earth! It also has the largest Muslim population in the Philippines.

 Little Drummer Boy. On our very first evening at the Overcomers Apostolic Lutheran Church in Kitcharao the service was getting underway. As the singing began this little drummer took his place behind the drums - an essential instrument in Philippine services where there is no organ or piano.  At first I thought he was just there on a childish whim but soon it was evident that he was serious. He accompanied many of the songs with perfect rhythm, talent and sensitivity during the evening - and then even at some of the bigger services later that weekend. Seeing him there so completely engaged in what he was doing brought to mind some of the children God had called at an early age in the Bible, like Samuel, David and Jeremiah. Truly an inspiration!

 River village - the focus of our team outreach mission effort on Friday in Igpit.   Each member of our ALCA team was designated to go with a Filipino team of about nine people each (we formed nine teams in all) and went out to this river village to visit homes, pray with the villagers and hold services. What an experience that was! - uniting our mission efforts to count for Jesus and really putting into practice what we were learning. All the homes in this village were built on stilts since the river floods their village a times in the rainy season.

 Here is our Filipino team with a family of villagers. We called our team "The Burning Bush". Team leader Jun-Ed Senonis on the left. We shared from the Bible and prayed very specific prayers with this family. The young couple at the far end were planning a February wedding, the young women in the blue and green flowered dress was in labour at that very time(!) and the mother in the middle needed acute prayers for the financial well-being of her family as well as peace and unity in their home.

 After our home visits we gathered by the shores of the Mindanao Sea - actually an extension of the Pacific Ocean - for a service in the village church. Later the children and many others thronged around John and Leona on the shore.

 Home from school - a typical overloaded motorbike scene - here bringing village kids home from school since the only way to reach the village is on foot, bicycle or motorbike.

 Pastor Bert Senonis, the driving force behind the Overcomers Apostolic Lutheran churches on Mindanao, with his wife and adopted daughter. While we were there this little Giveth Lynn became very ill and was diagnosed with acute leukemia. She was hospitalized immediately but the doctors say that there is a very good prognosis for complete healing from the type of leukemia she has with proper care and medication. This frail little girl needs our prayers.

 A beautiful lake in the mountain country of northern Mindanao - taken from the balcony of our hotel room there. In the clear, clean and warm water I even went swimming one evening with some of the others.

Our big service on Sunday with over 500 people in attendance and about 14 different churches represented. God gave me to speak on the women at the well of Sychar - how Jesus opened the discussion with this "foreign" woman by asking, "Give me to drink". That question and Jesus' response echo still through the world wherever people are thirsting for the Living Water. You can see Colin, Karl and John in the front row. Julie, Jada and Leona are largely hidden behind them.

At an impromptu wayside stop, Frat Aho shares his passion for bringing Christ to the people through his beautiful gift of music - with those who happened to be standing around. This is what mission is all about, sharing the gifts that God has given us and the message of the Gospel of Jesus "in season and out of season!" Frat and Randy Kinnunen sang everywhere we went and proved to be a great blessing to our mission effort.
We spent one week in the Philippines before our team divided up - part going to India and part of us to Vietnam. More on that later.
I really love to share my "wanderings" with you. I just pray that God would bless you as He does me with them.
In His love and wondrous peace,

Dennis

India

Please find the below pictures and comments by Julie!  These show the Mission from the eyes of the youth, who are the church today! 

 These “Angels” were helping to tell a bible story. The Children love being able to see the messages in action and be able to be a part of it.  Daniel and the Lions Den is certainly one of the favorites.

 This man is an excellent driver/body guard. He was with us everywhere we went while we were in the city.  He suffered from a stoke about a year ago and was healed. Since then he has been attending church and it’s a beautiful thing that he was with us. Although he was there to serve us our prayer is that every message spoken and every word said as we ministered to children. The large services appeared to speak  to him as well.

The women at a village church were happy to show us the well that was donated.  

 We gave special gifts to those with Leprosy; this man had such a smile on his face the whole time!

At the ALC Home, morning begins long before the sun comes up. It was a treasure to wake up and all the children came to me saying “good morning”. They then one by one came to the well to pump water to bath with.

There will be more posts coming from the other travelers!  Please check back!

Youth on a Mission!

It is so wonderful to have young people on a mission trip!  The Foreign Mission is so thankful for the entire team as they have served so wonderfully!   Here are some pictures and explainations from Lana regarding the work they did in India with the children at a school in the slums.

  The children really enjoyed playing “Jada Says”.  It took them a few rounds to understand the concept, but once they caught on, it was hard to get them out!

This girl really stood out in her brilliant blue dress.  The colors in India are so vivid!

Here we are with the entire group of children we ministered to in the slum church.

One of the elderly women from the Quarry Market Church waiting to present Pastor Phil with a garland.   This is a very poor church where not many years ago the pastor was beheaded during the service!  God has be with us and has protected us on the trip, and we pray that it would continue!

Please continue to pray!

The door is ajar!

The lady below came to work at the community building that was right next to our open tent where we were conducting services.   Soon, we noticed that she was making work just to stay there to hear.  Finally, she gave up and sat in the door that was ajar to listen!  

This was a Hindu lady hearing the Word of God most likely for the first time in her life!    We pray for her and the about 1 billion other Indian people that do not know Jesus as their Saviour.  

We pray the door would be left ajar for a while still, so more can hear the Word of God.

The man below, could not help himself from stopping to listen as he pedaled by!   God knows the hearts of these two, and we know He is in control!  May He cause their ears to hear! 

From India!

The Foreign Mission is so thankful that the entire team has safely arrived in India.

After about 1 hour of rest, we all went to the pastors' training sessions, where 150 pastors were already gathered.   

After having garlands placed on our necks,

and each of our 8 team members were introduced,

 the ladies left and went to begin teaching the children at a slum area school.  

It is wonderful to be able to cover several aspects of the work in the Lord's Kingdom at one time in this way.


After the pastors' training sessions are over, we will all be together for the large convention-type services where up to 2000 people are expected.

Please keep this time in your prayers, as we know that we can do nothing in ourselves.  

To God be the Glory!

The Philippines

Greetings from the Philippines!

Thank you for your prayers for safe travels! Please continue to pray for this time, as we know our strength only comes from the Lord.

We are so thankful that even after some late flights, missed flights, and 2 days of flying, we all ended up at our destination in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines on schedule!

Here we must stay in a hotel since the people do not have homes of the sort to fit our bunch into.   The first night we went to the church on the hill, where many tires filled with mud in the only way up.   It is wonderful to worship in this hiltop church where the sound can waft out over the entire village below!

On Thurday our venue was changed to a borrowed larger open air (top floor, no side walls) church in the city.  Here Dennis Hilman did the biblical teaching/preaching on God's Plan, and sermons were  preached.  Singing was also an important part of the day, as was the praying and individual fellowship with our Christian friends in this country!.

It again is a huge blessing to have young people on the trip.  They are such a blessing to the people here as they sing, do home visits, pray, and do many other things in the mission field.   Thank you for coming, Julie, Jada, Leona! (Julie Matson and Jad Questan pictured)

Today the pastor here has seen fit that the people at this "little convention" are put into action in the battle for souls.  We are going to the villages homes in small groups, and will be going home to home speaking to people, praying for them, inviting them to church, and so forth!   As servants of the Lord, we will go and do as directed by our hosts! 

On Saturday we drive 7 hours to a different city to have several services in that area, including a large gathering of multiple churches on Sunday.

Until we can update again!  
In His Service, The Philippino Crew!






                                              
                                                                   

FM Monthly News Report.

Note: The trip reports are immediately below this News Report


Note: For a copy of this report in a better format, please email foreignmission@comcast.net 
(this is shortened!)

January 2011 Foreign Mission News Report


Dear monthly readers! God’s Peace!
The Foreign Mission desires that each person reading this would have a most Blessed New Year in our Lord. Let this be a year in which we count our very many blessings, realizing that all good and perfect gifts come from above.

Let’s remember each day, to be so thankful for our daily bread. It is scriptural that we work by the sweat of our brow. However, let us also know that it is God whom provides our daily bread and all of life’s real necessities. Let’s not look at all the waves of trouble around us, rather let us gaze heavenward upon our Lord, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus and what He has saved us from and for, by His life, suffering, death, and resurrection.

The Foreign Mission desires to thank each of you for your wonderful and generous support in 2010. Many have prayed, some have physically joined us in the mission field, and many have supported with financial donations. You will be getting a receipt for all 2010 donations within the month.


Below is a quick snap shot view of what the Lord has allowed your Foreign Mission to do in His Vineyard in 2010.
May all Glory, Honor, Praise, and Thanksgiving go to our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ!


The Lord’s Work through the Foreign Mission. 2010 At a Glance!



• The Word of God was proclaimed by ALCA preachers in numerous countries around the world. The Word of God was heard by great multitudes of people. Listed here are the countries actually visited, followed by an estimated number of people attending services on these trips.. (we understand it is not in the numbers, and we are so thankful for each person that is transformed by the gospel!) Also listed is the number of indigenous pastors that were under the hearing and teaching of the Word of God on these mission trips.

1) Philippines About 2000 Pastors 40

2) India 10,000 Pastors 300

3) Russia, 500 Pastors 4

4) Guatemala 500 Pastors 3

5) South Africa 3000 Pastors 10

6) Ghana 400 Pastors 6

7) Kenya 400 Pastors 20

8) Liberia 1500 Pastors 8

9) Togo 800 Pastors 37

10) Sri Lanka 300 Pastors 2

11) Latvia 300 Pastors 2

NOTE: In most of these countries, the number of people that attend services in congregations whose pastors have been under the hearing of the Word of God on these trips, far exceeds the numbers above. For instance in India alone, the number of congregants is more like 120,000 people. In fact the best available number of members in ALCA churches outside the USA is about 140,000.

Other Highlights of 2010



• Bibles were handed out by our missionaries in the following countries. Liberia, Kenya, India, The Philippines


• Baptisms took place in many of the countries visited.


• Confirmation classes held in Guatemala


• Sunday School teaching and instruction in South Africa by FM sent person.

• Special large services sponsored by the FM were held in Apostolic Lutheran Church of Pakistan at Christmas and Easter.


• Earthquake relief in Haiti ( a small earmarked special donation)


• Bible College Support in Myanmar

• Orphan support (through special earmarked donations) in India and Kenya
• Donations of numerous bicycles (for poor pastors: to help them reach more people) and musical instruments (for churches) in India.


• Drilling of 12 wells in India to provide water for poor Indian Christians. (private donations)
• Church construction in India (1 church) and Guatemala (1 church + renovations) Again, all by private donations.

• Skype sermons to India monthly.


• The Weekly Diner was published weekly reaching thousands of people each week.
• Website available to the world at www.themissionsite.com
• Too many other items to list here…. MAY GOD BE THANKED


The Foreign Mission Monthly News and Prayer Requests


• The Foreign Mission is so thankful all the missionaries that were in the field in December (since your last monthly email) have made it safely home. 

• Pictures from the Kenya trip are available for viewing by clicking here: http://imageevent.com/aalchurch/kenyatrip
• Please pray for the FM Mission trips that depart this month to The Philippines, Vietnam, and India. Pray for safety, and revelation by the Holy Spirit to both the missionaries and the hearers of the Word of God. We are so thankful that many youth are participating in these trips as well! Updates will be put on the blog (above) during the trip.

Specific projects available for individual donors to participate in this month!

Email: foreignmission@comcast.net to participate

Note: direct feedback will be received by donors; i.e.: pictures, videos, names!


• Help for children in Kenya who have no parents or orphanage to live at. (housed by Pastor Charles whom we just visited. Need: Donations for blankets, pillows, food, and wood to make beds so they do not have to sleep on mud floors. (all donations should be monetary, and items will be purchased in Kenya)


• Plot of land for a much needed church building in Ghana. People have worshiped for 5 years in a home, and now they need a church in order to continue.
• Church in Guatemala still needs completion.


• Motorbikes for poor pastors. (for areas that bicycles are not suitable due to distances and road conditions)


http://www.themissionsite.com/
******************************************************************************



Regular Support Options and Programs



Here are various ways that you can help in the mission field!


• Foreign Mission General Fund. (any amount welcomed!)

• 12 Month Pledge Program ($10 per mo. and up)

• Indigenous Pastor support ($30 per month per pastor) Names and pictures given.

• Full time Missionary support ($200 per quarter) Dennis Hilman

• Orphan and children support ($30 per month.) in ALC Home in India Pictures and videos supplied.

• Bible and other book purchases ($30 min.)

• Bicycles for pastors ($80 ea. picture given)

• Memorial Funds

• Endowment Funds

• Mission Hospital in India 

TO Donate online go to http://www.themissionsite.com/ 



Email: for more info if desired at foreignmission@comcast.net


To Donate by check in response to this email: The Foreign Mission 1601 NW 4th Avenue, Battle Ground, WA 98604


May God Bless your Month and Year!

Special Fresh Greetings from Liberia to wish you a warm and wonderful New Year!

In the middle of December Paul Somero and I returned from a blessed time out in the eastern Liberian backwoods of Grand Gedeh County - actually a state. We were based it's capital of Zwedru which is quite close to the border of the troubled Ivory Coast.

The 10-11 hour ride each way from the capital city of Monrovia would even have been worse than ever except that this time we got hold of an air-conditioned Jeep-type vehicle. The bone-jarring jolts along the entire journey were not softened much by the Jeep but we did avoid all those hours of billowing red dust in the car that we have had to put up with on previous trips as well as the excessive sweating since most days were in the 90's. When we got to Zwedru we found the church there and the other churches in the area to be in an active and healthy condition.

Site of the ruins of the original church in Zwedru. This church was actually visited by both Pastors Andrew Mickelson and Gus Kandoll in the early 1970's. Later destroyed during the long civil war that only ended five years ago. "Mama Taru" the woman in this picture, was the wife of the late president of the church in Liberia. She was present at this church building during the visits of Mickelson and Kandoll! On the left is Pastor Othello S.Tyne, President of the Apostolic Lutheran Church in Liberia. Beside him Evangelist D. Christian Bowah.

Presenting Bibles to the Lieutenant Governor. In Zwedru our first obligation was to go to report in to the Governor of the state of Grand Gedeh (quite a grand name for a not-so-grand reality). He actually was unable to receive us just when we arrived at the state offices but the lieutenant governor welcomed us and received the gifts of Bibles we had brought for three of the top officials that day. For the Governor we had prepared a special leather-bound volume.

Later the Governor himself (on the left in red/orange shirt) had a special audience for us thanking us profusely for the beautiful Bible he had received and confessing a warm and living faith in Jesus Christ. Through his office and by his special personal sanction and assistance we were able to schedule a unique crusade evening in the main square of the city (which is actually a triangle) that Saturday night, which I will return to later.

While in the office of the lieutenant governor we were also promised permission to visit the local prison. Here outside the prison walls with the Prison Director (in the white T-shirt) and some of the staff of the UN Security Force (from India) who guard the prison.

This developed into two visits to the rather new prison. During the first one about 35 inmates were gathered and enthusiastically received the Word - singing from the heart their songs of faith and joy (above). At that time we arranged to return a few days later and deliver about 50 Bibles to the prisoners - that is ten Bibles for each of their five blocks, totalling 150 prisoners.

What happened when we returned with the Bibles on Tuesday is almost indescribable. When we approached the gates we heard powerful singing. "They are waiting for you!" the prison director announced as he met us at the gate. And were they ever!!! A great majority of all of the 150 prisoners were now gathered in the main room singing with POWER and enthusiasm. We were in no way expecting this since we thought we were just going to drop off the Bibles. But there we all were suddenly on the platform and I was preaching a completely un-prepared but Spirit-given sermon to one of the most enthusiastic crowds I have even had the humble honour of facing. When I invited any of them who felt the weight of sin upon their hearts and consciences to come forward in confession before the Heavenly Father, first one man came trembling forward and then another and another until at least half of the men were crowded around the podium in penitence with bowed heads receiving the blessed Gospel assurance of the forgiveness of all of their sins in Jesus name and atoning blood.

And then when they all sang afterwards there were no more bars left around their hearts and souls and it was as if the roof would just fly off. God is so wonderfully good and so is the Chassel congregation for donating the Bibles to this prison and many other people in need of them during this week.

For all of the Bibles we were able to deliver those days in Zwedru we owe a great debt of gratitude, as I said, to the to the Chassel Congregation and Matthew and James Niemela. 172 very nice regular KJV Bibles, 10 in the local language (most people in Liberia are very well versed in English and read their Bible in English), and 15 big large print leather bound Bibles were purchased at the Bible Society in Liberia.

These were transported by car from Monrovia to Zwedru. Here with a Liberian friend Pastor Natt.

Family father in Zwedru with his cherished new Bible. Most people are literate and well-versed in English

After the regular worship service on Sunday it was time to begin morning Bible studies for members of the Zwedru congregation, as well as those of other local congregations, from Monday to Thursday. Brother Paul and I shared the responsibility for these four day sessions.....which actually turned out to be far more in-depth and richer than we had anticipated. On Wednesday evening the four days of revival services began. But who would have anticipated that it would be the Governor himself who recommended the main city square as the venue for the final one on Saturday evening.....and then to even offer his support to see that we could pull it off with God's help!! The revival services on Wednesday-Friday evenings were held at the church and were very well attended but the crusade evening on Saturday night really broke the barriers.

Most fortunately when God provided us with a driver from Monrovia to Zwedru He not only provided us with someone who could manoeuvre a car well on those awful roads hour upon hour (note all those extra gallons of gas for the road), but in the same wonderful person, named Otis Pope, he provided a living Christian brother, a sound and light technician and a talented musician! It was Otis who organized everything technical for Saturday evening - including a projector (provided by Paul) and big screen so that everyone could follow what was happening . He also took responsibility for seeing that there were plenty of lights, microphones and speakers to cover the necessities. He was everywhere, capable of "everything". A driver mind you! A simple driver!

(In this picture he is dressed in preparedness for the long journey from Monrovia to Zwedru - IN AIR CONDITIONING. Africans aren't used to that!)

Getting ready for the big evening - before it got dark. Darkness always falls just after 6:00 p.m. in Liberia. Paul and I standing with Pastor Dickson Dweh, vice president of the Apostolic Lutheran Church of Liberia and head pastor of the church in Zwedru.

A gifted and devoted group of some 20 "prayer warriors" led the praise and worship prelude and assisted throughout the whole evening. Some of the men are missing in this picture, which was taken before the evening began, because they were involved in setting things up.

Preaching in the central "square". Uncounted people gathered in the rather dark perimeters around us, making it difficult to get a good picture of them.

After the sermon on the Good Samaritan an invitation went out to anyone who "had been left by the wayside", who were burdened by sin, guilt, doubt or fear, and then at least 50 or 60 especially young people and even children came forward in penitence to confess their faith, receive the absolution in Jesus name and blood and a fervent prayer for their souls. And through it all the Governor sat in the front row and even brought his own short powerful personal message before the sermon. It was all truly exhilarating and very humbling......and all on the big screen (which could be seen from both front and back!) for the whole town to see (and hear). The first of it's kind in the state of Grand Gedeh!


We estimated that over a thousand people crowded around that big main triangle of the city on that Saturday night. It was awesome and inspiring (and for me who was scheduled to speak, a bit daunting!). It was also awesome to see how the Zwedru congregation conducted the big service that evening.

Sunday we had a very special long service at the church which was particularly characterized as a farewell occasion for Paul and me. In addition to my sermon there was a lot of special music and singing after which they presented a special certificate of appreciation for the teaching and preaching God had allowed me to do and Paul and I were robed in special chieftain's shirts and given Liberian names. (That's Pastor Dickson on the left and Evangelist Chrsitian on the right). I have already sent a picture of Paul and me in our chieftain's togas with my Christmas letter so I won't repeat that here. That Sunday service was a wonderful celebration which concluded a truly blessed twelve days in Zwedru.

"We're in this together!". Paul comforting an older Liberian sister. Making this trip together with Paul was a most rewarding experience. He is such a wonderfully compassionate, generous and spiritually-minded person who makes a difference wherever he goes! It was Paul or Paul's camera that took most of the pictures included in this article.

Back at our unique Hotel Kendeja by the Atlantic Ocean in Monrovia, the capital city of Liberia. At this hotel every day at 8:00 we were able to gather in a part of the laundry room with the service staff of the hotel to share in their morning devotions - in the Word, in prayer and in singing spiritual songs. How refreshing!! That's Liberia!


So do have a blessed New Year and keep me in mind as I head to S.E. Asia on January 17, God willing.


In God's love and peace,   Dennis

Updates

• The Russian trip is now complete as you can read below.
• The Liberia trip is almost complete: please pray for safe return for the missionaries there. 
• An update will be posted here within a few days about the Liberia trip
• Please scroll down this blog to see Kenya articles.   Click here for pictures of that trip,,   http://imageevent.com/aalchurch/kenyatrip    

Home from Russia!

We have been home from Russia a week now. Both Shane and Brian have reported back to me that they made it home safe and sound as well. I arrived home late last Friday night, then went to work the next morning at 5:30am. Nothing like jumping right back into my Canadian life! I don't know why it is, some kind of mental processing perhaps, but every time I come home from Russia I spend a week or two dreaming vividly every night that I am still there. The other morning as I awoke, for instance, I lay in bed trying for a few very intensive moments to remember just where I was in Russia. When I finally realized I was home, I felt a real emptiness. The Lord has put Russia and her children so deeply upon my heart, that I am never really far from her in spirit, prayer, or thought. She truly is a very large part of my day and life, even when I am not there.



Both Brian and Shane agree with me that our 3 week trip to Russia was very blessed. We worked that time with barely a rest, from early morning to late evening, traveling, fellowshipping, encouraging and being encouraged by brothers and sisters in Russia, but also meeting with many many non-believers. Actually, there are relatively few non-believers in Russia. Of course faith in God in Russia is more a cultural phenomena than an actual living faith reality. An example of this is a story Sister Oksana Makarova related about one young Russian man she met who adamantly insisted that Russian didn't need Christians because, "We are Orthodox not Christian!"


Still, this Russian cultural faith, however shallow or misguided, offered us much opportunity to open discussion about real faith and about living for Jesus Christ. Most Russians are quite open to discussion about faith, but cultural traditions run deep. Unfortunately relatively few Russians own a bible and fewer yet have ever opened one. So this is the reason we are sent, to preach the gospel and to bring deeper understanding of the precious Christian faith to Russia. I know from experience, and by faith, that the Word we share does not return void. The Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ is certainly alive and at work in Russia.



In Photos:  (explaination is above each photo)
 Visiting Christian brother and university teacher, Victor Ivanov (in seat beside Greg) and one of his evening English language classes at the Chuvash State University. Below is an excerpt of a letter Victor sent me today:

"Dear Gregory!
Thank you again for being such a blessing! I am really grateful to you all for the gospel sharing. My students, especially the ones attending the evening courses, began to get interested in the Christ. For example, today  at the end of the lesson we spoke about the Christ and what He has done for us to be saved. we discussed quite a number of things. They still remember your visit with joy"....

  Speaking to students at the Mari State University

  Some of the Yoshkar Ola Lutheran Youth Group seeing us off at the snowy train station in Yoshkar Ola - Olga, Gregory, Katya and Artem

  Brian Niemitalo looking handsomely Russian in Moscow

 Visiting, fellowshipping and praying with young Christian sister, Katya (in pink) at her Moscow home - Katya, Gregory, Anna - I have known both Katya and Anna since they were young girls. Anna often translates for me.

  Shane, Anna, and Brian beneath the famous communist era "Worker with Kolkhoz Woman" Statue in Moscow

Latest Russian Update!

.... I wrote this update below last night on the train.. now we are sitting in a McDonald's Restaurant where we can use their free WiFi.. Unfortunately we have only 30 free minutes so I will send this, then try to read and respond to some of the mail I have... below is the update I wrote last night...




It is late evening; the last time I wrote to you we had recently arrived to Cheboksary. Since then, another 5 days have passed and Brain, Shane and I are now on a warm, comfortable train, making our way back west to Moscow and to the last two days of our stay here in Russia.



You will remember that before I left for Russia, my prayer and theme for this trip was to reach out to as many people as we could who did not know or have a personal relationship with our Lord and Saviour. I know many of you were interceding for this on our behalf as well. I have to tell you with much joy and praise that our Lord answered those prayers! Over the last few days we have visited four different universities between Cheboksary, the capital city of Chuvashia, and Yoshkar Ola, the capital of Mari El, and have spoken to and shared the gospel with between two and three hundred students and teachers. I can’t tell you the energy it takes to do this;.. to speak all day long, from morning to evening, to different classes filled with young people and to keep the energy up so that each and every one of them goes away feeling like they have participated in something special, but the Lord allowed us the inspiration and spirit to do it.

One of my favourite things to do was to share songs with the students. Russian students can sing whole songs by heart!!.. and then Brian, Shane and I would return the favour with hymns of our own, which they always appreciated very much.

The Dean and Teacher in the University    

The universities took up much of our time over the last week, but we also visited with many Christian brothers and sister's and with village families. Shane and Brian were especially impressed with our visit to and the hospitality of one village family whom I met and became friends with last year. We actually paid a couple hundred rubles to one villager with a plow to clean a kilometer or so of snow from the road to this family’s farm so we could comfortably drive to their home and spend the evening in fellowship with them. Nina, the mother of this family, has repented and become a Christian and the children are attending church, but Vadim, the father, though very open and welcoming of our visit and the sharing of the Lord’s gospel, is still struggling between the ancient forest worship of the Mari people and the new Christian faith of his family. At the end of our evening with this family we all stood together in their living room and prayed, Vadim included. I hope to include some photos of Vadim, Nina, and their children in this post.



Now we are on our way to Moscow. We will spend a bit of time showing Shane the city, but have plans to visit with some Christians and our dear sister and translator, Anna Kyzmakova is trying to arrange for us to visit the music academy where she studies to speak with her peers and teachers. I’m not sure if this update will be posted before then, but if it is posted, please do keep this academy and Moscow visit in prayer.

  Shane and Brian (you guys look like you really belong!)  

May the Lord of Love and Grace bless each and every one of you,



Gregory.. with Brain and Shane in Russia.