Part of the genius of Immanuel's Child is that it's a way Americans can help Russian Christians fulfill their desire to reach Russians with the gospel. Our resources and their zeal are a great combination! Now some Russian Americans are getting into the act.
Today I was visited by a woman named Luba. In 1988 she and her family (7 brothers, 3 sisters and her parents) were allowed to leave the Soviet Union after pressure was exerted by the United States on behalf of them and many other Christians and Jews who had been persecuted for years. Her brothers were released from prison the day before they boarded trains to leave the USSR. Luba is now part of a small group of Russian-speakers who live in the Boise area.
Luba heard about Immanuel's Child through our radio program and called me a few weeks ago to ask about it. The purpose of her visit today was to tell me their little group of believers has raised over $300 for Immanuel's Child! Even though the deadline has passed for sending stars, I promised her our team will take the money and give it to the brothers and sisters in Tambov for the project. She also wants me (and I hope, our whole team) to visit their group before and/or after our trip.
Please be inspired by the hearts of these people who yearn for their former countrymen to hear the gospel. Pray for the more than 850 kids who will hear the gospel, and for the parents who bring them to the IC events. Each parent who brings kids will be offered a Bible.
Before the IC events start, our team will serve alongside our Russian partners at Winter Camp. I'm doing the Bible teaching and the rest of our team is doing games and crafts. We've been practicing singing "Silent Night" in Russian. We'll be ready to sing at all times as a token of our desire to connect with Russian kids. Our first public performance will be at the HBC Christmas Eve service.
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