This is my tenth visit to Russia and sixth to Tambov, so I'm loving "seeing" it through the fresh eyes of Rader, Megan, Jen and Larry. Like the others who have traveled here with me, the impressions are vivid. This was the first time Americans have participated in Winter Camp, and the Immanuel's Child days are a whirlwind. I'll be back in my element when class begins next week. In the meantime it's usually one or two extemporaneous sermons a day (Megan's right, the most notice I've had was when I was asked to preach Sunday morning--at 11 PM Saturday night). In the last three days I've sung in public at least four times, which brings my total to five in the last 40 years.
A highlight of today was when we were the designated gift-distributors here at Truth Church. When we opened the packet of stars to give away, there were two piles. In the first I spotted several names I know: Mike Powell and Mike and (forgot your wife's name) Cummins and a few others from University Bible Church in Pocatello, the Sweet family from Twin Falls and several from Crossroads Bible Church in Burley. Then I looked at the second pile and found a batch from Heritage: Anita Downing, Marvin and Laray Hetrick, Sam and Michelle Day, and the most unlikely of all--we found more from our group . . . Larry and Sandy Howell and Marsha and me. I put a severe kink in the line of kids getting their gifts when I stopped the girl who got the first star with my name on it until we got a picture together. Then I was blessed to see all the stars that just say "Heritage Bible Church" because of all the money given through auctions and special projects. You have no idea how wonderful is your reputation over here!
The afternoon session was at Anatoly's church. They meet in the building of TELA (Tree of Eternal Life Association), the organization run by SEND missionaries which God used as the catalysts of the youth ministry in the region. Virtually all the kids of their church were present, plus a greater number from the neighborhood and from people they reach out to with their version of a food pantry. It was so crowded with kids and parents that all of Anatoly's family, Anya and I and few others left our seats and stood outside for the program. This is the church which need to get their own building built. The property is bought, the permits are secured, the foundation is finished, and now they need roughly $35,000. One of the highest priorities of the Russians in the region is to finish this building.
Lord willing, the people of our coalition can be used to raise the bulk of the funds and we hope to send a construction team this summer. It will be exciting to see God to exceeding abundantly beyond what we ask or think.
Saturday is our biggest day yet. We go to Michurinsk where we'll take the Immanuel's Child program to an orphanage of 50+ kids. After lunch there we'll visit the Gypsy fellowship. Watch for the report.
Today on the way back from his church Anatoly told us about the IC events that took place before we arrived, reaching several hundred kids in several cities. As busy as we are, we're actually getting to see less than half of the events. That shows you how sold-out to the cause of Christ these believers are.
By the way, the un-signed blogs are from Megan and Jen. I don't want anyone to think I'm that good at communicating.
As exciting as all this is and as much as I'm enjoying super-concentrated time with four members of the HBC family, I truly miss you all and look forward to being back home with you. Lord willing our team will make a life remote appearance in church Sunday at the end of the service. Amazing . . .
Numbers 6:24-26,
Jim
No comments:
Post a Comment