Greetings, dear brothers and sisters!
I’m thankful to all who prayed and supported us during our trip! It was a great time! God has brought us all together and created a good team. And here are the testimonies of some of them:
As we hit the road, it turned out that we were all a little tired, because we just finished celebrating Christmas and the New Year. To be honest, we were not totally convinced deep down that we had to go on this trip. But instead, we all had a clear understanding that it was necessary. As soon as we arrived there, we got discouraged by learning some facts that bothered us and we did not feel like doing anything at that very moment. But, looking back I realized that such moments are necessary. At such moments God gives an understanding that everything comes from His hand. To put it simply, it is not enough to have just the enthusiasm and zeal. First of all, the one must have a trust and confidence in God for whom actually this is all being done.
Actually, the week appeared to be very busy and hectic. We visited 7 families, have managed to participate in the worship services, and on top of that we got all teenagers from the camp together. Everywhere we went, we had the opportunity to share the Word of God. We also conveyed greetings and wishes from you after celebrating these holidays. We sang and prayed. I’m glad that we brought along the costumes of Santa Claus and Snow Maiden. Although I know that many people have different standpoints towards these characters. It’s amazing, but even through these characters the Lord does His work. When we visited one family, mother told us that her daughter, who is 8 years old, has prayed to the Almighty last night asking Him to send her a Santa Claus with all kinds of sweets, and today he is here. When you hear something like this, you cannot restrain yourself from smiling and expressing surprise at this kind of child’s faith.
As we were getting back home, our car has broken down, and only thankfully to God’s miracle and love of Christ we could make it back home. But, the sad part is that now we need a lot of money to get our car fixed. Pray that our Lord will be glorified through this trip.
Ira
We always get to hear a lot about building up relationships and showing the love of Christ through our lives. I think that’s when our words really take on a profound meaning and power. This is the way God teaches us of the most valuable aspects of life, and in what we should invest the most – a relationship.
Before, a lot of times, we have already been in the village of B. and had an opportunity to communicate with one family, where there are both believers and unbelievers. This trip was no exception. Those people are always very grateful that we do not forget about them. For me, this kind of gratitude always seemed very weird: How can you forget people? And only now, I realized why it was so – once I wrote one evening that I really cherish these people. Following this letter, one girl from the village of B. sent me a personal text message, in which she asked me if it was okay with me that she is an unbeliever, and we still keep coming there and are bringing all these gifts to them and treating them as friends. I asked her later: should I be really embarrassed? And then she replied that many believers turn away from such people once they learn about the fact that they are unbelievers. Can you imagine this? After all, can we demonstrate our love to them in such a way and build relationships? Oh, I’m afraid not! Of course, I answered her that I was glad to get to know her and to become friends with her. I told her that we want to share with people the most precious thing that we have, and this is not our merit at all, but of the Most High. But the fact remains: should we turn our backs on those who are not yet believers? And then, what is the meaning of our trips there? I thank God for teaching me the lessons through such conversations. I ask you to pray for this girl from the village of B., so that in one of the forthcoming letters she will share with us that she is no longer just a girl from the village of B., but our sister in Christ, and we will rejoice together with her.
Sveta
The trip to the South showed me once again the greatness of the Lord, which was seen in everything. It’s a great pleasure to see people, both local and others, who have given their lives to serving this people group, who constantly pray for them and care for them.
And I’m thankful to God that He gives such an urge to His children. One of the most important tasks of the Church, regardless of her location and size, is to proclaim the gospel helping those who are in need, including disabled children. Thankfully to God we seized this opportunity while we were there. But our mission was not just to give some kind of financial assistance to these families, but to show that they are valuable and important to someone else. We wanted them to experience the love of God, and to hear again about the sacrificial death of Christ as well as to see how He cares for them. Lord, I want every people group, and every knee to bow down before You, and I believe that this Southern people group will be on this list, too, and will do this while they are still here on earth.
Katya
Every so often I ask myself: What’s the reason going to the South? How will people meet us there? What are they going to ask about? But when I see the joyful eyes of my friends, their smiles, and when I feel the warmth and sincere hospitality with which they welcome us, I get the clear answer for myself – I must go. I thank the Almighty for all those meetings that He has provided for us. What an excitement it is to see the fruits of the service!
My heart is overwhelmed with joy once I learn that someone has started reading the Bible or got baptized. I continue to pray for the ministers and people who have already believed in Christ that they will become mature and steadfast.
Igor
