Grace Notes

Dear Everyone,

I just got back from the village of Suchanoy. When Russians say “villageâ€? they mean there are no services available and no indoor plumbing. As terrible as the conditions were, the people were extra warm. They are very alert to the things of the world and to their faith. This village is mostly people of Latvian decent. That is kind of how the mission got started. Pastor Sobolev’s wife is Latvian and some from Suchanoy were in Krasnoyarsk for a Latvian festival and so the connection to go and preach there was made. I am the first pastor to stay over night however–two nights in fact. There is a lot to do here as far as the church is concerned. There are at least three more places that congregations could start but Pastor Sobolev is the only pastor. I am certainly encouraging the young men here to think about the ministry. By the way, the young men from our congregation also need to consider the ministry. There is always a need for pastors and teachers.

This will probably be the last update before I get home since I will be in the pulpit next Saturday night and Sunday morning. The experience here has been priceless although there were times I have not wanted to pay the cost. There are several projects which we could be involved in that I will give details for and each congregation I have spoken in has blessed you. At the end of the service when prayer time happens they always pray for you in my absence. The church is certainly universal in all of its aspects. Thank you for your prayers and for the time away. Thank my family mostly because this has been hard for them especially.

I can’t wait to see you next weekend.

In Christ,

Pastor

Hi everyone, We didn’t leave for Suchanoy this morning as planned. It will be tomorrow at 7AM. It is about a three hour ride. if I can I will e-mail from there. Otherwise it will be on Saturday or something.

One of the things I have noticed is that I carry my camera around but do not take as many pictures as I did at the beginning. I think that is because things are looking ‘normal’ instead of different. I am still taking them but not as many. I want to thank the people who have written notes during the trip. I hope I have answered them all although I can’t tell which age new and which are old on the way I retrieve my mail here verses in the office.

The thing that strikes one most here are two very contrasting things: The absolute mess that is all over the ground, in the parks, etc. and the wonderful people that I have met. Some of the nicest people live in the filthiest conditions. You will see more when I give the presentation in September, but trust me, there is nothing this messy anywhere in our town.

this trip[ has also taught me much patience. There are only certain things I can do on my own and when I need to I can venture out but mostly I have to wait for someone or something before I can do what it was that is planned. Anyway, that is probably a good thing too.

I am ready to get back to work with you. It is the little things that are taken for granted that you miss the most when they are not there.

I’ll write again at the end of the week.

In Christ,

Pastor

Hello everyone,

I got the pictures that Matt posted. They were nice to see. I hope you got some pictures that my translator sent from her home computer.

Tonight I have Bible study to lead in Lagovik. There are really about 4 little villages or neighborhoods that Pastor Sobolev wants to start congregations in. This week I will be going to Suchanoy. I am not sure if I will get to e-mail you from there so if I do not get a chance until I get back that is why. I will try to e-mail on Friday and certainly on Saturday.

Sunday’s here are family days. I went to the circus with a family of the organist. It was really neat. it was mostly Chinese performers but there was a fire eater who also worked with crocodiles and whips. This one lady laid on her back and then would spin different objects with her feet. She even spun a table. I took some pictures but I don’t know how well they turned out. They look ok in my little screen on the camera.

there are some ladies from the church who now want to learn English. They want to be able to communicate with us when we come back. There is also now a race track just near where they live. I told them that NASCAR fans will be flocking to Krasnoyarsk so that is another reason to learn English.

The other day I was on a 12 mile hike. There is some really beautiful country here.

Anyway, I will write more at the end of the week.

It is really a good thing that I chose to send the family home because it would have been a difficult time for the people here to provide transportation for all of us. As it is we are sometimes 5 people in a Lada, which is already too small of a car for 4 people. Logistically it is difficult here. There is no vehicle like a minivan. And also since the work changed it would have been harder to function. God was in that decision too just as He has been in all of them.

See you later and certainly in about 10 days.

Pastor