Ministering in Russia

Internet access has been difficult to get, so my communications have been less than I desire. I am now in my second week of work in Russia, having spent a week in Moscow and now working in the Perm area. It is very cool here, much more so than in Florida. But the people have been very warm. I am really enjoying my time in Russia.

My work started in a small community north of Moscow. We stayed at a country hotel that was all decked out in USA western stuff. It was really kind of strange to see all this stuff from the old west and having no one who could speak any English or Spanish. Our meetings went well and we will have a wonderful new version of The GodMan that will minister to children across Eastern Europe and the CIS region.

I had my first day of ministry with the Book of Hope traveling team from Perm on Saturday. We went to a little community called Ust-Bub. It is about a 2-1/2 hour drive from Perm. We did The GodMan and distributed copies of the Children's Animated Edition of the Book of Hope. This is the second time that Book of Hope has ministered in this small community. There are about 120 children and youth living here and almost 50 of them came to the movie event. Dozens indicated a desire to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord.

I left Ust-Bub with mixed feelings. I was very happy with the way the movie event went. Technically, everything was perfect. Functionally, our traveling team from Perm are experts in children's ministry and did an outstanding job. Nevertheless, there was a sadness upon leaving. You see, there is no Christian witness in this community. It is miles from any other community and many more miles from a church of any type. Most of the residents have no means to travel the hours it would take to get to church. As we were packing up to leave, they asked if I could stay and live with them and be their preacher. It was heartbreaking. I am called to take the gospel message to children around the world. But someone out there is specifically called to minister to the people of Ust-Bub and the surrounding communities. Where are they? When will they answer God's call and purpose for their life? How much longer must the children of Ust-Bub wait for someone to come and be a constant witness of God's love and plan for salvation to them?