Missionary Reports Excerpts
Since the new anti-missionary law went into effect in Russia over the summer, we have kept a prayerful vigil with the Bible-preaching churches we serve. It will take time before we fully know how it all will play out and affect our brothers and sisters in Christ across Russia. One thing is clear—these zealous servants of Christ are facing increasing pressure from the authorities. Pray with us for continued freedom to worship and share the Gospel. We praise and thank God for the opportunity to strengthen Russian-speaking believers in the Word of God and His sound doctrine.
Here are some wonderful missionary accounts of how God is working through His people to illuminate the darkness. Your faithful partnership helps make it happen. Be encouraged as you read.
Valery Boichenko, Tyumen, Siberia
By the grace of God, we continue to do ministry in Siberia. Times have changed and we have to adjust a lot and adapt to the different realities of the new legislation. I share with you how quickly things can change and how important it is to appropriately use the time and opportunities God gives us!
While ministering to a “binge drinking” village, I met Sergei who blamed the destruction of his family, health and life on Vodka. Through his drunkenness, he still remembered the address of our rehab. Most importantly, he recalled my open invitation to come and find God’s love and peace. Being a fisherman, he checked his charts and found that a local river flowed from his village to just a few kilometers away from our rehab center.
He pulled out the sails on his small boat and sailed for almost a day to our town. After mooring his boat, he walked into our rehab and announced, “The Lord has touched my heart and given me a new birth.” As I write this, I can see him from the corner of my eye and he is reading Scriptures and praying. He has stated, I’m now home and at peace for the first time in years.” Ask the Lord for His continued blessing as he finds renewed hope for his future through Christ.
Prison Ministry has Shown Me Why We’re all Brothers and Sisters United in Christ
Tatiana Polyakov, Kurgan
I would like to share with you what I have learned about Prison Ministry. First of all, Prison Ministry is a shower of blessings for all those involved. I have experienced the wonder and joy of leading people to Christ and seeing them start their lives over in ways productive to society and pleasing to God. I have seen prayers answered in timely and miraculous ways. I have experienced complete dependence on God for ministry success. Most of all, I have come to understand deep down inside the awful nature and consequences of sin and the unique role of Christ in creating new creatures.
Just recently, twenty-five convicted women came to the prison’s public room to hear the Word of God. During the Call for Repentance, 15 ladies prayed. Among them was a woman soon to be released after five years in prison due to drug dependence. She wishes to go to our rehabilitation center; however, her family refused to support her. We are working to get her strong enough stand up for herself and for her to understand that she needs the support of professional, caring, Christian leaders to help rebuild her self-worth and continue her path to our Lord. I am trying to explain to her family that women are often released from prison unprepared to manage their preexisting problems such as drug addiction as well as those created by her years of imprisonment. Pray for her to continue to grow in her faith and that her family’s hearts be opened to support her in this new aspect of her life.