Friday, February 25, 2005

Hi There!
No, I'm not in Moscow yet... All the red-tape is dragging on, but I should have my 'invitation letter' for the visa by the 18th of March. Then we can get my visa, and "Bob’s your Uncle", I'm off to Russia!
We have made a preliminary booking to fly the 25th of March. So please pray with me that all the red-tape will be gone by then!
What will I be doing in Moscow? Har! I'm glad you asked!For some time the Lord has been talking to me about working with guys in their 20's...
The Moscow State University (MSU) would be the perfect place to focus on.
When I was in the Ukraine, we repeatedly tried to get into the school to talk to the kids, but with no luck.
Hugo told me that I can register at the MSU as a student and then I will have full access to all the students! As an outsider they can stop me from interacting with the students, but as a student... things will be different!
To register as a student will cost quite a bit, but I am trusting that the Lord will provide.
It is amazing how the Lord has been providing for me these last couple of months.
Not just with Finances. After all, we are more than just body. We are body, soul and spirit! And Praise the Lord! He has been looking after me in all these arias.
When I was struggling - I got word that somebody is praying for me. Or when I felt down - Somebody took me to the coffee shop for a cuppa! When I was stuck without wheels - He organized me a car! He even blessed me with being able to go to the "Louis Britz" concert!
Ag, if I tell of all the small things the Lord has been blessing me with you would think they are only the simplest of things, but no - It shows how personal the Lord is! He not only saved me and washed all my sins away, but want to be personally involved with every part of my life. And guess what. He wants to be personally involved with every part of your life too.
Thanks for all your prayers!
Like I said earlier... Please pray for the invitation letter, and all the visa stuff!
Pray that the shortage on the MSU fees will come in.
As I'm still in a time of speaking to people about prayer and finantial support. Please pray that I will have the necessary insight and wisdom. Also the strength to do what is needed in this time.

Thank you, May the Lord be with you!

Al

Tuesday, February 08, 2005

Hi, Well, I'm currently doing the rounds, trying to get to all my prayer and financial supporters. Wow, what a job in itself! In speaking in churches and to people here - I realize that I'm called to Russia and not to South Africa... I love to talk about Russia to people here, but let me just hear that lovely broken English that only the Russians can 'do'. then I feel an excitement well up in me that I can't explain! Ai, I can't wait to get to Russia! I've put together some statistics comparing South Africa to Russia. Yea, I know there is no comparison between the two, but just to give you a reference as to how great the need is in that beautiful country. Russia vs. RSA Russia RSA Population 147'000'000 40'300'000 Area 17'000'000km² 1'200'000km² % christians of population 11.79% 65% # of christians 17'312'000 26'264'000 # of missionaries to country 2'200 1'258 Population per missionary 66'819 33'583 Christians per missionary 7'869 20'878 Russia's population is four times greater than South Africa. Russia is fourteen times larger than South Africa. According to percentage of population, South Africa has five and a half times more professing Christians than Russia. South Africa has one and a half times more professing Christians than Russia. Russia has almost twice as many missionaries working there as are working in South Africa. To reach all the people of Russia, each missionary will have to work with 67'000 people. Whereas in South Africa, each missionary will have to contend with 33'500 people. Also bear in mind that this is not taking in account the number or local clergy and Christian workers (which I don't have statistics for this) but looking at the rest of the statistics... I doubt things will look much better! Russia needs prayer, LOTS OF PRAYER... and so do I. Like I said, I'm trying to raise support (Prayer, Moral, and Financial Support). Please pray that the Lord will give me the nessasary strength to do what is needed in this time. I was blessed with the money for my plane ticket today... "Praise the Lord!" But you can still keep the finances in your prayers as I have lots of expences before I get to get to Moscow. I'm realizing more and more how important it is to keep in contact with all my supporters, and to be 100% honest about where I am at and how I'm doing spiritualy and emotionaly. So please pray that I will be able to communicate. We've submitted the 'stuff' for my 'invitation letter' which I need for the visa to Russia, but this will still take some time . I should have the visa and everything by the 25th of March. However, the price of the plane ticket to Moscow increases by R1200 on the 26th of March. So I need all 'red tape' out the way before that date! Please ask the Lord to help those guys at the offices along a bit to get it out earlier! One thing I learned in the Ukraine is that I prayed 'way too little'! Please pray for me that I will be disciplined in seeking the Lord's face. I just realize more and more that there are awsome power in prayer and that we've got to pray just to make it today'! Thanks for all your prayers! I asked some time ago that you would pray for Janice Taylor from OM-SA to get here 'residency permit' for South Africa... Well, PRAISE the Lord! She got it! Okay, enough from me. Love you, and may the Lord bless you! Al