Greeting from a cooler Moscow!!! Yeah, winter is seriously on it's way... No, no snow yet, but I am surprised at the sudden drop in temperature. I hinted at a trip to Siberia in my previous letter. Wow, it is exciting to see how the Lord is working in this direction. I was planning to visit my friend Serioga from Plavni for his wedding in October. Well, due to a number of reasons it didn't work out. One of which was, I was still waiting for my new passport. Yip, this is the same one I applied for five months ago! Anyway. I would have applied for a new Russian visa. Eventually I realized that I'm not supposed to go to the Ukraine. So, then the Lord started to speak about this trip to Siberia. The day I get the ticket... I also get my passport. The person at the Embassy (who helped me very much!!!) was very apologetic about the passport taking so long. I could only say that the Lord had a hand in holding the little book back. I then also had a chance to testify to her about the Lord’s Grace, provision and absolute sovereignty in planning this trip. From the beginning I had the date 10 Oct in my mind as a departure date. Don't ask why... I just had. Then I heard about a conference in Abakan from the 13th to the 18th of October. I was under the impression the traveling time there will be five days. So I thought of leaving the 8th. Only to find out that in fact the trip will take me three days. Okay, so with this date set in my heart I leave for the ticket office. Not even out the door and Phillip, from Oudtshoorn, South Africa, SMSs me... "Money deposited into your account" This was the money needed for the ticket. Next. The lady at the ticket office tells me that if I were to leave the 10th, I would arrive there early the 14th. NO! Now what? I asked her about leaving the 9th, only to find out that it will cost 1000 rubles more. Okay, point taken! I'll take the 10th. Like the Lord told me in the beginning! That is why I'm saying I'm so excited. Because it is so clear that the Lord is planning something great!!! I'll be leaving the evening of the 10th. And have not yet bought the return ticket. I was praying about the dates... and I have had no answer from God about the return date... I thought I would know the return date by the time I bought the ticket. Speaking with Hugo and some of the other guys here they advised that I buy the ticket there as you never know what will happen next. So, please pray for me. Pray that I'll make the right contacts, and speak to the people I am supposed to. Pray for this conference. It will be held by a bunch of people coming from America. Pray that the Lord will give me vision about future outreaches that will be taken out there with students. Pray for my train trip. I'll be going "platzkart" - an open wagon with beds - 3rd class. This is great opportunity for ministry as there is not much personal space, but as you know me by now... I like my personal space. Please pray that even in this I'll be able to seek the Lord’s will and speak to the right people. Pray for the rest of the finances needed. Also pray for the people at the Embassy. I'm here because the Lord called me. And when it gets difficult, I know I'm here because He wants me here and He has a greater plan with my life. But the people at the Embassy are here because our President called them. Please pray that the Lord will show them His Grace and Mercy! Albert & Carrien two missionaries from South Africa working in Kemerovo - Siberia should be back there by the 18th Oct. I would love to visit them as well. Please pray that this will be possible. Pray that their plans to return Russia will also work out! I pray that the Lord will bless you for the absolute blessing you have been to me! In Russian the Christians greet each other with "S Bogum" This means - Go with God. S Bogum! Al

Hi there! When I was visiting Switzerland I was seriously challenged be this scripture, and have been "chewing" on it from time to time since then. And I don't know why, but I just felt I need to give it to all my faithful praying friends! James 3:17-18 - I always understood wisdom to be "knowing when and how to apply knowledge". This scripture however puts it all in a completely new light for me. I've added some of the different translations to give you some perspective... as if to create a 3D picture of the old language it was written in originally. I pray that the Lord will bless you as you chew on these "words"! Please keep on praying for MGU! Pray that the Lord will give Open Doors! Pray that the Lord will create Opportunities! Pray that the Lord will have His Way! In His Hands Albert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jam 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. Jam 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jam 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first indeed pure, then peaceful [or, free from worry], considerate, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial [or, free from prejudice] and sincere. Jam 3:18 Now the fruit of such righteousness is sown in peace by the ones making peace. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jam 3:17 Maar die wysheid van bo is ten eerste rein, dan vredeliewend, vriendelik, geseglik, vol barmhartigheid en goeie vrugte, onpartydig en ongeveins. Jam 3:18 En die vrug van die geregtigheid word gesaai in vrede vir die wat vrede maak. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jam 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy. Jam 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that make peace. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jam 3:17 But the wisdom that comes from above leads us to be pure, friendly, gentle, sensible, kind, helpful, genuine, and sincere. Jam 3:18 When peacemakers plant seeds of peace, they will harvest justice. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jam 3:17 But the wisdom from above is firstly truly pure, then peaceable, forbearing, yielding, full of mercy and of good fruits, not partial and not pretended. Jam 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for the ones making peace. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jam 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first truly pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Jam 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jam 3:17 Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. Jam 3:18 You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jam 3:17 and the wisdom from above, first, indeed, is pure, then peaceable, gentle, easily entreated, full of kindness and good fruits, uncontentious, and unhypocritical: -- Jam 3:18 and the fruit of the righteousness in peace is sown to those making peace. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I had a dream! (Sounds like Martin Luther King). I only remembered this later during the morning as I was in the Metro going to MGU to pray. In my dream I was going to the river where there had been a flood. As I was on my way I saw a news report. They showed the map of Moscow and I saw the curve of the river near the University. A woman reporter on TV said that all the low lying areas are effected and that it is an "Kashmar!" (Disaster). Only after this I heard about the floods in America, so I don't think it's got much to do with that, because as I was going to the University and remembered the dream I just clearly knew it was about the thousands of students living (and dying) a life without the Lord. Please continue to pray for the students at MGU and the work the Lord is starting there. Before the Lord started to speak to me about the University I was convinced I was on my way to Siberia. This region has been on my heart for some time, especially going with the Trans Siberian Railway. So, now I'm sitting in Moscow thinking "Lord, what is the deal with the Trans Siberian?" The way to get the students minds open for ministry and missions is to take them out on a missions trip. And what better place to go to than Siberia? In the last couple of years quite a few churches have been planted along the railway. New churches being planted is great, and that is why we are here. The problem is this - the church planters go home leaving a church not mature to carry on by itself. Then, sadly, we hear of churches struggling and dying out. One of the goals I've set for my self was to get out there to "Spy out the Land" within the next two years. And see how the Lord surprises a person... I've just been blessed with the money for a train ticket there and back! Now, please pray for this! Pray that I will know clearly where to go, who to visit, when to go and what to say. You know how it goes... Pray for everything! Also please pray for the rest of the finances. I don't know exactly what is needed yet. I'm still busy working that one out. I think this will all happen in October. Please pray for all of this! Pray that the Lord will show me clearly what is on His heart and that my plans will take a back seat. Also pray for the future outreaches that will go out. Pray that the I will see what the Lord is planning for the students one day. Another thing. Please let me know what is happening with you, that I can pray for you to. Thank you for all the SMSes, e-mails, prayers and financial support. You are an integral part of this team. Be blesses in Jesus Name!!! Al