Siberia... WOW what a place! I've been here for about a week now, and I thought I should sit down and type before it is all too much to write. It is however not that easy! I've been at the conference in Abakan. Abakan is a city of about 200'000 people but looks just like Oudsthoorn. The conference was very frustrating for me. I know we are different parts of the "Body of Christ" and that there are different expressions and ways of showing your love for Him. My aim with this letter is not to shoot any part of the Body down or to say any practice is wrong. Please understand! I'm only trying to show you what is on my heart and how I experience the people of Siberia. Lord showed me so many things about this people that are absolutely breaking my heart! The People are searching for the Lord and they are so hungry and open, but the form of Christianity that is given to them is all manipulation and falseness. Through out the conference there were certain things (and incidences) that kept popping up. Things that would normally not happen. And all the time I was just so aware of the fact that the Lord has placed me here to show me the heart of the people. Right in the beginning while I was walking from the shop to the church a babushka asked me what the time is. I told her, and that was just the opening she was looking for! She started to talk to me and open her heart to me. She had such an expectation for this conference and she could just say with disappointment that it is all the same as last year. "Nothing new!" I told here that she should look to Jesus to do something new in here life, but she couldn't understand it. The leaders of the church has been so lifted up (and exulted) that she just kept looking to them to do something amazing. The people are so hungry for a touch from the Lord. At one point the preacher had word of wisdom, and said there is a person with a blockage in the intestines. The doctor had told the person he or she would need an operation and that it is very serious. When he asked if there is any person like that, about fifty people went up for prayer. He emphasized again and again that it is not just an ordinary case, but a special person he needs to pray for, but all of the people stood. The same happened the night after that. A person with a bad heart valve. More than hundred people went up for prayer. The words don't convey the reality. The people are HUNGRY!!! Like I say, my frustration is not so much about the style of church as to the fact that it just breaks my heart to see the people and to see the things the Lord is showing me. But as I say, I realize I have to see this for future work in this areas. I had set as a goal to bring at least two outreaches with students in the next five years. not thinking it will be next year already... After seeing the people I realize that I'll have to start straight away planning for an outreach here next year. I don't know which students... but I know! Jesus will supply the workers!!! WOW! The harvest field is white!!! Please pray that the Lord of the harvest will raise up workers to bring in this GREAT HARVEST! Please pray that the Lord will raise up people to come and minister the LOVE of our LORD JESUS to this hungry and broken people! Please pray for a people who is bold enough to show their brokenness and to show what a living relationship with the Lord is, what it is to worship the Lord in SPIRIT and in TRUTH! Like Hugo (Mission Russia Overseer) said. "True Christianity in the 21th century!" At the beginning of this conference everyone said we will never be the same afterwards... ABSOLUTELY TRUE! I think I will never think the same of these people. Now my heart really goes out to Albert and Carien that are stuck in South Africa. They have been here in Siberia a year ago and worked in Novosibirsk. They have seen and experienced the hunger in the people. Now for some time they have to stay in SA. Please pray for them as well! Pray that the Lord will not only release them to do the work He has called them to do, but that He will release workers that will help them to bring in this great harvest and to show what true life in Christ is! At the moment, I'm in Cheriomushkey. A town in the mountains somewhere in the southern parts of Siberia. To give you an idea... If you look at the map of Asia, we are north east of India and just of the western border of Mongolia. Any way, the town has a population of 8 000! There is lots of mountains and even more fresh air! I love it here, it reminds me a lot Groenfontein (Near Calitzdorp)! I'll be here some days. Meeting with the pastor of the church, meeting with some people and also do some sightseeing, going up the mountain! I met with a some pastors that were at the conference. One of them is Ps Vitali from a small village not far from here. I'm planning to go there next. Meet with him, his church of about 10-20 people, and just to encourage and be a blessing to them. I was really blessed by all the people I met at the conference. I chatted with lots of people, but two old Babushki stands out. The one got saved in the 1950's, and her sister in the 1970's. It was just amazing to here there testimonies and what life was like as a Christian under the previous regime. When I was all discouraged by what I saw at the conference, I SMSed Hugo and he just said I must speak with the Russian pastors and listen to their hearts. These guys don't have it easy! I know in the past we prayed for the Christians behind the iron curtain and when communism fell we all rejoiced and thanked the Lord. Now I as you: Please pray and keep on praying for these pastors. Please pray for there churches. Pray for the Christians that is doing absolute pioneer work here. Bringing the Gospel of Jesus' love and mercy to a people that has been lied to for so many years! Thank you for all your prayers and blessings! Thank you for taking part, and working with me in this great job the Lord has given us to do! Be blessed in Jesus name!!! Al the Pote

This was typed on the train, but as there was no internet... I couldn't send it from there. Almost 2/3rd's of the way... And man I'm tired of just sitting here doing nothing. Next time I want a holiday or need a rest, I will definitely try to organize a trip like this. There is absolutely nothing you can do on the train, but read and pray. Okay, and type newsletters... but of the 74 hours the laptop will last about 2, maybe 3! Yeah, so although it is boring sitting here, I am blessed to have time to read, pray and chat with the people. On the first day there was an American guy, David, here who I chatted with. He is working in a church in Yekaterinburg (Near the Ural mountains). It was an absolute blessing to fellowship with him. Please pray for David and the church he is leading in Yekaterinburg. Also in the "section" with me was a lady from Omsk. She got off an hour ago. I suppose she is about 50. And I can see that in her younger days she was absolutely stunning! Sharing the section with us is a couple (also not young) going to visit family somewhere in Siberia... They said the name, but I couldn't get it. After they repeated it the third time I just smiled at them. :) The conductor is a young guy who has been working for the railway for about 5 years. His name is Xenia. I shared the Gospel with him about two hours ago, but was interrupted. I'm praying that I'll have another opportunity to chat further with him. Please pray for more and more such opportunities. And that I'll be able to speak fearlessly and with boldness. Like Paul asked in Ephesians 6:19 "Pray that I will be given the message to speak and that I may fearlessly explain the mystery about the good news." I saw David (the American) on the train the first night speak and explain the Gospel to another guy. David has been working in Russia for about 7 years, so he didn't have any problem with the language. Pray for me that this barrier will also grow smaller and smaller as the Lord helps me to learn this language. I just feel so clear that this trip is to search out the land for future work the Lord wants to do here. Please keep praying for that. Pray that I'll be able to hear clearly from the Lord as to where and when I should go. And that I'll be able to make the right connections with the key people needed. If the Lord tells you anything as you pray, please feel free to e-mail me. My battery is almost finished... So, I'll say "Good night!" for now. It is strange traveling in this direction (Due east). Each day is about 1hour shorter. Some people still have there watches set on Moscow time, some on there final destination, and some on the place they got on half way here. Cause for lots of confusion!!! Just when do you eat lunch? Moscow time or your final destination time which is four hours difference... Then it already time to eat supper. Love you Al P.S. Now I know why I was blessed with a time of rest like that on the train. The conference was quite tiring. The chat with Xenia didn't go any further, I'm sad to say.