Saturday, November 26, 2005

Sarala, Kapjova and Rudnic. I thought I was going to Sarala for a couple of days... BUT NO! Ps Anatoli from Kapjova high-jacked me. We went to Rudnic. A village up in the mountains. It isn't all that far north, but because it is so high it has snow for 9 months in the year. We went up on the mountain and did some snow boarding. That was "cool" (in more ways than one!) Now I'm praying that the Lord will give me a snow board... and a big mountain in Moscow as well!
Snowboarding on in the mountain This is the group that went snowboarding.
Village Rudnic! This is Rudnic.
Anyway, from there we went to Kapjova. Where I preached... Okay, you can't really call it preach. As I didn't have a translator the message was very simple. But still it was a blessed meeting! By Monday I was in Sarala. Here also I shared something in broken Russian. Man, it's frustrating to have so much you want to say and you can't get a word out! Ps Vitali and his wife are both teachers in the local school. when I showed them a presentation about the Mission Russia team and the work we are doing in Moscow she saw an opportunity. Make a clip for their school! Okay, I suppose that is mission work as well? So, the Director (Russian school principal) took me around the whole school and I just had to take photos! Got a couple of nice ones too! I did the clip, and showed it to the school board yesterday. They were all very excited. I thought I was to go directly to Irkutsk from Sarala... But again the Lord changed my plans. The Bible says. The Plans of man are many, but only the Will of God and His plans will come to flourish! Now I'm going to Irkutsk via Krasnoyarsk on Sunday. In the church in Kapjova I said to the Ps that I can't preach, my Russian isn't yet good enough, but he wanted to know nothing of that! Like I said about the people in Abakan. They are so hungry for the truth and something "Living" and not just empty promises and old Ideology that through time was proved wrong. Please keep on praying for the Church in Russia and Siberia!!! I told the church that we are praying for them... That means we have to pray. I don't have Internet or Cell reception here at all, so I organized with Philip in Moscow to send my previous newsletter. WOW, what will I do without brothers and sisters? -- A couple of days later -- Krasnoyarsk and Irkutsk... Yeah, like I said. "I don't have e-mail or internet" So, by the time you read this, it is already old news! I made it to Irkutsk! (via Krasnoyarsk) The church I visited in Krasnoyarsk consist of a group of about 15 students... And they "ROCK"! For the old folk that don't know what that means: "They are on fire!" That evening I was taken to the train, after we went bowling! What a blessing that was!!! Speaking of blessings. Just before I left them, Ps Vitali from Sarala gave me 1000p (about R220). At first I thought "I should be giving him money and not the other way around!" But I realized that he will be blessed in return aswell... So I accepted the money. Later another person gave me 100p. The exiting thing is this... When we got to the ticket office the guys asked me if I'm going Platzkart (3rd class) or Coupe (2nd). I said Platzkart. To this the lady behind the counter just replied with a "No platzkart left, only coupe! And that will be 1145p!" So, I at least got some good sleep on the train! But that is not what I want to brag about... After the Lord clearly said to me that I must come to Irkutsk, that was a very good confirmation that I'm on the right track. When I got here, it was absolutely not what I expected. I still have motion sickness from the train, and my contact person here is leaving in a days time, and everything is just not going good. I thought "Ah, well... Move on." But NO! The Lord clearly showed me to come here. So I decided to stick it out and only to move on when He says so. About an hour after the decision things already started to change! So, please pray for me! I understand that it is important for me to be here in Irkutsk. Please pray that I'll be able to connect with the right people and that I'll only be able to walk in His footsteps! Also pray for the motion sickness. Yeah, I know that by the time you get this e- mail I'll be fine, but pray so long for the next trip. Speaking of trip... As it turned out I didn't even need to take the bus. Somebody paid Ps Anatoli from Kapjova to take a load of furniture to Krasnoyarsk with his little truck. So we had an extra seven hours of fellowship! The night before we left I dreamed we rode off a high cliff. I only remembered the dream as we were in the car. I didn't mention anything to Anatoli, but just prayed for our protection. The road was very slippery and we could only move at about 60km/h. We passed about 3 cars and 1 big truck that slid into the ditch next to the road. We serve and AWESOME GOD! He not just protects us, but warns us in advance to ask Him to protect us! Any way. Please keep praying for my protection and traveling. I contacted a South Afrikaner who is working near here. I would like to visit him as well, but I don't know for sure what is happening yet. Please pray for that as well. Pray for the church in Irkutsk. I hear it is also a bunch of students and youngsters... I can't wait to meet them! Okay. I'm going to sleep now. Spokoini Nochi ("Good night" in Russian) Al

Thursday, November 10, 2005

Cheryomushki. This is a village of about 10'000 people. It reminds me a lot of Calitzdorp. Just much nicer! The church here hasn't got more than 30 people, but those 30 are on fire! We went on a prayer walk with a difference. We filled four cars and while praying drove seven times around the village. That was an interesting and new way of doing a prayer walk. The pastor here is "solid" and based in the Bible! After the conference I was very happy to see this! Please pray for Pastor Alexei and the Church of Cheryomushki. Pray that they will be able to change this place around and that they will be able to make an impact in this community. I told them that the people in SA are praying for the church in Russia... So, now you have to pray! The photo is of me talking to the Church of Cheryomushki. The interpreter is Natasha. When I got to Abakan I met a girl called Natasha (not the interpreter, another girl.) She had so many questions about God, the church and all that stuff. I had an opportunity to explain to her why Jesus had to die for her sins and that she need to accept this free gift to have eternal life. Last week a group of youngsters (me included - I'm still young) went hiking in the mountain. She came with and again I had a chance to talk to her in private. I asked her if she feels that her questions are answered. I can't remember her exact words but it basically comes down to this - she has peace in herself now. This kind of peace can only come from the Lord. We can't explain this kind of peace, and it goes beyond our understanding. For when things are going rough, or when it feels like we are pressed on all sides, we still have peace. When people ask you "how can you be so relaxed in this situation?" It is because we can see so much further than the situation. We can see God, the Lord over every situation. I could see this kind of peace in Natasha. Please keep on praying for her though! Also read - Philippians 4:7 (and if you don't have this kind of peace - Please get connected with the GOD OF PEACE!) Yeah, and the hike in the mountain was an absolute blessing! The top of the mountain was covered with snow. So we made a fire and had a picnic - on the snow (photo included)! I made some good friends and I just know I'll be back here again. When I get home I'll show you all the photos! My mission for coming here was to look and hear what the Lord is saying about future outreaches here with students. I had set as a goal to have done at least two outreaches in the next 5 years - and by that time to have everything in place to do yearly outreaches. But seeing the need and the hunger of the people here, and seeing the beauty of this place. I just feel I need to bring a group out here next year already. Another thing I think is to combine a team of Russian students and South Africans. I don't know how all this will fit in yet, or who will come, or where I'll get the students - but I have peace about it! Along with the peace I also have a sense of urgency! My heart is absolutely broken for these people! I've never seen people searching for the truth like this. I don't know how to explain it... Come with me next year, and you'll see! That is a big thing you must please pray for! Pray that the Lord will show me clearly what is on His heart, and that I wouldn't just be moved by my feelings but only by Him! So, where to next? Sarala. It is also a small village about 500km north from here. I met Pastor Vitali at the conference in Abakan. I think I'll be there till round about the 2nd of November. And from there, I go to Irkutsk! This is a big city just south of lake Baikal. Find it on a map and pray over it! What! You don't have a map of Russia..? GO GET ONE!!! And start praying over this great harvest field!!! Please pray about my time in Sarala. Natasha, the girl that has been translating for me up to now, will not be going with. This means I can communicate with the people, but will not be able to preach or share any major message in church. Also, please pray about the needed finances to get to Irkutsk. It is amazing how the Lord is looking after my finances. Sunday in church then the offering basket come around I just felt I needed to put is all the money in my wallet (there wasn't much in!). I just kept 20 Roubles for the bus to the next town where there is a bank. I didn't even need to keep that, because after the church service the pastor came and blessed me with some money. The Lord supplies, He uses people like you and me, but He supplies! Thank you for all the prayers, e-mails, SMS's, finances and love I got from you. I try to reply to e-mails as soon as possible, but internet isn't as freely available here as it is in Moscow! So, if you e-mail me - I will reply, just not as quickly as I would like to! May the Lord bless you with His PEACE in each and every circumstance and troubled time you go through!!! Al