Brightness and Power

EDITOR'S NOTE: This week different team members will be sharing their thoughts, experiences, and impressions from their trip to Cheboksary. The following submission was written by Greg R. following his first full day in Cheboksary.

As we stepped off the train in Cheboksary this morning, one of the local pastors, Pastor Sasha, met us at the bottom of the stairs. His eyes were bright as shook our hands saying, “There is power in this group.”
Later int the day we met and talked with our translator, a 22 year old striking young lady, who started her testimony in good English with a heavy Russian accent. “I was born in a prison," said Zhenya. "My mother left me in a corner to die. ” When asked about her family, she added, “I don’t have a father here on earth, but I have a heavenly Father.” She ended her testimony with, “…and I have a fire in my heart for Jesus.”

The brightness, the power, and the fire that were put in a small Russian city at the end of March, reveal a small inkling of our true and mighty power of God!

Engaging Russia with Texans

God is at work in the Republic of Chuvashia.

I know that you have heard us talk about this before, but our first day back in Cheboksary, the capital of the Chuvash Republic, confirms yet again that God has come here before us and is up to big things in this small city on the Volga River.

After a 13-hour train ride, nine volunteers from First Baptist Church of Allen, Texas got their taste of "the real Russia" today as we spent the day orientating ourselves with the city and our hosts. But even before today God had revealed to the group that this was going to be a special trip. And God has dotted the path with "chance meetings" for the group. Even before arriving in Russia they "just so happened" to be on the plane with an older couple who attended an English Camp in Moscow last February....the same English Camp that was taught FBC Allen team members. So, even a year later, team members were able to renew connections and further relationships with people whom God has put in their path. "We haven't even really started our work yet and I am already changed," said team member Greg.

One of the things that left the largest impression of the day was an informal session where the team got to spend time with their translator, Zhenja, who shared her testimony with them. We will bring you that story later in the week. However, there was not a dry eye among the group when she finished her testimony by telling us how she wanted to become a missionary herself.

God has assembled an amazing team for the task at hand. They all bring different things to the table, but the one thing they have in common is their love for Jesus and a desire to help the people of Russia come to know Jesus as both Saviour and Lord. The seminars being lead by the team begin tomorrow evening. Please pray that their witness would be effective, that people who have been invited will not just attend, but bring friends with them as well.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. We are excited to be able to share with you just a few of the things that God is doing in Cheboksary.

More tomorrow.

Blessings,
Marc (for all)

downtime

We've been taking some downtime to spend time at home with family and friends. As much fun as traveling can be it is a lot of work and it can wear you out. Marc is in the states at a conference and Tim and I are relaxing in Moscow.

We will be making a trip to Bryansk in the next week or so, we are still working on the details for this trip. It looks like we will be able to join a church there for their first baptism. This will be an exciting time of rejoicing with our Russian brothers and sisters.

We will pass along more info regarding this trip over the course of the week.

Thanks again for your continued support and prayers.

Jimmy

God At Work in Murmansk

God is doing some cool stuff with the VSC team in Murmansk.
Follow their trip at http://welovemurmansk.blogspot.com

Today we joined a group of American missions volunteers in Murmansk, Russia to help them kick off a week of English ministry. The team of 5, lead by Tim Wishon, is partnering with a local church here in Murmansk to teach English this week. They are praying that through the English classes this week they would be able to engage the participants in spiritual conversations.

Tonight was the kick-off and registration for the week of classes. When they have done this in the past they have seen young adults turnouts of about 60 people or so. That was the plan for today but we were all surprised as more than 100 people came to the registration.

It was truly amazing to see the room full of people, some even standing as we had run out of chairs. Tim explained the outline of the week and openly shared about his faith. There will be a time on Friday where they will share the gospel with those in attendance.

The group is young and diverse. It was great to see a lot of the young people we had met at the church this morning had come out to the registration, even tonight these young adults were engaging their peers in spiritual conversations.

Please join us in prayer for the classes that will take place this week. Pray that there would be spiritual conversations that come up, that there would be understanding in the hearts and minds of those who are in attendance. Pray that God would continue to provide the ability for Tim and his team to meet with these young adults and to share the love of our Lord and Savior with them.

The Great White North

Marc, Jimmy and Tim head to the largest city north of the Arctic Circle.

Can you guess where that is?

We will be following and documenting the work of another one of our stateside partners.

Tim W has been working and ministering in Russia on vol. trips for 8-10 years now.

A couple of years ago, he took on the role of VSC or Virtual Strategy Coordinator of this city where we have no IMB personnel.

Follow our journey here, on Facebook (Engage Russia page), at www.engagerussia.org - or on Twitter (again Engage Russia). There seems to be a theme here!

S'Bogum

Tim

Great time in Udmurtia

God is at work . . .
Sunday saw even more evidence of His loving hand reaching down and touching the Udmurt with His love.

Sunday morning the Engage Russia team and the Udmurt VSC Team split up and spoke in three different churches. Relationships were built and/or developed, new contacts were made, the Gospel was preached and the church was strengthened.

Sunday evening the Jesus Film was shown in a small Udmurt village an hour or so outside of the capital. There was rejoicing in heaven as at least one person gave his life to Christ (man holding song book above).

The Lord has been working through the partnership between the White River Baptist Association in North Arkansas and the churches in Udmurtia for more than 3 years now.
Jack Gilliland, a retired high school art teacher, has been leading the partnership, organizing volunteer teams, strategizing with national partners, planning events, and personally sharing the Good News every step of the way.

Pray for Jack, and stateside partners like him, as he continues to respond to the call to Engage Russia.

If you would like to know more about how you can partner with us in reaching a new city or people group where we have no IMB personnel, contact us at tellmemore@engagerussia.org

S'Bogum
Tim for Engage Russia