Turning point

We decided to keep our vehicle in Russia instead of bringing it back to the States and pay a custom fee for using it there without restrictions. When we’ve completed all of the paper work for the custom registration in Abakan, we were told they could not finish it for us there and we must go back to Irkutsk region… It is almost a thousand miles apart! We got shocked. It was not easy to drive icy road for two days on the row, but it was worth it! God knew that our mission in Siberia for that trip wasn’t over. God had a plan! We had to meet few more people in Bratsk city and pray with them. There should be a turning point for them.

First was Anastasia. We stayed one night at her apartment and had a privilege to talk to her. Her mother is a Christian in a small village we had planted a church. Anastasia lives in a city and she is not Christian yet. She was engaged and was in a middle of preparation to get married. Her boyfriend just came back from the military. Anastasia shared with us some difficulties she was going through and was open to listen to our advices. She felt trapped. We talked to her if she would be our daughter and wished our best. Actually, she is a friend of our children and is about same age. We advised that it’s OK to reschedule her wedding day if she is not sure about her marriage at this time. It would be better to wait and to get some problem solved now than to get married and divorced right away. We prayed for that girl and lifted up to God her struggles. Anastasia just cried, she didn’t pray at that time; but we could feel release for her. Now she knew for sure she is allowed to reschedule her wedding if she’d decided to do this. She could smile after that. Few days later, Anastasia’s Mom said to us on the phone, “Praise God! God sent angels to my daughter at the right time!” Our Father God is never late and knows all our needs! All glory to Him!

The very last night in Bratsk city, we spent at Sergey and Olga’s apartment. Both of them are Christians. Sergey got saved in a prison when Yuriy ministered there in Ust-Kut city. Later Sergey got married and together with his wife has two children. They run own business. For the last couple years, their Christian life became routines. They attended church occasionally and were not satisfied what they were doing. That night was a turning point in their lives. They both re-committed their lives to God and to each other. Sergey and Olga cried and prayed for each other. They were waiting for this moment for a long time. This couple wants to serve God and bring Jesus into many lives. Praise God He is bringing people together!

We finished all the paper work for our vehicle at Bratsk custom office easily and smoothly. We left our car in Russia, and it’s waiting for us. We came back to the States after ministering there since August of 2008. We are glad to see our children again and hold grandchildren. Our Father God kept all of us safely. Thanks for all of your prayers! Thanks for serving God in many ways! May our Father God bless each of you!

By the way, we brought snow and cold weather with us from Siberia!

Sayanogorsk city

Finally, we are back to our blog. We apologize for keeping you without updates. In Krasnoyarsk region, internet access is very poor. It works slowly and there is no way to post pictures.

Worship team

In November of 2008, we ministered again at pastor Sergey Vashchenko church in Sayanogorsk city. On Sunday we led two services. Absolutely great and powerful two church services! Praise God! Worship team was great! They know for real how to praise our God and reach out Father’s heart! God gave us His word for this church. We shared with people from our hearts about Father’s love and His searching the earth to help whose hearts are faithful to Him completely. Atmosphere was filled with Holy Spirit. This church lifted prayers up to our Father God. Two people in the morning service prayed a prayer of repentance for the first time. Two souls got found the love of God. Many people received seeds and they will grow. Many of them were glad to greet us after services and say, “Thank you from the bottom of the heart.”

People pay full attention to the message

Yuriy is preaching

Olga shares from her heart

One girl about student age said to us after evening service, “I didn’t know that our city has a wonderful church. I feel bad that many people around do not know about this. I want to know Jesus, and I want to serve Him as you do. You are a great coupe and a team. I paid attention to everything you said.” She was saying it very sincerely and seriously. It was first church service for her. She was invited for the Youth/ Young adult’s café on Saturday evening and after that she came to the church on Sunday. Praise God! We prayed with her, and she invited Jesus as her Savior. Her name is Olga as mine (easy to remember). She was seriously about God. We want to see her again and hear from her about everything God is going in her life.

Two Olgas (one of them is just new born Christian)

City center

Beauty of mountains around the city

Siberian Watermelon

On this picture, you can see a group of our relatives. We tried to spend time with them and tell them about salvation through Jesus. We invited them to go to the church with us one Sunday morning. We took some of them, and Olga’s brother brought his family. Christians were glad to have guests. That church is not growing for a long time, and they asked, “Why could it be?” We decided to get together again and pray with them for revival.

Do you see this super size watermelon next to the bus station? Unbelievable, but this part of Siberia, Khakasia, is good for growing watermelons! The size of them is small, but they are still being delicious watermelons!

Republic of Khakasia

On Sunday October 19^th, we shared our testimonies with a small church of Pastor Eduard in Abakan city. The beauty of this group is a mix of Russian and Khakasian people. At this time, Khakasian people are seeking and open to the Lord! We visited Khakasian village Smirnovka near Abakan city and had a great time of fellowship there! A young widow has four little children and raising them with a help of Christian brothers and sisters. Pastor Eduard purchased flower, sugar, macaroni, and oil for her family and we helped him to take it to the village. We enjoyed listening Christian songs in Khakas language. They were interested to hear about Christians around the world. During the week, we had a privilege to participate in a small home group. One guy was excited by giving his testimony. He accepted Jesus a week ago at this home group and was dreaming to become a Pastor! Few people were going trough the hard time at work, and we took it to the Lord. People asked us a thousand questions! More then two hours of fellowship were gone unnoticeable.

A young widow with her children

People are ready to listen

In a small village Smirnovka

Pastor Eduard, Natasha, and their children Tatiana and Efrem

Toward Krasnoyarsk region

Early in the morning, we left Tayshet city of Irkutsk region and went toward Krasnoyarsk region. You can see we had a fun on the road: fixing a car and watching a sun coming up.

A segment of Federal Highway Irkutsk-Moscow

We could see more leaves on the trees: we are going to the south of Siberia

Siberian wild apples around an inch of diameter

Contemporary castle nearby Krasnoyarsk city

Nice buildings of Russian Orthodox Church

Russian folklore. People were singing at Train Station. We wish to hear Russian Christian songs everywhere in Russia!

Old Russian steam locomotive next to the Train Station

Tayshet on September 28

Old Russian style of building.
Worship time with a small group in Tayshet
People's hearts were open to the message.
We came back little bit to the south of Irkutsk region. The weather here is warmer.
Look at this beautiful view! Fall picture after having a snow in Siberia.
Ministry to the people at Rehab center. Each of them went trough the difficult period of life and is trying to get back to the normal. We prayed for them. They decided to firgive others to get forgiven.
In the kitchen of Rehab center. This house was built from big logs.
The small village with Rehab center 20 miles away from the city.
Vitaliy, the leader of Rehab, with his wife Anastasia. They are expecting their baby in October.
We prayed for Zhenya's needs. She is going to the hospital.

The week of September 21

This week God blessed us to minister at Drug Rehab in Bratsk city and at church in Shumilovo; also, to pray on Friday evening for children and grandchildren with Ust-Kut church. We experienced snow and cold.

We had a great time of fellowship with 12 people at Rehab. They had a chance to ask questions. We shared testimonies and prayed for their needs. After that, Yuriy preached at the small church there. The main scripture was the Gospel of John 3:14-16. The building used for the service was under reconstruction with a lot of dust. Very similar atmosphere was in many people’s hearts. They prayed for God’s help and renewal their lives, for keeping them clean and dead to the sins.

Many trees already lost their leaves.
The snow was on the ground.

It was God’s plan for us to visit Shumilovo twice. During our second visit, we finished what God called us for. We were peacemakers for that small church. Leaders could open their hearts and talk to us openly. They asked each other for forgiveness. We prayed with them. After long time of storm among people at that church, peace came into their hearts. Praise God! Please continue to pray for them: for the unity and fresh revelation from God.

Beautiful view

You can see icy water.

Friday evening is a prayer time for many churches and groups around the world. We loved to pray together at Erie, PA on 1209 State Street. We were glad to join with prayer here in Siberia on Friday evening. Christians prayed directly for their children and grandchildren. They staid for the children. The Christians set our family as a good ensample

The larch trees are ready to drop needle