Camp at the lake Baikal

We spent six days at th camp on the lake Baikal. Up to 130 people came to the camp to get a fresh air into their lives, ministry, marriage, etc. It was family oriented camp. Christians from eight churches had fellowship together. Many prayers had been answered here. People received encouragement and got refreshed and prepared for the every day walk.

For the first time for many years (this camp we started back in 1997), we witnessed an engagement announcement at the camp!

Beautiful view from the hill

Nearby place of worship to Buddha. Many native people at that area (and not the only) worship to Buddha and to god of Baikal.

The weather during the day in July was hot and people could swim every day (a few times:))

We stayed in one of the tents. Good sleeping  bags were helpful during the cool nights.

Old military kitchen was used to prepare delicious meal for up to 130 people (adults and children)

 Every evening we had a fun time.

 The temperature was going up quickly during the day and down at evening, so we should change our clothes often accordingly to the weather condition.

Every day we had a marriage seminar. Our dining room tent was converted to the class room. Our teaching included many life stories. We shared from our marriage experience and our mistakes. Many couples asked us after classes: "How did you know what was going in our marriage? We could feel that you were talking about us. That's exactly us! Everything about us. What we have done hiding behind our marriage walls, you said it out-loud."  Many of them got a revelation, that every couple is going through the similar situations and problems but the difference is how we are acting. May God bless each of us to focus on Jesus in our every day lives.

Clear Baikal water. The lake Baikal contains up to 20% of fresh water in the world!

We went to one of the highest points on the lake Baikal to pray for the healing of the land.

We prayed and blessed all the people of that land around the lake Baikal

Back to Siberia

Greetings from Siberia!
We arrived from Moscow to Irkutsk and were planning to fly to the small city Ust-Kut. There were no any tickets to Ust-Kut. For our surprise, we found that tickets are available to another small city near our destination point. For our bigger surprise, we learned that it is a small aircraft with  9 passenger seats!

Here we are in the air around 2 kilometers (6000 foot) altitude.

We enjoyed the beautiful view through the window.

On the first Sunday we joined worship in the church we planted many years ago! Our hearts were full of joy.

Great improvement on “The House of Mercy”

Progress in Ust-Ilimsk on "The House of Mercy"

Visiting Altay

That's us on the train station (picture below) and inside of the train!

During this summer, we traveled a lot by train. We had short trips for 4-5-9 hours and long trips for 36-44 hours on the row. Also, we had up to 50 neighbors around (seating and sleeping and eating in the same car)!

Waiting for our next train (Four hours of our connection time!)

The beauty of the village life!

We reached the city by train and then got a ride for 50 minutes to the small village where our friends live.

We could stay with them at their small home for 4 days. Their children willingly shared with us their room

Kitchen and dining area.
Olga enjoys cooking and every day we had something special: salads, soup, etc

Andrey & Luda and their 4 children. Another Christian lady who has 7 foster kids just recently moved to this village from the north-east part of Siberia. The local climate here in the Western part of Siberia is soft and warm compare with the Eastern part of Siberia. 

The row honey... honey comb!

One day, we all together worked in their garden

It's usual for the village residents to take care for animals (goats, rabbits, chicken)

All the vegetables at Altay area are growing faster and bigger compare with Siberian area. You can see potatoes on the picture below. We made this pictures 2 days after we left Irkutsk region, Siberia, and spent 2 days on train. The spring and summer were delayed and potatoes in Irkuts region just braked through the ground and showed its green color for a little bit.

Magistralny and Ulkan

Do you see a white color on the picture above? Could you please guess: what is it there?
The picture made on June 21st while we visited small churches in small villages in Irkutsk region, Siberia.
It's non-melted snow and ice right near to the road... at hot summer time! The temperature at that day was about 85 degree F.
Unfortunately, sometimes our hearts are still covered with ice and snow while other people could enjoy hot blessings of the Holy Spirit.

We had a privilege to visit Pastor Alexey and Dasha. They have three sons and one daughter.
They own a house and use it temporarily for the church services while the church building is still under reconstruction
 

Alexey and Dasha with their little princess

Building under Re-construction

Worship and prayers and teaching at Pastor's home

At train station with our friend: we are ready to go to the next small village!

God used us as peacemakers to reconcile relationship among Christians in a small church.
People hearts were covered by non-melted snow and ice. Praise God the Holy Spirit melted it and brought peace for many people. It was a hard assignment for all of us. Please keep praying!