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

Ust-Ilimsk city

Church in Ust-Ilimsk

Sunday morning on September 21 was a great time of worship at Ust-Ilimsk church “Spirit of Faith.” with Pastor Nikolay Chernenko. The building was packed with people. This church is growing fast because of leading two Rehabs.

Yuriy preached at Wednesday and Sunday services. People’s hearts were open to the Holy Spirit. Anointing of God was real. People cried to God praying for their lives, families and relatives. At the end of service, pastor asked his church if they would like to bless international ministry of Yuriy and Olga. Now, we were crying to see people’s hearts responding to the Holy Spirit: those, who yesterday and days before yesterday were addicted and spent all the money and time to drugs and alcohol, were making investment into ministry for the Kingdom of God around the world. How could we be not crying!? God brings His people together and unites them for His glory. We want to see pastor Nikolay in the USA on April of 2009 at international leadership conference.

This wooden building is too small for over 200 people.

They are doing remodeling of concrete block building next to the church. People who were drug abused went through the program, got free, started their businesses, and after their regular work are doing reconstruction work for the church. Now, they are investing their time and money for the Kingdom of God. Praise the Lord! God is great! The church is planning to move her service into new building during this winter when the heater system would be done. The rest of the finish work could be performed later.