March 2009

Charles H. Spurgeon once stated, “God the Holy Spirit writes our prayers, God the Son presents our prayers and God the Father accepts our prayers. And with the whole Trinity to help us in it, what cannot prayer perform.”

Revelation 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

Dear ROPE HOLDERS, (Prayer partners); thank you so much for being so diligent in your prayers for the peoples of Kamchatka. Thank you for being an offering before the Lord. Please continue to be ferverent in your prayers as travel plans and summer mission teams begin to take shape. Pray that many will respond to the clear Gospel message in Kamchatka.

Featured question(s): This is a new section of our monthly newsletter where we would love to answer your questions. Please email your questions to us throughout the year at going.east@hotmail.com and each month we will feature a few questions in the newsletter.

Question submitted by Sherry (Union Ridge Baptist Church - Missouri) What is the main social problem in Kamchatka?The main social problem in Kamchatka would certainly be alcohol abuse. In the city there are several small wooden stands much like a small ice cream stand in the states. Instead of selling ice cream the stands here sell beer, draft beer by the cup. People will buy the beer and stand there while they drink a cup or two or ten. It is not unusual to see men starting their day at 8:00 am at the beer stand. Also, Russia is known for vodka. Daily we see men and women on the streets drinking from a liter bottle of vodka. They do have laws in Russia against drinking and driving but as far as I can tell if you are walking you can drink openly.

Tanya, one of the members of Emmanuel, recently found a new job (an answer to prayer). Oh, by the way she worked six months without pay just to get this job. She is now employed, with pay, by the police agency in PK but would be considered a social worker in the states. She has told many stories of alcohol abuse and the many problems that go along with it. During the long winters of the north many people attempt to deal with winter depression by consuming enormous amounts of alcohol which often lead to suicide.

Family: Our family is doing well. Would you like to see for yourself? We will be traveling to the states in April for visa renewal plus a little vacation time. We can’t possibly visit everyone, so we want to invite you to a pot luck gathering outside by the lake at Suzanne’s parents house in Sherman, MS. We will be outside by the lake May 2, 2009. We will start around 4 pm and hang around until the fire pit burns out. What do you need to bring? If you play an acoustic instrument bring it. We are not professionals but enjoy picking around the fire pit. You will also want to have your lawn chair and possibly some bug spray. If you would like bring a dish of whatever, by all means do so. We are excited about getting to see everyone.

Ministry Opportunities: We had several opportunities this month to minister to others. We were able to make the trip north to village “E,” approximately 650 miles on snow/ice covered dirt roads. We had the opportunity to share in two services there: one on Saturday night followed by a Russian meal and one on Sunday morning where we observed the Lord’s Supper with the handful of fellow believers there. It was also refreshing for us to be in the villages once again. The small group of believers in village “E” continues to pray for and desire a great movement from God. We hope to soon be moving north where our work can expand there. Please continue to pray for those in the villages. Many have never heard a clear presentation of the Gospel.

Praise report: Emmanuel’s evangelism training and broad sowing of the Word is bearing fruit. Praise the Lord, His Word never returns void. This month Tanya, the wife of Sasha, the house church leader, was able to lead her first person ever to the Lord. She used the simple evangelism plan that had been taught over the past few months at Emmanuel. She was able to share the Gospel with her brother-n-law Nicolai. He listened as she shared the Gospel and before she could go through all the verses she had been given during evangelism training, Nicolai said, “I want that!” “Want what?” Tanya asked. “Forgiveness,” said Nicolai. During the next few minutes Nicolai prayed to receive Christ as his Lord and Savior. Just a few days later Tanya was at her mother-n-laws house. The mother-n-law gave her a small gift and Tanya reached into her purse and handed Nadegda a New Testament. She turned the conversation to spiritual matters and praise the Lord for answered prayers, Sasha’s mother, Nadegda, prayed to receive Christ as her Lord and Savior. Please pray for Nicolai and Nadegda as they begin their walk with the Lord.

It was also a joy this month to have 2 of our teen agers take the leadership role in Bible study. Misha, a 15 year old Russian, who was saved in June 2008 has a desire to study the Bible and has begun to lead out in Bible study. He led one of our Friday night Bible studies this month. Continue to pray for Misha as he grows in his relationship with the Lord. Lee, our son, also led his first Bible study in Russian without a translator. We are very proud of him. Lee led one of the Friday night Bible studies also. It is a great time to see the teens of PK taking part in Friday night Bible study (their choice of nights by the way) and also leading.

Language: As we stated last month, we are soooo ready to be out of full-time language. On April 9 & 10 we will be taking the test that determines if we get to become part-time language students or have to remain full-time language students. This is a HUGE test covering Russian grammar, writing abilities, listening and comprehension abilities and speaking abilities. We are excited and nervous at the same time. Please be in prayer for us.

Prayer Request:
-Pray for the Putnam family as they return to Kamchatka on April 3, 2009.
-Pray for Ingram Baptist Church (Baldwyn, MS) as they prepare to send two mission teams to Kamchatka this summer.
- Pray for the many visa situations throughout Russia.
-Pray for Alexander (Sasha) and his family as God continues to use him in Kamchatka.
- Pray for the new believers in Kamchatka as they continue their walk with the Lord.
-Pray for the folks at Emmanuel as they take part in Street Evangelism Training and Application..
- Pray that we will be faithful to serve the Lord on a daily basis in the midst of __________ (just fill in the blanks).
- Pray for laborers. (We invite you to join us physically in the work – for more information about bringing a mission team to Kamchatka…..just ask!)
Thank you for holding the rope!!! We would love to hear from you.