July 2009

Как вас зовут? (Pronounced - cock vas za-voot). This short phrase in Russian translates in English as, what is your name? But when you literally translate this statement it asks the question, how are you called?

Over the past couple of weeks I have given much thought to this statement. How are you called? We had the opportunity to travel to Athens, Greece for our Annual General Meeting (AGM) with International Mission Board (IMB). It was a time of praise, worship, meetings, and giving. I am proud to share with you that your missionaries serving across Central and Eastern Europe gave over $80,000.00 to overseas missions through our Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.

One evening we had the opportunity to walk the streets of Athens and see some of the ancient structures that remain there. I thought about Acts 17 when Apostle Paul visited this very same city. I thought about all the gods and “unknown gods” of the world that are leading so many people astray. I thought about how Apostle Paul referred to himself throughout scripture. Here are a few words that Paul used when identifying himself: bond-servant, apostle, servant, steward of the mysteries of God, prisoner, minister, child of God and the list could go on and on.

Now take a moment and think of some of the ways that Jesus referred to himself. Words like: Son of Man, The Vine, The Door, The Light of the World, The Bread of Life, Living Water, and certainly this list could be expanded for pages and pages.

Acts 19:15 “and the evil spirit answered and said, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are ye?’”

A thought to ponder with me: If you had to honestly, truthfully, describe yourself in a few short words……..How are you called? Как вас зовут?

Family: It seems as if the past month has been made up of only a few days. We said good-bye to our last mission team from the states and then had to immediately prepare for our 11 time zone flight to Greece. We spent ten days in Greece and then whirled back to Petropavlovsk to deal with re-registration, and the beginning of new paperwork for our next visa run which will take place in August. Please pray as these documents are being prepared.

While at AGM we were ministered to in our heart language. Please never take for granted the ability to worship with fellow believers in your heart language, your mother tongue. While at AGM, Lee was able to take part in MKR. MKR is best explained as youth camp for all the MK’s (missionary kids). Emma Grace along with her age group was provided the opportunity to take part in VBS each day, The Boomerang Express. It was a great time for our kids to worship with peers and celebrate Jesus together with their friends. Both Lee’s class and Emma’s led us in a time of Worship and celebration one night. It was awesome to see 300 youth and kids lifting up the name of Christ together. A special thanks to all the volunteers who came from the states to help lead our children during this time.

Also, while at AGM Lee and Emma were both given their achievement tests for 2009. We are very proud to report that both Lee and Emma scored in the upper percentile on a national level. In many areas Lee, our 14 year old son, was ranked at college level. We are very proud of our children not only for their test scores but how they live their lives and see themselves as a vital part of the work that God has called our family to. I am also very proud of their home school teacher, my wife, Suzanne. She fills so many roles in our family. Thanks honey!

Ministry Opportunities: During the short amount of time between the mission teams’ departures and the leaving for Greece we were invited to preach at the small church located in Yeililzo. It was an opportunity to simply brag on Jesus about the recent work He did in PK and to challenge the believers to continue to stretch their faith. Also, working with Team PK and Emmanuel Church the follow ups on the contacts made through the mission teams from the states are underway. Please continue to pray for Sasha and Emmanuel Church as they work on making contacts, setting up meetings and Bible studies. Pray that God will do a great work in Petropavlovsk during this time and give everyone the wisdom needed in taking the next steps.

Please pray for us as we will leave in the next few days on a village run. We will travel to village “E.” This trip will be the 800 mile round trip with the majority being on dirt and rock mountain roads. Please pray for us specifically as we attempt to seek out a place to rent so that we might live in the village over the next 1 ½ years before we come back to the states on our state side assignment. The village is made up of about 3,500 people and will be the strategic place to live as we reach out to other adjacent villages. The village is made up of primarily small wooden houses or log cabins. Therefore, it has proven difficult for us to find a place that is for rent. The majority of the places that are open are for sale only. At the present time due to the shortage of last year’s Lottie Moon Christmas Offering buying or building is not an option for us at this time. Please pray that the Lord directs us to the person of good will that will help us in locating the exact place in which the Lord would have us to live for the next 1 ½ years. Thank you so much for making this a matter of specific prayer.

Laborers Together: We want to give a special “thank you” to all who pray for us on a regular basis. Please continue to pray and share with others about the work God is doing in Kamchatka. Take a moment to pass on our blog address and/or email address to others. You can view our blog at http://robertsinrussia.blogspot.com or email us at going.east@hotmail.com please remember that we are always excited to hear from you and answer any questions you might have about the work in Kamchatka.

Volunteer teams are needed. If you have any interest in physically joining the work in Kamchatka you are desperately needed. We already have teams that are preparing for their trip here next summer. Please know that is impossible to plan a trip to Kamchatka in a short period of time. We suggest a year of planning and at least six months of preparation. If you are interested in how you can come to Kamchatka, help in what God is doing and are willing to have your life changed for your investment in the Kingdom don’t hesitate to contact us. The time for planning is now.

Language: Praise the Lord!!! We passed our language exam and have been released from full time language. We can now begin looking for a place to live in the village and start planning a move in God’s timing. We will continue our language classes three days a week once we are settled. Pray that God reveals to us exactly where and how we are to move north. Also, pray for us that we will be diligent to study the language on our own until we are settled in our new location.

Prayer Request:
-Pray for us as we seek housing in the village.
-Pray for the discipleship of new believers.
- Pray for the many visa struggles 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 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!