A Year in Review - 2010

 Now that we have a more reliable internet connection from our house we are better able to properly update and add pictures to our blog. We will start out by using this post to catch you up on how the Lord has worked in our ministry by sharing the highlights of 2010.

One of the first blessings of the year was the vehicle we were able to purchase after our accident in June of 2008. We are so thankful for the many churches and supporting families who gave to help us in the purchase of a  2005 4-wheel drive Korean truck for personal and ministry use here in Russia.

During the last few days of 2009 and even into the first few months of 2010, the cultural building in which we hold services was closed down until necessary requirements were met for fire safety standards. Although we were unable to hold services during this time, we made visits to our children and stayed in close contact with the adults who had attended our services before the closing of the building.

Galina

One lady, Galina, began attending services on a regular basis in the fall of 2009. She worked in a store located here in the village where Dee often shops for bread. One day, Galina asked about specifically about the times of our services. She shared with Dee that her son was a Christian and that she had a desire to study the Bible. During the time the community building was closed, we were able to invite Galina and her husband, Alexander, to our home for tea. As a result of this visit, Alexander began attending services with his wife once the building was opened.

Alexander

Our first Sunday service back in the building we were encouraged to have a good number of children in their places for Sunday School. 

In a previous prayer letter we told you about a little girl named Dasha who attends our Sunday school services. Dasha had a unique story in that at the young age of nine she lost both her parents within a years time. She and her older brother arrived here at the start of the school year, while her mother made preparations for the rest of the family to arrive and find an apartment to rent in the city. A few months later, Dasha's father who was divorced from her mother, passed away from alcohol abuse. Six or seven months later her mother, who was expecting another child, became ill with swine flu. She died of complications from the flu losing her child as well. Dasha was left here in Elita to live with her aunt. Her aunt is a Christian who right away started the process of adopting Dasha. This lady who has a family of seven boys was finally blessed with a daughter! Dasha is still adjusting to her new family and it has been a blessing to see her continue to come to Sunday school. When we shared her story in our prayer letter, one of our supporting churches sent her a package of new clothes and goodies from the States. As you can see in these pictures, it made her smile! Thank you for caring for Dasha and being an encouragement to her. She was really touched to see a picture of children in America who have been praying specifically for her and her situation.

Dee with Dasha and some of her Sunday school friends.

In July of 2010 we held our 4th annual VBS program. The theme this year focused on good and bad decisions various men of the Bible made in their lives and how those decisions affected their future. The theme verse was Prov. 16:17 which says, "The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul." We are so grateful for the full use of the community building the director gives us during our VBS week. They have never asked for us to pay any rent since we first asked to hold services there five years ago. What a blessing!
This year two young ladies from the States were visiting Krasnoyarsk during the week of our VBS and agreed to help with teaching and in any other capacity they could. Lydia's family had been misisonaries in other areas of Russia and also served here in Krasnoyarsk a few years ago. Since she grew up in Russia, Lydia speaks fluently and was able to lighten the teaching load for Dee with the younger children. We greatly appreciated Lydia Pranger and Elizabeth Brown's sweet spirit and willingness to serve.

Song service - notice the lady mopping as we sing. :)

Lydia teaching the younger class.

David teaching the older class.

Dee teaching the path to salvation.

Game time.

Ping-pong relay

Girls getting ready for tug-of-war against the boys!

All during the week the kids earn points for saying Bible verses, completing their worksheets, participating in the activities, and inviting new kids each day. 

On Friday they are able to "spend" their points to buy prizes in our prize store.

The ladies helped out with face painting while everyone waited for their turns to choose their prizes.

We praise the Lord for a good week and another opportunity to clearly present the plan of salvation to the many children who attended VBS this year. Please pray for more children to come to know Christ as their personal Savior through these ministries.

Just before the school year begins we have a "Back to School" party for the Sunday school kids. This year we had a good attendance and everyone enjoyed the games, cupcakes and special gifts of new school supplies.

The smaller pre-school children received coloring books and crayons.

The whole group present on "Back to School" Sunday.

Dasha, Anya, and Dasha's cousin, Serge with their gifts.

We had been praying for Galina to be saved since she began attending services. We had met with her each week careful to answer any questions she might have had as we studied the Bible. Galina accepted Christ as her personal Savior on September 5, 2010. This photo was taken that day immediately following the service. Galina couldn't believe that salvation was so freely given. She later told us that she first came to our services thinking she was saved. As she heard more and more she realized how lost she really was. She explains her spiritual knowledge then and now as different as "night and day". Praise the Lord for Galina's salvation!

Sveta and Galina with David

Two weeks after Galina accepted Christ, Tanya a twelve year old girl who has attended our Sunday School program faithfully for a few months was saved! Dee met Tanya on visitation when we first moved into the village. She came to Sunday school every once in a while. Tanya talked to Dee about her father and mother who had made professions of faith at another church a few years before. Her father attended our services one time and her mother had never attended. After visiting the family week after week for several years, the mother became more and more interested in attending. Sveta who is pictured above with Galina and David is Tanya's mother. Praise the Lord Sveta is now faithful to attend services every week. She brings Tanya and her youngest daughter Angelina with her. Her husband has been away for months at an alcohol rehab center in another city. Sveta was saved years ago but with no discipleship or guidance she never grew as a Christian. It is such a blessing to see her now and hear her praise the Lord for leading her to a church here in Elita where she has learned so much more about how to live the Christian life.

Rebekah with Tanya after she accepted Christ.

Ryan with Angelina

David with Galina's son, Igor

Galina had told us many stories about her son, Igor, who was saved several years ago after he entered a Narcotic rehab center in another city. Every time he visited Galina and Alexander we had been  unable to meet him. Once Galina accepted Christ, we wanted to hear his reaction to the news. One day, as we were dropping something off at Galina's house, we were finally able to meet Igor and talk with him a little. He gave David a hug and thanked us for serving the Lord here in Elita. He was so thankful that his mother, for whom he had prayed two years, had come to know the Lord as her Savior. What a blessing it was to finally meet Igor and rejoice with him about his mother's salvation! 

We pray this provides you with a good overview of the blessings of 2010. We praise God for what HE has done in the hearts and lives of those we have been able to reach for Him.