A New Name Written Down in Glory!

For the last few weeks Alexander has been reading his Bible at home each morning along with the Halley's Bible Handbook we gave him for Christmas. In the services, as we continue through the Firm Foundations lessons, Alexander has recently began understanding much about the finished work of Christ on the cross. It is always exciting to share the Gospel with someone who has never heard before. As many of you know from experience, often it doesn't "sink in" the first time they hear of God's free gift of salvation. But how exciting it is to watch when all the pieces do come together for them and they understand that God loved them that much to send His only begotten Son to die in their place!

Alexander and his wife Galina with David and the kids.

We are so thankful to share with you that just this last Sunday Alexander prayed and accepted Christ as his Savior! Our whole family has been praying diligently for Alexander to be saved and therefore greatly rejoiced with him as soon as they heard the news. What a blessing for us to now have two saved families attending faithfully. Now, we have a problem...we need to go out and reach some more souls for Christ!! Pray for us and our little church family to be a bright light here in Elita.

"That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world." Philippians 2:15

Sveta's Husband Attends Services

Sveta, Tanya, Eddie, and Angelina

We have already "introduced" you to Sveta, one of the ladies who has been attending our services. She comes with her two children, Tanya (12 years old) and Angelina (2 1/2 years old).  Eddie, Sveta's husband, was saved several years ago through another church and has continued to struggle with alcohol and drug abuse. Since he left approximately six months ago to begin a rehab program in another city, Sveta began faithfully attending our services. She has grown tremendously during this time and now is faithful to attend every service. Her daughter Tanya has also accepted Christ since her father has been away. Last Wednesday, Eddie returned home for a visit. That evening he attended services with his family. Please pray for Sveta and Eddie as they strive to live as a Christian family should. With his return to the village, Eddie returns to the same friends and influences he had before. His parents are unsaved and are always willing to invite him over to drink with them. Pray for him to stand strong and resist against these temptations and to be a good testimony to others.
We would also ask for your prayers for Sveta's mother, Katya, who also lives in the home. Katya has attended services in the past and we continue to witness to her weekly as we visit the home. We see the Lord working in her heart but she has yet to accept Him as her Savior. Katya is like many here who think they have to "get ready" to be saved. She too struggles with alcohol. She struggles with Eddie's faults and failures. For some, such as Katya, it is difficult to accept the fact that God loves them just as they are and that He is ready and waiting to forgive them of their sins. So thankful for the promises of God's word in Ephesians 2:4-5, "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)" Pray for Eddie, Sveta, and Tanya to be the proper testimony to Katya that she may see lives in her own home changed by God's grace and that she herself would desire a new life in Christ.