Tuesday’s World

Tuesday was a great day of ministry as the team broke up into two teams to serve the Lord on different fronts. It all started out badly as there was some miscommunication about breakfast…we were told that it would be at 9:00 a.m. but it was actually at 8:00 a.m. and we all missed it, so Rod began his teaching unfed. Thankfully, Marat, one of the brothers, left the building to get the basics of a typical Russian breakfast: Bread, cheese and sausage (like a salami and/or bologna). The team ate heartily with some tea of course, and Rod managed to grab a couple of pieces during one of the breaks.

After lunch some of the team left with Valantine to visit some Babushkas that are shut in. They were able to be an encouragement to them. Later in the afternoon the team left for the street kids ministry with Natalia Slobodyan, which meets at the Good News Church pastored by Piotr Zhuk. Many of these kids will end up in prison as they have no skills, education or ability to work, so they steal and eventually are arrested. Valantine who works in the prison ministry is saddened to see so many of them end up there and prays that somehow they can help teach and train these children as well as share God’s love and some food. It is always amazing to me how much these brothers and sisters love those that are hurting and in need.

Rod’s class ended up to be somewhat pleasantly controversial as we discussed many things related to preaching and subjects that are difficult to preach on. Here are some of the topics we discussed:

Church Discipline – they were encouraged that at our church we were willing to be obedient to Matthew 18:15-17 and we discussed the attitudes necessary in the process (they tend to be harsh) and what it means to “deliver someone unto Satan for the destruction of their flesh.”

Calling something sin that is not clearly identified as sin in the Bible – Drinking alcohol, which they would say is a sin, yet they use alcoholic wine for their communion (that was an interesting discussion), Smoking, Dancing, the use of drugs, etc. It was a healthy discussion and they all understood that these are “wisdom issues” and for us to draw a line in the sand, although making life simple, is not being faithful to what God’s Word teaches.

Unity – we talked about the need to unite in love even when there are some doctrinal differences in our churches. Sadly, there is a growing divide on Calvinistic and Arminian lines which is causing great conflict in the church. It was great to hear the men talk through this with the differences all being represented in the room. We talked about the need to allow freedom for each other to do ministry as God had called them and to work hard at not being divided or emotionally driven when they disagree.

In the evening Rod had the opportunity to visit a leaders Bible Study with Surgei Interesov who is the pastor of the First Baptist Church and where Emilia, our interpreter, attends. This church is made up of many former drug addicts, especially ones who have gone through the Rehab center. Many of the me are sick and have HIV, yet they are so hungry to be God’s church and are getting ready to embark on a study through the book of Ephesians because they want to learn what it means to be God’s church and to do church God’s way… They peppered me with questions for two hours and it was great fellowship around the table and with candies and tea.

Please pray for us. Today will be a long day. The team will travel to Sterlatimak, a two hour bumpy drive, to spend many hours with those at the Rehab Center and then will visit at Surgei Loshak’s church in the evening, returning home very late at night.

Rod will be teaching and immediately following dinner will be hosting a seminar on the Basics of Biblical Counseling.

So, it will be a full day. Rod is still struggling with a fever (which usually creeps up in the evening and causes pain in his legs). Please pray for endurance and for God to be glorified.

God bless…