Very Manured on Monday

So, Monday was for many on the team a day to catch up a little from the business of Sunday, but Rod’s class with the Pastors started at 11:00 a.m. and all the team were introduced and shared a little about themselves.  Then, after lunch, they had the opportunity to visit a little of the town of Ufa, do a little bit of shopping and seek to get ready for the rest of the week.

Rod taught from 11:00 to 6:30 with a break for lunch in between.  Realize, however, that our Russian friends love their tea and biscuits, so every hour or so they take a break to refill their mugs and stack up on cookies.  The class is going well, with about 25 men in attendance and more to be coming today (Tuesday).  Rod is teaching on “Preaching on Difficult Issues” and there is an eagerness for the discussion on these issues.

In the evening most of the team either relaxed, did school work (yes, some of our team are taking on-line classes and are able to submit assignments while here – technology at its best) worked on the women’s conference, but most of all prepared for this coming busy week.

Both Kenny and his mother, Renee, were asked to work with the street kids tonight.  Only two could go as they were going to go find the children in different hiding places so taking the whole group would have been very difficult.  When I see Ken & Renee I’ll get an update and share their experience with you.

Here is our schedule for this week:

Tuesday – the Team (less Rod) will be working with the street kids ministry through the evening while Rod teaches from 9:30 until 6:30 followed by a Bible Study at First Baptist Church of Ufa in the evening.

Wednesday – The Team (less Rod) will travel to Sterlatimak and visit the Rehab center where Chris has been asked to teach three Bible lessons, Gini will be speaking to the young ladies and Steven will also share a Bible Study.  This was a highlight of our trip last time so everyone is excited to go.  It will be an all day event – leaving early and returning very late.  Rod will continue to teach from 9:30 until 6:30 followed by a seminar on Biblical Counseling at the Central Church.  Many of the churches will be present for the seminar.

Thursday – The Team will be serving with the street kids again and Rod will continue to teach from 9:30 to 6:30, however, this will be his last day of teaching as the men will need to return to their homes so that they can watch the children as their wives come for the ladies conference which begins on Friday.

Friday – The Team (less Rod, Gini & Renee) will be taking the street kids ice skating and will be gone most of the day.  In the evening at 7:00 Gini and Renee will begin the ladies conference.  They will have a nice meal and a time of games and then Gini will teach.

Saturday – The ladies conference will continue until about 5:00 p.m. after which the team will all head out to the rehab center in Sterlatimak again for an evening service.  They will all stay at Sergei Loshak’s home and serve in the Sterlatimak region the next day, being divided up into two teams.

So, as you can see…we are going to be busy.  My goal is to keep you as informed as I can, but understand we are all very busy and eager to be involved in ministry…

We love you all and appreciate your continued prayers for us.

About the title:  We found out in one of the testimonies that the word for encouragement is very close to the word for manure…so, we have all embraced a new word and are seeking to manure each other all week long!!