Youth Conference – Continued

Our youth conference continued today, beginning with a hearty breakfast of macaronie and ground beef, bread with butter and home grown honey (to die for).  After some opening songs Rod spoke on Judges 13 encouraging the young people to avoid the mistakes that Samson made who didn’t take advantage of the influence of history, godly influences (parents) and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.  Next Chris spoke on Romans 12:1-2 encouraging the youth to present their bodies as a holy sacrifice to God, avoiding the pressure of the world by purposefully workin on renewing the mind.  He did a great job and I am really proud of how he is rising to the occasion.

After lunch Nail, a national pastor, spoke on the issue of obedience.  Now, you think that Rod preaches long – sheeesh!!  Then, immediately after he spoke, we had three songs and Stephen & Kenny along with the help of Svetlana and Indira (Emily’s sister who helps with interpreting) shared a skit on the struggles we go through trying to be cool and fitting into the world when we don’t need to.  Then Rod, immediately finished out the conference speaking on Psalm 37:4, which is actually Psalm 37:5 in the Russian Bibles as they give a verse to the title of each psalm.

Now, the interesting thing is how long these young people sat without breaks.  We American are not used to the endurance that they had and during Nail’s sermon were dropping like flies, bobbling heads and yawning like lazy lions on the prarie.  We were doing all we could do to stay awake, but lunchwas hearty, the sermon was long and residual tiredness was sitting in.  Fortunately, none of us made any major scene — we came close, though.

In the evening some of the team went out for a walk with the interpreters, but Rod, Gini and Renee stayed back to rest.  Rod is still struggling with a fever, so please pray for him.  Gini and Renee are already being swarmed by the ladies of the churches and are answering lots of questions.  I think that their Women’s Conference will be outstanding and will be a great encouragement to the churches here.

Well, tomorrow we split into two teams and will be serving in four different churches.  Please pray for our effectiveness, our encouragement and for our health.

We love you and miss you all very much…