Well, as Matty and I completed our “lecture time” and summarized the material in 10 points/principles. That’s pretty much what Don and I did last year when we taught our class on Evangelistic preaching… This year our subject was Doctrinal preaching. They really have a hard time considering preaching outside the context of a corporate gathering, so preaching to youth, men or women, or any other group is something new. We spent a lot of time dealing with realting your message to your audience, etc., and they received it well, all things considered.
The rest of the team went to another orphanage today. This one was much more institutional, i.e. all heads shaved and much more of a hopless feel to it. The team was burdened but encouraged that they were able to be used, serve and represent Christ as best they could.
This evening we went to the local and main mosque where we toured the central prayer room, the rooms for washing ceremonies and a few of the class rooms. It was difficult for some, but most of us took it as a learning experience. It was eerie walking among the Shiite’s, hearing them pray, seeing them in class and watching them go through the cleansing ceremonies. For some reason my neck was a little pained…maybe it was the pastor in me feeling a little bit of the persecution that others have felt. It was a good experiennce for me to stand in a cetral location of the propagation of darkness and to pray with the rest of the group for their salvation.
The picture us of us after our Banya experience!!! What else are you supposed to do after you are baked like a turkey in the oven? Drink Tea of course!
Later in the evening we fellowshipped at Emilies home with her Mother, Father and Indira, her sister who happened to be on winter break from St. Petersburg.
Tomorrow we leave on a three day trip to visit a Rehab center and minister with the youth in Salavat…
God has been good to us, showing us our weaknesses and strengths through it all. He is using us all to help support and encourage the believers here and, as opportunity comes, to testify of His grace.
I hope to be able to update again soon…
Rod
Northern California Antioch Initiative 