It’s Saturday Morning at about 8:00. Yesterday we headed south from Ufa to the next major city in Bashkortostan, Sterlatimak where we visited with the Rehab Center and then with some of the Youth of the “House of Prayer” church.
The Rehab Center is really incredible. There are about 15 young men and women enrolled in the program. Our team arrived at about 1:00 p.m. and began to fellowship with them. 
They sang songs together, learned new games together, shared lunch together and did a great job of connecting with them. When Matty and I arrived at about 7:00 we were ushered into what would be considered their living room. We all sang some more songs and then I (Rod) was asked to share the word with them. It was great to see them all listen attentively as I spoke about Abraham’s faith, my youthful struggle with drugs and how God can take you through trials, but ultimately is preparing us for His heavenly city that has no foundations… After I spoke two of the men in attendance asked me this question, “Ardak (the name of one of the men) is supposed to be going to jail in one week for drug related crimes. Should he run away or should he go to jail?” Now it’s not to often one is asked that question and I felt the weight of a man’s life hanging on the thread of my answer. Praise God that He led me to 1 Corinthians 10:13… “There is not temptation that has overtake you but such as is common to man…who will make a way out…He is faithful…etc. the men were greatly encouraged by this verse…
Then we ate a hearty potato based soup (what soup out here is not potato based?), had some tea and then left. We will return again today and Matty will be sharing God’s Word with them.
After the Rehab center we were taken to the House of prayer church where we were able to fellowship whith the Youth… It was a good time, but they were much more reserved that the other youth we have been with.
Well, breakfast becknons…
God bless…
Rod and the gang
Northern California Antioch Initiative 