Friday, May 27, 2011

Friday, May 6, 2011

ALIVE AND WELL IN AMERICA

Dear Friends, Family and Partners in the Lord! 

Here we are - still in America -  still alive and active in the ministry and thankful to the Lord for bringing us here in 2011. As you all know, Olga and I are full time missionaries with the Intensive Care Ministries which has effective Bible study programs to train and equip pastors, leaders and believers for the work of ministry. ICM of Russia is reaching hundreds of Christian workers though holding life-changing seminars and conferences all over the former Soviet Union. Your prayerful and financial support enables us to travel each and every month to minister to ministers and believers in the Lord Jesus Christ! We also reach street children in the city of Cherepovets and Severodvisk, Russia through feeding, clothing and kid's Bible teaching programs. Similarly, their drinking moms and dads are being reached and giving their hearts to the Lord! And for that, we praise Jesus, our Savior! We are grateful to serve with such a compassionate and effective ministry! This year before we came to the States, the Lord spoke to us out of the Book of Isaiah 55:5: "Behold, you shall call a nation (America) that you know not, and nations that do not know you shall run to you because of the Lord, your God and of the Holy One of Israel..."  

The Lord uses us here in America in ways we never thought of. Wherever we go, doesn't matter if it is the church or  the ministry, Christian school or public school we see young adults and children who love to sing praises to Jesus and memorize Bible verses. We want to see the same heart of worship in our youth, adults and kids in Russia. While in the States, we are living in the Russian Mission Hospitality House here in Pollock Pines. Our friends and partners has been meeting here for worship, prayer and Bible Study. As missionaries we are invited to different churches and home fellowships to lead Bible Studies and share our vision with believers here in the States. Olga and I just love it when we are being used by God! We enjoy seeing God's mighty hand upon us and our fellow missionaries in Russia who are now leading churches: and teaching IBS wherever they go, for instance Garik and Tanya in Cherkessk, Abner and Ira in Cherepovets, Zhenya and Natasha in Krememnchug. Andrey has relocated his entire family, his wife Sveta and two children to the town of Anisimovo (Olga's hometown) to start a home fellowship there. Alex is doing mission work all over the place as well. Nate and Sveta recently came to the States to have a wedding here. They are leaving for Russia in the month of August. ICM Russia partners Victor and Luba from Severodvinsk effectively lead the church they planted in their hometown and teach Inductive Bible Studies  all over the place. Yuri and Alla, missionaries in the town of Kirillov joined ICM Crew last year and are enjoying friendships and ministry we do together. Vitaly and Julie decided to partner with ICM Russia several years ago and joined our ministry crew last year as well. They run a small church in the town of Belozersk. Victor and Alena are ministering in the city of Vologda  and teaching through the Word  of God  to their congregation. ICM is a very effective ministry because we all has a passion to pass the training we received unto others. "Others first!" is our motto. 

In the month of April, Garik held an Inductive Bible Study seminar in Cherkessk where he was able to gather together more than 50 different church leaders and Christian workers for IBS Training Course. Many ministers of the Gospel from various backgrounds came to study the Word and experience God’s awesome Grace. Garik said that some leaders are now teaching the Word inductively in their ministries, churches, home fellowships, families and communities. This is one of the ICM outreaches that helps to train and provide experience for the students of the Word. 

It is so awesome to realize that God equips us with everything we need to go in Jesus' name and advance the Kingdom in Russia, Ukraine, the Caucasus, America and... God has called us to go to the ends of the Earth, hasn't He?! We love our Lord! Yes, Olga and I like it here in America because the people are very nice and friendly and of course, the food is different :0) We have adjusted to the hotter climate. The Northern California scenery is beautiful and breathtaking! 

Spiritual atmosphere: there are various religions active here in America, as a result of that, a lot of people  here are confused and suspicious; there are many seeking for truth along with spiritual legalism and strongholds. God is opening doors for us to reach out to the seekers and break down the strongholds in the mighty Name of Jesus. 

Networking: The Lord is helping us make connections with different ministries and churches here and the local pastors in the Placer area. This is  very helpful, we are able to effectively share ICM Russia vision with Christian community here. We have preached the Word at several churches in the area. The pastors have expressed a sincere interest and willingness to help us spread the Word in the former Soviet Union and to the ends of the Earth. Also, some of the pastors plan on coming and bringing people over to Russia to work with ICM Russia Crew. Together we will train and equip the saints and reach out to the lost. Olga and I are praying and expecting God to move in our lives in ways we never saw Him moved before. Please join us in prayer for Intensive Care Ministries. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! We treasure all our partners, friends and family! Love you loads!