FAITH IN ACTION BIBLE SCHOOL Vladivostok, Russia Supported by Faith Ministries & Faith Bible College in New Zealand, Faith Ministries Japan, and World Outreach. | Home | Back to Newsletter index |
RUSSIA REPORT MAY 2002

"...let us make there a place

where we may dwell."

2 Kings 6:2

As God gave Moses plans to build a Tabernacle, and Nehemiah was stirred to rebuild the walls, so the Lord has laid on our hearts plans to build a dormitory for Faith in Action Bible School in Vladivostok. For those who have visited FIA, you probably were amazed that the students could actually live and learn in such difficult conditions. We take for granted the modern facilities in our country.

When I was in Vladivostok in March to set the building process in motion, I was told that my guess of US $50,000 needed to be tripled. Prices in Russia are rising toward world market prices, and the present estimate is US $150,000 (NZ$ 360,000). This will probably need to be increased by the time we finish construction and outfit the building (hopefully by September).
Raising money is not my strong gift. In fact I am overawed by the size of our need, and our faith will need to be stretched to see God provide. But I believe He will. I am sure that hundreds of believers and churches around the world will take a part in seeing the Bible School students provided with a new home.

 

 

God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and maybe you are His steward looking after some of them (figuratively). Maybe your church has a Missions account waiting for a timely project. Maybe the Lord is saying to invest into His work instead of leisure or entertainment. Or maybe you can only give a few sacrificial dollars. All of these count. Our provision so far is barely enough to fill the bulb of our budget thermometer, so pray along with us and let's see the miraculous provision of our "God in Action".

VOLUNTEERS TO BUILD
Our vision is to invite volunteers to come and help with this building project. Working with the Russian brothers is one way we can learn about them, encourage them, and impart both Spiritual and practical blessings to them. If you have some building skills and can spare two weeks, a month or more, please contact us for more information.

FIA Students and staff, April 2002

RUSSIA REPORT from Noel Morris
TEACHING: In March I spent 2 weeks teaching at FIA. My travelling companion, Karl Dunseath from our church in Hamilton, helped with the teaching load. As usual it is an awe-inspiring experience to impart the Word of God to such spiritually hungry students. They take copious notes and ask searching questions. And then they put into practice in their lives the principles we have taught.

STUDENTS: This time we have 37 students, about twice as many students as usual. There are many more men than women. In the classroom they are crammed sometimes 3 to a desk, and in the bedrooms in bunk beds and 6 or 8 to a room. Meals are eaten in two shifts, and yet they are enthusiastic and a glowing testimony to their Lord Jesus.

MINISTRY: In the week-ends we made trips to Khabarovsk to encourage a missionary, and to a village called Kamen Rybolov near the China border. Here we preached in the church (started and pastored by our Graduates) and spent several hours praying and ministering to all the believers. Many were healed and set free. One old man began to see more clearly, and one woman's hearing was markedly restored. In the afternoon we spoke at an even smaller village where a pioneer church is beginning. About 10 first-time attenders prayed the sinner's prayer, and many were also healed.

PLANNING: During my time in Vladivostok I was also involved in the planning and preparations to build the new dormitory. I met with architects, engineers and builders to find an economical way to do this project. I should explain that we already have the remains of a demolished building, and in fact we will be "rebuilding" on these existing foundations, which saves us much money in obtaining new permits.

HEALTH: About the middle of my stay in Russia I got a fever, and by the time I returned to New Zealand I was quite sick. The doctor took one look at me and admitted me to hospital for a week with pneumonia. Although I have been home for 3 weeks at time of writing, I am still short of breath and don't have much energy to work. This is the main reason that this newsletter is coming to you so late.

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OVERSIGHT BOARD
"Faith in Action" has an International Board of three men to advise and guide the Russian staff. Alistair Reese, a pastor and teacher from the Bay of Plenty, is currently the chairman. Alistair has been to Vladivostok to teach almost every year.

Des Short is the founder and Principal of Faith Bible College in Tauranga. Des has been an inspiration in the growth of FIA, and naturally FIA is a daughter school of Faith Bible College.

Noel Morris is the third member of the board, and is responsible for the practical side of coordinating teachers for Vladivostok, and seeing that financial support comes in from Christians around the world for FIA.

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KARL IN RUSSIA
Karl Dunseath from Hamilton accompanied Noel on this teaching trip. He said he was surprised at the moving of God's Spirit in Russia and how keen the students are to learn the Word of God. Although this was Karl's first trip to Russia, he feels it will not be his last.

In this picture Karl prays for a little girl and her parents.

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BIBLE SCHOOL STAFF
Presently the school is running smoothly under the leadership of Sergei who is the Dean, and Vladimir who is Acting Principal. Sergei has all the teaching and curriculum well organised in the computer.

Vladimir emigrated to the USA but has come back with his family to invest his time in the Russian Church. He has also started a Rehabilitation Program in the church, and a farm project in one of the villages.

Sergei, the Dean at FIA                      Vladimir teaching a class

Dima, who had some burn-out and stress problems, is now healing and doing well. He translated for me one week, and we visited his home church for Sunday ministry. Dima may possibly return to the Bible School in September for the next semester.

Dima translated for Noel

THE CAMPUS OF "FAITH IN ACTION BIBLE SCHOOL"
VLADIVOSTOK, EASTERN RUSSIA

PRAY FOR:

1. all the finances needed for the new dormitory. Budget US$150,000 = NZ$360,000 = 19,800,000 Japanese Yen

2. finances needed to run the school. Approximately US$2,000 per month (NZ$5,000, 250,000 Japanese yen.)

3. volunteers to build the new dormitory building, that people with the right skills will be available at the right time.

Gifts for our support and continuing ministry to Russia can be sent:

In NZ: C/o P.O. Box 12357 Hamilton

In Japan: Postal Furikae 01150-8-74597 Faith Ministries

In USA: C/o Christian Fellowship, 2199 N. Water Street, Decatur, Illinois 62526 (Make checks out to Christian Fellowship, but memo for Faith Ministries)

From other countries: Bank: A/c name: Faith Ministries, A/c No. 060603 0000421 00 National Bank of NZ, Chartwell Branch, Routing No. NBNZ22

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