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Every time I go to Vladivostok for a Graduation
of students, it is a great occasion. When I come home and people
ask, I say "Yes, I had a great time." But I think the
truth is more than that. Those students who finish the course
of study and receive their diplomas are being sent out into the
Lord's harvest field, sent out to touch and change their nation.
Russia is a nation that really needs some good change. Little
by little all the good in society is being infected by corruption,
alcoholism, crime, break-down in the family, and a widening gap
between rich and poor. Only by knowing Jesus and the power of
His love can the Russian people be delivered and healed, and given
a new life of hope.
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At Faith in Action, our mandate is to
provide leaders for the church in Far East Russia. Since starting
in 1994 over 80 have completed the one year course, and many are
now in full time service for the Lord.
This is why it is such a privilege to have a part in training
and releasing young men and women into leadership. I share this
privilege with many others who have come from countries all around
the world to teach in Vladivostok, and with Christians from everywhere
who give financially and pray to make it all possible. Thank you
to all who have participated in giving, prayer, teaching, or helping
in other ways.
I arrived in Vladivostok on May 31st, and began teaching from the book of Hebrews that evening. The next two days Pastor Russ Purcell and a group from his church in Tennessee came to teach and give prophetic ministry to the students. I finished Hebrews, and taught Motivational Gifts and Healing Ministry during the last week of school. As well I visited a missionary friend in Khabarovsk, attended the Aglow meeting, and fixed or upgraded four computers.
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On Friday 9th we held the Graduation service
in the church's auditorium. About 60 people came to see the students
receive their diplomas. Pastor Alexei and I spoke, and
as well two students shared briefly about their experience and
their hopes for the future.
One, Sergei, shared that only a year ago he had been in
prison and the Lord had given him a vision. In the vision he was
dressed in red and standing and speaking before some people. This
was prophetic, because we have been given the use of red gowns
and caps from Rhema Bible College in America for our graduates
to wear, and here he was dressed in red sharing his vision with
us.
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The other, Oleg, told how his dream
was to go out and start pioneer churches in the villages near
his home church.The finale of the Graduation was a drama or skit
put on by the students. Russians love to observe and mimic each
other, and they showed us a "typical" class situation
and their impressions of Dima, the principal, and 3 other teachers
(2 of whom were present!). It was a most hilarious conclusion
to their Graduation.
The other nine junior students will now begin the practical phase
of their training, in their churches or in some outreach situation.
While they serve, they also have study assignments to do, and
the pastors give us an evaluation of their 10 weeks of internship.
They will come back for classes in September.
I was invited to celebrate the first wedding anniversary with Stas and Zina, who graduated a year ago. You may remember that Stas spent 26 years of his life in prison. Now he is so happy about his second "sentence" and spends some of his time helping the families of other men in prison.
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I also met Zhenya who also graduated
a year ago. He is now working in a home near Khabarovsk for recovering
alcoholics, and is now being helped by Valodia, a former
classmate.
In Khabarovsk I met Edik and Katya (graduates of
1995) and 4 year old Mark. They have recently come to Khabarovsk
to begin a youth ministry with a desire to see the youth from
all the churches cooperating together. They all came to the train
station with Yana to see me off. Yana worked for about
4 years in a large church in Chita, Siberia, and has just moved
to Khabarovsk to be the secretary of a new Bible Institute about
to start in August.
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Last month a team of Christian Architects
and Engineers from the States came as volunteers to evaluate our
buildings and property, to give us advice and plans on where to
start and what order to rebuild. At present we are waiting for
their recommendations and plans, but it is obvious that we need
to begin rebuilding a dormitory for the Bible School during the
few months between now and the new term in September.
Pray for our reconstruction projects, for the finances needed
and the volunteers to come to Russia and help with the building.
If you have time and expertise, and a desire to help in Russia,
please contact me about the practical details.
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1. Continued financial support for pastors, workers and students in Far East Russia.
2. Money for the reconstruction of the Students Dormitory.
3. Volunteers to come and help with building and repairs.
4. Graduates going out in ministry, and students in their practical study phase.
5. Funds for Noel's travel to Russia in May/June. US$500 or NZ$1,000 still outstanding.