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CHANGING LIVES IN RUSSIA
Since the Iron Curtain to Russia opened almost a decade
ago, there have been wonderful opportunities for the church to
impact on the people of Russia. Although on one hand there has
been a measure of freedom of religious activity, economic changes
have devastated the average Russian.
Changing lives is not done by legislation. It results from each
individual meeting with Jesus Christ. This may begin with mass
evangelism, but it requires one-on-one discipleship to produce
and mature Christians and a strong church.
Our purpose at Faith in Action is to mold young believers into
men and women of God who can change their village, their city,
their nation, and become the leaders of tomorrow's church in Russia.
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Students have seen God provide answers to prayer in miraculous
ways this term. Money has been short and the needs many as they
have had to make cosmetic improvements to the building to meet
inspections from authorities. Some food for the students and staff
has been donated, and supplies purchased at reduced prices. A
new heater system has been installed in time for the cold winter.
Their faith has been stretched and strengthened as they trust
in Jehovah Jireh.
To pay for repairs, utilities and food until December will cost
NZ$12,500 or US$5,000.
BUREAUCRACY IN ACTION
Bureaucracy flourished under Communism, was in chaos after Perestroika,
but has steadily grown back again. The Religious Affairs Office
in Vladivostok believes they control Religion in the area, and
have caused much difficulty with processing visa invitations.
Now they have begun to control the school through the Registration
process, inspection of premises and classes, and the interviewing
of teachers. Some times we think we have a good relationship,
then suddenly we have a big problem. We are affected by their
whims and illogical interpretations of vague laws.
But our God is in control. He is always constant and His Word
never changes. We trust in Him, and as we do, our prayers are
answered and He makes us a way through the wilderness. There are
obviously more challenges ahead, but Jesus is more than able to
meet them for us.
GRADUATION ON DECEMBER 15th
This term will end with the Graduation of the senior
students, and Des Short, Principal of Faith Bible College in NZ
will be present to officiate.
ALUMNI GATHERING
After the end of term, Noel is planning to hold the
first-ever conference for Graduates of FIA who are in ministry
in the Russian Far East. Many have no ongoing teaching to keep
them refreshed in the Word of God. Lena Jakova is looking for
a suitable venue and accommodation in Khabarovsk. Most who attend
will require subsidized travel and accommodation.
Budget for this will be around NZ$5,000 or US$2,000.
GRADUATES IN ACTION
We receive occasional reports about our Graduates in
ministry: Valeri and Olga have started two churches in the countryside
with 25-30 people. They are very happy and have a huge vision.
Sergei and Irina also started a new Church in Siberia, and a lot
of youth are being delivered from drugs, Oleg is moving around
the countryside, preaching the Gospel as an evangelist. One student
from Pogranichni village began a children's meeting and 80 teenagers
consistantly attend it.
PASTORS' AND WORKERS' SUPPORT
Presently Faith Ministries takes support to a dozen
individuals or families. A few are sponsored, but giving has been
down this year and we have not been able to send support for the
last few months.
To take enough money for their support for September to December
will require NZ$17,000 or US$6,800.
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NOEL'S TRIP TO RUSSIA
Noel will leave NZ on November 28th and deliver a wheelchair
for a handicapped girl near Khabarovsk. He will make a video documentary
for a missionary in the area, and then go by train to Vladivostok
to teach at FIA. Des Short will arrive for the final week of classes
and the Graduation on December 15th. Noel will then return to
Khabarovsk for the FIA Alumni Conference before returning to NZ
by December 21st.
A TEACHER'S
REPORT from Alistair Reece, NZ Authorities: Alexei and Dima had informed me about the difficulties they had been having with the authorities. Therefore it came as no surprise that on the third day of teaching I was ordered with the other leaders to report to the Religious Affairs Office (a department of the old KGB). There we spent all morning convincing them of my genuineness. Finally the officer in charge stamped my form and I was able to stay. I had not been told prior to the meeting that if I hadn't been approved I would have been deported on the next plane. The following week, three representatives from the office came to the college to inspect my teaching and the college itself. Fortunately because of a traffic jam, they missed my classes but they spent the rest of the day at the school and we "enjoyed" coffee and conversation together. My sense from their visit and from talking to the leaders is that the situation is a serious one. A recent e-mail lists some of the very severe regulations that the government now wants to place on visiting teachers, FIA and the Church of the Living God. These recent developments are a very real concern and an issue for prayer. The Religious Affairs office in Vladivostok has increased its staff from three to eighteen in the past year, in an attempt to become more involved in all levels of religious activity. Teaching: The class consisted of about 20 students, some who had only recently been released from prison. The burden I felt for them was to provide some teaching that would equip them for the many difficult situation that they face. The book of Proverbs seemed most appropriate. The challenge was to present truth in a way that encouraged "reality", some of them as relatively new Christians seemed to be under an illusion that very soon all their problems would be gone and that they would either be millionaires or world famous preachers. I didn't want to erase their expectations of the miraculous but to help them discover for themselves biblical principles that would equip them for life. Proverbs, Hermeneutics and 1 Corinthinians formed the basis for most of my teaching. The students proved very responsive to the combination of the practical and spiritual and we had many lively discussions as we worked through the many issues they raised. Dialogue was also something quite unusual for them. Unfortunately some of their models of leadership seem to be more based on Russian authoritarianism than Jesus' exhortation to his disciples about servanthood. |
Footnote:
Alistair was to have taught in May, but cancelled earlier, not
knowing that his son would be killed in a climbing accident in
April. We admire Alistair's courage to invest his time, money
and effort in FIA so soon after this time of personal grief, and
we extend our love to him and his wife Jeannie.
PLEASE HELP US HELP RUSSIA
Sometimes financial needs like these listed above don't have the
emotional appeal of high visibility ministries, and sometimes
the figures seem dauntingly large. But even your smallest gift
will have an impact on the students at FIA and the people of Russia.
Please pray if you can help meet any of these needs, or if your
church has a missions fund that can be utilised. Gifts need to
reach us in time for Noel to take on November 28th.
Donations can be sent to:
Faith Ministries
P.O. Box 12357
Hamilton, N.Z.