Difficulty in Evangelism
Greetings to you, dear friends and co-workers in the fields of God! Here in west Siberia the snow has just melted and most streets in our city look like streams of mud. We have to wear rain boots to be able to get to our church. At this time of the year we usually get to have more opportunities to see people and to share the gospel. This is because it is warmer now, and it is much harder to evangelize in the winter months when it is negative 25-30 degrees outside.
Unfortunately, the influence of the traditional Russian Orthodox Church is very strong. This is one of the most serious roadblocks in the way of evangelism in our area. Most of the people I have had a conversation with lately are very “religious” sinners. People in the streets are closed to any contact; and do not want to talk to us because most of the time they take us for ‘the watchtower witnesses’ who are constantly spreading their false religion. Cultivating relationships and being intentional with the people we know, and those whom the Lord has brought us into contact with, remains the most effective way to share the gospel.
Due to my preaching and counseling responsibilities, I have not had as much time for evangelism; but there are a few specific people who I continuously pray for and visit often. One of these people, Alexander, died recently. Last summer, I studied the gospel of John with him. I mentioned him in some of my past reports and asked for prayer for he and his family. Their daughter, Luba, was born very weak and had complications, but she is better now. It is so sad that Alexander left this life without giving evidence of saving faith. Please pray for his wife, Nadyezhda. We pray that the Lord would use her husband’s death to have a positive effect on her and that she would realize her need for the Savior.
The Kind Providence of God Upon a Sinner
The Lord miraculously brought a criminal to our church service last Sunday. He saw a car parked near the house where we gather for church and wanted to steal a tire so he could sell it and buy alcohol. He knocked on the door and Igor (the owner of the house where we meet) invited him in to sit and listen to the preaching. It turned out that I knew this man! His name is Sergei. I used to do drugs with him, and we had even done a few robberies together.
The last time I saw him was in a village not far from our town where I was on an evangelistic trip with other believers. We had a long conversation, and I shared the gospel with he and his wife. I also shared with them how God had changed my life, but there was no response to the call to come to Jesus Christ.
Many years have passed since then and Sergei’s wife has left him and his life is spiraling downwards. I do not believe in coincidences. What I do believe in is God’s providence, and therefore I have great hope that the Lord has a purpose in bringing this man to our church! I rejoice that I had another chance to tell this man the truth about Jesus. It was a blessing to hear him confess, even to the crime he was intending to commit against our church before he knew who we were and what we were doing there. The Lord truly works in mysterious ways! Sergei left me his phone number, and we agreed to meet again. I earnestly ask you to please join me in praying for this man.
There were no other unexpected events this month. I continue preaching from 1 Corinthians and have regular counseling sessions with various people in our church.
Health and Other Prayer Concerns
Please, pray for my health. Due to my history of hepatitis there is a lot of bile accumulating in my gall bladder and liver ducts. I’ve been taking some prescribed medication for over a month now and so far there is no improvement. A sharp pain has since developed on my right side. I don’t think this condition presents any threats to my life but it does create some serious discomfort, as the pain is sometimes very strong.
Finally, please pray that God would open the hearts of people to accept the gospel; and that He would open new opportunities for us to be able to carry out the great commission. Also, do not forget to pray for the repentance of Sergei.