A very happy and belated Easter! In Russia, we celebrated the Lord Jesus'death and resurrection a week after the American date of celebration. We praise God for the love, mercy, and grace He has abundantly poured into our lives. We are so grateful for how He continues to use each of you through prayer, encouragement, and giving, which enable us to continue the work here.
Please forgive the lack of correspondence on our part. We had computer problems again and were without easy (at home) access for quite some time. Praise the Lord, we were able to get it fixed with some help from the world's greatest service center... dear friends who were able to walk us through replacing our hard drive, do-it-yourself style- at home! The Lord is gracious in meeting all our needs, no matter what area of our life they appear!
The snow is gone and new life is springing forth. The trees are budding, grass is growing, and the flowers give evidence of life as they push themselves up through the previously frozen soil. It all reminds us of Jesus, His life, death, and glorious resurrection. Let us never forget nor take for granted the price He paid to redeem and save us out of the bondage of our sin. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!
Over the past few months, we have been encouraged by a handful of guys who continue to spend weekends and attend church with us. There are others that often meet us there. It is encouraging to see that the Lord is alive and working in their lives. Speaking of encouragement, Egor L., after several weeks of local competition, was selected as one of the top English students in all of Moscow. Several weeks ago, he traveled to Smolensk, another city in Russia, to participate in a week long competition with other students from around the country. To think where he was ten years ago and to see him now, can be explained in no other way than a true walking miracle of God. We pray the Lord will continue to use him as a living testimony of His grace, mercy, and power.
While some of the students are doing well, others are struggling. A few have been convicted and recognize the error of their way. Their lives are miserable and they have no peace or joy. They have expressed a desire to return to walking with the Lord, but are unwilling to humble themselves, pray and seek His face, nor turn from them wicked ways. Those are the lost sheep, the ones God has brought back into our lives over the past few months. Please pray for wisdom, discernment, and yieldedness to Christ's leading to meet these young adults in their time of great spiritual need. "Where sin abounded, God's grace abounded much more. (Romans 5:20)
Please continue to pray for Egor G. as he continues to live in a very difficult situation with his mother. Much effort has taken place on his behalf, to free him from the bondage, but to no avail. It will take a mighty move of God's hand to rectify the situation. We are praying for Egor's safety and for his mother's salvation. It has been over 4 weeks since he has been with us and his mother has told him he is not allowed to see us anymore. We are thankful for the time God has allowed us with him and trust that the Truth that is hidden in his heart will keep him from falling into patterns of great sin. (Psalm 119:11)
