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(April 24th, 2013)

Sunday, August 06, 2006

...no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly

Greetings from Moscow, today was like any other Sunday, I was up early preparing for the lesson in the Book of Mathew 18:15. I ironed my shirt, at which I’m almost as good as my Mom, grabbed the piano, Losha followed with the guitar, Yuri went to get grape juice for communion today, and Roma went to the store to buy all the things needed to make sandwiches after the service. On the way to the church which about a 10 minute walk, I met my neighbor Luba she is about 75 and she told me she is having trouble with her eyes and not able to read the LARGE PRINT Bible I bought her. Today our plan was to go to the park after the service, but we received an unusual (almost) 24 hour rain. Upon arriving at the college we met Jacob, Olga and Natasha. The guard usually comes and opens the door for us but today we were greeted by Sasha. Sasha is the one we have been praying for, for a long time and he is the boss of the security guards. Sasha usually has a dry humor and so today he told us that we were no longer able to meet at the college. We are thinking that Sasha is joking and we are waiting to see him laugh but he is not laughing and continues to tell us the new director said to tell the church they are done. One by one the church began arriving only to hear there was not going to be a service today and that we need to find a new place to meet. I can tell you I have perfect peace about this. We were told one month ago by the administrator of the hall we rent ( Rufic and Nellie the husband and wife that we have a great relationship with) that current director was fired and a new director was coming. We knew at that time that our time at the college might be over. But Rufic felt confident that all would be ok after he talked to the new director. So Natasha and I were not totally shocked. We have so much to be thankful for. The church has been at the college for more than 10 years, without really any inconvenience. I know some churches have had to move many times, and don’t have the space that we have had. We have nothing to complain about, God has been so faithful to our fellowship. We are confident that God is moving us in a different direction. We have prayed off and on over the last 7 years that we might find a different location but it was just not God’s will. The church building had many positives, but it also had some negatives. We would like to find a place where we can use it 7 days a week. And that our time would not be limited. We are on the 5th floor without a lift and it has been difficult for people who may not have the best health. If a street person would like to visit the church they are not allowed in the building because it is a school. We would like to reach more out to the displaced people in our area whom we have an abundance of. Please pray for us to find a location easy to reach with public transportation, most of our members do not have cars, including myself. Pray for a place where we can meet as often as we want. And pray that it is in our region. It is not easy finding places in Moscow, one of the most expense cities in the world. But God is in control and it is His fellowship. He has shown Himself so faith to our fellowship, answering so many of our prayers.

Friday Dale was finally able to take his daughter Dasha to America. It was a miracle of events, but the church has faithfully prayed for the situation and today Dasha is visiting her other family in Minnesota with Dale. Please pray for the 8 of us that will be traveling to St. Petersburg tomorrow night on the train to attend the first CC St. Petersburg leadership conference. Gayle Erwin is going to be one of the guest speakers. Since we had all ready made plans to go with all the tickets bought I felt that we must go, and that the Lord is going to work out our new location. We have many people that have ideas about where we might be able to rent. Next week we are going to meet in the park across the street from the church for our Sunday service. If you’re in the area please stop by we will have church in the park. God is faithful to the church He gave His life for, and so we rest in that. God bless you all who love and pray for CCSokol we love all of you also!!! dean

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dean,
Am praying for your church situation in locating another building. I've added your request to the CC Modesto prayer list. God is faithful!!! I know He will be strong on your behalf! :):)

Blessings,
Lynne in Modesto

Anonymous said...

hey guys! you're definately in my prayers. so God is finally moving Sokol out of the Architechture College... at least He made it pretty clear this time, right :)

I'll ask our borhters and sister in NY to pray for Sokol too!

i love you guys.
blessings
masha (NY)

Anonymous said...

Just happened across your website while surfing the Net and wanted to say "Greetings from Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, Florida"! It's great to see the Lord's work in Russia! It's amazing just how good this God is that we serve... ever faithful, ever sure! I will keep you in prayer, that He will supply ALL your needs according to His riches in glory!
Let me share this with you: www.atthewell.com/kingofkings/
Enjoy and God bless!