HAPPY FIRST OF MAY MOSCOW!!!!

Volodia

This is my buddy Volodia. Volodia has been attending CCSokol longer than anyone. For the past 6 years we have gotten together once a week to enjoy a meal together. The meal is usually the same - a roasted chicken, fresh bread, fruit, and very strong tea. For dessert we have Moscow's finest torte cake Prechewda Zolota, it is a wafer cake about one inch thick, covered in chocolate and loaded with nuts. Over the years we have varied very little from our routine. We used to always meet at Volodia's one room apartment. And so Volodia would fry me 3 eggs. But last December he had to leave His apartment and so we started meeting at my place. The rents have literally went through roof here in Moscow, and as of yet Volodia is still with out a place. He is a security guard and they have allowed him to sleep in a little room called a butka. It is big enough for a bed and that is about it. Please pray for Volidia's situation. All of his belongings are in storage. Volodia's passion is Physics. He spends every spare moment at the library as he is preparing his theory on sound acoustics in water. He is a very bright man.

Farm life, good for the soul.

Volodia, Sergey and Yuri

New born calf, pastor Nickolie (right)

Oxzanna and little Zahat -head Cook for the center, and bubbling with God's grace.

Three days on the farm.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday I had the opportunity to visit a rehabilitation center for men coming out of prison. It is located about 300 km north of Moscow. Pastor Nickolie and his wife Leah, host 6 men. They work on the small farm taking care of the dairy cows, pigs, chickens, goats, turkeys, and one horse. The men are active in all the duties that it takes to run a farm. They are now getting ready for the planting of their garden. It is a wonderful work that is going on and the grace of God is seen in their lives. Please pray for Pastor Nickolie and Leah and the wonderful fruit of their effort.
по-русски

Losha

Hello everyone, for those of you who have been following Losha over the last 6 years, I ran into him at the Metro hanging out with Vadium a friend of his. It has been about 7 months since Losha left back out to the streets. I have seen him a few times, but this is the first time I have seen him in about 41/2 months. He really looked rough, and has fallen back into drinking. His friend Vadim went through alcohol rehab and was doing well but now is back on the street with Losha. I told Losha and Vadium that God had not forgotten about them and not to forget about God. As I told Losha, a smile began to break out on his other wise stone face. Losha belongs to the Lord. I have seen his heart for God. Losha has many struggles but I believe God has a great plan for his life. Please continue to pray for Losha.

Please pray for Valya, she has been diagnosed with having one of her heart valves is not closing properly. The opening is bigger and so it does not close properly. It is and expensive operation to repair so we're praying that God just makes the correction.

Kulich

Total time: 3 hours 5 minutes
Initial oven temperature: 110° C (210° F)
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Rising time: 1 1/2 hour
Baking time: 1 1/4 hour
Cost: Very reasonable
Difficulty: Moderate

The classic kulich was begun several days before Easter. It contained candied fruit, almonds, and raisins, flavored with rum and saffron, and prepared like a bread. It was always baked in a special kind of pan - tall and cylindrical, sort of like a coffee can. When the cake was done, it was decorated with white frosting drizzled down the sides. On the side, spelled out in pieces of candied fruit, were the letters XB, representing the Cyrillic letters for "Christos voskres" -- "Christ is risen."
Often the kulich were carried to church and set out on long tables to be blessed by the priest. (In the old days, the priest would often make a "house call" to his wealthier parishioners to bless the food at home.)
The cake forms a hat shape, since the dough swells above the mould and becomes wider. Russians often trim off the brim and place it in the center of a serving plate. The cake is then cut in half horizontally and sliced. These slices are arranged around the brim. Kulich is traditionally served with Fresh Cheese Pashka.

• 1.25 to 1.5 liters (5-6 cups) white flour
• 500 ml (2 cups) icing sugar
• 340 ml (1 1/3 cups) warm milk
• 3 packets of yeast
• 125 ml (1/2 cup) sultanas
• 125 ml (1/2 cup) blanched almonds
• 125 ml (1/2 cup) candied fruits
• 65 ml (1/4 cup) dark rum
• 225 g (1 cup) softened butter + 5 tbsp.
• 10 egg yolks, lightly beaten
• 2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 tsp. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. powdered saffron

Icing

• 500 ml (2 cups) icing sugar
• 4 tbsp. cold water
• 2 tsp. lemon juice
• Soak the raisins in the rum for 10 minutes; drain; mix the saffron with the rum and set aside;
• in a bowl, dissolve the yeast and 1 tbsp. sugar in 125 ml (1/2 cup) warm milk; let sit 10 minutes; add the vanilla, egg yolks, rum and saffron;
• combine the flour, icing sugar and salt; make a well in the centre;
• gradually pour the yeast and egg mixture into the well, gradually blending in the flour to form a dough;
• place on a floured work surface and knead for about 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic, while gradually incorporating pieces of the butter;
• place into a lightly greased bowl; cover with a cloth and let rise until doubled in volume;
• in a bowl, toss the almonds, candied fruit and raisins with 1 tbsp. of flour until well coated;
• punch down the dough; mix in the fruits and almonds and knead for 2-3 minutes;
• butter a rectangular bread tin; line with a sheet of buttered brown paper, with the unbuttered side facing out;
• place the dough into the pan; cover with a cloth and let rise 30-45 minutes until well risen;
• place into a preheated 110° C (210° F) oven for 15 minutes; increase the oven temperature to 180° C (350° F) and bake for 1 hour longer.

Icing

Combine all the icing ingredients; pour slowly over the top of the cake so that it drizzles down in thin streams.

ИИСУС-ВОСКРЕС!!!!

Greetings from Moscow as the city prepares for one of it’s biggest holidays, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (Please take note of the poster of Jesus Christ and the children.) This is one example of posters that every business is required to post in celebration of Easter. The one pictured here says translated in English “with celebration of the light of the Passover or Easter.” Other posters declare Jesus has risen. Every where you turn in the city these posters are displayed. On Sunday almost the entire city will greet one another with these words. « ИИСУС-ВОСКРЕС, ВОИСТИНУ-ВОСКРЕС !!!!» “ CHRIST HAS RISEN-INDEED HE HAS RISEN!!!” Please pray for our city that the reality of these words would speak to hearts and the power of the resurrection would become alive to many !! Jesus said” "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” John 11:25.

One of the traditions here in Russia during Easter is a wonderful cake called a Kulich. (See picture) I found a receipt and so if you want to give it a try you can.

Regarding our search for a permanent location for the church, we found a service that for a fee provides a data base of every building for rent in our area. Tomorrow we will be looking at one place in our region. We will keep you updated.
God Bless you and use this time as most of the world is focused on the resurrection of Christ. That God would give you opportunity to speak bolding of what the resurrection means to you. dean