One+One=One

ONE +ONE=ONE God's math.........Amen!

Ge 2:23-24 And Adam said: "This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man."24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

What a beautiful expression God gave a man and a woman to show their love for one another by coming together and becoming one flesh in marriage. On July 3rd Artom and Nastya became husband and wife. It was really a beautiful wedding. They were blessed to have the ceremony at the Calvary Chapel dorm, which is located out in the beautiful village. The CC staff did an excellent job with the food and with the details that made it a special time for everyone. It was a great blessing for me as I had the opportunity to officiate the wedding service. I have known Artom for about 7 years and to be a part of Artom’s and Nastya’s wedding was huge blessing. Many of Artom’s and Nastya’s friends that attended are non believers. Many are fans of their band and have a great love for Artom and Nastya. Many for the first time hearing that it is God’s idea and not man’s for marriage. The worship band from Calvary Chapel Vladimir, (3 hours from Moscow) did an awesome job with the worship. Artom even wrote and sang a beautiful love song to his new bride! God Bless their union, amen!

Believer’s Baptism

Romans 6:1-6 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,6 knowing this that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

Jesus gave His church a wonderful ordinance, Believer’s Baptism. He gave the believer the opportunity to participate in a physical act that would best symbolize what He did for us on the cross. For a believer not to experience water baptism is to miss the profound understanding of what Paul through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit was speaking in Romans 6. As baptism is a symbol of a funeral to the believers old nature that once was under the bondage of sin and that as Christ died, we likewise died in Him. In water baptism it is powerfully symbolized as the believer is lowered under the water and reckoned as dead. Then as Christ was raised from the dead, we also are made alive never to die again in Christ. As the believer is raised back out of the water and given a new opportunity to live it is a dramatic example of the great price that Jesus paid through His death, burial and resurrection, conquering death and the grave, so that we could live with Him forever.
Nastya and Nikita in obedience to Jesus Christ were baptized on Sunday, July the 19th. The place where there was water also happened to be the most popular place to be as Moscow has been experiencing a heat wave. There had to be literally 10,000 people going to the same small lakes where we were going too. But the Lord gave us a place where we could baptize them. It was all very special as Nastya wanted to be baptized before her upcoming wedding to Artom. Artom was able to baptize his bride to be. Nikita is a band member of Nastya and Artom. (see earlier blog on their band)

Roma's birthday! С день рождения!

Roma's birthday. Tall guy is Roma, the couple Mr. and Mrs Sokolnikov, left is Zalina, and right is Mark the Physicist. (Mark contemplating a quantum theory perhaps) С день рождения, Рома!!!!!

Emanuel's dream

Many of you may have known Emanuel’s mother Veronica who went on to be with the Lord several years ago. (read her story in an earlier blog) Emanuel was born in Moscow, and Moscow is all he has ever known. He has a brother who was born in Ghana where his parents were from, and Joseph now lives in Las Vegas. Theadora his older sister also was born in Moscow and lives with Emanuel. Emanuel is wanting to live with his brother (whom he has not seen in many years). Also Emanuel has a younger sister who went back to live with his Mom’s sister about seven years ago. Brother Joseph is wanting to bring the family back together in America.


It is a complicated situation to say the least. Even though Emanuel and Theodora were born in Moscow, they attended Russian schools their entire life, they are still not recognized as citizens of Russia. Emanuel is not a citizen of Ghana either even though both his parents where Ghanaian citizens. Please pray the family would be joined once again.

Photo on the left was taken on May 8 2003 with his sister Jovana who is living in Ghana with her auntie.

Photo on the right is a Recent photo.

The Ministry of Dr. Tom

Those of you who have followed the blog or have visited us, may know Dr. Tom. “ Tommy” as I call him, has been in Moscow many years. We have worked together 10 years. As he treats mostly homeless men and women, it has given us the opportunity to treat their spiritual needs. Through reaching out with medical care people will listen to what you have to say regarding their spiritual needs. Despite having a hip that needs to re replace Dr. Tom continues to provide Medical assistance and advice to a very forgotten people in Moscow society. In Many cases just cleaning a filthy wound so that infection doesn’t set in. Most street people need just very basic Medical attention. Recently the city of Moscow has established a “ Homeless Patrol” with men in vans look for those on the street that need help and can take them to a place where they can find shelter. Unfortunately most homeless get comfortable with that life style and prefer to stay on the street and suffer all its consequences. Each one has their own story and not one of them grew up dreaming to be an alcoholic living on the street.

The man in the picture with Tom is named Sergey, he kind of reminded me of Nebuchadnezzar when he was in the field for 7 years, long finger nails, and wild beard. We recently sat down to speak with him and to find out what his medical needs were. It was interesting that Sergey was so concerned with maintaining his health, and showed a genuine desire to do it, even though he was in such a filthy condition. We talked about Jesus Christ with him, and it was not easy for him to understand. Please pray for Sergey that he will come to the knowledge of the one who loves and gave His life for his.

Valentine’s story

Valentine’s story. We first met Valentine 7 years ago (see photo) he required medical attention due to a fall. At that time his home was the street. Over the next 3 years Dr. Tom and I maintained fellowship with him having many Bible studies together. We lost contact with Val until just over a year ago we found him once again in the street repeating the same lifestyle over again. It is amazing to me how much one person can endure. Valentine is still holding on and to that little bottle of liquid that gives him a few hours of numbness. Please pray that Valentine will finally come to the place of surrender. There have been so many times over the last 7 years that should have brought him to surrender, but he picks himself back up and continues on his way.

Picture of Valintine taken on June 10 2003 as Dr. Tom, treats him

Current picture of Val.

Refat's heading to America

Refat is heading to America for one year to attend Calvin College in Michigan. Refat was chosen as the recipient of a scholarship from the Russian American university here in Moscow. (an amazing University) I have known Refat and his sister for about 6 years. The family moved here from Uzbekistan where Refat was born. You can read about Refat’s testimony in an earlier blog.
I believe this is a great opportunity the Lord has provided for Refat. He is bright and the Lord has really opened up opportunity for him as I have watched him grow over the last 6 years. Please pray for Refat that his time in America will be a blessing and that Refat will be a blessing to others. I will be losing a roommate but I am excited that Refat has this generous opportunity.

Refat( left) pictured with his sister Elvera, and her husband Azim (pictures of the wedding in and earlier blog)