Multipurpose missionary’s service or counting my blessings

Today I came to church at 11:00am and we did a quick 15-minute set up before the service. Since our worship leader Vova went to Tver’ for an outreach, Dean asked me to fill in on the worship team today. So before Marina (our keyboard player and singer) came, I was doing sound check for two mics and a keyboard all by myself. I am not omnipresent or omnipotent like our Lord, but somehow He helped me to accomplish this task and I even enjoyed singing into the microphone today, which usually is a big struggle for me, because I am a little afraid of them. For me the worship was beautiful today and I hope for everyone else at the church too. When the service begun I remembered that our two wonderful Sunday school teachers went to Tver’ (where they are both from) for an outreach. So, after worship I ran into our Sunday school room and found 5 kids waiting for me there. One of them was Katia, who speaks Russian and who came with her little sister Tessa, who does not speak any language yet. Another one was little Jessica, who is from Brazil, but knows quite a bit of Russian. Still one more girl Diana, who came to the church the second time and spoke English, even though her mom is Russian. And lastly Patrick, who spoke only English with some incredible pronunciation. So, what could I do with this amazing bunch of kids by myself? I thought that it is always great to share the Great News, so I got out colored bits and began to tell them about it both in English and in Russian. Soon I switched to English, because I’ve realized that Diana and Patrick were not familiar with the story. Both Katia and Jessica were very patient with me and just listened and tried to understand what I was saying. Closer to the end of the Great News story Patrick began to ask me a lot of questions and I tried to answer as soon as I was able to understand what he was saying (remember? the incredible pronunciation :-) We came very close to the most important question of salvation and also to the most important decision making…but…the time was up and I had to finish and go back to the main hall. Before I left, Katia was begging me to tell her what I was talking about. I am glad that I was able to keep my promise and she was very excited to take the little bit cross with her and also to tell me that she could understand some English.
After the service and fellowship, we had men and women’s Bible studies. I was sharing about faithfulness: Lord’s faithfulness and ours as well. We usually have only Russian ladies come, but today Sarah came and she does not understand very much of Russian, so I tried to translate the main points for her. I think the study went well:-).
As I reflect upon this day I just want to stop and praise the Lord for all the blessings He blessed me with today.

I did not really want to share about this day at first, because I did not want to sound as if I am boasting. However, it is just dawned on me; the Lord was faithfully answering those prayers that you faithfully bring before Him on our behalf. So, it is a praise report. And also He was showing me His faithfulness as I was trying to be faithful in these many little tasks He has given me for this day. He is so wonderful!!! He is our Faithful God and I am thanking Him for His wonderful faithfulness and also I want to thank you for being faithful in prayer. Natasha

P.S. Please, pray for Diana and Patrick, that their hearts would be open for the Lord and that they would make the most important decision in life.

Please, pray!

Once again, I would like to ask you to please, continue to pray for Olga’s mom Nina. Dean and I went to the hospital today (we’ve been doing it every Thursday) and it was a difficult visit for various reasons. However, one thing I know: the Lord is working and His work is powerful, but it appears that a real spiritual battle is going on right now, the wicked one does not want to lose his positions and he tries really hard to sow disappointment, discouragement and distrust. Nevertheless, I believe that he will no get his way, because the Lord hears our prayers, He is in control of all things, and He will get the glory. Please, specifically pray for our Thursday visit, I might go to the hospital on Monday as well. Pray for Olga and strength for her: physical and even more spiritual, that she would continually keep her eyes on the Lord, for the Lord’s comfort both for her and her mom, also patience for both of them. That Nina would give her life to the Lord and trust Him with everything.
Thank you very much! Natasha

Familiar faces

You never know who will drop in on ya on a Sunday service here at CCSokol. These two are not strangers to Big Moscow. Alisa and Michelle both out here in Moscow for the three month intern program, Alisa and her family planted CC Tushino almost 5 years ago and Alisa knows her way around the language very nicely. Michelle was here last year with the team from CC Modesto. It was nice to see her always smiling face again.

On the way back

It’s just so happened that Dean, Sergey and I missed the train that everyone else took, however I had my special agent there and she took some pictures for me, which indicate that fellowship continued :-)
I also have some more pictures here for you too look at…
God bless! Natasha

3 DAYS OF PRAYER

The preparation
As we were planning the retreat I was constantly reminded by the Lord, that prior to such event will be a spiritual battle going on and there was. But the greatest thing is that every time discouragement and desire to give up would come, I knew I should go on and trust the Lord, knowing that everything will be wonderful at the end. He is Faithful and He made it wonderful.

P.S. Shopping was quite serious event too :-)



On our way
As we were preparing to leave after church to go to the camp site in Moscow region the dark clouds hid the blue sky and pretty heavy rain started, but before we left for the bus Dean encouraged us not to be surprised, but trust the Lord. We prayed for the good weather, because all of our sessions were supposed to be outside. The Lord answered and for me it was a special blessing to know that this event was His doing from the very beginning. (Look at the “3 days of prayer weathercast” here)

As we got on the bus, I asked people to start signing up for the 24-hour prayer. The schedule looked kind of blank scary, but by the time we arrived it was filled up completely.
On the way, I was thinking how to arrange the prayer room, because when we came to look at the facility the first time, the room, which we were going to use, looked more like an office with desks & chares, not very comfortable. BUT …now … as I walked in, I could not believe my eyes, the room was totally transformed, it looked just like I imagined it should look: quiet hideaway.
During the whole time, I had constant awareness that the Lord is everywhere ahead of me, I just followed, without even thinking about details, things were falling into their places and it was another special blessing for me, because there was no stress, no tiredness, but wonderful time of fellowship with Him and with the others. He also blessed me with a great helper, Marina, who served in many ways.

The start
As Dean mentioned the 24-hour prayer began at 10pm on Sunday and from this point on the room was never empty, at times there were even much more people than signed up. You had to see our kids: they were faithfully coming for their hour of prayer whether at 11:00am, or midnight, or even at 2:00am and sometimes they would stay longer. There are many testimonies that I will write about too.

Our time together
As the 24-hour prayer was going, the rest of us gathered for times of worship and teaching, we also set a time for personal communion with the Lord.

Since we had kids and they are always ready for fun, so we had fun and adults joined them gladly. (Special video report & pictures from pastor’s room:-)

Monday evening we had a special SHashLiK dinner and great fellowship time (mosquitoes were very excited about our coming and gathered together around our bonfire :-) Dean is a professional ShashLik maker:-) so we had incredibly delicious dinner prepared by our pastor.

We also had a time of fellowship and worship.

The Lord’s doing
There is no doubt about that the time when we come into the Lord’s presence is the most valuable for our lives. This is where we find peace, joy, comfort as He touches our hearts by His Spirit. So it was for every person who would come to the prayer room and open up his or her heart before Him in quietness. Those who were weary and tired form the cares of life, received renewal and refreshment. Those who were embittered by circumstances, softened under gentle touch of the Lord. Those who were looking for answers found them. Those who just wanted to talk to Him and spend more time with Him received this opportunity.
However, most of us still wanted more time :-), because every full hour seemed like 30 minutes or even less. It never was too long it always was too short.

Testimonies
Marina shared that the first night she had a little plan in her mind and decided what she will be doing. Her time was at 4 am and she thought that she would read, take a shower and go to bed before the early rise. She even thought of what she was going to pray about. However, the Lord had a different plan. As Marina was trying to go to sleep as her flesh demanded rest, her spirit was awake and she decided to yield and to go pray. Soon she realized that the Lord was leading her in a different direction and she prayed for the people that she did not really think of before. It was the most amazing time and even thought Marina did not get any sleep, she did not feel even a little tired or drowsy. She was overjoyed being able to fellowship with the Lord over extended period of time, and to receive a special blessing communing with Him.

Ira said that before this retreat she was tired and felt that she is being consumed by the cares and worries of life. Her “wings” were pulled down (it is a Russian idiom) and she was under much pressure. This time of prayer helped her to renew strength and leave the heaviness in His hands, so, she can fly again :-).

Jacob shared that he had experienced a beautiful time with the Lord, even though he had different opportunities before to participate in various prayer meetings this setting was much different. His attitude toward prayer was changed, because while he was bringing his requests before the Lord, the Lord gave him a verse from 1 Samuel 23:4 when “David enquired of the Lord…and the Lord answered…” . For Jacob it became so much simpler to come to the Lord with confidence knowing that the Lord answers.
When Jacob came back to Moscow, his roommate told him that two of his friends that Jacob was praying for at the retreat were kidnapped and tortured. Jacob’s response to his roommate was “Do not worry. Let’s pray!” The next day his friends were released. Praise the Lord!!!

Denis expressed his experience in a simple phrase, but with a meaningful intonation “It was woooooooonderful!!!”

I can write much more, but I think most of the testimonies can be summed up by Denis’ statement: “It was woooooooonderful!!!” As for me, I am in agreement with those who say that we should get together for another time like this, so that we grow in our prayer life, draw closer to the Lord and learn more about Him and His character. Until then, my desire is to continue to grow, to draw closer to Him and to learn more about His character in my everyday life.
Praise the Lord for His wonderful work, for this time that we had with Him and with each other, for His listening ear, for His answers that already came, and yet to come, for His many blessings, that He pours out on us. Praise Him and thank Him for His amazing love!!!
And thank you for praying for this retreat. He has answered in an amazing way :-)
May the Lord continue to bless you as you seek His will and follow Him. Natasha

Where the idea came from?

My first week in France (in November 2005), the 24-3 prayer was introduced by Tonio (pastor Pierre’s son) who was putting it together. I did not sign up for it, because I was not too sure (since my understanding of French was very limited and still is :-/), what was required for the participation. The 24-hour prayer began on Sunday evening and continued for three days. I came to church (CC Nice) on Wednesday night and found out that the prayer is still going. Than Nancy, pastor Pierre’s wife asked me if I would like to see the prayer room, I did and she took me upstairs where I ended up staying for 2 hours. First hour I prayed with Delfine, and the most of the second hour I spent by myself just singing aloud praises to the Lord. I was really touched and moved; I loved the time I had spent in that room, it was wonderful experience and a special blessing to be a part of this 24-hour prayer. That same evening the church gathered for worship and some people shared what the Lord did during this special time.I was very excited and eager to share this experience with my church at home. The only problem was, we do not have a place to use for 24-hours and even if we had, Moscow is so huge that it is practically impossible to travel somewhere in the middle of the night, when transportation does not work. Anyway, I thought of it and soon the Lord gave me this vision for the “3 days of prayer” retreat, which just took place to my great joy and excitement.

simple people simply praying

Hello every one, greeting from a rainy evening here in Moscow. I just wanted to give an up date on our first prayer retreat. Natasha will follow with photos and what took place, but I just wanted to share a couple of high lights. First I was rally amazed at the response we had. We had 41 hours of prayer time to fill and every hour time slot was filled up. We started praying at 10:00 on Sunday night and finished on Tuesday at 3:00 pm. The theme that emerged in the teachings was the simplicity of prayer. That there are no great deep, deep theological insights to prayer. That a PHD is not needed, that prayer is simply trusting in our God. The first deep, deep truth about prayer is seen in a small child. A small child asks his mommy and daddy for every thing it has need of. They are quick to ask for all things they need without hesitation. They know that they can call upon mommy or daddy, and they will respond. They don’t think it over, they just simply ask.
The second deep, deep truth is seen in a child’s persistence to ask. Mommy, can I have some candy? No! Mommy, I want some candy. No! Mamaaaa, I want some candy!!! I said, no. Mama, I Really Want Some Candy!!! Ok, here, have some candy.
But then the last deep, deep truth in a believer’s prayer life is seen when mommy or daddy say no! Because a parent knows that there are times when the answer has to be no. Because a parent knows what is good and what is not good for their child, and they love them enough to say no!!
Prayer is simply relying on God for all things, being persistent in our request to Him, and knowing that some times God’s answer is no. The simplicity of our communication with our Heavenly Father could not be any simpler.

One moment that stood out for me personally, came in the closing moments of the retreat as we were waiting for the shuttle bus to take each group to the train station. One woman by the name of Sveta, who came with one of the ladies that attends the fellowship, came up to me and shared her story that she has been battling with cancer. And that the doctors told her that her cancer was incurable. She told me that when she heard the news she rejoiced because she knew then that only Jesus could heal her, that she didn’t have to put her confidence in man but only in the hands of the Savior. I marveled at her response to humanly tragic news. But is it not what it is all about, all the teaching from the Bible leads to one conclusion, simple trust in our God. That as a believer we have been bought by His precious blood and we belong to Him, and Him alone. That what ever happens in the life of a believer, that life is in the hands of our all mighty God. God Bless you, dean

Amazing Grace

Hello everyone, just a quick up date: on Sunday after church we will be boarding a bus that will be taking a group of us an hour and a half outside of the Big city to the beautiful forest. There we will be having our first prayer retreat. It will be from Sunday night to Tuesday night and our plan is to have continual pray during the retreat. Please pray as we as a church seek the Lord. That the Lord would fill and refill us with His Holy Spirit.

Also Geno sent me this picture of his first 2 disciples in the prison, the picture tells it better than I can. God is doing a wonder thing in that prison camp. Geno’s first disciple is Sergey on the right and Dima on the left. Please pray for the work that God is doing. It is very exciting to hear what the Lord is doing in the Prison Zone. It also has great challenges. Geno lives 24 /7 with these guys. He also lives with many non- believers 24/7. It is ministry in very difficult circumstances, but God is giving Geno the grace he needs to be His servant in that prison zone.

Please pray for the upcoming CC pastors and leaders conference in August. We are very excited about the up coming conference.

Losha has been back for about 2 weeks and God has touched Losha’s heart. We see a real peace and humbleness in his life which is the real Losha that we know an love.

Today I met with my neighbor Luba who is in her early 70’s and gave her a large print Bible. She is not a believer but has questions. Please pray as we meet with her, that she would open her heart to the eternal truth of Jesus Christ. God Bless you all, and thank you for taking the time to read about what is going on in our neck of the woods. It is very special that you would take the time to know what God is doing in these precious lives over here.

Please, pray!

Please, continue to pray for Olga’s mom Nina. We (Marina, Dean, Dale & I) had an opportunity to visit her four times since she went to the hospital, and her heart is wide open for the Lord. It is a praise report and an answer to all of our prayers that we lifted up to the Lord together. He is working miracles in this lady’s life, but we're still praying for one more – miracle of salvation. So, please continue to lift Nina up in your prayers. Also, please pray for Olga, she is taking care of her mom and comes to the hospital 3 times a day, therefore she is very tired. Now the situation became a little different because Nina was moved to another hospital yesterday and it is in Moscow, which is better both for her and Olga. It is a praise report as well. I will try to tell more about this later, but for now, I just want to thank you all for your prayers. Natasha

Tanya's Baptism

Hello everyone. Yesterday I had the privilege of meeting a professor of genetic psychology. I did not even know they even existed. Her name is Tanya and not only is Tanya a brilliant woman , who is Jewish, but she loves Jesus. Her face just glows with the love of Jesus Christ. Tanya also is very ill. She is suffering from the effects of stomach cancer, and has Parkinson’s disease. How I got acquainted with her is through Mira, a good friend and a Messiah Jew who works with Jews for Jesus, Mira has shared with so many Jews that have become Christians. Mira asked me if I would baptize Tanya. And so Natasha, Mira and I went to visit Tanya, and celebrate her Baptism. As we talked about baptism and the Lord, Tanya's face just glowed, and she would weep with joy about the Lord. She has such love for the Lord, even though her body is so sick. I had nothing to teach her about the Lord, just spending time with her and seeing Jesus alive in her life was powerful.
Since Tanya is so sick, I just dunked her hands in the water and baptized her in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, it was very moving as Tanya began to weep and wash her face in the water, so joyous that she could be baptized. Tanya has a great influence with friends and colleagues, pray that her premature illness would be used to bring them to the knowledge of the Savior, Pray also that God would heal her.

There is a place of fellowship with the Lord where only those who have experienced such suffering in their lives can experience.

Good Bless, d

Little did I know…

When I picked up a guitar for the first time in my life, it happened because I just loved and still love to worship the Lord. I had no idea that some years later I will be singing to the Lord in front of a congregation, or leading worship, or even teaching somebody else how to play. Well, the last two weeks I’ve been giving some lessons to Dima. He is a wonderful young Christian, who loves the Lord and goes to church together with his mom Marina, who is a huge blessing and support for me and not only for me. Marina and her husband Murman not long ago had a wedding ceremony at our church recommitting their marriage to the Lord.
About two weeks ago, I was invited to Marina’s house for dinner and I have to mention she prepares exceptionally delicious Georgian dishes (she and her family come from Georgia). So, I found out that Dima being out of school has some free time and I asked if he would like to learn how to play guitar. He was not sure at first, but then decided to try. We had only 3 lessons since, but Dima’s desire to learn keeps him practicing every day for 2-3 hours. This is not it…we have another teen who recently came to our church (another story:-), his name is Rustam. On Monday, after the Bible study he saw how Dima picked up a guitar and started to play. Next thing I know, he comes to me and asks, “Can you teach me too?” … We had our first lesson with Rustam and third lesson with Dima, yesterday. The most exciting thing is that this time Dima begun to teach Rustam what he already learned himself. I just had to make a video of this guys…for the history…what if they become famous :-)? + video for pros only;-)
Please, pray for our guitar lessons; that the Lord would bless them and give boys the necessary skills to play and to sing and for me wisdom and patience in teaching them. Also, please pray for Rustam, that the Lord would help him to understand His Word, speak to his hear and direct his and his sister Zulia’s steps.
Pray for Murman, Marina, and Dima: for the Lord’s guidance and direction in each of their lives.

Thank you and Lord bless you!

Natasha

Geno in the GOD zone

Hi everyone, I wanted to give an update on Geno, He sent this recent picture from the prison yard. Geno informed me that they have received official status to conduct a weekly religious service. From the beginning the administration has been apposed to Geno conducting a protestant service, as apposed to an Orthodox service. But the Lord has opened the doors, and Geno has been given the permission to have church sevices, Jesus style. Geno told me that they have 14 believers, and that 3 men last week surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ. Geno also had the wood shop make him a pulpit that they just have finished. Geno is believing for a great move of God in the prison. Geno is right where he needs to be, and is our first missionary. Please continue to pray for Geno and his fellow believers, and for the prison and all of the administration, that God would do a great work in that prison in north Russia.

Please continue to pray for Losha as he has returned from the street. Pray for Roma as God is working in his life, and for Yuri, Sasha, and Vova my other roommates. Pray as we make the preparations for our prayer retreat on June 11-13.

Thank you for all of you, that God has given you a heart for the work He is doing in Moscow. You are a great part of what is going on here. God Bless, dean

Glorious sunset

Yesterday, after the Bible study we were able to witness an amazingly beautiful sunset. It was one of those things that God gives us to enjoy. We could see His marvelous artwork in perfect harmony with the work of men’s hands. This is what makes our city to look beautiful.
Enjoy the sunset with us!!!

Sometimes it is like in a Circus

Today, after the Sunday school we went with the kids to have lunch together, then played a Bible game, then played some more and after all I had a chance to see “Circus” performance :-) that was great!!! I filmed it, so you can watch it too (click here).
Thank you for praying for our youth ministry!
Natasha

Update

Hello friends and family, so much has happen here since the last BLOG up-date, I don’t know where to begin. Steve and Shesteen the couple that have come to Moscow to minister to the Jews have had an amazing trip so far. They have connected so well with the Messianic Jewish community here in Moscow. Steve was able to make a new CD while he was here with Yuri, who is a Rabbi with a Messianic congregation. He is a professional clarinet player. With a combination of Steve’s gifted piano and Yuri's clarinet skills they were able to record during their short 3 week visit a new CD, that, as well as all Steve’s CDs can be downloaded from their website. http://www.stevekerstin.com/. Steve and Shesteen also have been a great blessing to me. The Lord has definitely brought us together. They have also been a great blessing to our fellowship. Steve and Shesteen will be returning back to Tel Aviv on Sunday to re reunited with the ground children. They will be missed, but I believe we are going to see more of them here in Russia.

Today was Victory Day celebrated all over Russia for the ending of World War 2. It is always a great holiday for me to visit Victory Park - the huge park and museum in memory of the Great War. I joined up with 19 others from Jews for Jesus and in less than 3 hours passed out 10,000 tracts speaking about the great victory 2000 years ago over sin. It was amazing how many were walking around reading them. God Bless,d

Please, pray!

Please pray for Olga’s mother, she was put into a hospital today. Olga had prayed for her mom’s salvation for many years and we, as church, for last three or so. I really believe that the Lord is doing something great right now and we are planning to go to the hospital this Friday to visit. Olga’s mom had many serious health problems over the years, but the Lord has been faithful to keep and protect her life until now. So, please pray for our visit, that we would be able to minister in anyway possible and for healing, first of all spiritual and also physical.

Tonia’s Birthday

Today we met for our youth Bible study. As always, it was rather spontaneous and as before, at our favorite place ..... you know ..... IKEA :-). I was expecting Dima and Egor to come, but they did

not. Instead, Nika came and it was a pleasant surprise for me, Sveta and Tonia (Egor’s little sister) came as well plus Olga and I, so we had a girls’ day :-). I already had planned what to talk about, but when I found out that Nika is going to be with us I tried to think of something else since she is older than the other girls are. Anyway, my mind just would not go anywhere and I decided to stay with what I had. We began to talk about the last hours before Jesus’ crucifixion. First, about the last supper and what was the meaning of it, then the prayer in Gethsemane. At some point, I paused, because for some reason it was very hard to find words and I felt like I am completely unprepared for this study, which was more like a conversation where I was asking questions and Sveta and sometimes Nika were answering. Tonia looked like she was a little puzzled.
I looked at Olga and she asked the girls, “How do we know that we are saved and will be with Jesus?” Sveta explained, but Tonia could not answer. Besides they were not quite sure what sin is.
So, I began to explain what is sin and how it came to this world starting from the garden of Eden. Again, I was not sure, if I was making much sense and if Tonia understands everything. It may sound funny, but the things I have known for years did not come out off my mouth easily.
All of a sudden, Tonia lifted her hand up and said, “I have two questions. How to get rid of my sin and what do I need to do for that?” …I could hardly believe my ears. Little Tonia who is just 9 years old with a seriousness of an adult asking the most important questions one can ask. Oh, Lord, thank You so much!!!
Tonia invited Jesus to come in to her heart and she became born again today. Praise the Lord for this wonderful blessing and for His gift that we can share with others.
Please, continue to pray for our youths’ spiritual growth and also for Tonia-our newborn baby in the Lord :-)

P.S.Pictures and video(just click here)

Prayer list

If you would like to pray for our church, click here to see our prayer list.
Thank you and God bless you!Natasha

Music and Ministry from Israel with Love

Greeting friends, the trees are just about ready to turn this city green, and beginning on the first of May the first of many celebrations begin here in Moscow. May 9th is the great day of victory in World War 2. It is a huge holiday here in Moscow. May 9th celebrates the great victory over Nazi Germany. Moscow and its outlying areas are filled with monuments in honor of those that paid a great price for victory. Those who participated in that great effort and lived through the war made sure that no one would forget those millions of their fellow citizens that paid with their life in defending the mother land, that all the memorials would make sure that the next generation would not forget!!!

As human beings by our very nature we can forget things in the past and just move on. Jesus knew all too well the men He created. Jesus told the disciples as they broke bread in the room located there in Jerusalem, “do this in remembrance of Me. Don’t forget the price I paid for you, don’t forget as you get caught up in the cares of this life that I have given you new life. Don’t forget that I ‘m the source of your peace and your joy, don’t forget that planet earth is not heaven, this is not your home. Don’t forget you are just passing through. Don’t forget I will never leave you nor forsake you. Remember Me.”

Steve and Sheshteen from Tel-Aviv have been with us since Sunday. About a month ago Steve contacted me through our CC Sokol web site. Steve told me he and his wife would be coming to Moscow for three weeks and wanted to see if they could come and minister in our church in music and testimony for the Lord. They had not made any provision for accommodations here in Moscow and only had a few contacts for ministry. I told them that I would see what I could do. The closer it came to the time they arrived I was feeling apprehensive about obligating my self to helping them for their 3 week stay. Thinking about my already busy schedule I did not know how it was going to work out. On Sunday as I was on my way to meet them at the airport I wanted to turn around and just go back, but as I entered the airport Steve called to my phone that they had just arrived. But it took about 1 minute to know it was the Lord's plan to meet them. We then set out to find them a hotel but nothing was found under 100$ per night. The last hotel we went to was booked up, so at 11:00 that night we headed for my place which already was filled up, but that is where they stayed the first night. But the Lord had a place already picked out for them. Monday I called my friend Rick who is MAF about the need for a cheap place to live. He called me back and told me that a missionary family was in the States and that their 4 room apartment was available to use. It is an incredible apartment and even has a piano for Steve. Later I will tell you all how the Lord has been using them here…. To be continued….. (Photo of their visit to the holocaust memorial, here in Moscow, Steve behind the 9 foot grand piano of Nellie's the director)

HOME REMEDY #1077 TREE SAP

Hello everyone today Natasha (the sound woman ) and I went hour and a half out of Moscow to visit a Baptist conference center. It is the same conference camp where we had the CC Russian men’s conference. We wanted to look over the place as we are making arrangements for our first prayer retreat. Please pray for the upcoming retreat on June 11-13. While we were waiting to look around at the facility, the guard asked me if I wanted some juice, and I was thirsty and said yes. I was a little surprised when he grabbed a cup from his guard house and told me to follow him into the beautiful surrounding forest. Little did I know I was going to get my first taste of birch tree sap (juice). As I followed Alex over to a birch tree (See Picture) just like in the cartoons the tree had a drain coming out dripping one drip at a time. Well Alex insisted that I fill the cup up after I cautiously poured enough for one gulp. The birch tree sap is clear, and tastes very much like plain water with a bit of a sweet taste. It is supposed to be very healthy, and after 6 ½ years living in Russia I no longer giggle under my breath when I hear of one of 100’s of home remedies they have, I'm a believer!!!!

I have a most interesting story to tell about our special guests from Israel Steve and Kerstin Schneider. Steve is a Messianic Jew and he contacted us though our CC Sokol web site with the desire to come to Russia to minister in praise through music, (Steve is a professional piano player) and to share their testimony. I will write more about their visit here with us and the different opportunities that the Lord is opening up for them as they will be in Moscow for 3 week. Please pray for their Ministry. You also can read about Steve and Kerstin on their web site: http://www.stevekerstin.com/ Steve will be doing the Wednesday night service, and on Sunday Steve will be doing our men’s fellowship, and Kerstin will be doing the ladies fellowship.

Well good night and God Bless you and thank you for taking an interest in the work here in Moscow. Thank you that you faithfully pray for us here, it makes all the difference!!! dean