Carelinks USA, Home Reconstruction, April 2008

The reconstruction of the home in Northern Latvia continues- slowly, but with an excellent spirit and many sacrifices of time by busy brethren from all over. This week brother Graham and sister Pauline from Walton ecclesia, Andrew Norcross from Sale and Peter Eichorn from Nantwich are all hard at work, along with some local brothers and sisters. We do so appreciate your help in this large undertaking! Our local brother and sister are in good spirits, and the workers held a joint breaking of bread with them on Saturday. Please do pray for this project- there'll be plenty of painting to do over the Summer, so do think of coming over yourself if you can! Also, there's a Bible weekend in Latvia planned for June 27-29, God willing; do let us know if you're interested in coming.

Photos: Andrew hard at work; the breaking of bread
              

In the USA, response to internet preaching continues, and we're thrilled with the progress made by brothers Scott Ketelsen and Charlie Klennert in pulling together an ecclesia in Tacoma, where we reported two baptisms in January. Anyone in Washington state interested in joining them can contact them via their website at http://www.tacomaecclesia.net .

We've also been in touch with an unusually dynamic contact, called Lucy, or Ludmila, a Russian woman living in the USA who's just thrilled with having found the Truth. Recently Scott and Lisa were able to visit her and report as follows:

What a sweet and wonderful time of fellowship and blessing! This day April 12, 2008. Lisa and I had the honor and privilege to partake in Lucy’s commitment to new life in the hope of Israel through baptism.

Being over the road truckers we never know when or where we are going to be until we get there. There was an amazing re-arrangement of our trip plan and we got re-routed to Lucy's area! We called Lucy and she came and picked us up.

Lucy drove about 80 miles to pick us up at our trucking terminal. She drove us to her home and we arrived there in the morning. We had wonderful fellowship throughout the day. Lucy made us some “borsh” a Russian soup mix full of veggies. Around 2:00 p.m. we went over the Scriptures regarding baptism found in the Bible Basics book. Sister Lucy willingly confessed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and understood the types and pictures of our hope in the resurrection. We proceeded to the back yard pool for baptism and what a wonderful and joyful heart she displayed. Lucy had been waiting for months to get baptized and finally the day had arrived!

Photos: Br Scott baptizing Lucy, and the joy on Lucy's face afterwards
         

Photos: Sis Lucy (right) and Sis. Lisa; Lucy preparing Russian food
         

Afterward we fired up the grill and ate another Russian dish called “kofta” (some kind of meatloaf ball thing) and chicken, along with rice and salad. We continued fellowship and played with her big dogs. We talked of her ministry outreach activities, fundamental Bible doctrine and testimonies of God's hand in our lives. We proceeded to break bread and reveal the types on baptism in the emblems. We closed with prayer.

The joy in Lucy’s face and her expression of excitement to finally be baptized encouraged us. We were truly honored to be part of this wonderful occasion.

Thank you for your continued prayers for Lucy. She has been a real evangelist for the things of God and the Gospel.

In Christ Jesus,
Scott and Lisa

1 John 3:2,3 NASV:"We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure".

With love from your brothers and sisters of CCM