News from Europe / Eurasia
We are
delighted to report the baptism of Bro EMERSON in Pogradec; may he run the race
faithfully to the end.
BAKU
We are still
here awaiting for UNHCR. We pray for you all. Please don't forget us but pray
for us. May God bless your work on and on!
Bro. N
[ex-Iran]
This is N--- ,
the Iranian refugee who living in Baku , i just wanted you to know that I always
hold you all in my prayer although we hadn't any contact to each other .
Bro N
I am trying to
learn English, so that I can translate some basic things into Farsi, like a
chronological outline of basic Bible facts, to help others understand. We love
and pray for you.
Sis. E.
[ex-Iran]
BARANOVICHI
We are really
grateful for the work of Brother Igor from Moscow who comes here often and helps
us with literature etc. I am in touch with a man I spoke to 4 years ago on
Biblical themes and it seems he will respond more. I am very happy about this.
Bro. Leonid
Photo: A newly
baptised family in
Belarus
LUNINETS
The Lord Jesus
said that if people persecuted him, then they would persecute us too. This is
happening now as a sign of the last days. My flat is always at the disposal of
those persecuted for righeousness' sake.
Bro. Sasha
MINSK
Things have
had to change in our lives because of financial problems but I hope all will now
normalize. I have 4 more people interested to receive Bible Basics.
Bro. Gennady
TERESHK
I am eagerly
reading through the books sent, they are is true spiritual food for me. I would
love to have a library of Christadelphian books like this but I know only
Russian.
Bro. Vladimir
We are
delighted to report the baptisms of Brothers D and I in Sarajevo; may the Lord
guide them to His Kingdom through their lives in this difficult land.
We reproduce an email just as received from one of our new brethren:
Hey brother i'v got extra good news: Another friend of mine wants to be baptised
YUHUUUU I could just scream
and sing how happy I am because of it. It came finally, I am so happy, I am
sorry if I sound crazy but that means so much to me. Praise the God almighty!
SOFIA
Now I am
preparing an exposition. It is a sort of address to younger brothers and
sisters. I hope it will have some effect - at least to those with relevant
disposition of mind. It may be interesting for you too. I started writing it
last night but I was short of time. I hope to finish it today.
Bro.
Lyuben
I am now very
sick and my father also is about to die, all I think about is to have my burial
done by you who taught me about Jesus and the hope. Please pray for me.
Bro.
Ivan
In response to
the call we have each received to take the Gospel into all the world before the
Lord returns, the Bible Basics Follow Up Team have been expanding work into
Greenland and Iceland, where we are unaware that there are any Christadelphians.
Response from Iceland to advertising has been excellent- we now have around 50
contacts studying Bible Basics. Seeing the population is only about
250,000, we found the response quite amazing.
Spurred on by
this, we have sought to advertise on web sites in Greenland, where the
population is even smaller.
We've found that the internet is
only just taking off there, and of course people have never had offers of free
Bible literature put to them before.
Some internet cafes are opening and we are in touch with them with regard to
advertising. Further, the small population there is very closely connected with
each other, and we found a listing of all home pages of Greenlanders - there are
about 30 people in Greenland who have their own private home page. So we've
written to the people and asked if they'd like a pen pal with whom to discuss
the Bible, and whether they'd like us to send them a copy of
Bible Basics.
Our working team have also discovered that the University of Greenland has a
theology faculty - with one lecturer and four students! The way things are going,
most people in Greenland and Iceland who are online and know some English will
have been approached by
us with the offer of the Truth. We've also learnt that there's a major alcohol
problem in these areas, and we are seeking to get our material about "Living
with alcoholism: A Christian Response" [see www.carelinks.net/alcohol.html] translated
into Danish, Icelandic and the Greenland language.
An Iranian
Brother on the run because of persecution in Iran reports:
I hope that
God helping to all of us and show us the true way in every where! There are
some people who want to baptize and I'm in contact with them! God willing they
will come here but the date is not clear yet, about the other brothers & sisters
in Iran, I have to say that everybody are ok and they are growing up in
believe and faith as well, [brother K] has sent me some offline message, he
sounds so busy! And I received an email from [brother D], and brother M called
me a few days before and brother A also. And I heard from the other sister that
she is ok too, thanks to God that everybody's living peaceful at the moment!
Lots of love
and regard, God bless
BEER SHEVA
I ask for your
prayers for my daughter who is still unconscious after her accident, and for my
son, who is going to remarry, to a woman who has a child. I have been visited by
several brothers and sisters recently, some of them came without a translator so
we couldn't communicate, but I send greetings and love to you all.
Sis. Anna
I'm fine here,
by the grace of God. Thank you for your letter, magazines etc. I have heard
from Simon Phillips and Anna, who have briefed me about brethren and sisters
here in Italy - I'm glad to be one of them. I'm alone here, as my wife and kids
are back in Ghana.
Bro. Foster
Ankrah-Pambour
We are
delighted to report the baptisms of EVA and LIGA at the Riga Bible School; and
KARINA, TAISA, EDGARS, NINA, ROMAN and ALEKSANDR on subsequent visits. May God
bless and guide them in their walk.
JEKABPILS
We are both
still very much in shock after the loss of our mother. All is very dark for us,
and worse, we have difficulty finding even odd jobs, and we now have only a sack
of potatoes to eat, we worked on a farm and then they wouldn't pay us but gave
us the potatoes. Please pray for us, we so trust in God.
Brothers Sasha
and Sergej
JELGAVA
Today I was in
touch with a great question. Why it is so hard to say to our relatives that we
love them? I think it causes many problems. We actually feel, that we care for
our dear people, we want to do many things to say it in our actions, but we
never say it in words. I think we are not alone, we just do not realise it. And
I know, that our Lord loves us, He has said it many times in Bible, He proves it
with His works, but do we say it in our prayers - I do love you, Jesus?
Bro.
Janis
KRASLAVA
I am finding
reading hard as my eyesight is so bad, and it is difficult to get a large print
Bible here. I would so love to travel to Bible meetings but my health is too
bad; I love you all!
Sis. Valeriana
LIBAGI
I am hoping to
come to the study day in Riga, God willing. I am so very glad Duncan and Cindy
are in Riga, they are a great help to us. I would love to go to Russia to see my
mother and try to preach the Truth to her but the fare is so expensive.
Bro. Vladimir
PILTENE
I do not cease
wrapping you up in my prayers as you continue to work for God in dangerous
places like Pakistan and Afghanistan. I hope that even here I can be to others a
comforting light in this darkness, and even if there is no response I hope I
will remain faithful.
Sis.
Olga
REZEKNE
I have two
weeks holiday from work so I can write to let you know that I feel God working
very actively in my life especially through what I pray for and His way of
answering or working out those answers.
Sis. Anna
RIGA
Life here in
prison is really difficult, especially as my relatives do not help me at all. I
think of the places where I hear there are baptisms and I am with you all.
Bro. Anatoly
I arrived here
OK. My life and work is somewhat hard, looking after an old lady who cannot walk
at all. She was from St Petersburg before she came here, so we reminisce about
what life was like in USSR. Please pray for me. I miss you all terribly, and
wonder who is sitting in my place at the breaking of bread meetings.
Sis.
Tanya [currently working abroad]
I am thankful
to all brothers and sisters who organised the 'camp' over the Easter holidays.
There was Bro. Graham Mitchel who introduced us to brothers and sisters in
Africa through his video. It was so moving to see them and also to see brothers
and sisters in the Philippines, but it was also terrible to see those about Iran
and the devastation of Afghanistan. Bro. Marcus gave a wonderful talk on the
tabernacle in the wilderness. We also watched the most moving and beautiful
film about the life of Jesus Christ; it it the most wonderful film about Jesus
I have ever seen. It was so nice to see our brothers and sisters again - too
many names to list here. I just say 'Thank you' to the brothers and sisters who
organised this 'camp' and many, many thanks to our God and His Son.
Sis Aija
Photo: The Riga
Ecclesia
TUKUMS
I arrived OK
here in Ireland but I am being made to work so extremely hard, and I think to
return home to Latvia. I am having to work in the fields very hard and long work. It
is also hard being here and not knowing English and trying to be understood.
Please pray for me.
Sis. N
[currently working abroad]
VILANI
I am still
very ill, maybe I will not recover. My sight has started to fail very badly. I
am surely hoping for the Kingdom of God, it is my only hope. I manage to read
some pages from the Bible each day but it is hard for me to concentrate. Please
pray for me.
Bro. Fyodyor
LENTVARIS
I am so
pleased with the large print Bible sent to me, now I read and read so much. I am
sorry to tell you that my mother is at the point of death, the doctors do not
think she will last more than a month. Please pray for me.
Sis. Lubov
VILNIUS
The Bible
School was just excellent, I was very strengthened and look forward to our next
meeting.
Bro. Valdas
I continue
having very great problems and I do ask you pray for me and my son, as I pray
for you. For example, recently, our block had a new door fitted, we each had to
pay towards it but I truly have no money, and so they don't give me the key to
the front door of our block. So please pray for me in this and many other
problems.
Sis. Tanya
We are
delighted to report the baptism of Brother D; may the Lord guide him to His
Kingdom.
You cannot
imagine my feelings, that I have been having after every denial of sin. I've
been having a lot of dreams, but as never before. I have started a real internal
combat, with the help of God. Thank you so much for letting me enter the life
that God wanted us to have. I really find that Bible Basics has
certainly been my personal manual for understanding the Bible. Thanks and God
bless you and your whole family.
Bro. D.
We enjoy
reading the Magazine. We have been to the CBM flat in Malta on our twice yearly
visit. We now have Bro. Emmanuel, 82 years old, baptized five years ago
approx., and Bro. Walter and Sis. Josephine, baptized 18 months ago; they are
younger and came to us via a 'Fellowship' meeting. In Gozo there is Bro. Salvu
who is very lonely and has had some 'persecutions' over the past five years or
so. Some of his hay crop, used to feed his goats, was stolen and his doorway
blocked during the Festa so that he couldn't leave his home and watch his
crops. A few months earlier his cycle tyres (his only transport) were slashed
for a joke(!) by the parish priest. Gozo is small and Salvu's village has three
streets only, and a massive church, so all know he does not 'confess' etc. It
is a joy to visit him also. We have so much to be thankful for.
Bro. & Sis. G.
Jenkins
CHISINAU
I have
finished the translation of What is the Gospel? into Romanian and I hope
it is going to help people know the truth!
Sis. Nastya
I am so
pleased that my daughter was baptized and for your visit. She is changing and I
see that God is at work in us through your work, thank you!
Sis. Elvira
I am truly
happy to be baptized and be your sister. I have many problems, I believe God
will help me through. I am proud to be a sister of Christ.
Sis. Ira
We are
delighted to report the baptisms of brethren H and O, and trust that the Lord
will bless them and all His scattered flock in this Moslem land unto His
Kingdom.
Thank you for
your last visit, we were happy to meet you in Morocco, and to meet other
brothers, I wish to meet you again in other city with new brothers, pray for us
, we will do all in our power to reach people in other places to hear the
message of our God.
Bro. H
I was very
glad to become your brother by baptism. I have four friends here who need the
Arabic Bible Basics for Moslems, this is a very important book for my
preaching.
Bro. O
I am trying by
all means to get people here to accept the Bible truth and to be baptized, it is
a hard job, and we have such people interested in far cities where we need to
travel to.
Bro S
Bro. John
Benson is going to visit all brothers and sisters in Norway, so he together with
some other Christadelphians will visit me. We can speak, read the Bible and
break bread together. It was very nice recently to read my favourite book
Proverbs. I enjoy reading them. I think Proverbs was the first Bible chapter
that I read when I got my Bible many years ago.
Sis. Helena
It is
encouraging to receive your mail after a long time. Alice and I are so happy to
know about your welfare. I will give you the list to whom Bible Basics
is to be sent. The ecclesia is growing well. Pray for this, as you planted the
first seed in Oman. I am attaching the list of the ecclesia. Please pray for
this. Please pray for us. All are sending their love to you.
Bro. David
The Muslim
extremists are behind those who are persecuting J's family. Brothers and Sisters
of TTS have decided for me to hide for around two weeks. I am leaving TTS on
Monday. Please pray for my saftey. Brothers and sisters, we need your prayers
and urgent help for case and other things includinng my two weeks stay
somewhere. Please respond me as soon as possible. I am in need of your help.
With much love and peace,
Bro A
I am very
thankful for all your efforts. After reading your emails I am very much relaxed
and feeling light. I believe that every situation has a time. I can foresee the
wonderful time that He will use me abundantly to share His gospel among
the lost and bring many to His kingdom.I believe that His
provision will reach to me through you all on time. I know that thank you
are small words to express my real feelings for all of you.You must believe that
He is so pleased to you all when He enables you to share my aims
and prove our true love for another. I love you all very much (2 Cor. 2:4) to
let you know the depth of my love for you all. In His unfailing Love
Bro. K
[currently on
the run from persecution - he urgently needs our prayers]
Recently
Moslem extremists killed a boy here. Please pray for Pakistan and for us to be
able to even live here as Christians.
Sis. Safina
Here a young
boy who is Christian drank water from the tap of a Mosque, so they told him to
convert to be a Moslem, and when he refused, they torture him, they peel his
nails and give him electric shock and send the body back to his parents. I am
sure one day all Christians will be killed here by Moslems.
Pray for us.
Sis. E.
Today I baptized two women.
I went to their colony, where we built a pool for the baptism. I asked many
questions of them, to make it clear why they wanted baptism and understood the
doctrines, did they feel a true love for the Lord Jesus Christ, and how they
were dealing with repenting of their sins. At the end I baptized them, I was
very happy, and they were too.
Sis. S.
POZNAN
I am hoping to
translate some things to Belarussian over the Summer holidays.
Bro. Val
[Note: This
will be our first literature in Belarussian language].
We are
delighted to report the baptism of GALINA (Armavir); may the Lord guide her to
His Kingdom.
ABINSK
I continue to
have many problems with my health and with persecution here. Please pray for us
here.
Bro. S.
CHELYABINSK
You know that
we love you so much, you are welcome any time you like. I am not sure that
we'll have Bible week-end in Chelyabinsk.
It seems to me that the time is too short.
Sis. Lena
EFREMOV
I very much
enjoyed some recent visits here and learnt much about God's word. I am enjoying
a great correspondence with Sister Ludmila Kuritsyna, she is a true
Christadelphian and very inspiring to me. I have truly much joy in the Lord.
Bro.
Oleg
IRBIT
We are so
grateful that you brought us to God, and that in your care for us we saw more of
the face of Jesus Christ. We have distributed Bible Basics here and there
are some who wish to be baptized whom we have been teaching.
Bro. Toly &
Sis. Nadia
JOSHKAR-OLA
My great
desire, as I think is true of so many of us scattered ones, is to be together,
to take strength from each other, and so I pray for this to be the case and for
it to be possible.
Sis Elena
Photo: A Group at the
Russian Winter Bible
School
KAZAN
I just
received a letter from Brother Don Styles from USA, I was much comforted. I am
frustrated by lack of response to the Gospel here. Some visitors from CBM came
here to see me and told me of their journeys around Russia.
Sis.
Ludmila K.
Here we are
fine. It is now about a year since we were baptized and it seems such a long
time already. Life is still new for us. I am working through the books sent to
me with much joy and learning a lot.
Bro. Andrej
KIROV
I am reading
the books sent to me each day and I would really love to have more such books, I
have a great hunger for good explanations of the Bible. I send greetings to all.
Sis. Ludmila
OKTYABRSKIJ
I feel that
this world is so evil that unless we are going forward in our spiritual growth,
then we will be sucked back into the evil of the world, it is so strong. People
are concerned so much with things which we know now to be totally insignificant
whereas, praise God, He has given us His Truth!
Sis. Larisa
POKROVKA
When I hear
about the situation with our brothers in Afghanistan and Pakistan, I realize
deep within me that my own problems are not so great. But all the same they are
there, like possibly losing custody of my son, my poor health, such low wages
now, etc. I can only pray to God but I also pray to Him for my brothers and
sisters more now.
Sis. Svetlana
ROSTOV
We are fine
here and disappointed by all divisions. I have been preaching to a Moslem person
by internet, but he refuses to abandon Koran.
Bro. Andrej
Photo: Sisters.
Ludmila K.& C working out a
Bible passage
RZHEV
I am very
excited to hear about preaching in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The
Christadelphians have a hard time in truly growing here in Russia, there is so
much against the acceptance of our preaching. I pray for you.
Bro. Sasha
SANKT
PETERBURG
I continue to
be encouraged by Gospel News, it is one of the pieces of literature I
read each morning as I seek to start each day with a time for spiritual
reflection and prayer to our Father in Heaven.
Bro. Valerij
SHCHYOKINO
I have as
always many questions. They are about many things. Such as why did the altar
built of wood not burn up? Why does God say He doesn't ever change, but He does?
Who are the spirits in prison whom Jesus preached to when He died? But beyond
all these I do truly love God, and I love you, I am with you in my town here.
Bro Boris
TYMSK
We are
surrounded here by so much spiritual blindness. May God keep me and my family in
His way so that we can come into His Kingdom of light and truth when Jesus
returns. I ask the Lord to help me carry the many crosses I have here.
Bro. Ivan
VINOGRADOVKA
I am feeling
very lonely here. I am very grateful to Sister Ludmila from Kazan who writes to
me and supports me in hard moments. I am reading the Bible very much but I feel very alone, and
I missed seeing you all at the Winter Bible School.
Sis. Galina
BELGRADE
The new
legislation about registering churches has now been passed here, and it seems
only Orthodox, Catholics, Jews, Moslems, Lutherans and Hungarian Reformed have
been allowed to formally register. I know this will make things harder for us as
we by all means try to spread the Gospel to the dark world. I am excited to hear
of baptisms in Morocco and the way people are brave enough to break with
tradition. I am preaching to some Chinese here and would appreciate copies of
Chinese Bible Basics.
Bro. Vladislav
I am very busy
with my PhD work, and haven't had the chance to meet with Bro. William much. We
are OK. Last time when Bro. Owen was here in Hungary, he put Bible Basics
in the public library.
Bro. Zoltan
I am preaching
by internet still. I have one Serbian man in Norway who is writing and I hope he
will convert. That he even answered and replies to me indicates the work of
God's Angels calling people.
Bro. William
We dont forget
you. We are very happy for new birth in baptism. We want to remain with contact
with you. We so want to see you again. "for you are receiving the goal of your
faith, the salvation of your souls" (1 Peter 1.9).
Bro. F. & Sis.
R [ex-Iran]
By God's will
I am having to leave where I am now and move to another city in Turkey. For some
reason our application for asylum in USA has been again turned down despite all
documents in order and we are threatened to be deported to Northern Iraq. Please
pray for us.
Bro. H
[ex-Iran and Iraq]
I have
returned from Saint Petersburg. I went to Russia to visit one translation
company and was looking for a job. The situation with jobs here is getting
harder. I was looking for a job in the field of translation or interpreter, or
even child or old woman care. I went there as many people are going anywhere to
find jobs. But I am not sad and everything is fine as God was with me and
yesterday I came to Ashgabat. Take care and God bless you.
Sis. G.
POLTAVA
For a real
believer in Jesus Christ, he has been taught to love one another, and always try
to help in difficulties within one's possibilities. No laws any more.
Just pure love. It is not for human beings to judge disciples in the
family of Christ as that is possible only for one Person.
Bro. A
I am trying to
work as quickly as possible on producing a new magazine in the Russian language,
there is a great need for it.
Sis. Ludmila
I realize more
and more how meeting with the brothers from England has truly opened my eyes to
a new world, the world of the Bible and of the truth, of Jesus Christ, and of
the far better life there is and the hope we can share. I want to say thank you.
Bro. Gennady
