On December 11, about 300 fire victims of the Paradise city came together had dinner at the Neighborhood Church in Chico. It was the same church that opened its doors to the fire victims within a few hours of the fire and provided food and shelter for many people. Although currently the fire victims are living in insulated tents, trailers, or with other families in rental units, the Neighborhood Church provides them with dinner every Tuesday and gives them an opportunity to have some fellowship afterwards.
This time, a group of brothers and sisters from the Russian Baptist Church of Bryte took charge of dinner cooking and service of people during the dinner. Pilaf, salads, baked goods, coffee, tea, and mandarins for desert was more than the dinner guests were expecting. When the pastor of one of the churches of Paradise presented the Slavic group, the people rose and gave them a standing ovation of gratitude.
This, however, was not the main highlight of the evening. There were conversations with people who went through tragedy of losing all their earthly possessions but were miraculously saved out of the fire. There were testimonies of direct interventions of God and of wonderful deliverance from a painful death. There was a word of exhortation and a deep reverential prayer.
What was striking to all the Russian brothers and sisters was the openness of the fire victims, their positive spirit, and unwavering hope that God will provide and help them. While going through severe difficulties, they were not downcast but supported and encouraged one another reminding each other of all the goodness and faithfulness of God and encouraged to have faith in Him Who will never leave His children without help.
Unfortunately, the city of Paradise is still off limits and only special companies are allowed to come in. As soon as the authorities will allow the fire victims to return to the city, these people will need a lot of support and all the help they can get. If anyone would like to respond to the need of these people, read the description of ways to help on the following page of our website. In his interview (in Russian only), pastor of Bryte Church Michael Yuryevich Avramenko provides more information about where and how our Slavic churches can demonstrate their godliness in action.
Interview with Tatiana Krimushkina - click here (in Russian only)
PHOTOS TAKEN DURING THE DINNER
Please click on the first slide below to see pictures as a slide show
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