Ministering in Thailand
This summer we were blessed to have an opportunity to visit and participate in an evangelistic service in a public school in the province of Chiang Rai on the south part of Thailand. Our team consisted of 25 people; twelve from America, seven were local students and ministers of a Thailand Christian School of Avod, and six volunteers from Russia. We were truly grateful to the Lord that He strengthened and united our team, and made us instruments in His hands for the work to which we were called.
Our main goal was to minister in the district of Viang Cayan, Chiang Rai. All of the locations were those in which we previously hosted camps, and were unique and special in many ways. While being in these provinces we were exposed to the traditional and Buddhist cultures. We also learned how to minister to the Muslim refugees in the city of Mae Sot which is located at the border of Thailand and Burma. The southern part of Thailand is zoned out by the Chinese tribal names which migrated to this country in the past. The region of Viang Cayan which we visited is populated primarily by the Minh tribe. This tribe has a firm belief in the spiritual realm, that the variety of animals that live among them have special spirits which should not be disturbed.
Last year we received an invitation from 22 schools on the southern part of Thailand that asked us to host summer camps for their students. It is remarkable how the Lord opens so many doors for His work! In the United States it is next to impossible to preach the Gospel in the public schools, but in Thailand, the opportunities are abundant.
This year the Lord brought us to one of the largest schools in Khun Kvak Vitay where we hosted two camps over the span of two weeks. 223 students ages from 13 to 16 came to our first camp, and 121 younger students 9-12 year olds came to the second camp. By the end of our program, all 344 students got to hear about Jesus Christ. It was a great blessing to see so many students and even teachers singing praises to our God, attentively listening to Biblical lessons, being ready to open their hearts to the Lord.
At the closing of the program, a local teacher Hony who was with us this entire time, and helped with the translation expressed her gratitude, and in her closing statement added “May the Lord bless all of you”.
We want to thank all of you for your prayers and support of this ministry. Please continue to pray for those living in this region, and join us in this missions’ ministry.
"I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth." 1 Corinthians 3:6-7
Israel
The missionary trip to Israel is reported by Sergey Borushko:
"Our team consisted of 15 people. We divided into three groups of five and each left to their designated cities—Rishon, Hayfa, and Carmen. Our group was the one who went to Rishon. We were welcomed by the Russian-speaking Jewish believers who minister to those struggling with substance abuse. During the first week we hosted a children’s camp. The lesson plan was put together by the local group that we joined. The theme of the camp was “If You Want to Be Healthy”—recovery from sin as if from a disease. The children were taught great lessons defining what sin is, how they should live so that they would not sin, what our actions should be like, and how to reach heaven. Each day was divided by different activities. There were the Bible lessons, which the children were really fond of, the sports activities, and much more. The children arrived in the morning and went home for the night.
While being there we noticed one important detail: the absence of Christian freedom which is available in other countries. Israel is a democratic country, but the orthodox Jews have a huge influence, and decide the level of politics and other spheres of the life of their country. It is not easy for Christian churches to begin any kind of a new movement. Judaism is prevalent. None of the public services are available on Friday because of the beginning of the Sabbath. They have a different culture, different world, and different people.
After the children’s camp we helped to host a youth camp for 90 people 14 years old and above in the region close to Jordan. We also joined the established event and helped in all of the activities. After the camp the youth leader of all the churches-Vladimir along with his wife testified that the youth got a desire to serve, and serve other people. We were a good example to them: overcoming large distance, we came to them to serve and help them.
We also brought financial support to these small churches that help people to recover, and be freed from alcohol and substance abuse, and come to church. The local believers rent a house which can support both married as well as single people who are going through the rehab. After a certain time, they are moved to a different house where they study on their own in the bible studies. They receive help and support on all levels, and when their children grow up, they are taken care of as well. These people fill the churches. It is amazing how God establishes His church in the regions that Christians don’t even realize.
Please click on the first slide below to view pictures of bigger size in slide show format
{rapidgallery}_newsRelated/2017/oct-fsbc-mission-izrael{/rapidgallery}
Trip to Kirgizstan and Russia
Larisa Krichun and Elena Guseva, who are members of First Slavic Baptist Church went on a short-term missions trip to Bishkek, Kirgizstan this summer to host a camp for children with cerebral palsy.
The camp took place on the shore of the most beautiful lake, Issyk-Kul. 30 children ages 5 to 18 came with their parents. The local church members designed the curriculum, and our sisters were sponsors of this wonderful camp which will be remembered by both children and adults for a long time. One boy named Denis really did not want to go, his relatives talked him into it and he agreed. At the end of the camp he was grateful to all and was really glad that he came.
When the children had their lesson, there was a lesson for the parents as well. It was the same lesson as it was for the children and was called “More than Dreams,” a story about Joseph. During the bible time with the adults, they had many different questions about the lesson. They were interested by the Bible and Christian living, and when the camp was over, one woman came to church with her children. During the evening service which took place every day, two Muslim girls repented. They were glad that they got to know Jesus, and came to church. The local church grows with the addition of new people who come to the Lord while listening to the Word of God at the camp. The first camp for the children suffering from cerebral palsy took place in 2014. After they repent, people come to church and begin to minister and help others suffering both physically as well s spiritually. The seed is sown, and produces is growth.
Please click on the first slide below to view pictures of bigger size in slide show format
{rapidgallery}_newsRelated/2017/oct-fsbc-mission-kirgizia{/rapidgallery}
Russia
After hosting a camp in Kirgizstan, our sisters went to Volhov, Russia. While being there two more sister, Lena Gusarova from First Slavic Baptist Church, and Olga Rodimina from Russian Baptist Church of Bryte.
Volhov is a small city located about 120 km from Saint Petersburg. This city has a church which opened a center called “Warm Home” for all those struggling with alcohol, substance abuse, and for single mothers who have nowhere to go after giving birth. The center is located on the church property and has 6 rooms, a working office, and added rooms. One family that went through the rehab and now serves the Lord, has four of their own children, and lives and helps those who live there. The program’s length is one year. Presently this house holds ten women, about ten children and a few singles. The local church members are ministering to them through the discussions, Bible reading, and prayer. They are being taught how to discover who they are, and how to reach their potential in life, as well as different seminars on raising children. While our sisters were there, two sisters from Bryansk taught a seminar called “How to Raise Children in the Light of the Bible”. The seminar’s lessons were great, answered all the women’s questions, and the women who attended it loved it. They understood that if they do not raise the children in a Biblical way, both the parents as well as the children will suffer because they will follow in their parents’ footsteps.
Our sisters saw the needs of this home. The weather of this region is humid, and with the frequent rains there is no place to dry the washed clothes so they bought a dryer for the center. They also bought a young goat and in doing so, solved the milk problem since the home has ten children! There was also a purchase of groceries, as well as other necessities that these people lacked. The sisters spent three days in this home, and after doing what they could, went on their way.
Please click on the first slide below to view pictures of bigger size in slide show format
{rapidgallery}_newsRelated/2017/oct-fsbc-mission-russia{/rapidgallery}
Urengay and Moldova
Vesena Kurudimov reports the details of this trip.
Eight people from First Slavic Baptist Church set of on a long missionary journey this summer-Noyabrsk, Russia—a city in the district of Yamalo-Nanetsk automotive group. The goal of the trip was to host Christian camps.
The first camp was hosted three years ago. This year the camp lasted ten days with about 60 children ages 4-16. Everyone was divided by age groups. First Slavic Baptist Church sponsored these camps, and the local church actively helped in all of the activities. The city officials did not pose any restrictions or obstacles for the camp.
The children were engaged during the whole day: morning exercise, breakfast, Bible lessons, sports, and different interest groups such as crafts for the ladies, Christian skits on Biblical topics, lunch, and dinner. A family illegally came to the city in search of a job; their children—12 year old girl and 14 year old boy were invited to the camp. These children repented and came to church with their parents. The children are eager to come to the God. At the end of camp, three brothers 12, 14, and 15 said that they will be coming to church.
Because of the rainy weather, the lessons had to be taught inside. But regardless of what was troubling, the children and their parents were very glad because they received what they needed.
After Noyabrsk the group went to Urengoy where their camp was scheduled for ten days as well. There were about 50 children of different ages, and the theme of the camp was “So what Now”? based on the book of Judges. There was an evening service every evening and our brothers preached during this service. It’s important to note that among the young participants who went on a missions trip, brother Peter Sachko who is over 65 also went and preached the Word of God. Last year four sisters—Karina, Dasha, Margarita, and Sasha 13-16 year old came to the camp. This year they came as well, and after an evening service, they prayed and afterwards went to church.
After the camps are over, the children go to the local church and serve in singing, reciting poems, and helping in Sunday School. After they finish school, these children go to study in different cities, and when they find a church, they become active members of that church. They also go to other camps and help other children find the saving message of salvation. Many of them testify that they do not want to live like their parents.
Someone called the local authorities and complained about the camp. Various audit and oversight teams came with the accompaniment of the vice-mayor of the city who closed the camp down. Although the camp had to close three days earlier than planned, it went well, and the children heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
After leaving Urengoy, our group went to Moldova. The travel from Moscow-Minsk-Odessa took a long time in overlays, and then from Odessa to Kishenev on a bus. While in Moldova, Nicolay Kapakly (70 years old) who is a pastor of First Slavic Baptist Church join our group and took an active part in preaching at the camp. The first camp took place in the city of Frunze, Oknitsk region which is on the southern part of Moldova. The region is destined to die out: the businesses have closed down, and the youth have moved in search of jobs. Previously there were no camps there, but 75 children ages 5-16 came. Because of the reconstruction of the kitchen, we had to buy food at the local food kitchens. There were five groups with fifteen children in each. The children were well-behaved, and were attentively listening during all the lessons. By the end of the camp some were praying during the evening services; one girl repented and now goes to the local church.
We also visited the elderly in their homes—about 30-40 families. They are very poor, and some of them are living on just a few dollars. With a lot said about God, they received food as well as a reference to the local church. There was one woman who did not come down from the 5th story of the building in five years. She cried and rejoiced that there were people wo visited her.
The next camp took place in the village of Bogdanesh. The village is located on the south side of Moldova, on the left (west) side of Prut on the border of Romania. There were about 150 children ages 5 to 20. They were brought there from three local settlements. There were ten groups; there were no classes and because of that all the lessons took place outside. Despite a large number of children, there were no problems: they were well-behaved and followed all the rules of the camp.
Their parents also came asking a lot of questions. It was unclear to them why strangers loved their children so much. When there was a service in the local church, the parents who desired to hear about God came from different settlements on foot along with their children. The church service was over packed. People came to us with tears of gratitude for the camp, and asked to come to them again. Moldova is a country that is open to the preaching of the Gospel. The harvest is plentiful and is waiting for the workers. Join us in our ministry!
Please click on the first slide below to view pictures of bigger size in slide show format
{rapidgallery}_newsRelated/2017/oct-fsbc-mission-moldova{/rapidgallery}
What’s next? The Lord will accomplish His work. He will grow the sown seeds, sent workers to His fields, will water and fill with power. He will grow new churches and send new missionaries. Our ministers in the missions field who after returning from these distant regions, will once again desire to come back to minister again.
Occasionally there are criticisms that such short-term trips are unfruitful, and that when missionaries come and go, there is not much result of their service: the people listen to them, and then go back to their old lifestyle. That is not the case, there are those who do benefit and believe the Gospel. If we don’t visit the places that are far from the churched regions, how is it possible to fulfill the Great Commission, and “go to the ends of the earth”?
We must say that god abundantly blesses not only those who receive the members of our church, but also those missionaries who leave their families for 2-3 weeks, their jobs, their education, and sacrifice not only their time and vacation opportunity, but also financially. Their spiritual life is renewed, they return to the deeper understanding of God and their trust in Him, and receive great joy and encouragement seeing the lost souls saved.
Join them in their ministry!
Emilia Guseva
