Home

Finish Well

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. " Heb12:1-2

Jason, Leon, & Carl

Tonight we finished our last teachings here in Vladavostok. We have heard from several people that this was the best conference they have had (glory to God!!). There is a great feeling that comes over you when you have worked hard and are able to finish strong! Carl and I have taught over 14 times each since we've been here. That doesn't include giving testimonies, sharing in schools, playing music, and doing counseling. I don't say that to boast, but rather to illustrate a point...Tonight when we came back to Pastor Oleg's apartment, there was a sense of accomplishment and celebration. We sat down to a great fish dinner and then had tea, cookies, and prayer! Wow! what a night. I couldn't help but think that this evening was a microcosm of the Christian race. 

The reality is, we are not finished. Not yet. We (all) are still very much in a fight; in a race. There are so, so many people that need Jesus. So many people who are speeding towards eternity without Christ. There is still time. Jesus hasn't come back yet. We still have opportunities to share the life changing message of Jesus! When He returns or when we die, THEN and only then will the fight be over and the race complete. If sitting down to a fish dinner after a two week mission trip to Russia was good, I can't wait for the feast with Jesus after serving here on earth! I long for that rest and to hear those words, "Well done, good and faithful servant". So...let us throw off anything that hinders us and keep running! Let us keep our eyes on Jesus and finish well!

Teaching at "Grace Cafe" church (Era translating)

 I'm excited for our day to rest tomorrow. We have a couple of meetings with people, but by and large we are going to take it easy. Then, we will be flying home on Wednsday. It will be sad to leave, but I am ready to see my beautiful wife and my awesome kids!!! Plus, I SO miss Coastline Christian Fellowship! See you all soon. Please "pray us home!"

Home Stretch

Well, it's Sunday morning here. Today should prove to be a full day! Carl and I will be teaching at different churches. I'm stoked because I get to teach at the church that meets in a coffee shop called the Grace Cafe. It's an awesome ministry there. After church we will continue our conference on the book of Romans. Once again, I am humbled by these people and their hunger for the Word. Church is at least 2 hours long, and then they stay another 2 hours for more teachings!

Downtown Vlad

We are in the home stretch for sure. On one hand the trip has gone by very quickly, but on the other hand, it seems like we've been here for a very long time. It's safe to say that we are both a bit tired. We certainly need your prayers for these last couple of days. Here in the city, the spiritual battle seems to be thick. It's hard to explain, but it's just "heavy" here. I praise God that we are "the light of the world". I know He wants to do great things here through His church.

This is just a quick update, so more to come later. Brothers and sisters... keep your eyes on Jesus! He is our salvation! May you have opportunity to share Him with someone today. And, as always, LOVE each other!

Vlad

Well, we are back in Vladavostok (you sond like a local if you call it, "Vlad"). This morning we left Kavalerovo around 8:30am and traveled for about 9 hours. We arrived about 30 minutes before the conference here was about to start! Praise God, we were able to get here on time and teach with some energy!

We will be doing our last round of teacings over the next several days. It's so clear to Carl and I that teaching through Romans was God's design for this trip. Each one of the churches we are visiting has it's own unique challenges. The gospel of grace we find in Romans seems to answer a lot of questions for people and encourage them in their walk. This morning we got news that because of the conference in Kavalerovo, at least four people who were not going to church decided to come back to church becacuse they heard how much "Jesus loved them"! PLEASE pray for us in these last days of our teachings! This is not the venue to go into it, but let's just say there has been some influence of some potentially dangerous doctirnes in this church. I tryly believe that these last few teachings may go a long way in correcting some things. Please pray!
One of the other churches here in Vlad meets in a coffee shop. The Lord is doing a cool thing with the youth through this coffee shop church! My heart breaks for the youth here! Anyway, we are dong an outreach tomorrow night there. I'll be doing some songs and probably giving my testimony.

Me and Anya (daughter of one of the translators)

Yesturday I was talking with one of the pasotrs. He was telling me that in Russia, it is not easy to be a "born again", evangelical Christian. He informed me that the culture is not only agianst it, but hostile towards it! The Ortodox church and the government are still linked together. They have anit-evangelical commercials on tv. They warn people about the horrible "cult" of evangelical Christianity and protesantism. I have heard of people being fired from their jobs because someone found out they are a Chrisitan. As a result, there is a total lack of trust towards Christians. The good news is, that as believes live for Jesus, they demonstrate the truth about Jesus! Please pray for our brothers and sisters here, they face so many chalanges that we don't even have to think about in the USA. 

Well.... I'm writing this after a long week and a long day. So, please forgive me if I sound like I'm rambling. Carl and I are both excited about this last conference. We are both pretty tired, but the Lord is doing a good work. AND... we are both excited to come home soon to see YOU GUYS!!!

A day in the life...

Warning: This one may be a little long! I was wanting to give you a snapshot of what our days have been like since we’ve been here. Today was busier than most, but you’ll get the picture...

overlooking Kavalerovo

As I write this, it is just after 11pm on our third night in Kavalerova. We have one more full day here, and then we will travel back to where we started in Vladovostok. Each day here has been an adventure!

This morning Carl and I were picked up at 8am from the home we are being hosted in. We went directly to an orphanage in town. They have students from 1st grade through 11th. At 8:30 we were allowed to address the class of 11th graders. Because the orphanage’s director appreciates Christians, he allowed us to share freely about our faith. So, Carl and I were both able to share our testimonies. Then, as usual, I was able to share a couple of songs on the guitar. We were also able to give Bibles to all the students in that class (thank you Gideons!)

Carl teaching (with Jenya translating)

We went from there back to the church to have breakfast. On the drive back, the pastor and I stopped at the Police station, where we were able to give a Bible to the Chief Police officer in town! (The pastor here is an inspiration. I have never met a man who is so eager to stop and talk to anyone and everyone about Jesus. Plus, he does it in such a way that is non threatening and full of love. Just the other day, we saw two ladies on the main road selling Mary Kay products, of all things. So, the pastor says, lets go say hi! We ended up giving them Bibles. One of the ladies said she was praying for a Bible, and we “just  happened” to be there to give her one!)

Anyways back to today...After breakfast, we had a long conversation regarding ministry with a couple of the pastors. Carl and I were able to encourage them and even give them some direction regarding philosophy of ministry, etc. 

Then, Pastor Roslan (sp?), our interpreters, and I set out on an adventure. We climbed up to  the top of this huge Rock that sits behind their city. It is was crazy because we had to cross some pretty fast moving steams and hike through the mud just to get to the trail. Then, it really started to rain on us! However, we made it to the top and you could see the whole valley! We spent some time praying for the city, and made our way down.

Then... we went back to the orphanage, where we were able to share our testimonies again. This time, we were able to speak to all the kids (maybe 150?). It was cool, because a couple of the teachers were really touched and asked about coming to church. 

Me and Pastor Roselan (sp?) at lunch

After that, we went BACK to the church and got ready for our teaching time. We had a great turn out (approx 60 people). We had worship, two Bible studies, more worship,and prayer! Those people are HUNGRY for the Word. They would probably listen all night if we asked them to. After the meeting we had dinner (about 9:30pm). And after dinner Carl and I split up to do some counseling  with different people. 

Back to the house where we are staying, a quick banya (sauna), and now off to bed! Tomorrow we get to visit a music school, and who knows what else! 

I want to say that we are so very grateful for those of you who are praying. I believe with all my heart it is the prayers of the saints that is making this such a fruitful trip. Please continue to remember us and we will continue to remember you in prayer as well.

One last thought... never before in my life have I seen such a need for the gospel of grace! Many, many, many of these precious  folks just haven’t really heard the a message of God’s grace! I am so blessed to point them to Jesus and encourage them in their walk with Him. So much more to say, not enough time.... 

Kavalerovo

church in Kavalerovo

It has been a couple of days since I have had access to wifi, so let me bring you up to speed.

We wrapped up our time in Arseniev on Sunday. Carl and I taught in two different churches. The church I taught at is an older congratation for sure! However, two girls from the local high school (who heard us speak at their school) showed up for Sunday service. When I shared the gospel, their eyes were locked in on me. Unfortunately, they left before service was over, so I'm not sure if they responded or not. Please pray that they put their faith in Jesus!

Last night we arrived in Kavalerovo (sp?). This is also a very small city. The pastor is a younger guy and has a great heart!!!

Earlier today we were  invited to speak to students at a public school. They were 6th graders. They were absolutely full of questions and energy! I played my guitar for them and they loved it! Tomorrow we will visit another school, and I think perhaps an orphanage.

One verse that keeps coming to mind while I'm here is, "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness..." We have been SO blessed in the USA! We have so many physical and material blessings! But, I've been reminded again how distracted I can become from the things that will matter for enternity. Keep up the good fight my brothers and sisters! Keep you eyes on Jesus!

Praises:

• I'm feeling almost %100 better!
• we have had many open doors to share
• We had some great feedback regarding the Romans study, seems like the folks were encouraged
• All of our travel has bee without incident!

Prayers Requests:

• continued grace to teach every day
• for open doors to share with the youth
• wisdom on how to encourage, correct, teach the pastors/ leaders
• for Carl, starting to not feel very good. 

Thank you: family, friends and church!

Arseniev

Well, we made it to our first stop along the way. We are in a small city called Arseiniev. Last night we met at the church and between the two of us we taught for about 3 hours. Tonight I am teaching on Jsutification by Fatih (Romans3) and Sanctification (Romans6). I'm pretty excited.

Earlier today, we had the opportunity to go into the public school and talk to a class of teenagers. They would normally not allow anyone to come in and speak to them, but because we are Americans, they made an exception. Carl and I were both able to share our testimonies and tell them about Jesus. They didn't seem too interested and some mocked the whole idea. But, The gospel is powerful and God's Word will not return void!!

We have been staying at the pastor's apartment along with our interpiters. There are currently about 8 of us in an apartment that is no bigger than 650-700 sq ft. In fact, Carl and I had to share the fold out couch! Despite the cramped quarters, we feel so blessed to even be here!! The hospitality of Pastor Vladamire and his wife is absolutley humbling! The haven't sopped feeding us since we arrived.

Tonight we teach again. Tomorrow we get to be at a Russian wedding and then we teach again. On Sunday I will preach at the church and then we will move on to the next town!

Thanks for the continued prayer. I've been pretty sick, but the Lord is good! Today we bought some Russian Super Powerful anitbiotics (3$!!). Lord, willing I will have my health and voice back soon! Again, I can not express to you how thankful Carl and I are for your prayers. We are praying for all you at home as well. The Lord is doing a good work here, but to say that the "harvest is plentiful" wuold be a gross understatement! We are praying for a fresh work of the Holy Spirit!