Calm Before the Storm

We made it!!! We arrived in Vladivostok about 2:30pm local time. We were greeted by Pastor Oleg and one of our translators for the week, Era. After settling in to our hotel (Russian law requires that visitors spend at least one night in a hotel upon arriveal), we went to get some food. Oleg took us to the "Grace Cafe", which is a Christian owned cafe. They have their normal coffee shop stuff, but also run a youth outreach and church out of there. Dinner was amazing! Sushi on the first night (suffering for Jesus!).

I am already so very humbled by being here.  When I look around at the sheer number of people; knowing very few know anything about he gospel of grace, my heart is broken.  I can't help but think of what Jesus said, "...lift up your eyes and see that the fields are white for harvest".

Pastor Oleg and Era both expressed to me that there is such a huge lack of "godly men" who will lead in the church. Also, many of the pastors are extremely discouraged because there is so little "fruit" for their labor. I'm so grateful that the Lord allowed me to come on this trip. I feel completely overwhelmed and underqualified. However, I know that the Lord wants to do great things! I'm so thankful that he "qualifies the called" and not the other way around!

Tonight and tomorrow morning we rest and study, study, study. Tomorrow night around 6pm we start our "conferences". We thought we would have 4 days in each city, but evidently we only have 3. That means that we do 3 teachings per night! That is at least 3 hours of teaching every night! Pastor Oleg said,  "they will stay and listen"! Thier hunger for God's Word is humbling!!

Once again...THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PRAYING! Please, please, please continue to pray. Here are some topics:

• Health (dealing with a bad chest cold)
• For divine appointments
• our study time & teaching times!
• the pastors and people would be encourgaged in Jesus! 

At "Grace Cafe" w/Era, Pastor Oleg, & Carl

Era, Pastor Oleg, & Jason