Astrakhan was indeed hot—we had “rivers of water” flowing down our backs, especially at concert time! The people were extremely responsive here. Definitely a hunger for spiritual things, and an excitement to be able to see and hear a group that had come from so far just for them. What a blessing.
We have not had internet access for several days, and we are now back further north to the Moscow area in what is called the “Golden Ring”. This is an area to the west and north that is rich in history and culture. Again, we are overwhelmed by the appreciative response of the people. Not that there are great crowds. This is a plowing area of the world, with much opposition from both atheist ideology and orthodox religion. So the churches are small, but they are resilient, and believing for a a great influx in the days to come.
Pastors are making incredible sacrifices to plant churches in the cities here. One couple in Nizhnyi Novgorod spent their first year living in the forest in a tent, and the o
nly work the pastor could find to support them was heavy labor digging ditches! What a delight to be able to come and give them some visibility and a great deal of encouragement—this is an awesome privilege!
BTW, the weather has remained very hot. Without fans and AC for the most part, this is a real challenge both on stage and in the hotels. But the team has been great—no complaining and plenty of zeal for the work in every way
We have not had internet access for several days, and we are now back further north to the Moscow area in what is called the “Golden Ring”. This is an area to the west and north that is rich in history and culture. Again, we are overwhelmed by the appreciative response of the people. Not that there are great crowds. This is a plowing area of the world, with much opposition from both atheist ideology and orthodox religion. So the churches are small, but they are resilient, and believing for a a great influx in the days to come.
Pastors are making incredible sacrifices to plant churches in the cities here. One couple in Nizhnyi Novgorod spent their first year living in the forest in a tent, and the o
nly work the pastor could find to support them was heavy labor digging ditches! What a delight to be able to come and give them some visibility and a great deal of encouragement—this is an awesome privilege!BTW, the weather has remained very hot. Without fans and AC for the most part, this is a real challenge both on stage and in the hotels. But the team has been great—no complaining and plenty of zeal for the work in every way
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