Larisa shared that she found her calling in isolation—living with her family high in the mountains, rarely going out to see people, taking care of the household, and serving those close to her. There, far from the noise, she felt a sense of peace. But unexpectedly, she added that she had recently started smoking. I couldn’t help but smile—in my understanding, “peace” and “cigarettes” simply don’t go together. It was clear that we were facing someone who was weary and deeply lonely.
With me was a young woman who had recently accepted Christ and renounced esotericism. She told Larisa how Jesus had changed her life. We shared passages from the Bible. At first, Larisa’s expression was sad, but the more the Word of God was spoken, the softer her gaze became—until suddenly she smiled for the first time. In that moment, she opened her heart to Christ.
Together we said a prayer of repentance—simple, heartfelt words—and with all my heart I felt the heavens rejoicing. After the prayer, Larisa began asking questions about yoga and “good luck” rituals, and then said herself, “I don’t want this anymore.” Only the living Spirit of God can work in such a way.
That evening, among the mountains and the silence, another soul found the Savior. This experience once again confirmed that no isolation and no philosophy can bring true peace. Peace is in Christ!
We made another trip to Lebanon, where we carried out evangelistic services and children’s programs in cities such as Tyre, Zahle, Tripoli, Beirut, and the Bekaa Valley. About two million Syrian and Iraqi refugees live in Lebanon, and they are in special need of salvation and daily bread. Due to ongoing military conflicts, the country is experiencing severe economic hardship.
Right now is a favorable time to preach the Gospel and serve these families, especially the children. We spoke openly and clearly about the fact that there is only one true God—Jesus Christ—and that only through Him can a person receive salvation. Our greatest joy is seeing the fruit of our ministry. Many families accepted Jesus Christ into their hearts.
Before Christmas, we are planning another trip! Thank you for being part of this blessing!
With God’s help, more than a thousand children heard about Jesus and His wonderful love. We not only told the children about the Savior, but, following the example of Jesus, we also fed them. Every day we held Bible lessons, taught Christian songs, and played together. According to the children’s testimonies, they experienced real love—and for this we are especially grateful to our Lord!
Recently, we were returning home from ministry along winding mountain roads. Just after we passed, a bus carrying people was swept away by a landslide (six people were killed, and many were injured). In our province, rivers overflowed their banks, and a vast area where more than a thousand people live was completely flooded. For safety reasons, the area was cordoned off and roads were closed.
Children waded and swam through floodwaters to save their parents, and parents saved their children. I went out on a motorbike and it stalled. Last year, we nearly lost our car—we were literally floating in it like a boat. In a neighboring province, heavy rain has been pouring for more than a month; many people have died, livestock has been lost, most of the crops are nearly unusable, and homes are being flooded.
In the past, as a church, we responded to situations like this and were able to help well and meet the needs of those affected, thereby bringing the Gospel. Today, we are praying for an opportunity to help during the Christmas season and bring joy to these people. We also ask you, dear friends, to respond and support us in prayer for these people and these tribes.
I know and believe that if we commit even a little—just a small effort—we will help someone during this difficult time and bring God’s love. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your labor of love.
A young female volunteer said to me: “I’ve been visiting these children for eight years, and I still can’t get used to it. Every time I just want to take them home with me.” It’s hard to get used to children’s tears and pain.
In the near future, Oleg will undergo surgery.
In the pediatric hematology department, children often have to endure painful procedures—punctures, injections, catheter insertions—and it is very difficult for them to go through this. So we came up with a way to help through a “Bravery Box.” This is a box filled with good toys, from which a child can choose a gift after a procedure to find some comfort. This month, we were able to purchase enough toys to last for the near future.
I especially ask for prayers for Oleg. He is a boy who completed treatment six months ago, but he has suffered a relapse and the disease has returned. He urgently needs a bone marrow transplant. We sent him to a clinic in Moscow—I saw him off at the airport, and my friend met him there and took him to the hospital. A donor has already been found.
There are many words of gratitude from parents and from the children themselves. It is hard to overestimate the help you provide. I deeply value everything you do. Glory to God that we are serving together—alone we would not have been able to reach these families for Christ! Thank you for helping us stay on the front lines!
The fields are indeed white, and souls weary from sin are seeking comfort in Christ. And the Lord, just as in the days of Isaiah, continues to look for those who will answer, “Here I am,” to the eternal question, “Who will go?”
I have been asked how the girls from my D-group are doing, and about Elina, whom her mother left with us at the end of 2023 and whom her grandmother had beaten until she bled. The girls continue to meet on Sundays as before, sharing the Word and praying for each other, as well as for us.
Elina continues to live at the Promise Land base, even though her mother returned (after almost a year and a half) with a newborn daughter. Elina refused to go home—and her mother did not insist. She continues to play the tambourine in our worship group, is finishing sixth grade, and is flourishing for the Lord. Please pray that the Lord continues to keep her close and guides her hand through life!
Since her mother left, Elina has lived at our base, repented, and was baptized together with Miroslava in January 2024. Other D-groups also continue and multiply.
I sincerely thank you for already 9 years of helping to develop and carry out ministry to seriously ill children. This month we visited orphanages, a hospice, and spent time with children in the oncology department. A sister joined our team who endlessly thanked God and us for the opportunity to serve children.
I see how God is working with everyone—both with us and with the kids. New children have appeared; they are still being examined to determine an exact diagnosis so that treatment can be prescribed. I would especially like to thank you for your prayers: little Liza is recovering, her condition is stable, and the issue of a donor is now being resolved. If the bone marrow transplant goes well, the child may return to a normal life. Not long ago, doctors were fighting for her life, and we were praying and helping in every way we could.
A few days ago, the mother of a boy who was in the department two years ago called me and said that they remember us and keep all the gifts we gave them, including the children’s Bible, which they keep and read.
Glory to God that we were able to be useful somewhere, and somewhere even the only hope, when strength was gone and only faith and hope remained!
Thank you, dear ones. Together we are impacting people’s lives and can do even more for Christ!
