Our team of volunteers, representing eight congregations from the region, along with some young people who are not yet church members, conducted two family retreats. Over the two sessions this year, we hosted a total of 145 people. This year, we had a new addition to our team—a young woman taking her first steps in faith. She was inspired to join us by the testimonies of others who had participated in these retreats before.
About a month before the retreat, a brother and his family were returning from vacation. While sharing their faith on the train, they met a woman who turned out to be a sister in the Lord, though she was struggling in her faith due to her husband abandoning her. This event had divided her life into a “before” and “after.” She was traveling with her children—two teenagers and an 8-year-old girl—to the Altai region in search of a new home. But after connecting with the brother’s family, she felt God’s guidance and, a week later, arrived in Omsk to visit the brother’s congregation.
After attending a service—and through the prompting and guidance of the Holy Spirit—she decided to settle in Omsk. God’s intervention in her life didn’t stop there. Just at that time, a family canceled their attendance for the first retreat session, allowing her family to join us. God affirmed their decision, and they were deeply satisfied with the experience. Now, they are integrated into the brother’s congregation that welcomed them like family and are actively working with children in the ministry.
A few days ago, three of our young men were baptized as a confirmation of their renewed lives through the risen Christ. Each of their journeys to this event is unique, long, challenging, and not easy. Yuri, 42 years old, has been with us in the shelter for 1.6 years. He was baptized and is praying to enroll in a missionary faculty. He came to us from a garbage dump, where he lived for 2 years, gradually dying from alcoholism. Vladimir, 45 years old, has been with us for a year; he was homeless, suffering from drug addiction and incurable diseases, living on the streets. Sergey, 63 years old, has been with us for 1.2 years; his relatives kicked him out onto the street after the death of his aunt, whom he cared for for 5 years. He wanted to end his life.
But this is how they lived until they met Jesus, after which they want to live differently and be useful. Today, they are different people—radiant with joy and happiness. Joy accompanies us throughout our time running the shelter, which has been in operation for 8 years this year. On this occasion, we held a festive service attended by many guests and friends. Over the years, the shelter has become a home for many young people battered by fate. Guests are amazed by the changes that occur in people who have been deprived of shelter, health, and hope for a better life. But everything changes thanks to the Lord and the help of those who care about the suffering of others.
For the past six months, repair work has been ongoing at the shelter to improve the living conditions for those who couldn’t manage life and ended up on the streets. Of the 28 people living in the shelter today, 24 are elderly, and many of their days are numbered.
The most remarkable thing is that even when they were young, they never had such living conditions. Praise the Lord, who is wise in His plan to transform the soul and life of a person. Many of our residents have tears in their eyes as they see the rooms and the building where they have found refuge transformed in the final period of their lives.
These people, who were once considered unnecessary (and our residents were just like that before meeting Jesus), find it hard to believe that all this beauty is for them and that it is done by the One who left the glory of heaven and came to earth to make others happy. The work being done at the shelter helps many to reflect and reconsider their values. This is how the Lord changes their hardened and callous hearts.
Daily Bible readings reveal Jesus, who lived for others, in a new light. There is still much work ahead, but we do not give up, as we feel and have your support, both in prayer and financially. The Holy Spirit, who moves your hearts, also helps us in this difficult task.
I express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for your contribution, dear friends. Through charity, many accept Jesus as their Savior!
Grace and peace be multiplied to you. I hasten to inform you about a great need that I recently encountered while visiting the House of Mercy “Bethesda”. The situation there requires urgent assistance, which social structures are ready to provide. From our side, we need to show these structures suitable living spaces. Currently, 25 people reside in the house, out of which 15 are disabled (missing limbs or paralyzed).
Recently, a social commission visited the House of Mercy and concluded that the house is suitable for accommodating 10 people. The question arises: what should we do with the remaining 15 people? These individuals have nowhere else to go; we found them all living on the streets.
The commission has given us two months to prepare additional accommodations that meet living standards for these individuals. Therefore, with all our heart and soul, we appeal to you for help in renovating these additional spaces. We need approximately $2000 for building materials and room equipment. Previously, we collected funds from churches and used them to install new electrical wiring and fire alarms.
The House of Mercy regularly hosts Bible lessons, where the Word of God is sown, people turn to Jesus, and find answers. Praise God, the community is growing, and people from the village where the house is located have been attending gatherings continuously for the past 7 years.
Dear friends, brothers, and sisters, we continually thank the Lord Jesus Christ for your labor of love in the work of evangelism and mercy at New Fields, spreading the Gospel everywhere.
In anticipation of Christmas, our team, consisting of adults, youth, and teenagers, embarked on a journey to Muslim villages. Over 4 days, we covered 1500 km (about 932 miles), including 750 km (about 466 miles) off-road, and visited 12 settlements. We shared the joyful news of the Birth of Jesus, handed out 600 gifts, and Christmas calendars in the national Tatar language. In total, our team managed to reach around 900 people.
These were children and their parents, administrative staff, and Muslim religious leaders. The team included both experienced ministering brothers and young boys eager to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In all this, the Lord powerfully worked in us and through us.
Special thanks to everyone who responded to God’s call and embarked on this difficult and dangerous missionary journey. Thanks to everyone who served with prayers. Thanks to everyone who donated their finances for the ministry. Thanks to everyone who hosted us overnight and fed us. I praise the Lord for His church; together we are a force in the hands of our God.
We returned a few days ago from a two-week missionary trip. We prayed for that trip many years, and behold, glory to the Lord it took place. The Lord let me drive 5 thousand km through the western part of Russia. We visited 7 rehabilitation gospel centers and testified of the wonderful things God has done. A total of 250 more people heard the good news about our Savior. In addition, we shared a lot of joy great joy in their hearts, and we exchanged experiences and advanced the kingdom of God on earth. Many people accepted the Savior, and Christians glorified our heavenly Father when learning about His wonderful action in the ministry of mercy, on our Siberian land. During the trip, a brother called us and asked for help for a person who recently had his leg amputated. Today, Gennady is in our shelter. He came from Uzbekistan and lost all his documents. Hospitals are only giving him first aid, but can’t do anything else for him do.
I believe that the Lord will continue to take care of Gennady and others. We have 30 visitors who are currently living with us. And I thank you all, my friends, for your participation in the life and fate of these people. We are grateful and pray for you!
