Our dear friends in Christ,
Hope you still remember our family. How are you doing? We wonder what God does in your lives. It’s very existing and encouraging for us to read and hear testimonies of other Christians.
So we appreciate if you find time to share with us about your life. Please write to
s_hedgehog@inbox.ru
Before we receive news from you we are going to share about our life.
In general no big changes did not happen since the beginning of the year 2007.
Since the moment we moved to Mariupol it seems like we stepped in the long term prayer time and preparation before next big ministry. In July, 17, 2007 it’s going to be 2-nd year since we are here.
So what we are doing now:
I continue to work for the same Import & Export company as an International Logistics Manager. I continue to praise God for the company he gave me.
I am glad that Gods uses me here to share Gospel. As a result one my colleague accepted Jesus into her heart. Her name is Lena. She is married and has one daughter She started to go to our church. I see how God changes her and she asks me many questions.
So please support Lena in your prayers for her growth in Christ and her family too.
And the same time, I do extra job to “survive” in Mariupol city. Because the life in Mariupol is more expensive than in Rivne and especially it was difficult this winter when the prices for utilities raised very much. So from the beginning of this year I started to give English lessons. In In the evenings after work during the week I teach Business English to my colleague from my Department and plus general English to other students.
Frankly speaking it was my first serious experience in teaching English. First it was quite difficult, but the more lessons I give the more I enjoy a process of teaching. Before I used to do only translations: oral or written. Perhaps this skill will be useful in the future for God’s ministry. By the way I created blog “English for everyone” (
http://www.primaenglish.blogspot.com/). You may use it.
Besides , recently my wife found out about free vacancy in the kindergarten where our Ruth goes. The nurse was needed there. We decided to apply and Lena was accepted. Now we are busy preparing necessary paperwork. It was difficult step for us, because our Sarah is quite small. She is only 1 year and 5 months. We planned to give her to the kindergarten at the same age as Ruth (3 years old). But God must be have his own plan.
Though we decided to accept this position only if Lena and Sara will be in the same kindergarten. In order Lena could look after her during the day. And our condition was accepted. Praise the Lord! But at the same time as we have a big headache: doctors examination of Lena and Sarah, necessary vaccination etc. It takes time.
This year except kindergarten we enrolled our Ruth to extra classes: dancing, piano, choir. At the end of May she took part in closing concert before summer holidays. Ruth was dancing this time. She did very well. We were proud of her.
Her teacher of music said that Ruth has a good potential in playing the piano. She says that Ruth learns quickly.
Our Sarah is very energetic child. She is much more active than Ruth at her age. Usually Lena gets exhausted by the end of the day. She is a little trouble maker.:)
So it seems like we live regular Christian life: earning money, spending time with our family, fellowship with neighbors, church people and others. By the way on May 26 we celebrated 6th anniversary of our marriage.
And frankly speaking it’s also a blessed period of time and we enjoy it too. As I understood sometimes to be a Christian and act as a Christian in everyday life situation is harder than to serve in the church or on mission field. But at the same time we always feel a call that one day we will go to another foreign country, another nation anyway.
You know about our desire to be missionaries in the foreign country. We still do not know in what country. So doing our daily routine we keep our vision and goal before our eyes. And everyday we do our best to prepare for the day when God would say to us: “Now it’s time to go!” This goal supports very much and gives us strength to live everyday fully.
What about church life? We regular visit Sunday meetings. Sometimes take part in church activities during the week. Last Saturday I worked in the church helping other to do different physical work. This year our church will celebrate 70th anniversary. So we have a lot of things to do. We are expecting many guests and even team of Christians from Sweden is going to come.
After celebration this team together with team from our church is going to Russia for mission trip. Everything is going to happen in July 2007.
At present our senior pastor and his wife is on 2 months mission trip in the Middle Asia, at Pamir. He is going to be here for Church anniversary and after that he will lead the group to Russia, Kalmykia. He is hardworking man.
That’s shortly about our family life.
Can we use this chance to ask to pray for:
Our future mission trip and ministry
Target country where to start this ministry
For spiritual growth of our family
For my colleague Lena grow in Christ and for the rest her family members to know Jesus.
God use us for many other people’s salvation in Mariupol.
For salvation of our relatives.
For good physical conditions of all members of our family.
For financial provision of all our needs (one of them is house repair)
Thank you in advance for spending time for our family in prayer.
May God bless you richly.
Looking forward to hear from you!
Love in Christ,
Sergey, Lena, Ruth & Sarah
