It was a special reunion to be with Sasha and Nadia in Tyumen recently. I was able to see their new baby, Daniel, as well as play games with their other children, Veranika and Pavel. They all changed so much during the year we were in the States.
How is the church plant doing in Tyumen? GREAT! They continue to have monthly outreaches to establish relationships with non-Christians. Slowly these contcts are crossing the bridge into the church. This past year there were two weddings and two baptisms. These are good, healthly signs for a church.
While I was in Tyumen Sasha and I prayed about a meeting place for church services. They still hold the meetings in Sasha and Nadia's living room. But with 35-40 people attending at times it is getting to crowded. Sasha shared about a coule of options he has been checking on. We went and visited one of these places. The hall in located in a small sports club. It can seat 40-50 people and has a sound system in place. We meet with the director and they agreed to rent the hall to the church on Sundays for $350/month. Most places we looked at wanted at least $100/hour to rent. Praise the Lord! October 5th was the first service in the new meeting place.
Another exciting event is coming up on October 19th. Sasha will be ordained in the Tobolsk church. Ordination is a significant ceremony in Russian churches. It is a confirmation that God's leading and calling is evident in the life of Sasha and his family.
