One Year for Jesus Project: special report from Trans-Baikal region

This area is considered to be one of the most remote, as there are no roads to get there in summer, only by boat or helicopter. In winter there is a way to get there on temporary roads from snow and ice, laid directly on the frozen marshes, tundra and rivers.

Beside Christian literature, New Testaments and Bibles, the team carried humanitarian aid: food, children’s clothes, toys. The church in Chita collected these items to donate to the needy and poor.

During this trip we were encouraged by the responses of people and we realized that indeed, the Lord is giving us His favorable time!”

Alexey Bastov, team member:

“The first community that we visited was the town of Akema. There we were allowed to use a local community center. We stayed there for the night. In the morning we visited people’s homes, went door-to-door and shared the Gospel with everybody in town. Perhaps, it was kind of unusual for local people that we came to their town, because of one purpose: to take care of them. But we could tell they liked our presents, and they were really interested and open to hear our message of salvation. Many of them opened their hearts to the Lord and received forgiveness of their sins and hope for the future. We met such people in other towns as well.

Our next stop was the town of Kyker. It was larger than the first one. Again, we went to every home, told people about Christ and gave them New Testaments. There was a boarding school in town, there we stopped as well and shared the Good News with kids and gave them Books of Hope.

In the town of Tungokochen there were about 1,000 people. Here we heard that the local administration wouldn’t allow us to hold a meeting at the Convention center and so, again we went to every home. We also faced some challenges here from the Orthodox church, as they warned people not to talk to us. But in spite of this warning, people were very open and friendly and gladly received our gifts. There were several people who first were a little cautious, but after our conversations they melted and we parted as good friends.”

Ilia Malyutin, team member:

“The first miracle happened in the town of Tungokochen, where God provided for us a place to stay. Alexey Petrov, our team member, had some long time acquaintances in this town, but he didn’t know whether they would be willing to open their home for us to stay. But God really worked with their hearts and they invited us to stay. It helped us, because with a place to stay in this centrally located town, we could go to other towns and villages and come back in the evenings. Besides, there was the only gas station.”

Alexey Petrov, team member:

“In the town of Tungokochen we met one woman. When she heard that we were Christians, she began to tell us her story of the last few years. She used to have a family – her husband, two sons and a daughter. In short time period she lost them except for one son. Then for two years she lived in deep depression. Her only son helps her as much as he can. This woman never believed in God, though she knew that He existed. She had many questions to God. When she heard the Gospel message, she accepted Jesus into her heart and really gained peace. Here face was shining with a happy smile when we were leaving her house.”

Alexey Bastov, team member:

“The road to the next point of destination of 130 km (80 miles) we covered in 12 hours. Local people were waiting for us. They had heated a local community center and gathered there. Right away we held an evangelistic meeting there. They waited for us so long, and were happy to hear the Good News. Many of them reconciled with God and invited Him into their hearts.

In the morning we were heading to Krasny Yar village. The only rout through the forests was on the temporary road on the ice of the frozen river Vittim. Krasny Yar village had only 25 homes. There we met some people who were eager to hear our message and they got saved. Then we went back to the town of Tungokochen. Again we were on the road for about 11 hours.

Next night we stayed there, got some gas for our vehicles and headed to the last point of our trip – Ust-Karenga town. We drove on the ice of the frozen river about 200 km (125 miles). There we met with the head of the local administration and learned that they were warned not to allow us do our mission. But the head of the administration turned to be very friendly and she herself wanted to hear the Gospel message and to received a Bible. She allowed us to visit people’s homes.

Also on this trip, we visited Zelenoye Ozero (Green Lake) village, which is located on the other side of the river Vittim. The only way to get there in summer is by boat and in winter on the ice. People are very poor here, practically isolated. They were surprised that someone wanted to come visit them. And we were glad that we didn’t pass this village. Now all residents of this village heard the Good News found in God’s Word and received their own copies of New Testaments. In those homes where people were willing to pray salvation prayers, we left Bibles and Bible study guides, so that they could grow in faith.

Our team was very happy with the outcomes of the trip. But we understand that people in remote towns and villages have a need in being discipled. They need pastors and missionaries.”

Alexey Petrov, team member:

“In the town of Ust-Karenga we met one family. The head of the family was very glad that we were Christians. He shared with us that he had been searching for God. He read God’s Word and tried to live right, but still he had questions, and there was nobody to ask them. We had a good and long conversation with the whole family, at the end of which they all prayed a prayer of salvation.

In the village of Zelenoye Ozero a young woman got saved and received a Bible as a gift. She had three small children and was very happy that from now on she would have a good guide to bring them up. She also was thankful for food and children’s clothes.

In those towns and villages that we have visited, there are no mobile phones or internet, they get electricity only for several hours in the mornings and evenings. But people are very kind, friendly and hospitable. There we clearly understood how they need God and a pastor who would help them to grow in faith. And God needs workers!”

Ilia Malyutin, team member:

People that live in Zelenoye Ozero, Yumurchen, Krasny Yar, Ust-Karenga are isolated in the summer time, in winter the only temporary road on ice and snow is available. They don’t have much communication with the rest of the world. When you get there it seems as if you got back in time, to the beginning of the last century: men go hunting and fishing to get food. Women grow vegetables and milk cows. Many men though, after spending half of the year in the woods, are drinking the rest of the time. (Amazingly, there is no lack in alcohol supplies!)

During our trip I saw many people who live without any hope. I met a young man. He had tried to commit suicide, but failed and was hospitalized. Talking with him I realized that without God he would live in deep depression. Only Jesus can help him. Our trip was worthwhile even for the sake of this one man, who received his hope in the Lord, by repenting and accepting Jesus.

When giving gifts to local residents we understood that their greatest need was not material things, but God’s love that is able to change their lives and destinies.

We are thankful to God for many salvations and for keeping us safe. Even though we had to drive on the ice of the frozen river, in the deep forest, not knowing the way, sometimes in the darkness of the night, – yet, we had never got stuck, our vehicles didn’t break. Of course we didn’t drive as fast as wanted to! But we praise the Lord for everything!”

Vladimir Vairakh, team leader:

My highlight of the entire trip was a meeting in Krasny Yar village. Not many people live there, but they live in a frozen land – both physically and spiritually. But we were invited to a house of a young family – husband, wife and two children. They were Evenk by nationality. We gave them our presents – food, clothes, toys – and began to talk with them. Right away we felt they were more interested in things we had to say, than in material aid. They were glad that we gave them Bible. While we were talking, some neighbors came in and stayed to listen to the Word of God. They went to get their families and soon there were several families at this improvised meeting that lasted more than an hour. We gave these people an opportunity to get right with God and told them how to grow in faith and read the Bible.

In Ust-Karenga we were very happy to see the fruit of our labor. At this village we stopped in summer on our first missions trip to this area. We went by river then, preached the Gospel here. People, who received the New Testaments, have been reading them! We held a meeting for them as well to encourage and edify them. But there were some people who heard the Word of God for the first time.

We can say that our trip was successful! About 1,500 families received the Word of God as gifts. We are planning to send a team to these towns again in summer. We are grateful to all who made this trip possible. Thank you for your prayers and gifts!”

Video about this mission trip is available in Russian: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0o-nF-iN3E

The Russian Church of Christians of Evangelical Faith