For many people intense work week ends on Friday evening. The rhythm of everyday life changes, the hussle of the work days goes away and everything becomes unhurried: because the next two days – rest! So it is for me – I want to sleep in on Saturday morning. However, I wake up without an alarm clock early in the morning – there is always something to do in the house. The Russian proverb says: «God gives to those who rise early». (Its English equivalent: The early bird catches the worm)
This weekend God gave me a wonderful opportunity to minister to people in a small town with a name Pasha. It is located 260 km (161,5 miles) from St. Petersburg on Murmansk highway. There is a small local church, called 'Heavenly Ray'.
An evangelistic team from St. Petersburg always includes brothers who can play the guitar. Arriving there, we pray in the chapel, take New Testaments, Christian newspaper 'Faith and Society', flyers with contact information, and go «into the world».
People communicate differently, respond differently and think differently about God. We ran unto a group of men. One can often see such groups of men outdoors in small towns on weekends. They get together, drink beer and talk about everything. To start a conversation, brothers from our team shared how God changed their lives. One of the men asked me to step aside and started asking questions about God. I told him about the gospel and invited to pray and reconcile with the Lord right there. The guy was embarrassed, but repeated a prayer of repentance. I told him that God has heard his prayer and all the heavens rejoice about it! I gave him a New Testament, explained his next steps and invited to church. Other men did not really want to hear about the Savior and we blessed them and went on.
People take Christian newspapers willingly – it is unusual that someone distributes newspapers not for advertising, but with a desire to tell people about Jesus Christ.
The next evening we went to visit the sick in the local hospital. There are sick elderly people there. One might say, they live their last days. They are someone's parents and grandparents, but because they were abandoned by their children or loved ones, or as a result of illegal schemes they lost their houses, apartments, money. And most importantly, they lack the love of family and relatives. Their average age is 80. They really need to be reconciled to God because before our next visit, they can stand at the judgment seat of God.
Recently, a sister from the local church got a job at this ward as a nurse. We are friends with her. She encourages patients with the Word of God, caring for them, showing them the love of God in action. Now, among the patients we have a brother in Christ. His name is Sergey. He has no legs, in a wheelchair, but that does not limit him to grow in his new faith and support other new converts. Another brother, whose name is Andrew, could not walk, but God works miracles! First, he needed help to move around, and now he walks himself, leaning on a cane.
In conclusion, I want to say that our work is not in vain, and the greatest joy that can not be bought at any price – is when you see that a person has acquired God's peace in his heart, that his values have changed, and most importantly, his sins have been forgiven by His heavenly Father.
Natalia Kim
Morning Star Church, St. Petersburg
The Russian Church of Christians of Evangelical Faith
