Our One Year for Jesus team from the Salvation in Jesus Church in Chita overcame 800 km (500 miles) down the Vitim River that flows along the border of the Trans-Baikal region and Buryatia, reaching the most remote villages of the region.
We have seen the hand of God from the very beginning of the trip. Upon arrival into Romanovka village where our journey began, it rained heavily; we were forced to look for accommodation. On the outskirts of the village an elderly man opened the doors of his home. Later he helped us to transport our things in his car and load them into a catamaran – a boat on which we made our journey.
The route was new for us, first we got a shot of adrenaline when the boat turned around and a raging torrent swept over the back of the boat. We unintentionally imagined our stuff and literature floating away down the river... But by the grace of God everything ended well.
To the first village called Yumurchen we got in three days. From the mouth of Vitim – Yumurchen to the village we had to walk 8 km (5 miles) in the deep forest. Most people living in the Yumurchen village were Russians, but some of them were ethnic Aracena and Evenk. The doors for the Gospel in Yumurchen opened through the healing of a woman with toothache. In general, the villagers were very open to the Word of God. All of them, except for a few people, prayed a prayer of repentance and accepted Christ.
The next point was Krasny Yar, the way to which was relatively uneventful. The village consisted of 30 houses. People’s hearts were open, yet we met strong opposition from a local resident.
I was impressed with the repentance of one woman who could not believe that God was willing to forgive her sins. When she finally decided to pray, the Holy Spirit touched her so strong that she broke out in a sweat, but it was evident that she had received joy and freedom. Truly the Lord is alive, and his forgiveness produces amazing changes in the lives of people.
Ust-Karenga – a village, which is more populated than Yumurchen and Krasny Yar. Almost all the men in it are hunters; they spend a lot of time in the forest. By this time we ran out of fuel. Gasoline in those places is very rare. We prayed and trusted God, we could not come to any agreement with local businesses, but God sent a man, Volodya, who was willing to give us 50 liters for free. But first, he gave his life to Christ. God bless him!
All other towns were very small. In each of them the Lord arranged meetings, which ended with prayers of repentance. We could not stop at Bylbuyka village due to flooding: there was a threat to break up the boat. The rest of the way we drifted between logs, which were floated down the river by loggers.
And another miracle ... Not far from the last point of the route riffles were expected. Riffle is a shallow extending across a streambed and causing broken water. Riffles that we met on our way, were 3 meters high, plunging into the water, they created waves of 1,5 meters in height. This made it very difficult and dangerous to pass. But the Lord gave rain, and it was not in vain because the river rose several meters, which allowed us to fairly safely pass this spot in two boats.
We finally successfully reached the town of Vitim, where we had an outreach for local people. They all were happy to hear and accept the Good News. From Vitim on the way home we won a few more souls to Jesus at the train station in Novaya Chara. Soon we were back home in Chita. Praise the Lord!
Vladimir Vairah, team leader
The team of Salvation in Jesus Church, Chita
