Dear Partners in the Gospel,
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you very, very much for your prayers, and for your loving care and support. As the official representative of the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists (UECB) in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, we want also to convey the deep appreciation of UECB president Pastor Yuri Sipko and the pastors and church members at the Beslan Baptist Church in North Ossetia. I received the following update from Pastor Sipko:
Dear Brother Robert Robertovich, Greetings to you. I want to express my gratitude for your prompt and active participation in our grief. At this tragic moment our unity in the Lord is very evident as we support the sufferers in Beslan. All members of Beslan Church told us so.
Your support and the support from all over the World helps brothers Totiev and their blessed families to carry this pain with dignity. They hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering. They accepted this grief as from God and they are sure their children are now with Him.
The immediate need is funerals. You know that is very expensive. Another serious need is medical help to those who are wounded. There are many of them. The children returned home naked. They lost their clothing and their school things as well. This is a very serious need for our families. Brother Levashov Victor Vasilievich runs the committee that helps victims of terror. He is the UECB regional pastor in the Caucoses. He is held in respect both by the churches and the government officials.
Robert Robertovich, in this very difficult time we went through the horror of evil and the beauty of God's love. One cannot express this feeling with words, but your readiness and the readiness of all the saints in North America to help people in need - is the Lord in action. I am glad I can see it and I am grateful to the Lord. Thanks from Russia and from all the saints in Russia.
In Brotherly love,
Y. Sipko
Here at SGA we are in daily contact with the church leaders in Russia. We are endeavoring to keep you informed as to the latest information on the tragic middle school hostage-taking and massacre in Beslan, Russia. As the updates from evangelical church leaders on the ground in Beslan indicate that the death toll is likely to rise, our hearts continue to be grieved over the terrible loss of life, especially for the innocent children who were so brutally treated and killed. Children are most dear to the Russian heart. To these people who have suffered so much over the years, there is simply nothing more important than a child.
As you know from our previous report, the families of an SGA-sponsored church planter, Sergei Constantine Totiev, and his brother, Taimuraz, both lost children in the attack, and the Beslan UECB church - feet from the school, suffered heavily. In addition to the eleven children from church families either killed or missing, a significant number of children from unchurched families who attended the church's Sunday school were also lost according to UECB leaders. Two key reasons why so many are listed as missing are that a) many children and other wounded were taken to other hospitals outside the region for treatment, and b) many of the children who are hospitalized are so traumatized by their ordeal that they are unable to speak their names.
According to the Associated Press, the latest statement from the Russian government came from Prosecutor General Vladimir Ustinov, who said the government is offering a $10.3 million reward for information leading to the arrest of the terrorists responsible for planning the attack on the school. President Vladimir Putin has ordered the borders around North Ossetia sealed, however UECB church leaders have been able to gain access to Beslan and are helping to coordinate ministry and comfort to this city of 30,000. By God's gracious provision through His faithful people, SGA has been able to send an initial gift to the UECB churches to help them meet the pressing needs that always accompany a time of crisis and tragedy such as this.
Many have been asking how they might give to help the Beslan Baptist Church minister to the needs of the stricken families. Those desiring to help may do so by writing to SGA, 6151 Commonwealth Drive, Loves Park, IL 61111. Along with website updates on the Beslan tragedy we have also made provision for for web donations to the Crisis Response-Beslan School Victim Assistance Fund.
For additional updates, photos and more in-depth information from the Beslan Tragedy, please regularly check SGA's website.
Other Reports on the Beslan Tragedy:
Note: The following links are to news websites not affiliated with SGA, and do not necessarily represent the views of our mission.
Finally, we cannot thank you enough for your prayers and your support. Join us in prayer that from the smoldering ashes of the Beslan School Crisis that the Lord would raise up a powerful movement that would reach every community of Ossetia with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In His love and service,
Dr. Bob Provost
President, Slavic Gospel Association