Gospel Expedition

Monday is the first day of the Russian working week. We started at 9 in the morning and headed for a town with the musical name of Tchaikovsky, named after the Russian composer Piotr Tchaikovsky. He was not born here, but was actually born in Votkinsk, 37 km to the north. This town was founded only recently, in 1956, and was given city status in 1962. Before it was renamed Tchaikovsky, it was known as the village of Saigatka, with a very interesting history. The village has been there since 1646 where there were only four houses, and the territory belonged to Preobrazhensky Osinsky Monastery. The monastery existed 131 years. In 1727, it was closed due to the few number of monks who lived there. The residents of Saigatka became state peasants. Currently, the population of Tchaikovsky is 95 thousand people. This is the third largest regional economic centre in the state of Perm, which has over 20 industry centres.

A Quick Trip and a New Time Zone

The way was not especially difficult for the cyclists. They covered the distance of 100 km in one piece, with no breakdowns, no accidents or flat tires. Praise God! We were a little bit anxious about a part of the road that was not covered with asphalt. But our anxiety passed away as the road appeared to be solid enough for traffic. Though our speed was not very high, we wheeled along as if on asphalt. In an hour we reached Tchaikovsky, where two police cars were waiting for us along with Vladimir Grishkov, assistant senior pastor for the Perm region, together with the local church pastor. They accompanied us to the church where we had a short lunch and some time before the meeting. We have entered another time zone. And the time lag between us and Moscow is now two hours.

After a short rest, we went downtown to the square by the Tchaikovsky city administration. A little earlier, the brothers had taken our music equipment to the square to set it up there. Pedestrians had many questions about the event — what is going to happen here? Who will perform? What team? When? Everyone was invited to stay and watch what was going to happen. In a few minutes, members of the Expedition were to arrive and tell everyone who they were and Who urged them to take part in the Expedition, to tell people about God and Jesus Christ, to give out Living Water — the New Testaments.

Everyone Was Interested

Despite a light rain, people stayed and listened with great attention. Some had umbrellas. Others covered their heads with jackets. There were those who passed by, but showed interest in the event. Some stopped, read the logos on the cars, and listened to the words spoken from the stage. Everyone was interested. Those who were in the square or passed the square during two hours received the Living Water that gives life — the Word of God.

Praise be to God for this day. A small town and a small UECB church – about 40 members. But they are people who have God in their hearts, and who want to share the Living Water with other people. All those who wanted to study the Word of God were invited to come to the church on Sunday, and also to the Bible classes on Wednesday. Christians believe that people will come to the church, and they will jointly grow and advance the Kingdom of God in Tchaikovsky.

Please, pray for the church in Tchaikovsky, and for those who heard Good News. Please, pray for the work for Christ in this town for His glory.

Denis Neshkov