Gospel Expedition

To our discomfort, huge horseflies accompanied us all the way to Kurgan. We were told that when we get closer to Krasnoyarsk, gnats will take over from the horseflies. We were biking along at 30-35 k/h, but amazingly, the horseflies were even faster. It was fascinating to see how fast they reached our moving vehicle and got in through the open windows.

Despite its reputation for being a very cold place in winter, summer in Siberia is very hot. There is no air conditioner in our vehicle and we have to open every window. Constant fights with horseflies continued all the way — 200 km! Even the rain did not stop the flies!

We continued to cycle on despite heavy rain. There were 10-15-minute stops after each hundred km of road, or each 2-3 hours. When one of the bicycles got a flat, we had to stop and change wheels. But Vladimir did not give us time to relax. It took about a minute to change a wheel and we continued on our way.

But all these difficulties are nothing in comparison with the sufferings of the Apostle Paul, who tells us about his experiences . . . on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. (2 Corinthians 11:26-28).

There are 23 committed evangelical believers in our Expedition, ready to extend a helping hand to any who needs it, and to use any opportunity to tell them about Christ. So despite constant attacks of horseflies and the lack of an air conditioner in our vehicle, we are in better conditions than the apostles of the 1st century. We are warmly welcomed in every church. We feel the unity of the Spirit and trust in the Lord who strengthens our fellowship.

Offering Hope to Young Offenders

After lunch we had a meeting with juvenile offenders. Youths between the ages of 11 and 14 are detained by court order in this specialized institution in Kurgan. Most were sentenced for stealing, but some are imprisoned for more serious crimes. After singing and a short message, all the members of the Expedition talked individually to the youths and prayed for them. We gave each of them children’s Bible story books and the Path magazines, and promised to devote the next day to prayer for them. Some kids wept. I believe they could understand who we were and felt that we came to them with love.

Vladimir Skovpen, the leader of our cyclists, prayed for a boy who was also named Vladimir, who is being punished with 3 years of imprisonment for stealing bicycles. Practically all these kids come from troubled families. Their parents are alcoholics and their children are following in their steps. It is a pity that at the age of 11-14, these boys are already heading straight into the mouth of hell and eternal suffering.

But there is a chance and everyone of them can change the direction of their lives. Praise God that the Baptist churches in Kurgan are taking care of this institution, regularly visiting, preaching the Gospel, and giving material aid when possible.

There have been positive results. Maxim, Vitaly, Alexander and Sergei decided to start a new life.

The local TV and radio stations interviewed us and filmed our meeting with the boys. Then they went to the studio to work on the footage about the visit of the Gospel Expedition to Kurgan.

Local Churches Come Together

In the evening, in the Central Baptist Church in Kurgan, there was held a general meeting of all Kurgan churches. Several people repented. Sergei and Yuri, who were visiting the church for the first time, sincerely repented of their sins. The Word of God is quick and powerful, and we saw it.

Tomorrow, we must travel 210 km to Tyumen, which means 7 hours of cycling. People are waiting for us there. We would like to cordially thank all those who are praying for the Expedition and are supporting it financially. All our team members thank you very much.