Gospel Expedition

The Expedition arrived today at the town of Kargat, population 11,000. The town is located by the Kargat River, 180 km from Novosibirsk. About 80 persons (including kids) attended the evangelistic meeting organized by the church. “Kargat” is a Turkish-language word meaning boulder, or a heap of boulders. No one knows about the origin of the name of the town and river, and we did not see any big stones in the town. But we met boulders of sin of unbelief.

Different Responses

Zinaida is 44 years old, but she looks as if she was 55 or 60. She arrived at the meeting drunk. She was celebrating the birth of her grandson 4 weeks ago. She tried to commit suicide several times, but doctors saved her life. She drinks regularly together with her three daughters. She wept when we gave her a New Testament.

Catherine is 22 years-old. She is an alcoholic and does not see any sense in life. She drinks regularly because she likes it. She is not interested in God and church. She does not have friends and does not need them. She would give drinks to her friends, if she had any. But she does not have enough money. She prefers to drink alone and drinks a lot. She plans to commit suicide soon, and to do it calmly and painlessly.

Andrew is 28 years old. He wears a big cross on his chest and a tattoo with the Cancer Zodiac symbol. He is not afraid of God, as he is sure that there is no God.

Repenting Before the Service Even Starts!

While preaching on the bank of the Kargat River, I felt a great desire to rebuke the local Orthodox priests for negligence, indifference, and a lack of love for their community. We are the light and salt of the world. We, born by the Holy Spirit and believing in the Gospel, are provided with special strength and power. We are called by God to be lights in the world, to be salt and light, to help the needy, and free people who are in bondage to sin. We spoke about this during the regular worship service at church. On July 13, some 30 minutes before the evangelistic service, Nadezhda and Larissa were baptised.

Please Pray

We fell asleep after midnight on the floor in the prayer room. I was tired but unable to sleep. I felt very sorry for those people with whom I talked, and who did not want to be reconciled to God. If they do not do it, they will perish forever. Please, all of you, who read this diary of the Expedition, pray for the people about whom I told you. If possible, do it with fasting. Perhaps Zinaida, Kate and Andrew will be reconciled with God and then you will share in their salvation.