Gospel Expedition

Today the clock woke us up at 5:30 a.m. It was sunny outside, bur rather cool in the morning. We wanted to stay in our sleeping bags for a while. At 6:00, Natasha, Kate and Marina prepared breakfast for us. The way ahead to Yerofey Pavlovich was not long — only 110 km — but difficult.

We began to get ready for the trip. We put on our sport suits, saddled our bikes and started at 7:00 a.m. Before we arrived at the federal highway, we moved along a country earth road which was very even. We were ready to exchange the federal highway for such a forest road! After 4 km along this forest road, we again found ourselves moving along the gravel road with ditches and ruts. Again we had to climb hills then go downhill. It was not possible to go downhill quickly as we had to be careful of stones and rocks in the road. Our cyclists have pains in their arms, fingers and legs. The cyclists go first, then the KAMAZ and other vehicles. Oncoming cars bring with them clouds of dust. We have to stop them in order to breathe freely. Vladimir Skovpen does it, raising hid left hand. The KAMAZ driver moves to the left side of the road, forcing drivers to lower their speed. Most of the cars stop, but there are those who are indifferent to such requests.

We stopped to rest after 40 km of travel. Thirty minutes later we resumed our trip. When we saw the road sign at 70 km, we stopped as that was the point where Siberia ends and the Far East/Amur region begins. We took several photos by the monument that marks this point, and decided to have lunch – sandwiches, canned fish, biscuits and some other food, which God gave us that day. We stayed there for about an hour and resumed our trip. The heat began with a bright sun, accompanied by the dust of the road until the end of the day trip.

At the entrance of the town, we were met by Christian men who went forward to discuss the opportunity for evangelism with the local administration. The authorities allowed us to present our program at the central sports complex. They showed us the place where we could take a shower. We arrived at Yerofey Pavlovich and went to the public sauna. After that we went to the meeting with people. We set up our music equipment, switched on the music and people began to fill the stadium. By 7 p.m. there were about 200 people there. Kate and Marina had a lot of work that day. Over 70 children came to play games, to watch the puppet play, and listen to the story about God’s wonderful salvation. The Lord blessed all people who came together that evening.

We stayed at night in the caravan church, kindly provided to us by local believers who also prepared dinner for us. We headed to bed as a hard journey lay ahead of us the next day.

P.S. There are lots of mosquitoes here, so all our actions are made in a quick tempo and are accompanied by specific gestures, which resemble dancing!