Gospel Expedition

It rained cats and dogs at night. The rain dealt with the dust but also left big puddles on the road. We got up at 5:30 and it was still dark outside, but we had to go. Our KAMAZ truck lit the way with its head lamps until we reached the highway. After five kilometers the highway ended and we had to travel along gravel and clay. It rained sometimes and our bikes became very dirty. It was a very hard trip.

The cyclists did not wheel, but dragged their bikes 120 km. When we got closer to Birobidzhan, the sun began to shine, the clouds disappeared and blessings were poured on us. It was the end of poor roads and rain. Moving several kilometers along the asphalt road, we stopped by the first lake we saw, and washed our bikes and cars. The bravest of us swam. Then we again switched to our racing bikes and continued our way. The final 60 kilometers were a real pleasure for us. And it was easier for people in the cars to see our easy cycling.

We arrived in Birobidzhan in time, and were accompanied by police to the church. After lunch, the cyclists went to clean up while the musicians went to the stadium to set up the sound and music equipment.

About the Jewish Autonomous Region

Birobidzhan is a fairly young town. This year it will celebrate its 70th anniversary. The town was built on the tears of people, when by the order of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin, the Jewish Autonomous Region was formed. Jews were sent to live there on permanent basis. It was a place full of swamps. The town is located on the junction of two rivers — the Biro and the Bidzhan. A town was built there, a beautiful town. The location was transformed by the people. The richest collective farms existed here in the times of the USSR. Only a few Jewish people still live here, but Abraham’s blessings are still here in this place. The former swamps produce amazing tomatoes, watermelons and many other kinds of fruit.

Overcoming Hindrances

Pleasant impressions about the town were dampened a bit by the unpleasant news that an “unplanned” football game was being held. We decided to have a meeting in the square near the stadium, but were informed that there was no electricity. Supposedly no one present knew how to switch it on. Such circumstances grieved us. But finding strength and encouragement in the Lord, we decided to have the meeting anyway without the sound equipment and singing. People still came to the meeting. There were many militiamen too. Though they stood rather far from the stage, they still could hear everything that was said about salvation. It was great to meet brothers from Khabarovsk area, who came there to be with us. Those were Gennady Abramov with his wife, Svyatoslav Tyutyunik with his wife, and Jacob Franchuk, who remained with us to accompany us to Khabarovsk the next day.

The meeting was held without singing. But many members of the Expedition shared their testimonies. Boris Berezhnoi recited poems. Christian sisters showed the puppet play to all people, both adults and kids.

We talked to many people after the service. Though the militiamen politely refused to talk to us and take the New Testaments, we saw a keen interest in the eyes of some of them. But due to their orders, they could not take the books. Praise God, they listened to our words very attentively. Police cars guided us back to the church, where we had dinner and rest. Tomorrow we are to get up again and have breakfast at 6:00 a.m. Please, pray for us.