Novgorod:

Sorry guys, it has been a while since I have been able to update you about the team here in Russia. Our last three weeks in Novgorod was really highlighted by those we met there. Our contacts there, Marina and Svyeta, who also make up all of YWAM Novgorod, were fantastic. At first, they had us housed in two apartments, and then after we got evicted (for housing too many people), we moved into Marina’s church, the “Word of Life” Church. Thankfully they were able to house us there for all the time that we had left in Novgorod. This actually helped us out a lot. Especially financially as a team, we were able to save quite a bit of money, and process longer as a team. The only downfall I noticed, was that we no longer could shower or wash our clothes....and then God stepped in. Go God!
The first night there at the church, Sunday night, we had three people ask us if we had a place to shower, and proceeded to offer us their work place (a hotel) and apartments. They were such blessings.
Our ministry there was very diverse. We worked with many churches, and Salvation Army. We also worked in nursing homes, a TB hospital, ran a coffee club, a missions discussion group, and put on our fair share of Christmas programs. The best part of our ministry there was that despite how diverse it was, the team really grasped hold of the opportunities to build lasting relationships with the local youth there. Two girls from a local youth group, who also had an interest in missions, followed us around to nearly all of our ministry times the final week or two, and we were really able to impact them deeply. We were also able to influence and encourage countless others too. These two though, and one guy, Daniel from the youth group of the church where we were staying were impacted so deeply that they want to do a DTS of their own!
The most exciting thing about our ministry in Novgorod was that the team really jelled together, and our contacts even said that our love for one another was our greatest testimony! Praise God! I think that our team unity or at least ministry levels really improved after a church service at a Korean house church, where everyone flowed out of their giftings, and continued there after. One of the coolest things about this service was that there were two Chinese girls there, non-believers, who never have been to a Christian gathering before! And man could they sing and play the piano, like angels!
Thank you all so much for your prayers, and continue to remember us in your prayers. This Monday, we will be traveling to a village north of Perm, where we will be working at reaching the unreached of Russia. Pray for us, that we would receive God’s heart and will for this portion of outreach.
-Kyle