Odessa Mission
January 2006 Newsletter
Cnovum Gowdum Brati e Sowstre!
(Happy New Year Brothers and Sisters!)
Wow! Where has 2005 gone? We often tend to think that way in late December, but after reflecting back on the events of this past year I have got to admit that 2005 actually seems to have been one of the longer years in my recent memory. Long certainly isn't synonymous with bad, though, by any means. It's just been a difficult year for our young congregation because it's been a year of cleansing, pruning, and growing pains. The year 2005 has really been a successful year in the grand scheme of things, but victory hasn't come without its share of battles. In 1 Corinthians 4:1 Paul writes: "So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ." The word 'servant' actually refers to a slave rowing at the bottom of an ancient sailing vessel who rarely saw the light of day. In other words, regardless of how dark the picture seems to appear, we still need to remain consistent and reliable. For, otherwise, our ship will simply drift about aimlessly. In the next verse Paul writes: "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." Although 2005 has been tough, we have also gotten tougher ourselves. So we faithfully row forward into 2006, continually encouraged by the apostle's example and assurance: "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ." (2 Cor.2:14).
I don't want to be long-winded this month, but I do want to give you a brief update on how things are progressing with the Odessa Mission. As you know, I teach English at KRCC to a group on Wednesdays and Sundays. Wednesday evening presents problems for some in the class so we will probably be making a few schedule changes in January. In any case, it seems as though the group is growing and that most of them are quite satisfied with the lessons. I am using English sermon tapes but they are apparently a bit much for the current level of listening comprehension skills of the students. We presently have about ten people in the group and that does not count the three members of KRCC who participate. Please keep praying for God to work wonders through that program.
In December, we also started having leadership training sessions. At the moment, there are four church members who are attending: Oxonna, Ira, Larissa, and Tatyana. Sergei says that he also wants to be involved but his work schedule always seems to interfere. Please pray that Sergei will resolve that conflict and that each individual will both see with His eyes and serve with His strength.
Finally, this month, honorable mention goes to Ira, Oxonna, Tatyana, and our kids, for their awe-inspiring Christmas pageant. All of them worked diligently on it for approximately two months which was obvious when they performed on December 25th for KRCC and on the 27th for the Odessa community. Their final performance is scheduled for January 6th, which is the Orthodox Christmas Eve. Tickets for admission were sold and all proceeds will go to a special school for handicapped kids here in Odessa . Although our church only raised $60, we feel that it's the thought that matters. That is especially true for the less fortunate on Christmas. Hopefully, through projects like this one, KRCC will set an example for many that will eventually make a broader impact down the road. We actually had about 35 visitors on December 27th and gave them all an exposure to "The Twelve Disciples Club" which is our kids' ministry. So, the word is slowly getting out and we praise God for your partnership in all of this. Thanks to you, more and more Russians and Ukrainians are hearing about the true meaning of Christmas in both traditional and innovative ways.
In closing, I would like to include a short note from little
Oxonna, who just recently began receiving financial help from the KRCC Alyosha
Fund. Oxonna lives about an hour away from our church and pays a lot of money
for transportation each month, and as a university student, she has an added
burden of tuition costs. Yet, despite all that, she remains faithful in her
commitment to serving Jesus Christ at KRCC and we couldn't be more proud of her.
She is truly a blessing to all of us here and thanks to you she's also able
to keep her head above water monetarily speaking. She writes:
I just want to thank you all for helping our church and the members of
our church when they're especially in need of assistance. I feel that, as a
student, you're giving me a real chance to study and make something special
of myself. Thanks to your help, I'll have many more options available to
me in the future.
Please know that I'm always remembering you in my prayers and I hope
that one day I'll be able to meet some of you personally. Please come and
visit us if you ever have the chance or desire. The church you support
{i.e. KRCC} has changed my life forever and I'm especially grateful
to you for that! Thanks again for all you do in Jesus' Name.
Happy New Year,
Oksana Naumova
It is being able to reach out and share with those individuals less fortunate than we are that really sets KRCC apart here in Odessa . With the Love of Jesus ringing in our hearts, let's move into the new year and vow to make 2006 even better than 2005. We love you and praise God for all you do in Christ's Name!
John and Ira Murphy,
The Odessa Mission