Back in the USA. . .

. . . and it always feels great to be here! What a great place to live, the U.S.A. We are so blessed here. I'm sitting here in a terminal at JFK looking out over the bay leading into Manhatten. Ellis Island is just across the horizon and Lady Liberty stands very tall above the waters welcoming everyone to come on in. Some will come and complain, while others will take the opportunity and step out on faith taking advantage of that opportunity.
In the same way, in a land further away, stood another very tall, cruel place of sacrifice by the greatest Liberty maker of all, the Lord Jesus Christ. He too invites everyone to come on in to His eternal life. . . "whosoever will" . Some will come in and complain, while others will take the opportunity and step out on faith taking advantage of that opportunity to not only live in that wonderful world of God's grace, but also help others do the same.
"Great is thy faithfulness, O' God my Father; morning by morning new mercies I see".

Jack

Das Vaydonya from Red Square, Moscow Russia. .

The Udmurtia October 09 team would like to say 'spaasebah bolshoy' to all our prayer partners for this trip. God's blessings have been tremendous. Many things to report when we return.
We left many new friends and 'family' behind in Udmurtia. Also, many answered prayers about many aspects of the trip. . . new family members, new church starts, new Bible study groups, and new outreach groups of Udmurts reaching Udmurts. . . to God be the glory.

Jack, Greg, Susan, Nellie, Jana and Sara

Snow is just around the corner. . .

The clouds are moving in. It's beginning to get rainy and colder. Before long the people of Udmurtia will be settled in for another time of beautiful snow and sub zero weather. It's also a time to think about things they've heard and seen.

Many have heard the good news and are thinking already. Some have received Bibles for the first time and are already reading. New church groups have formed in Udmurt villages and are singing the new songs that tell of Jesus.

As the winter moves in and covers the land with a time of cold, may the warm love of God be embraced in their search for truth and love. It has been a great time of meeting new people and sharing that love. Pray for the Lord of the harvest to bless and send fruit and laborers.

Blessings all.

JG

'Will there be any dogs in Heaven?". . .

That's a question asked by many kids. If Jana Snell has anything to do with it there will be. She has learned to communicate to at least 3 Russian cats, 1 rabbit and this 'little' Russian dog. She's taking the cultural exchange to a whole other level.

The video crew left for Moscow today with a tremendous Udmurt choral sendoff. Thanks Gunther and Mark for tackeling a tough job, but well done.

Our kids also left for Novosabirsk this evening. Good news; they have 'job' here and one apartment contract signed.

Our team, is winding down with a birthday party, a puppet outreach workshop, and church at Sarapol.

Pray for our train departure Sunday; the kids back to Novo; the video team back to various places; and us as we wind down and go back to the states.

Lots of barriers, but the Lord overcomes them all. PTL.

blessings

Jack

Udmurt Bibles and children's books in Udmurt language. . .

Udmurts from a church in Voktinks are taking the good news out to neighboring villages. We were able to attend a combination worship service, thanksgiving dinner and a 29 year marriage anniversary all in one here in this village. Nellie Yount from Yellville FBC enjoyed helping pass out Udmurt language Bibles and children's books. Pray for: more Bibles and books to give out . . . more teams to go out to other villages. . . and more prayer to break down the obstacles that are keeping those things from happening. Thanks to all of you for praying. JG

'I become all things to all men that I might by some means win some. . ."

Greg Warlick from Choctaw OK got a promotion tonight. Valodya's brother, Slava is a high ranking lieutenant in a Russian max security prison. He tried to get his uniform to fit on a much larger Greg, but. . . great time with his family; eating, sharing information about each other and most importantly, prayer together.
We also learned that every prisoner has access to a Bible.
Pray for Slava and his wife Larissa. She is a doctor in their village.
More visits in schools today. We all are staying very busy traveling around, but the Lord is blessing tremendously.
Pray for: relationships developing; hearts to be receptive to God's love; obstacles to be overcome; and believers here to be strengthened. Thanks!

'Getting To Know You" . . .. . .

Greg meeting some Russian firefighter 'buds', Nellie passing out Ruby Truax's 'love you' hearts with an Udmurt lady and Jana sharing her 'favorite things' with girls and guy at school 48 was a very blessed 24 hours. Thanks for praying cause these things happen because of it. Blessings ( all planned by Him) are what we are doing and receiving. Tremendous. More culture exchanges tomorrow and more blessings also.

Items to pray about: two couples who are wanting to 'live' in Izhevsk being accepted into language school / their living quarters/ and our group getting to meet all that Dad wants us to.

"And they went everywhere preaching the word. . . "

It's Sunday morning and we have team members literally everywhere around this southern area of Udmurtia. The real blessing is that it's Udmurt Christians out doing the work of ministry to their people and we are just encouraging them. Susan and Greg are in a village with Udmurt singers doing outreach, Marc Hooks is here in Izhevsk, Sara, Nellie, Jana and myself are in Voktinsk going out to more villages and an Udmurt church. Yes there are disappointing news items such as Zoya not with our ministry, but there are many more encouraging things, especially the new groups meeting and doing outreach themselves.
Susan and Greg's meeting resulted in a new one in the family Friday night and they are still out there with the singers doing a concert this morning (this is where the J Film was shut down last night).
Thanks for keeping us in your prayers.

Jack

"If it's not worth singing about, it's not worth talking about . . ."

that's a saying that Udmurts have. That's also what this group will be doing this weekend in a village while they show the Jesus Film and sing about the greatest gift given to all mankind. These are a small group of Udmurt believers who want to sing about their hope in Him and give their countrymen something to talk about. Pray for us as we walk with them and "hold up their hands".

Jack

Even on the train. . .

Where do you find Udmurt people? Sometimes on the train in your own compartments. And of course Ms Sara has a lot of compassion for Katya who is heading back to Izhevsk for her mom's funeral the next day. Does Katya know that God loves her and that Jesus died for her? She does now and she has a Bible to help her go further.

Thanks for praying.

Jack

We are here. . . finally!

Yes, it takes three days to get into this little republic of Udmurtia. Not to mention rain delays for flights and numerous other little 'glitches'. . . but we ( the team) are all in Russia safe. I will post more info tomorrow. It is 12 midnight here Wednesday. . . and 2 pm where you are (if it's Arkansas).
We have had an exciting trip and even today after hitting the ground are learning much about the changes that are going on. . . some good and some bad. Please pray. There is much opposition to this trip and even more concerning what the Lord is doing here.
Every one on the team is safe and reasonably not too worn out.

more later
Jack

HOPE4Udmurtia is 'in the house'. . .

The word from our 'kids' is that they ARE registered and are looking for an apartment. Arkansas team is in Little Rock ready to go this Monday morning. Praise the Lord for all He is doing of bringing this together.
Thanks for your prayers. More later today.

luuuuuuv y'all
Jack

"As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you O' God. Psalms 42:1

No, it's not a moose from Udmurtia, it's an elk from Trail Ridge Road in Colorado. I met him personally and he's been the subject of a watercolor I did this summer. He's also the visual for Psalms 42:1 which is the theme verse for our Udmurtia trip October 12 -27.

That is our desire for the people of Udmurtia to come to that point in their own hearts; to 'thirst' after God and desire Him.

Please pray with us as we go that the Lord will work out His perfect plan and that the enemy will not interfer with any part.

Thanks

Jack

October trip is now forming and preparing. . .

Prayer time is upon us for the October 09 trip to Udmurtia. The team has materialized from two places. Yellville, Arkansas sends Nellie Yount from First Baptist, and Jack and Sara Gilliland from Rea Valley Baptist. Also joining us is Susan Gabreal, from First Baptist, Elk City Oklahoma. We are waiting on word from another man from Oklahoma City. Please pray for these individuals, our translators, the transportation and most importantly, what the Lord wants to be accomplished in this trip.
Two other couples are joining us in Udmurtia from as they continue to study the Russian language.
Good things are continuing and prayer is appreciated.
More coming later.

Jack Gilliland

Language students doing great. . .

Here is a note from our good friends in Russia
They've just returned from a get together with friends in Greece. Now back in Novasobirsk and back to work on the Russian language. Keep praying for them and the upcoming trip to Udmurtia in October.

thanks for your prayer faithfullness
Jack


A D AY I N A THENS
e are over two months into
our language study in
Novosibirsk, and God
continues to bless us. We
were able to travel to Greece for a
conference with some of our friends
from Central and Eastern Europe. It
was a great time of refreshment and
fellowship, and we were even able to
sneak in a little sightseeing! It was so
great to see many of our friends who
we met at orientation in Richmond.
On Friday, July 3 a team from Georgia
arrives to hold a week long English
Club. We anticipate that many of our
friends will attend. Please be praying
that we will have opportunities to share
with the people who come to English
Club. Also pray for safe travel for this
team. We are excited to be able to
celebrate the 4th of July with them!
Last month a team of 4 baseball players
came from the states to host a week
long baseball camp. We had a great
turn out and most of the participants
even learned how to play! One of the
coaches shared his testimony to the
entire group. Please pray relationships
will be built with those who attended
baseball camp.

Prayer note. . .

Sorry I haven't posted anything in awhile. On our last post, we talked about 'grandpa' Valodya and his grandchildren. This same family had a 4th child born just after this photo was taken and would have been 4 months old this month, but he wrote and said that the child had passed away last week at 3 months old. So sad. Please keep all this family in you prayers.

Serving Him together,
Jack Gilliland, VSC Udmurtia

Congratulations 'Grandpa' Valodya. . .( again) ...

Valodya Kuznetchov, our Udmurt evangelist who is busily showing the Jesus Film everywhere he can get a group together ( 5 new places since February) is shown here with three of his grandchildren. These are his oldest daughter Masha's children shown here last February and expecting her fourth. He wrote today that she has had the baby and everyone is doing good. Continue to pray for this family. Her husband was out of work last month.

This makes number 5 grandchild for Valodya.

Thanks for your prayer support.

Jack Gilliland

Udmurtia VSC

"If we show it, they will come. . ."

The snow is beginning to melt and spring is just around the corner. It will be planting time soon in the little villages all around Udmurtia. Valodya Kuznetchov is already busy with his planting even on frozen ground. The report just came in that he has shown the Jesus film five more places since Mark McManus and I went with him in February. That's some serious traveling on the snowy roads that we saw.

Please pray and help us keep Valodya busy. We are also praying for more teams to be trained by him to do this work as well as discipling teams to do follow up involving church plants in all these place.

Pray for some very dear friends who will be moving to Novasibersk, Russia soon to begin studying Russian language.

Serving Him together,

Jack & Sara Gilliland, VSC

The 'Energizer' Church. . .

. . .they just keep going and going and going. . . The little church at Chur village ( shown here with the 'cafe outreach center' in progress) reports that February 23 ( men's day in Russia) they sent out invitations to the village for a special get together at the church and 46 people showed up. At their Christmas program 35 people came; mostly young people.

They are having a surge of 'energy' in the form of blessing from God. Pray for them as they live out the gospel in their village and that many people will come to salvation.

Projects and prayer needs for 2009

Our projects and prayer needs for 2009 are summarized in this photo. Please join them in prayer for:

a. The Christians of Udmurtia to hear God's call to go out and reach the unsaved of their Republic.

b. For teams to join us June 10 - 23, 2009 and for October, 2009 trips to go with teams of these young people to show the Jesus film and visit their neighbors.

c. For the laborers who are answering God's call to
live there and serve.

If you are interested in being involved with either of the dates listed above, please let us know by writing artman72687@yahoo.com.

blessings
Jack

A Church in every village. . .

This is Misha. Misha is an Udmurt man who lives in a small village southwest of Izhevsk, the capital of Udmurtia Republic. He was one of the people responsible for helping us arrange to show the Jesus film in his village two weeks ago. That was the night about 40 young people showed up and several raised their hands in answer to the question "how many of you prayed to received Jesus into your hearts" during the film.

Misha also has a small church meeting in his house, but now has a mission field of young people in his back yard wanting to know more about Jesus.

Misha's son, who lives in his dad's house with his own family of 4, is an agricultural engineer by training but has not been able to find a job elsewhere so he lives and teaches at the school in this village where all of these young people attend.

Pray for this little church in Misha's house and for this group of young people who prayed. Pray also for this to multiply 2000 times over the Republic of Udmurtia.

Pray also for Valodya Kuznechov as he arranges, trains other teams, and travels around showing the Jesus film in these villages.

Pray for HOPE 4 Udmurtia as we add support to what God is doing here in Udmurtia.

Serving Him together,

Jack Gilliland

Udmurtia VSC

Rock climbers and muscians. . .

Oleg and Yannah, a young couple from Resurrection church said "come and meet our friends". With a cake, some fruit, and our family picture album we were off again. There we were able to meet and visit with other rock climbers and one young musician who assured us "he didn't smoke mushrooms only ate them". As usual, the Lord met with us. Yannah asked, "Mark, tell us how you came to God". The result was a terrific visit, gospel message was shared at least twice, with several accounts of how great God was, His faithfulness and ending in prayer requesting that these young people also come to know the Lord Jesus.

This is how the 'home visits' went. Several times the team was asked the question "can you tell how you came to Christ" and the message went out once more. Pray for the planting and watering to continue in this frozen Republic.

Blessings

Jack & Mark from Moscow

Thank you for bringing the Jesus film. . .

The lady on the far right in the photo, took us by the hand and with a huge smile said "I've been waiting and praying for years for someone to come to our village and bring something like this to tell the story of Jesus".

That same evening many of the young boys and girls who came said they had prayed with film when it asked if they wanted to come to Jesus and ask Him to forgive them and come in to their lives.

We are praising the Lord for the move of God's Spirit in the lives of so many people we visited . Thank you for praying.

Jack & Mark in Udmurtia

Faithfully serving . . .

Next year will mark the 100th anniversary of the "Old Baptist Church" in Izhevsk. This lady who has been involved in the work of it for several years is one of the faithful who were 'standing in the gap' when it was very difficult to do so.

They are responsible for the starting of the Resurrection church in another part of town. This is what we are praying for to happen all over Udmurtia.

Please pray with us as the fire catches on in this country and spreads to every village and city of the Udmurt Republic.

Great prayers. . .Great God. . . Great things. .

Sorry we've been absent for a few days. .. internet was down at the hotel so this is from a place downtown. All things DO work together for good though. We've found this very nice place for future teams to have internet access.
Blessings to report:
Praying and sharing the Lord and His salvation with families in their homes.
Sasha reports that many of the visits by the October and May teams are producing much results.
Now showing the Jesus film in new villages and seeing good fruit from it as well.
Follow ups are becoming possible and the relationships are building.
We are talking with kids in school today and good reports from it.

We will have more details in a later report, but for now. . . praise the Lord and keep praying.

blessings from 22 below ( celcius ... but still very cold) Izhevsk...
Jack and Mark

It's beautiful. . . .

For those of you who have prayed for the little church at Chur and wondering how are they getting along with their new kitchen, and meeting place for young people at their church building ... it"s very beautiful...just like the people. It"s not finished yet of course, but it's getting closer. The kitchen has cabinets and fixtures. Plumbing was being worked on last night and expansion and finishing in the big room where the kids will meet was being worked on too. Pray for Oleg, who does most of the work himself. He is a very quiet young man, but does very good work. And for you veterans of the trips.... the toilet has doors now... Sorry I didn't have time to get pictures on this note, but will next time.
Not only did they have 35 kids show up at their Christmas party, but now the church folks are visiting with them and being allowed to minister to some needy families. Pray for the gospel to be heard by these. . . and more.
All of the brother's and sisters at Chur church say thanks for praying and also God bless you. To the Myron Baptist church a special thanks for helping this little church with this project.

Serving Him together,
Jack & Mark in Udmurtia

'Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me. .. ". . .

That's what one blind man cried out as he embarassed the crowd with his loudness. That didn't bother Jesus. He answered that man's prayer. I realize you saw this photo on yesterday's blog but, please prayfor this young Udmurt man who came to see the Jesus film and we prayed with him after to be delivered from his alcohol problem. Pray for the thousands of others like him.

blessings,

Jack & Mark, Udmurtia

'To the uttermost parts. . . "

The showing of the Jesus Film last night in a little Udmurt village south of Izhevsk was blessed. The man holding the Udmurt song book was singing because he had just prayed.

That was a blessing to see the Lord working on his heart. Please pray for him as well. He battles the alcohol problem as so many men do.

Just how far will the Lord go to reach out to someone's heart? . . . all the way to the cross.

Keep praying as we go out this week to other villages and see God break through some 'icey' hearts.

blessings from the 'freezer'

Jack & Mark

"Where two or more are assembled in my name. . "

The seminar on spiritual gifts was very successful. Good attendance with at least 4 or more churches from Udmurtia represented by leaders from these groups, a great presentation by Mark McManus from New Hope Baptist of Yellville, AR., wonderful singing and God's presence all added up to a picture of blessing and grace honoring the Lord.

The Lord is indeed 'building His church' and the evidence of that in Udmurtia is shown by the eagerness and hunger of young people like this new family desiring to learn more about fellowship and service to God through the power of His Spirit and faith in the Lord Jesus. HOPE4Udmurtia is blessed by being a part of God's move in the hearts of people like these two. We praise the Lord for what He has done this weekend with this seminar and look forward to hearing of the fruit that will result.

Keep praying for us and the showing of the Jesus film in some new areas next week.

Serving Him together,

Jack Gilliland, pastor Rea Valley Baptist & Udmurtia VSC

Learning more as we go. . .

We had a great meeting last night at Valodya's small group meeting in his home. Resurrection church has started doing several of these with their members. It was a good time of sharing concerns and prayer needs with them as well as enjoying food and laughing together. Their concerns are the same as ours. Economy, political concerns and more important how to be faithful to the Lord in reaching out with the gospel.
We were encouraged to hear of several that are in 'training' for baptism ( hope they have a heater cause it's pretty cool here).
A new alpha group is going now. This has proven to be a good tool for them. It has been consitantly useful since last January, 08.
The younger Christians are so encouraging in their zeal to serve God. They are 'nervous' but not to the point of backing down from going out to share the gospel.
We will have some of them with us as we go out next week with the Jesus film.
The seminar starts tonight. .. keep us in your prayers as we 'listen to God's voice' in strengthening them in their walk and development of their spiritual gifts.

more later from
Jack & Mark in Udmurtia

Back in Izhevsk

Hello from Izhevsk. . . the arrival team was waiting on us at the train station as they always do. After lunch, and a good nights rest we'll be headed out Thursday to do some visits.

This is Mark McManus's 2cd visit to Udmurtia. Pray for his family and the many other families around Baxter and Marion counties. Several thousand are without power. Mark and his family were in the process of moving into a new house so this is creating a challenge for them, while he is here.

Jack's family is stranded in Sprindale at our daughter's house.

Keep the prayers going so we can too.

blessings

Jack & Mark in Udmurtia

We're here (again). . .

We made it back safe to the winter wonderland of Udmurtia. Everything is snowy white here and they are saying it's supposed to get cold next week. . . somewhere below zero I believe I heard. Praise the Lord for warm buildings.
Valodya, Kostya, German, and Katy (our translator) say greetings to all their prayer friends (that's you).
Valodya is very excited about the delivery of the first Jesus film for children in Udmurt language. After a review of the language accuracy we may be able to use it for our two evangelism efforts next week, February 1 and 2. Pray for this.
Pray for Mark as he leads the Spiritual gifts seminar Friday and Saturday.
Everything is going good. We safe, full, and ready for a nap.

blessings from Udmurtia
Jack & Mark

Mountain moving 101. ..

Not quite the thing Jesus was talking about when He gave the original prayer challenge of faith, but moving a 'mountain' of luggage through the Moscow metro does require prayer and 'muscle'. Thanks Tim and Lisa for helping us. The things missionaries have to do to have the blessing of 'junk food' snacks is really amazing. . .
We've made it to Moscow in great shape. Fairly easy flight with sleep on the plane. . . that's a blessing.
The Wickers are fine and Tim is thawed out from the Siberian excursion.
Thanks for the prayers. You are very appreciated and are very much part of how the Lord really does ' move mountains'.

Serving Him together,
Jack and Mark in Moscow Russia

Let's make the 'circle' larger. . .

In the small village of Cerovai one evening we joined hands, sang and prayed with several people that night as we closed our meeting with them. Yes, the gospel seeds were planted. Only the Lord knows ( for now) what happened in their hearts.
Keep this in your prayers, because in just over a week we will be doing this again in other villages. We will be going out and sharing with more new people the 'story of Jesus' by way of the Jesus film ( in Udmurt language) and with God's love through our lives.
Pray for Mark McManus, Valodya ( in the red Razorback shirt, bottom right), other team members and me as we go and try to make the circle larger.

Serving Him together,
Jack Gilliland, VSC Udmurtia
Rea Valley Baptist Church