"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