Tuesday, October 27, 2009

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

Monday, October 26, 2009

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

Saturday, October 24, 2009

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

Friday, October 23, 2009

'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

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

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

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

'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!

Monday, October 19, 2009

'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.


Saturday, October 17, 2009

"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

Friday, October 16, 2009

"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

Thursday, October 15, 2009

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

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

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

Monday, October 12, 2009

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

Saturday, October 10, 2009

"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