Safe at home. . . .

That has a nice ring to it doesn't it. It's great to travel and experience the adventures of life, but there really is something about going home. It's the place you feel most comfortable, and can rest. Yes, I realize that 'laziness' can set in and ruin such pleasure, but that's another story.

We arrived back in Arkansas Thursday evening after a very long day of flying.

Lots of blessings fill this trip with wonderful memories and things to praise God for and lead us into more concentrated prayer for God's Kingdom work in Udmurtia. The most needed memory that I'm bringing back with me this time is a reminder of just how to pray more effectively for what God is doing there in this beautiful little republic.

The realization of not just numbers of people who do not know the Lord, but actual people with names and faces that I know. Will they ever get to realize that peace of God that comes with a repentant heart and be able to say one day with the rest of God's children. . . . praise God, we're safe at Home with Jesus. This man will. Pray for the others.

Loaves of bread. . .

Hundreds of loaves of fresh, delicious bread go out each day from Sergei's bakery in the village of Chur, Udmurtia. Many people receive these loaves and are sustained for another day of physical life.
Your prayers are much needed as we seek to have the 'bread of Life" go out from the 7 spiritual bakeries that are located around Udmurtia ministering to over 1.5 million people. 700,000 are native Udmurts the others are Russian. All have need of that living Bread.
A new prayer emphasis is being emphasized called 'adopt a region'. There are 25 regions in the whole republic. We are looking for people to make a constant plea for Heaven to open and pour out it's blessing of the 'bread of life' to the people of this land. You know what the Lord did with just five loaves. Join us as we pray for the power of God to once again 'feed the multitudes'.

blessings
Jack

Thank you from Chur Baptist to Myron Baptist. . .

A "bolshoy spaasebah" ( big thank you) goes out from Chur Baptist church to the folks at Myron Baptist church in Arkansas. Myron has been sending gifts for about 2 years to help Chur with their renovation project which is creating a youth center and kitchen in the bottom floor of their building.

It is not finished but much further along thanks to gifts such as these.

Also, in reverse, thank you Chur Baptist for being such gracious hosts to us while we are here. You are a blessing and have become such very close friends.

May this same fellowship of love radiate out from here into the whole world.

blessings to all,

Jack

Wonderful time of rest and being with friends. . .

It has been a great week. Beginning with a worship time with the team in this same village, then going out into other villages and watching 'the master' at work; both in us and them and now being alone with some dear friends to rest and enjoy this 'end of summer/beginning of fall' weather. I really like my work as a disciple maker with the 'master'.

Of course you may not think a hike out in the woods, up a mountain and back is much of a rest. It does allow you to see things from different perspectives. Sergei and Tanya invited us to live in their home these past few days. Being able to sit, talk, drink lots of tea and get to know each other more and grow 'with the master' is a very good thing. Tomorrow we will share in this same 'communion' with others of this same place. It is very restful. It is very close to a view of Heaven.

I've found this in Arkansas, other places in the world and especially here. Resting and working together with friends and 'the master' is a picture of Heaven on earth.

"I believe in God, but. . . "

This is a common response to a survey we took in a particular village. It is not unusual to find people who do believe in God, maybe even know about His Son, and believe that He died for the sins of the world but, to believe that He would forgive them and accept that with their heart is the obstacle. " I believe in God, but I don't know if He could forgive me"... was the response of Riaya.
That is the case with several people here. They believe about it, but do not have a belief in their heart to make this life changing decision. This is the need for much prayer.
I believe this is the case over the whole world, even in America. Many know about Him, but do not have the relationship with Him.
When asked, do you read the Bible, the response is "no; I'm too busy" or I don't understand it.
Have I mentioned there is the call to prayer and the subject of prayer. . . . "no one can come to the Father except the Spirit draws him. . .".

keep praying
Jack

Getting to know you. . .

In the process of getting to know Ms Sara, this Udmurt lady also came to know Someone far more important.

It has been a very encouraging three days of visioning here this week. Each day the Lord has shown us what He is doing, and let us share in helping Him do it. We have seen many answers from Him resulting from your prayers.

The reps from Oklahoma, Missouri and Texas will leave for home today. Pray for them as they travel. They have been able to see amazing things this week as they prayed in villages and home.

Our desire is to see groups of ladies and men like this one in the photo with Sara meeting together and getting to know that most important Someone. It is a great possibility here in this place.

blessings

Jack

The Sheep came home. . .

"What is it with you people? You pray for my lost sheep and they come back. You laugh when you sing, yet your not drinking." Later this Udmurt man prayed and became a lost sheep found after witnessing the Lord's answer to the prayer about his own sheep that had been lost for 4 days.
What a wonderful way to start and finish a Monday.
" I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene. . . " is still a great song, especially when you get to watch it!

blessings from the land of the 'people of the woods'
Jack

We're here. . . .

After an overnight in Moscow, a slight, nerve challenge of losing Brad for about 15 minutes while there, and the 18 hours of rock and roll ( that's the short description of a Russian train ride) we are blessed to be here finally in the land of Udmurts. . . the 'people of the woods'.
Getting to see our many friends that have been developed over the past few years, making new ones as we met up with some folks from America, and having a great time of fellowship with all is part of the blessing. Another blessing is watching Brad adapt to all the new stuff. . . in particular Russian language. . . he loves Russian pop music. He sings along as if he knows the songs?
The relationship that has developed over the past few years is now one of those 'treasures in Heaven' things. . . to see other friends of the King and watch how they've grown and what He's doing with them is great.
We'll have more news later with pictures next time. Thanks for praying.

Hello from Red Square in Moscow Russia. . .

We made it this far. Had a very smooth trip. Thanks for praying. It was good to see some of our friends here and spend some time with them. It seems they've gone through some American food 'deprivation' problems so where's the first place we ate. . . . . McDs. . . . yes, it's everywhere.
Now Brad is an official Russian tourist. . .He's been to Red Square.
We'll have more to tell tomorrow. Got to get rid of a little jet lag tonight. Keep praying!

Jack, Sara, and Brad

Brad is going to Udmurtia. . .

We practiced last year with Brad flying to Seattle to see the whales. But, three hour plane rides are short compared to the eleven hour jaunt from Atlanta to Moscow. Pray for us as we slide across the air currents of the Atlantic for another adventure with the Lord in Udmurtia.

This trip is especially for Brad because he will be ministering to a bunch of disabled young people and parents at a place I call "Hope House". It is a faith operated organization in Izhevsk, Udmurtia that helps such families. They are planning a special 'get together' for the clients and Brad will sing and play his harmonica for them. Yes, there will also be a Special Olympics photo showing. It always amazes me when we can watch the Lord take such simple things as a smile and an song from the heart and turn someone's world into a heavenly place.

"A Cup of Cold Water". . . .

As we return to Udmurtia again, it will involve meeting some new friends that have been made by the two young men sitting here with the man in the yellow shirt. They were helping him with some projects around his farm house. We look forward to watching how God is at work here in these people's lives and being there as He directs us in anything we might do to make a contribution.

If you've been praying please keep going. It is making a difference. You are as much a part of such work as those who are there.

Stay tuned and we will tell you some incredible stories about Acts 29.

Blessings

Jack & Sara

Surrender brings Freedom!

Onesimus was led by the Lord to surrender himself back to his 'master' Philemon. Not an easy thing to do when he had stolen from him and ran away. All through scripture the Lord leads people back to their place of fear. Abraham with Isaac the son of promise. Jacob with Esau. Me with speaking to groups of people ( I came very close to passing out as a junior in high school while making a speech ). But the Lord changes everything. He really does change us. Surrender to Him brings real freedom. When He challenges your faith this week with such trials as forgiving a wrong, holding your tongue, loving the unlovable, prayerfully surrender and watch the master reward you with His love and peace.

blessings
Jack

Rea Valley Baptist on the webb. . .

Rea Valley Baptist is now (for better or worse) on the internet. Cyberspace, high-tech, 21st century here we are. For now all that is available is who the pastor is ( me), Randy the youth pastor / outdoor ministry leader and a map on how to get to the church (sort of). You need to turn left after you come to the end of the 'google blue line' or you'll be sitting at the intersection looking at a sign that says "Rea Valley Baptist" to the left.
Anyway, pray for us as we learn how to use this; hopefully to God's glory and not just for another amusing site to visit on the internet ( although Randy's picture could fall into that catagory).
All of it will improve as we go along and make improvements.