I greet you in the Name of JESUS CHRIST, the ALPHA AND OMEGA, Who Was and Is and Is to Come! Amen! Come LORD JESUS! First of all, thank you to all of you who have been praying for me and my mission here in Russia. Thank you to all of you who gave gifts to enable me to come and carry on the work here in Russia. It is certainly a privilege to serve the LORD our GOD here in Russia. Well, right now I am somewhere between Abakan and Novosibirsk in Siberia. I caught the train last evening (Friday at 11:00 pm) and will arrive in Yekaterineburg Sunday morning at about 11 am. Nothing quite like a long train ride through Russia to catch up on some rest and enjoy a relaxing view of the country, and catch up on emails. Russia is a beautiful country from the perspective of GOD'S wonderful creation, quite another story when it comes to what humanity has done. It is written in Psalm 16 "the sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods"; it certainly applies to Russia, where there are so many broken lives and homes that need the grace and truth of CHRIST and the hope of eternal salvation.

My first two weeks here have gone very well. Through the gifts that many of you gave we were able to purchase almost 7000 Bibles which will be distributed to soldiers and to prisoners. Life in a Russian prison is not very easy, but there are many who are coming to the Knowledge of CHRIST and the forgiveness and hope He gives. I have been invited by the Russian Orthodox chaplain responsible for chaplaincy to prisons to visit and bring Bibles to Russian prisons on my trip to Russia next summer, the LORD willing. Wherever people read and believe the message of GOD'S Word they receive new hope and life.

I just finished a week of children and youth Bible camp in Tuim, Khakassia, Siberia. The pastor who coordinated the camp, came to CHRIST in a Russian prison in Abakan. He shared a little of his testimony with me, and I hope I can get a copy translated to include in one of my newsletters. GOD is working in Russia in many ways, but especially amongst the children and youth. There were around 50 or so children and youth at the camp. This was the first time that any of them were able to attend a Bible Camp like this. Thank you again to all of you who gave the funds. All the children, youth and staff were so thankful that they were able to have this kind of camp. Many of them received Bibles and GOD'S message of love and truth and salvation for the first time. The campers came from three or four different communities in the area, and the pastors are hoping to begin Sunday Schools with the children and youth who came. I had the opportunity of opening and closing each day with a message, and teaching the youth class in the morning. I was really blessed to see how GOD was working in the hearts and lives of these young people. I am praying that the LORD would raise up many of them to be His servants: faithful husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, pastors and Gospel workers to bring the Good News of CHRIST to many others in Russia. CHRIST is the only hope for Russia, as well as Canada.

Our next Bible camp, which will be a family camp is in Yekaterineburg area. Yeketerineburg is the third largest city in Russia after Moscow and St. Petersburg. This is the first time they have ever had a Bible camp like this. The pastors I am working with have said that some of the people who are coming to this camp are not presently Christians. This is also true of the last camp in Penza on July 9–15. Please pray for me and the other staff at these camps that we will be able to share and minister GOD'S grace and truth to all who come. The last camp is family-youth-sport camp where most of the people will be teenagers and young adults. Despite all the problems: spiritual, economic, and social in Russia, the LORD our GOD is working and transforming many lives through the powerful word of the Gospel of CHRIST!

Keep praying for me, my family, and for the LORD'S people here in Russia, that their faith will grow, that more will come to know the LORD and His salvation, and that His faithful church here would continue to minister GOD'S grace and truth in CHRIST. The people here are already hoping and praying that we will be able to continue these camps next year, and perhaps expand them to include more people. To GOD be the glory, great things He has done, is doing, and will do!