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KHABAROVSK
CALVARY CHAPEL
"Then I will give you pastors after my own heart, who will lead you
with knowledge and understanding" Jeremiah 3:15
FALL 1999 NEWSLETTER
Hello again to you our dear family and friends from the Curran family in
Khabarovsk, Russia: Ray, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Dara, and baby Ray.
WHITE AS SNOW
Well, the cold winter weather is upon us now and there are the
beginnings of snow on the ground. We always like this time of year as
the snow covers the otherwise dreary cityscape with a bright and clean
whiteness. And in a spiritual sense, the Lord continues to do this same
thing these days in the hearts of Russians through the ministry of
Khabarovsk Calvary Chapel. For that we continue to feel so privileged to
be called and sent here, to be inspired to continue, and to be very
appreciative to you for your faithful and very generous support of this
ministry. We're truly having the time of our lives!
1999...THE YEAR THAT IS...OR WAS
Hard to believe there's only a little over two months left in this year.
It really seemed to go by so fast and so much happened to us. We made
two trips to the States this year. The year began with severe health
problems that threatened our future here. The Lord touched our bodies
and spirits and we continued strong as ever. Rebecca gave birth to our
3rd child in July.
It certainly is a greater challenge living here now with 3 young
children, as this country is definitely not set up for kids. But we
thoroughly enjoy our little ones and are so blessed in having them here.
ANOTHER BAPTISM
In September, I was privileged to baptize 7 more believers into the
kingdom of God. This is always an event I thoroughly enjoy. It's always
fascinating as a pastor to see the Lord at work in a person as they
begin to come to church, hear the Word of God, consider the claims of
the Gospel, usually over a period of many weeks or even months, then
finally with all seriousness and decisiveness, receive Jesus and request
to be baptized.
TESTIMONIES
I'd like to share a couple testimonies of recent new members of the
church have written to us. These are so encouraging to Rebecca and I and
I hope to you as well.
**********
I want to thank you for your missionary work. You've helped us to better
understand the Word of God. We're glad and happy that the Lord led us to
your church where we feel the presence of the Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit in our lives. All has become good, joyful, calm, and secure.
Praise to the Lord today and forever...Amen! In our church, we received
the dawning and awakening of a relationship with God"
With respect, Yuri and Tatyana
**********
I'm 33 years old, but only now have I come I believe in the Lord God. Of
course, I always knew God existed because obviously all life comes from
God. But all my life, I was separated from God. It was like he was over
there, and I was over here. I never hoped in God nor thought of him,
except when I was in a lot of trouble, to which I asked: "God,
why?"
And for the past 5 years, I've experienced a lot of trouble. I've lost
just about everything one is able to lose materially: my husband, money,
apartment, even my trust in people.
The result of all of these things meant I had nothing: no home, no
savings, not even a job. You know, I also had a growing son that I had
to now raise alone. Besides everything else, my son developed health
problems and the treatment for these problems were extended and
expensive. Often I wondered: "God, Why?"
And then my friends, who live in America, seeing how I suffered without
end, proposed I come work for them there for a year or so in order to
earn enough money to buy an apartment and start a life again in Russia.
The mother of my ex-husband, who lives in Khabarovsk (I was living in
Yakutia in Siberia at the time) even agreed that my son could live with
her while I'm in America.
Well, I was very much afraid to be away from my son for so long, so I
still tried to make a life in Yakutia. But things became more and more
difficult so I felt I had no other choice but to leave Russia for a
period of time.
I got my papers together, came to Khabarovsk, but everything collapsed
as I was refused a visa to the U.S.
But then I was not even able to return to Yakutia as my son now needed
medical treatment, which isn't available there. Besides, there is no
work there at all.
The mother of my ex-husband agreed for us to live in Khabarovsk with her
for a while if I would earn money to help pay our expenses. But the
situation was uncomfortable. She was still bitter with me for leaving
her son, my former husband, although it was he who destroyed our family.
He drank heavily and didn't love me and I wasn't able to endure this
just for the sake of my son. But that's another story.
Again though, even in Khabarovsk, I could not find work. Problems
mounted, and I felt as if my life had come to the brink. Only the
recognition that my son needed me kept me at that moment from taking
extreme measures. But it was like I found myself in a totally dark room
and I didn't know where the exit was. From this uncertainty, I
experienced terrifying despair.
And then I read an advertisement in the newspaper for Friday English
classes at a Christian church (Calvary Chapel). I decided to attend,
simply as a distraction from my hopelessness.
At the lesson, in which a Bible story was explained in simple English,
it was if I was able to open a door of the dark room and entered a
bright new world. I can't explain it in words. Something very good
touched me there and everything became clear. I began to believe in God
and knew he would now lead me on my way.
I decided to come the sermon the following Sunday, still feeling great
from Friday. The same thing happened on Sunday, listening to the Word of
God. It's like something bright and clean touched me. I began to cry and
felt as if someone was putting a hedge around me saying, "don't be
afraid. All will be OK." Now I believe and understand that this was
the Holy Spirit.
Amazingly, the next week I found work, although it was for not much
wages. But I knew it was from God.
The Lord also showed me that I myself needed to be with my son to
educate him and teach him about God. It would have been wrong for me to
leave him here and go to America. Yes, God has a plan!
So I thank the Lord for leading me to Calvary Chapel, to Pastor Ray and
his wife Rebecca. He has shown me where I should be and who I should be
with.
Some time has now gone by and I have become so peaceful. That's amazing
because I don't really have less problems than before, but perhaps
actually more. But I've never experienced peace like this in my life.
It's because I know the Lord loves me and I love him and he has given me
this assurance. It grows day by day.
I pray everyday that the Lord would bless Calvary Chapel, Pastor Ray,
and his family because they are bringing to us the Word of God and the
love of God.... And that's a hard thing to do in Russia.
All this is true. You can feel it as you enter the church. A purity of
spirit, holiness, and love. Thank you Lord. I praise you! God bless our
church. Amen.
Irina
FINAL THOUGHTS
It's interesting. I happened to be teaching Sundays in 1 Peter, a book
on trusting God in times of suffering, the very same time Irina began
coming to church.
There are many testimonies I could share. The Lord is amazing. It's
certainly not us. He even uses simple ways such as an English language
Bible story to open the eyes of Russians here.
Thanks so much for sharing this time of our lives in Russia. We covet
your prayers, as always. Please write us when you can so we may pray for
your needs. May God richly bless you and your family this coming holiday
season.
Ray Curran
10/24/99 |
