I had written several days ago how a local Baptist mission and youth church graciously granted us permission to use their facilities 3 times a week on days they were not using it themselves. The mission director (by the name of Sergei Stepanov) is someone I've known here for two years. He's a very friendly and godly young man with a great heart for the preaching of the Gospel and reaching lost people in Tambov. He was thrilled at the chance of helping us find a building as he really likes our style. This guy has always been so fresh and progressive compared to the vast majority of the Russian Protestant churches, which unfortunately are rigid, legalistic, fiercely competitive, and divided beyond anything that any of you could probably ever imagine. Believe me.

Well, word got back to the heads of the Baptist churches here what Sergei offered us and they flatly told him that he could not do it as we are not part of their denomination.

Sergei called me today and told me. He felt really bad. I told him it's OK and I completely understand. I thanked him very much for offering the building in the first place.

So...I'm writing again to ask you to continue to pray that we find a suitable meeting place for church services here.

The Lord has the perfect place. We must trust and wait on Him.

Blessings to you,
Ray & Rebecca Curran
Tambov, Russia
5/26/03