The ministry update.

Hello dear brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus!!

 We would like to share with you the highlights of the past month.

 The Youth Conference in Samara

We are so thankful to the Lord for the abundance of Bible teaching that we have now. Just recently, April 16-17, eight of the Fireworks youth went to a Bible conference in Samara. This helpful event was held by the “Transfiguration” church which hosted over 500 participants from 20 cities of Russia. The theme of the conference was “It's decided! Realize the seriousness of the Gospel”. This topic is derived from the example of the great theologian, Jonathan Edwards, who lived in the eighteenth century. “On January 12, 1723, I made a solemn dedication of myself to God and wrote it down; giving up myself, and all that I had to God; to be for the future, in no respect, my own; to act as one that had no right to himself, in any respect. And solemnly vowed, to take God for my whole portion and felicity; looking on nothing else, as any part of my happiness, nor acting as if it were; and his law for the constant rule of my obedience: engaging to fight, with all my might, against the world, the flesh, and the devil, to the end of my life. ” (quote from J. Edwards’s biography)

the conference different speakers emphasized the seriousness of the Gospel call, seriousness of redemption, seriousness of sin and punishment for sin. Everyone returned from the conference very charged up and encouraged. Rita shared with us that it was a time of re-evaluating her life. She has never thought that the Gospel is so precious to God. Slava B. said that after this conference he realized that he has a lot of small things in his character that hold him back in his walk with the Lord. God is working in his heart by allowing him to experience many difficult situations where Slava can be trained in patience. He also shared that he became more sensitive to sin and how much it hurts his relationship with the Lord.

Another thing that made this conference so special for us was the fact that God moved a college-age young man who used to be an orphan and was adopted into a Christian family in America, to cover all financial expenses for the fireworks youth who went. This young man mowed yards in his neighborhood in order to make it happen. Isn't it amazing how the Lord put all things together for His Glory??!!!

Visits to the orphanages

month we visited all the orphanages that we work with and shared with the kids why the good news about the risen Christ is so important that Easter is celebrated in every country in the world. I talked about the origins of Easter that is written in Exodus chapter 12. This story prefigures Jesus' sacrificial act of love that He has done for our redemption and justification.

This story becomes alive when someone shares how faith in Jesus changes everything in their life. When we went to the Gorodishe orphanage Julia Shlyaposhnikova, who grow up there, boldly shared in front of all kids and adults how much she appreciates Jesus and all He has done in her life through faith by grace. Irakly shared how his sacred dream to be adopted came true through a relationship by the blood of Jesus that all Christians have. Everyone was very attentive to the words they said. Please pray that the Lord would grow the seeds of faith in the hearts of those kids and adults.

Bible study

Angelica and I are continuing Bible studies with the guys and the girls at our apartment. Recently we finished the Gospel of John (with the guys) and the book of Colossians (with the girls). That was my third time teaching the Gospel of John, nevertheless this study opened new sides and depths that I hadn't seen before. What a joy that our process of knowledge of God and His word will never stop.

“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!

For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR?

Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN?

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.”

(Romans 11:33-36)

Please pray:

- For the fireworks who will be graduated this summer. We put a lot of effort to help them walk with the Lord by faith and prepare them for adult life.  We realize that with out God’s help they will not be able to endure.  

- for the situation with international adoptions which are temporarily suspended. Each time we go to the orphanages the kids ask us when their parents will come for them. Over 3000 families are waiting for adoptions to be allowed again. Please find time to read an article about the situation Russia has with the orphan and foster care system. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/04/world/europe/04adopt.html

Serving Christ together with you.