In parts of Far East Russia there are those who have never heard the name of Jesus. Denis Tolstov, an SGA-sponsored missionary in Far East Russia, is involved in the difficult and demanding task of reaching them with the message of the Gospel.
Villages and communities there are isolated, resulting in sometimes long and tiring journeys.
Denis reports that the car they bought over ten years ago had been restored after a car crash resulting in no interior heating. He explains the need for heating! ‘The temperature in winter here gets below -40 degrees and such weather lasts for several months.’ As a result, he was not always able to carry out a full ministry programme in winter. He went on to explain the challenges he faced.
Due to a worn-out engine, it was hard to start the car in winter without previous proper warm up, and when I travelled anywhere by car, I could not stop the engine for fear of not being able to restart it again. I had to leave it running round the clock when I travelled to another town. This also had an effect on fuel consumption.
SGA[UK] responded to this need and had the privilege of supplying a suitable replacement vehicle. Denis outlined the ministry opportunities this upgraded second car will provide. He plans to develop the work in Ust Pera, Orliny and Buzuli, where friends do not have the opportunity for regular meetings, but with whom he keeps in contact.
During the summer, the car is often used to transport village children from non-Christian homes so that they can attend Christian fellowship, day camps, and residential camps.
There is another aspect of the ministry which has been developing for Denis’s church. This is a ministry with disabled children and their families. They are in great need of mobility assistance as there is no special vehicle to transport these children. As a result, many of them do not leave their homes for years. God opened the door for Denis and his team, and they want to use the car to provide transport for these people.
The Gospel is on the move in Far East Russia. Denis expressed his grateful thanks for this special provision from the Lord.
Once again, I want to thank you for your assistance. Praise be to the Lord for the joint ministry that we do together in His name and for the glory of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
