Ola, Kolyma, in Far East Russia, is not an easy place to live. As well as being bitterly cold there is little work, and there are many who use alcohol to try to forget the hopelessness they feel within their grey, prefabricated homes.
However, God is present in this land which is not as God-forsaken as some people might think though it lies at the uttermost ends of the earth. Regina grew up here, and from her small apartment the sound of happy children can be heard as she teaches them about Jesus. Every Sunday 15 of them come, each warmly welcomed by the one whose own life was changed by Jesus when she was young like them.Â
Regina is just one in the community of Christians that traces its roots to believers who, back in the 1930s, were banished to this remote location by Stalin. Despite the harsh conditions and the fact that many were executed because of their beliefs, a church was planted – one that, almost a century later, continues to minister the Gospel to those it serves. This is why a new House of Prayer is now needed as the current one has fallen into disrepair and is no longer safe to use.
With finances provided by SGA, work on its construction is already underway. In preparation for erecting the building, timber and other materials had to be transported thousands of miles as there were no local supplies. The foundations have been laid, and with good use being made of the few months during which building work is possible [June-September] due to the inclement weather, it is expected to be dedicated and ready for meetings to be held there by September this year.
Praise God that the Gospel remains the power of God for salvation, even in the most hostile of environments and praise God that His church continues to grow.
