Prestoncrest Missions

From Russia with Love

Newsletter: March 2008
Eileen R. Emch
Prestoncrest Church of Christ
Dallas, Texas
Eileen’s Website

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Last Wednesday was little Natasha’s last day at the nearby orphanage. After a flight to Moscow and visits to the U.S. Embassy for a visa, she headed to the States with her new parents. Adoptions are fairly routine at the orphanage here, a home for 100-some abandoned babies from infancy to five years. But Natasha’s adoption was especially poignant because of her special needs.A dear couple from Atlanta, Georgia learned about Natasha from an agency website. They have three boys – 10, 13 and 15 – and had been wanting to add a girl to the mix. After meeting Natasha and seeing her spunk and smarts, they’re confident that she’ll fit right in.This adoption reminds me of our spiritual father and his invitation to join his family. He offers to repair our hearts, our souls, and our wounds but gives us freedom of choice. Imagine Natasha refusing such an opportunity.Imagine her saying, Prove to me that America exists. Those passports could be fake and this all a hoax. Besides, I’m comfortable right here. If I go with you, that means more surgery, more therapy and more pain. No, thanks. I’m happy just like I am.The idea of refusing an adoption is so absurd it’s almost amusing but yet in the spiritual realm, that seems to be the norm.Well, Natasha’s new parents are devout believers and they joined us on a recent Sunday for worship. Our congregation gave them a warm welcome and offered special prayers as they prepared to take Natasha home to Atlanta.Population Bulge: Speaking of babies, perhaps you have read about Russia’s baby boom. The surge is government-sponsored in hopes of reversing the population decline. Russian families are being offered significant financial incentives for raising a second child and so national families are adopting too. Out on the street, pregnant ladies are blossoming everywhere. And this is a good thing: It means more children to invite to our children’s Bible classes. Now we need more Christian families to do their patriotic duty. . .

Across the Border, Visiting Jeremiah’s Hope

Finally, finally, finally I made it to Mariupol, Ukraine to visit Jeremiah’s Hope, also known as the Transitional Living Center (TLC), a program for orphanage graduates. This fine ministry is a work of a congregation in Mariupol and several members are employed there.

The focus of the TLC is in helping youth transition from institutional life in orphanages to independent living. In general, orphanage leavers are an at-risk population and many turn to crime. Jeremiah’s Hope makes a difference, providing support and guidance while the young people are enrolled in trade schools, learning job skills.

Fifteen or so young folks call the TLC home and it’s a family setting with guys’ rooms on the west end, girls’ rooms opposite and common areas in between. This wasn’t my first attempt to visit. June of 2006, I was all set to go with two others from here – Nadya Aleshchenova and Artash Adriasov – when those plans went out the window because of a family emergency. So Nadya and Artash went on by themselves.

Nadya made the trip with me this time though, which made it twice as fun and half as stressful even though the trip was only 5 hours by bus. Tagging along with someone who knows the ropes is nice, especially the first time. Our trip across the border was a necessity because of my needing to re-register my visa by February 1st. That involves exiting Russia and re-entering with new immigration documents for the local OVIR office. Who knows, that law might be outdated already, as visa laws tend to change.

Back to Jeremiah’s Hope, a dream for our congregation here in Rostov, is to offer such a program for orphanage graduates. How nice that Andrew Kelly has already blazed that trail. Andrew, from the Hillcrest congregation in Abilene, Texas, was one who got the program up and running. And then there’s Lance and Debra Atchison, newlyweds and fellow Prestoncrest-supported missionaries until recently when they returned home. One of their good works at the TLC is the top-notch computer lab where the kiddos can develop skills for this tech-savvy world. Thinking about visionaries such as Andrew, his bride Jenny and Lance and Debra and others, I find it positively energizing to rub shoulders with the mission-minded youth of Generation Y.

New Visa Challenges

My visa expires Wednesday, April 3rd and just yesterday I booked the exact flights I wanted thanks to Delta.com – with brief layovers in Atlanta to visit little Natasha and her new family there.

As mentioned earlier, visa laws are subject to change and, sure enough, the visa changes we feared last fall seem to be in place, as per my November newsletter. It sounds as if most expatriates here are adversely affected, except for those on student or employment visas and, of course, those who have managed to obtain temporary residence permits. But most one-year visa types are affected including religious activity visas, such as mine.

Our mid-range goal is to get me on an employment visa, employed by the church here. Dear Gheorge, our church administrator and Artash, our preacher are working on all that, fortunately, because being approved to employ a foreigner involves considerable red tape. We’re hoping that by 2009 that approval will be in place. Until then, it looks as though we’ll be going with three-month visas. That makes for more travel, more expense and more wait time but it’s certainly better than the alternative – three months in Russia, three months out and then repeat for a year. So I do request prayers for the visa adventures ahead.

A Few Highlights

• The Sisterhood: Dear sister Amal’ put together a sisters’ dinner February 16th for our women’s Bible study group. Amal’ is from Morocco and has lived in Russia seven years. She prepared foods from her homeland and shared photos of her family. Amal’s heritage is so diverse – one parent is Jewish, the other Muslim; her first language is Arabic but she’s fluent in French, English and now, Russian. Amal’s contribution to our congregation is so valuable and we love her more and more.
• Father Abraham: Artash leads our Wednesday evening Bible study of Genesis. We are moving through the life of Abraham at a camel-like pace, slowly and with lots of discussion and background. What a rich, deep book has been preserved for us in the book of Genesis.
• Children’s Class: The Patriarchs has also been the theme of our children’s Bible classes. We have 4 to 8 children usually. In the winter, two great little girls came along several times, neighbors of co-teacher Frieda and her grandchildren. All was well until the parents decided we surely must be a cult and have stopped the girls from coming. We hope that they’ll be able to come this summer for our special program.
• Several friends attend regularly, study with us and are considering becoming Christians. That would be Karina, Artur and Dima, all young working folk.
• Our prayer group meets every Saturday for two hours, as it has for years. Brother Gheorge leads the little group and sister Frieda diligently maintains the notebook of prayer requests. Lots of people request specific prayer and often we pray for those overseas too. What would I do without this precious little group and their prayers on my behalf. . .

Prayer Requests

I do have several prayer requests – several dozen, in fact – but here are priorities: 1) For my upcoming visa trip: that a visa will be approved, for safety during travels, for positive routine medical visits and for the time with loved ones and supporters. 2) For our children’s class during my absence: It happens that co-teacher Frieda will be gone to her homeland of Armenia at the same time. We need someone to teach our little ones in April and early May. 3) For our upcoming all-Russia Christian conference in Moscow. That it will be well attended and a spiritual feast. 4) Our June program: I’m concerned about finding translators for our guest teachers. 5) One prayer, already answered: Last Thursday my landlord and asked me to vacate the apartment ASAP. I was basically numb with that for a few hours but agreed that I would move in late May. Not to worry though. The next morning the landlord called back to say that they decided not to divorce after all, wouldn’t be separating and so I could keep the apartment. And I said Thank you dear Lord. Thank you a hundred, thousand times.

Upcoming Events

My visa-renewal trip: April 2 or 3rd through May 8th.

May conference in Moscow: All-Russia Christian conference in Korolev, a Moscow suburb, May 9 to 11. Tim Brinley and the Moscow congregation(s) are leading that. Keynote speaker: Timothy Pownall from Pepperdine University. Also Dino Roussos, Athens, Greece – and fellow Prestoncrest-supported missionary – has been invited along with several others. Theme: Reconciliation.

Special summer program: The week of June 15th, four wonderful Christian sisters from Oklahoma and Texas will be with us for children’s classes each morning and a women’s program each evening. We will be richly blessed by their visit.
Singing School: The Russian-Ukrainian singing school is pending, as per Clint Steery. Plan A is for the school to meet in Kiev area, early July. Here is the website: http://www.christiansingingschool.com

Those are the highlights. Thanks so very much for your prayers and support and love. Did I mention that I’ve finished nine years here in Rostov – currently in my tenth? God is good and He is merciful and He never fails. And Prestoncrest, my beloved sponsoring congregation is absolutely the best. I am richly blessed, indeed.

S BOGom, ((Go) with God),

Eileen

Blog address: Visit my blog at http://russiawithlove.blogspot.com for a taste of life in Russia.
Photos: The latest are posted at http://community.webshots.com/user/eileena110.
Mailing address: You can send letters and such to me at Prestoncrest Church of Christ; 12700 Preston Rd, Suite 210; Dallas, TX 75230-1824 or directly to me here: Russia; Rostov-on-Don 344 022; Semashka 99/248, Kv 7; Eileen Emch.
Telephone: First, dial the international access prefix (check the front of your telephone book), then 7 (for Russia), 863 (Rostov city code), 250.0171 (my place).

300 Christian Ladies Meet in Cambodia

Partners in Progress
 partnersinprogress.org

300 ladies from numerous congregations in Central Cambodia met together for a full day of fellowship, Bible lessons and a great time on March 8, the “Internal Day of Women” which is a national holiday.

Planned by Marie-Claire McDonough, missionary speakers Rhonda Doland and Rosemary Burcham articulated the theme of “Being Strong and Courageous in a Hostile World” which these women can definitely relate to. Trying to raise a family in a Macho society on less then $1 per day with pagan neighbors who ridicule you daily, calls on one to be strong and courageous if you are to survive.

They came by Truck load, bicycle and Ox Cart to share in the fellowship and each one of them went home with a song on their lips, joy in their hearts and a beautiful T-shirt to remember the day.

Four years ago there were fewer then 20 Christian ladies and now more then 300 can meet for a special day because you cared enough to send the Love of God to them.

William E. “Bill” McDonough
International Director
Partners in Progress

39 Wishart Drive
Broomridge, Stirling FK7 7TR
Scotland, U.K.
Tel: 011-44-1786-816259
Email: mitchvick@btinternet.com

Congregation News

There’s been a real “buzz” about the Stirling congregation in recent weeks! Attendance at worship has been excellent, and participation in Bible classes has also been gratifying. We were all encouraged by the recent news that John Renwick, who has battled colon cancer since September 2006, no longer needs chemotherapy because his tumours have shrunk to a size where surgery offers real hope. His doctors are now preparing to operate on his liver and colon in early April, and they are talking in terms of curing the disease rather than palliative care. We praise God for answering in this way so many prayers offered in his behalf world wide. The church has also rejoiced to welcome into our fellowship Pauline and Vanessa McGachy, who come to us from the Cumbernauld congregation. Last Sunday’s fellowship meal brought together most of or membership, along with several of our international friends from FriendSpeak, and visitors who were with us for the advanced Bible study seminar. It was an excellent day.

1st Baptism for FriendSpeak In Stirling

After our fellowship meal on Sunday afternoon, the majority of the congregation traveled with us to East Kilbride, where we borrowed the baptistry of that sister congregation for a very happy event, the baptism of Jie. Jie is the first of those we have worked with in FriendSpeak to come to this decision (though several others have returned home and made contact with local churches of Christ).

Witnessing the baptism was her husband Danny, who has also been coming to church services and FriendSpeak with Jie. We pray that he too will eventually follow Jie in this commitment to Christ. Carrie, another FriendSpeak reader, is also asking many questions about becoming a Christian, and we hope to establish a regular Bible study with her soon.

Youth Club Resumes

Another major source of encouragement for us was the resumption of our Youth Club work in mid-February. Led by David McCready and Tristan Block, this youth outreach is the outcome of many months of preparation and prayer. So far, after three weeks, we are averaging around 15 kids per week, but numbers are increasing in a manageable, steady way. We feel good about this work, both in terms of the renewed contact with area children and their families, but also in terms of the church’s impact on the neighborhood. Please pray for continued success with this important work.

Bible Study Seminar

We have now finished our annual Bible study seminar (hence the lateness of this report). Each year seems to be an improvement in the enthusiasm and support with which it is received by the Scottish brethren. This year’s studies were taught by Dr. James Thompson from ACU on the book of Hebrews, and the excellent response shows the interest in this sometimes difficult book by the church here. On each of the four days of the lectures we had 30-34 Christians taking part, and this year was the best over-all support we’ve had. As always, we are deeply grateful to Dr. Thompson for an excellent job and to Dr. Richard Oster and the Ministry for Theological Education in Memphis for helping to make this valuable work possible. This year marks 10 years of MTE seminars in Scotland, and it continues to enjoy strong support from brethren throughout the country. Our seminar this year saw brethren from 13 Scottish churches, as well as four students from the British Bible School in Corby, England.

Family News

All is well with us personally. Isobel and I are both in good health and looking forward to a short break in early April. Robin and Chrissy are on their spring break week after a demanding round of classes, and are spending the week on a campaign in Mexico. Laura and Clay have both been battling bronchitis/strep throat infections and have had to miss several days of work as a result. Hannah had a great spring break week with friends in West Virginia and is now back in the grind of classes and tests. My mother is doing a bit better after fighting off another series of infections.

Please keep our work in your continued prayers as we continue to push forward with the gospel message in central Scotland.

Yours in the Lord’s service,
Mitch and Isobel Vick

DINO & DEBBIE ROUSSOS
P.O. Box 70127 Glyfada, Greece 16610
Tel : 011 (30) 6944 344167
Fax : 011 (30) 210 8974405
E-mail : DinoRoussos@gmail.com

Pictures from the Roussos 

Our dear brethren,

From Athens we send you our Christian love and appreciation for your prayers, letters,
visits and care for us and the ministry of the Gospel of Christ.

Amazing doors continue to open as we share the message of Christ to the nations.

Special Worship of All Four Congregations

On Sunday, March 02, 2008 we enjoyed a special morning in which participated our four congregations, at the Omonia Church of Christ. (Russian, Bulgarian, Greek and English). Together we had fellowship, prayed together and took the Lord’s supper.

My message “God answers prayers” was translated by our Bulgarian brother George in English and Bulgarian. Christos Arnautov led the singing in several languages and brother Alexander Melirrytos led the prayers and the Lord’s supper.

After our morning worship we had a memorable lunch with about 140 members and friends of our congregation. Our fellowship was characterized by mutual love and praising God for His many blessings. Several members came early at 8am to assist prepare the traditional meal of “roast chicken with potatoes”. Thanks be to God and the Melirrytos’, who a few years ago bought an oven that is large enough to cook enough food for 180 people!

Working together for the Lord and His kingdom is a GREAT joy. Before we depart from this world we want to touch as many lives as possible. Bringing the good news that there is SALVATION and HOPE with eternal life through the precious sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross of Calvary.

95 Church Members and Friends in Corinth

One of the best ways to encourage fellowship amongst Christians and evangelize to the non-believers is to organize excursions. Last Monday was a public holiday in Greece and we organized a very nice excursion to the city of Ancient Corinth where the Apostle Paul spent 18 months.

We walked exactly where Paul walked. We visited the ruins from the time of Paul and we had a SPECIAL worship service. Readings taken from the book of Acts 18 and prayers in the exact spot where Paul stood trial in front of the Roman Governor (pro-council of Achaea) Gallio, as we read in Acts 18:12. We had the privilege and opportunity to encourage all present (95 precious souls) to share Jesus with the nations as the Apostle Paul did 2000 years ago in the city of Corinth.

Songs were sung in Greek, Bulgarian, Russian and English. It was a very touching moment as we all reflected on Jesus’ words “Make disciples of all nations baptizing them……”

After Corinth we all enjoyed a GREAT buffet lunch in a lovely Hotel by the Aegean Sea, then we drove to Lake Doxa (Praise) high in the Peloponnese mountains.

We returned late to Athens, tired but happy, for having the opportunity in meeting MANY new people, who came for the first time in our brotherhood. We plan to have Bible Studies with them and teach them God’s Holy Word and His message of peace, love and salvation.

New Members In the Lord’s Church in Athens

Voula Marinova was baptized by Christo Atnautov two weeks ago. She used to hold a high position as a mayor back in Communist Bulgaria. Now she lives and works in Athens, Greece.

We are also glad to see our new sisters, Svetlana and Valentina who were baptized recently, also Yiannis and Natalia, from Kiev .They regularly attend our services and grow in their faith.

God is working in the lives of so many precious souls in our congregation.

Greek Ladies Bible Study and Fellowship

Every other Saturday the ladies of our congregation meet in their homes for a time of Bible Study and spiritual growth.

Recently they have met in the houses of Mary, Kalypso and Eleni. Last Saturday they were supposed to meet at Maria’s house but her father in law died. We all went to the funeral in the morning and then all the members of the church present, were then invited for lunch in a restaurant. The Greek tradition is to offer fish soup and salad after the funeral.

Special Guest Speakers

In our Bulgarian assembly we had as our guest speaker Brother Ron Kretz, who is the Director of the Athens International Bible Institute. (A branch of Sunset in Athens). He and his wife are faithful Christians, who serve the Lord and train, men and women, of all nations here in Athens, Greece.

We enjoy their fellowship with us and we praise the Lord for their knowledge in the Bible and their many talents.

A Group of the “International Church of Christ” in Athens

Recently we found out about a group of 20-30 Christians meeting in an apartment in Athens, 15 minutes drive from the Omonia Church of Christ. Some of their members visited our assembly and Debbie and I attend their services on a Wednesday night. They have some wonderful Christians in their assembly, and they want to get to know us better.

Last Tuesday, brother Ilias who attends their meetings invited me at Evripidou (an evangelistic mission) to speak in a gathering of about 100 Greek people who meet to hear the word of God and to enjoy Christian fellowship.

Please pray for us as we meet with this new group of believers and for Theophanis and Ilias their leaders. God is in control and His word is our guide. May His name be Glorified.

Please Pray for:

• The new Church of Christ in Heraklion, Crete. Our brother John is the preacher there who loves the Lord and has GREAT responsibility to lead the new congregation in the Truth. John needs our prayers and encouragement. Please drop him an email. His address is: johnadesoye@msn.com
• Our newly married Bulgarian brother Nicolai and his wife Galina . They speak Greek and live in Athens. They were recently baptized and then married. Now they worship with us.
• The Omonia Church Retreat and SEMINAR which will take place June 25-28. We plan to invite brothers and sisters from the Balkan countries to come and join us during this GREAT event.If you want to come you are welcome. It will take place in a beautiful hotel near the ancient city of Corinth.
• The “Global Missions Conference” that will take place in Arlington, Texas at the Convention Center, July 24-26. I have been invited to be one of the keynote speakers . My topic will be “Flood the Nations”.
• The trip I am leading to Israel (March 28 – April 02) with 65 members and friends from our congregation at Omonia Church in Athens. This group of Christians is composed of Greeks, Russians, Bulgarians, Ukrainians, Americans and Phillipinos. We will study the Bible as we visit the Lands where our Lord Jesus Christ lived, taught, died and was resurrected. This will be an excellent opportunity for me to teach God’s Holy Word and get to know new contacts who might be interested to learn the Truth.

Dear brethren,

May the Lord bless you, your families and your service in the Lord’s Church.

Words cannot describe our joy as we see precious souls coming to know Jesus as Saviour. Also, meeting with so many new people, who want to study God’s Holy Word.

We send you our Christian love.

Dino and Debbie Roussos

MRN: Europe Brief - March, 2008

Mission Resource Network Website

Coaching Seminar in Partnership with Kairos Church Planting
Portland, Oregon
30, 31 January

Three MRN continental church planting facilitators (Asia, South Pacific and Europe) joined the Kairos Church Planting ministry in Portland, Oregon to learn more about and develop more skills in coaching. We are discovering the necessity of not only better training and resourcing missionaries, but also in guiding them through the many decisions that they must make in joining the mission of God on the field. With this coaching comes the additional blessing of more relevant accountability. We do not intend to merely develop our own skills in this area, but to encourage mission leaders in local churches to become more capable in their responsibility to the mission of God by coaching their missionaries in the church development abroad.

Advance Bible Study Series
Gemunden, Germany
18-23 February

I joined American and European Christian workers from Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland, England, Poland and Slovakia for a week of Bible study and discussion about Euro missions in Gemunden (outside of Frankfurt). The ABSS is a gathering that has taken place for many years, and has provided workers a chance to participate in deeper Bible study than is typically facilitated in mission churches. Also, the ABSS offers a forum for discussion concerning the “ground condition” of evangelizing in Europe. I had the opportunity to not only share with the group MRN’s efforts to more effectively engage the European context, but to learn from these veteran workers and how we may partner in future initiatives. There was strong agreement that we should consider our communication skills to the changing reality of the European context. Personally, I believe that too often the compelling nature of the gospel is lost due to the forms and methods of communicating it by Christians. The European unbeliever is a critical thinker and typically harbors a negative perception of Christianity because of the Traditional Churches’ (Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran, etc) dysfunction and corruption over the centuries. Our defined purpose as Christians is to draw attention to the Bridegroom, not merely to the bride (ourselves, the church). Europeans are leery of religious structures therefore a genuine expression of Jesus Christ is the missionary’s opportunity to break through this prejudice and cynicism.

Zagreb, Croatia
23 February – 1 March

From Germany I traveled to Zagreb, Croatia to visit with church and ministry leaders about future efforts to the region. There are strong Christian resources in Croatia, including churches with leadership, a Bible Institute and radio ministries that blanket the nation and beyond. My discussions with ministry leaders in Zagreb led to visioning - and by my time of my departure - we all were trying to reign in our enthusiasm for how we could partner for reaching the nations in Central Europe for Christ. Zagreb has the human and practical resources to assist and mentor mission team development and training. From Zagreb, American and European (national and blended) mission teams could deepen their preparation of the mission and the context in which they will serve. Can we use specifically resourced European sites as “launch pads” for more mission work in their regions? How can this be done effectively and in ways in which Europeans and Americans work in true partnership for the sake of the lost? We at MRN are encouraged by how our maturing relationship with European colleagues can increase our capacity to participate in the Mission of God.

Prayer Concerns

Missions teams:

• Olomouc, Czech Republic
• Vienna, Austria
• Moscow, Russia

The Zagreb Partnership

David & Olivia Nelson

• The Nelson’s are seeking support and partnership to empower their work in Moscow. Please contact me if you desire more information about this gifted and spiritually oriented couple. You may also contact the Nelson’s directly at daveandliv@gmail.com.

I remain available to you if you have any questions or comments concerning the work in which I am engaged. May God bless you as He continues to work through you for His purpose.

Phil