Projects - Participant Comments

I knew from the time Tom Banfield gave the presentation about Servant Heart, that I was called to go on this mission trip. The first Sunday morning in Russia, we were standing just outside the meeting room while Pastor Anatoly gave his sermon. After the sermon, he gave the congregation the opportunity to pray. That is when a lady in the church thanked God for the team that came to help build their church. Later in the week, we learned the Pastor had been praying for over five years for God to meet the needs of his church. I have never been so humbled as to learn that I was a small part of someone else's prayer. God's plan came together and He provided. Not only did God provide the answer to these prayers, but He provided strength for the team to accomplish the work He planned. I feel we completed exactly what God wanted this team to complete. (Nothing more, nothing less.) I know God is calling me back to Velikie Luki, to help complete this project.

Gerald

This trip was important to me for two reasons. First of all, God called me to go and wanting to be obedient, I went. I thought I would be nailing boards and painting. You know, the things that yielded structural results; the things you could see. Wow, did I miss the mark! It's true, I did nail some boards, haul some timber, climb the rickety ladder, overcame my fear of heights, and so on, but that wasn't my mission.
No, God had other plans, which brings me to the second reason. He called me to share His love. That's it! Share HIS love! My mission was the share HIS love to a precious family thousands of miles away from home. My mission was to be a potato peeler. Tomato slicer. Pelmeni maker. Laundry hanger. A servant! What a blessing! A lowly servant! I had no expectation of being blessed, yet GOD blessed me through what some would seem the meaningless tasks, the tasks that show no evidence of us ever being there.
As if servant hood were not enough, God forever changed my life while in Moscow. It was there that I saw, that I understood how lost and hopeless the Russian people truly are. Written on their faces, and deep within their eyes, you could see their hurt, feel their pain. There was no denying, they need what only Christ can give. HOPE! I know people need the Lord here, in America, in my neighborhood, as well as down the street, at the park, and so on, but we have a hope. We have resources to share with our people. We have churches to extend a hand and share God's love, expecting nothing in return. We have county and government programs that enable us to get back on our feet. Ther Russian's don't. I now understand what others mean when they say, "I have fallen in love with Russia, the Russian people." How could a child of the King not have compassion for this hurting people group? A brother or sister in need? Thank you Lord for opening my eyes and helping me see first hand how much they need you! Thank you Lord for sending me to be your servant!
Please continue to pray God's rich blessings over this ministry. Pray for God to continue to rise up godly men and women to answer the call to Russia. Pray for Tom and Kathy as they lead teams across international waters to equip pastors so that they can reach their people and win souls to Christ! "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Galatians 6:9-10

Rich Blessings to all,

Lisa

My life has been forever changed since we were in Moscow. I had a tough time coming home and getting back into my regular life routines. I have been praying relentlessly and I feel the need to go back to Russia.” “I am not sure where God is directing my life-but I know that Russia is in my heart. I want to serve, I want to do more. I feel I can no longer live in my little world and not go out and make a difference.”

Rachel