Far Reaching Ministries Blog

Four months of my training are over‐more than half of the way. What can I say about my time here in the U.S? It has been great to see what the Lord is doing in my life and in my heart. I've seen His faithfulness in the process of preparation; in every detail of my being here. The Lord has surrounded me with His love and joy and peace. My dear friends are a great support for me here. It's awesome to go to different churches and worship our Lord Jesus together with other believers. Not only do we worship together, we have fun, too!

Recently, I was taken to Disneyland and California Adventure for the first time. It was super! So many people! So many big rides! But God even used my time there to teach me more about His work in my life. Interestingly, God was teaching me about how to deal with fear. Do you remember the first time you rode a giant roller coaster, or dropped freely from a 9‐story building? These things struck fear in my heart. I thought, “This is crazy, I don't want to go on these rides!” But how could I leave the park and not ride all the rides possible? I might never get back here. So what do you think I did? Walk away defeated? No! I rode all those scary rides‐more than once! It was such an experience! I later saw that as something I could apply to my work in ministry. Yes, ministry can be frightening, sometimes we have fear…and it’s ok until this fear does not stop us. God is in control! Then what am I going to do? Walk away and save my own life, or lose it for Jesus' sake? “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it”(Matthew 16:25) How can I walk away from all the possibilities God is offering me to minister for Him? By His grace I will overcome the fear I feel at times and do the things He's prepared beforehand that I should walk in them. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2:10) Wow! Even Disneyland is a schoolroom for me! I want to grow, and He's a faithful Teacher.

I was also able to attend the Missions Conference at Calvary Chapel Bible College in Murrieta. It was such a blessing to see this huge group of people who are serving the Lord all over the world. I met believers from Australia, Nepal, Columbia, Ghana, Ecuador, Israel, Russia, Uganda and Sudan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, old people, young people, families, singles, brothers and sisters in Christ. It's such a blessing to be in the family of God, to encourage one another in the Lord and in His Word. The Lord was smiling down on me when He allowed me to run into Jeff Fadness, Sherri Youngward, and Debby Bryson! God had used all these people to minister to me back in Russia! I felt like I was at home ☺ the fellowship was very sweet.

I remember when Brian Broderson opened up the first session with the verses from Romans 10:13‐15 "For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!" God started to speak to me about His call for my life and He reminded me why I am here, and how easily I can be distracted. You see, I go to the office every day and have these great resources to study. But even that can become routine; the enemy can make a trap out of it. Being at the Missions Conference and seeing brothers and sisters who are on the mission field here in America and all over the world helped me to get on the right track again. I was so encouraged by every session I went to. We had great speakers such as Chuck Smith, Bob Hoekstra and other pastors who taught us from the Bible. It was so cool to listen to all the stories of God's faithfulness, His mercy and grace, His beautiful work all over the world. John Newton Webb performed Hudson Taylor's life: God's amazing work in China. We can trust our Lord Jesus in every situation, in every circumstance.

87‐year‐old Frank Drown and his wife served Jesus in the jungles of Ecuador for 37 years. When he shared his life story with us I was so convicted and challenged by the Lord. Do I see the need for preaching the Gospel of peace in Jesus Christ all over the world? Am I ready to go where God wants me to go? Am I ready to give up everything for my Lord Jesus?

"Then He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."

"Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves." Luke 10‐2‐3

Please Pray:

• Pray that I will use my time in the office and at home wisely.
• Pray for my Swahili lessons.
• Pray that I will be a good helper in the office.
• Pray that God would take care of every detail concerning my departure to Africa.
• Pray that God would open a door for me to go and visit the Fadness’s before I leave.
• Pray that God would provide everything I need.
• Pray that my daughter Masha will come back to the Lord with her whole heart.
• Pray for my parents; pray that the Lord would comfort them while we are apart.

ERICA AND I MET AT THE CONFERENCE; SHE IS A MISSIONARY IN UGANDA, SHE IS SO MUCH FUN…

JEFF FADNESS… FEELS LIKE RUSSIA

SHERRI YOUNGWARD…WOMEN’S MINISTRY …

FRANK DROWN & HIS WIFE…37 YEARS IN JUNGLES OF ECUADOR, SERVING JESUS