RUSSIA! 2004

"Pure religion and undefiled before God and The Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction..." James 1:27

There are times that God's will seems to evade us, but more often than not, it is simply our mistake of not obeying the obvious. Perhaps we do not want to know, for "to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin." James 4:17

Opportunity:
 

On May 31st, 2004, twenty-two men, women and children of FBCW, and several friends took a chance and reached out in obedience to learn move about a ministry called "TEAR". Why they found was to change their lives forever! The following is only a glimpse of a larger picture that invite you to be part of God's wonderful work, not only in the lives of orphans, but in the changing of a Nation.

Goals:

• To provide VBS with Bible Study and crafts, music and recreation for the children
• To provide a 2-day seminar, hosted and publicized by the Ivanovo Region of the Russian Department of Educations
• To establish and build relationships

Highlights and Memories

"What a joy that was to hold my 'adopted child' Anton, in my arms. It made the "My Child" program alive! (Pam Matthews)

"It connected a face with a smile and real person, a person of value;...The program, as wonderful as it is, at that moment, came alive!  There IS not substitution for seeing them in person."  (Buddy Hulsey with the Promise Class, "My Child", Artem)

"My life will never be the same again.  A little girl named "Katya" showed me how to give from the heart.  I learned the meaning of unconditional love."  (Doug Rogers)

"I want to go again."  (Sarah Massey)

"It helped me cement the idea we need a way to tell people more about the programs, "Fantasies to Faith", "Rock Partnerships", and "My Child", and how they impact people with real needs."  (Mike Massey)

"Approximately 85 orphanage directors, teachers and Dept. of Education Staff attended the conference.  It was miraculous to watch God crumble walls as stoic and emotionless faces turned to open, laughter.  With each attending receiving a Bible, our prayer is that the seeds of truth planted will continue to grow."  (Janet Piper)

"Being at the orphanage, I was able to witness firsthand the results of TEAR and the ROCK PARTNERSHIP through the improvements in the facilities; the new laundry and washroom, the new boys shower room with plans for building one for the girls following."

"God can and will do far more than we expect if we will make ourselves totally open and available to Him."

This was proven so vividly as God provided more that enough funds for out team to go and serve.  By being obedient to His calling, we were given the awesome privilege of being able to purchase and plant the first Christian church in the city of Shuia!  Many before us though other TEAR mission trips had been planting, watering and growing.  Together we saw a Vision become reality!

Won't you join us?  "To allow yourself to be used of God, the greatest privilege in life, as you invest your life in the people of Russia for the glory of God through the open doors of opportunity God has provided through TEAR.  It is an organization God has raised up and appears to be using in a great way."  (Buddy Hulsey)

"May our faith have feet and hands, a voice and a heart, that it my minister to others, that the gospel we profess may shine in our faces and be seen in our lives."  Peter Marshall