Some places in the world are experiencing a great time of harvest.  It seems like a person can just say the name ‘Jesus’ and ten people come to Christ right there.  Russia,   is not one of those places yet.  Of course people are praying for this to happen soon but, we are still in a pre-’great harvest’ time.  I say ‘pre’ because we know that God can do this if He will and as we pray, we are optimistic that God will hear these prayers and call a great multitude of Russians unto himself. 

The current reality is before Russians people take the big step of coming to Christ, they have taken many smaller steps.  The journey from a lifetime of atheistic thought or a heritage of Islamic faith to confessing Jesus as Lord and Saviour, can take a while.  Still, it is often exciting to see these smaller steps being taken.  At a recent team meeting several of these stories were shared.

Those who were there the first time a particular women (we’ll call her Gail) came to Saturday night English group won’t forget the very matter of fact way she told us about her intentions.  Gail told Victor and Susan that she knew who we were and what we were trying to do, but that she was here only for the English practice.  Her manner was extremely stand-offish and she did not really participate much other than to ask specific English language questions.  At this last team meeting it was noted that not only had she become a very friendly person who was always involved heavily in the discussions, but she has become a regular at the Sunday night Bible discussion!  Gail has come to enjoy the groups so much that when she can’t come, she is apologetic.  She has praised and thanked us for the English and Bible discussions.   Lately she has started asking many questions about the Bible and biblical things.  It has been wonderful to see the way she has gone from using us for English practice to being what we would consider a seeker. 

We do these English clubs and meetings every single week.   We prepare discussion topics and put out snacks for our guests yet, sometimes it seems as if we are just ‘spinning our wheels’.  It is easy to start questioning why we are doing it and if these clubs are an effective way to witness.  In these times it is good for us to share stories like the one above and to remember that the Lord is changing people.  Not on our schedule, but we are seeing change.  This past team meeting was a time for praising God for what he is doing in Ufa and asking Him to continue to call people to Himself.    

Please pray for a harvest here.  Pray that the Lord will keep calling people to Faith in Himself.  Pray for us as we continue to interact with people at all places on their journey toward a saving faith.  Pray that walls of suspicion and doubt will continue to break down so people will listen to the message God has given us.