October 7, 2004

Dear Friends!

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Fall has come to Russia. We are enjoying the cooler temperatures and busy with the season’s activities. We have moved from the summer of camp ministry and partner visits to the fall of orphanage ministry and partner visits. As you know, the crisis in Beslan has had a dramatic impact on Russia, and we have been deeply engaged in shaping our Presbyterian response.

We write you today with a special request. Since Al and I began our dialogue in 2000 with our national offices in Louisville about serving in Russia and coordinating the Twinning Program, Gary Payton, a fellow Presbyterian mission co-worker, has been an important voice in our lives. He was one of our first contacts as we sought to discern whether God was calling us to Russia. Since then, Gary has continued to be a voice to us and for us; he has become our colleague, our advocate and our friend. He is, in fact, very much a part of our family.

Gary serves as the regional liaison for Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Poland. He lives in Sandpoint, Idaho, but twice a year he travels to Russia to connect with each of us in mission service here, as well as those church partners we work with. As regional liaison, he is a vital link for us throughout the year to the Louisville offices, to churches in the States interested in our work, and to other U.S. denominations interested in our program.

So often, a phone call from Gary to a congregation interested in twinning or to a staff member in Louisville is far more powerful than an email from Moscow. Gary has always been willing to follow up on issues when we have exhausted our avenues. Gary is our partner in twinning. Often churches interested in engaging in Russia have needed a voice to talk with, and he has picked up the phone.

He also leads the orientation sessions for new partners before they head out to Russia.

Many of you are aware of the budget challenges the PC(USA) has faced in recent years. Our denomination is not alone. It is part of a national and even global pattern. We are asking your assistance in helping Gary help us. The tightened budgets have threatened his ability to travel to Russia to meet with mission personnel and with our Orthodox, Baptist, and Lutheran partners. We ask you to read his recent letter and prayerfully consider whether you can offer support as an individual or as a congregation. To read that letter, click here.

We wish you all the peace and blessings of our Lord. We will write again soon with news of our most recent adventures.

With love in Christ,

Ellen & Al Smith

The 2004 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 182