The church has embraced these
neglected children. The Sunday school program is on Saturday afternoon,
and often 20 or more children come. The church held two sessions
of a day camp last summer. For the first session, they were able
to hire a bus and took the children on outings. If it weren't
for the church, these children wouldn't get to go anywhere. For
the second session, they weren’t able to get the bus, so
Leonid found a horse and cart to use for transport. Last summer,
they began building an addition to the church to house a soup
kitchen for these children. For the moment, that project is stalled
for lack of a boiler for heat, but they are ready to move forward
when one is found. They hope to start an upholstery shop. Too
many members work in Moscow, away from their families. Too many
members have left Shatsk, moving to Ryazan, St. Petersburg, or
Moscow because of the work situation. The upholstery shop would
provide employment for members within Shatsk, where they can be
a Christian presence for the community. The upholstery shop would
also help the congregation support the projects they feel called
to.
We arrived last Saturday afternoon to a warm welcome and the news
that Leonid was leaving. Moldova is a much warmer country. The
Russian climate has been very hard on his family. They have had
chronic health problems. The water here tends to have a high mineral
content and Leonid has been struggling with kidney problems for
the last three years. He went home for a time to regain his health,
but as soon as he returned the problems began again. He is a young
man, but his health is failing and he cannot continue here. He
knows that the congregation needs a healthy pastor, and his family
needs a healthy father. Last Sunday, we found ourselves in the
midst of the congregation’s grief. The district superintendent,
Pavel (a friend of ours), was there, as well as a missionary from
Ukraine, Alexander. After the service, a congregational meeting
was held. Again the members begged for an alternative. It was
heartbreaking. I found myself wondering if we had come too late,
if we could have prevented this, but we could not have. Alexander
was lifted up to them as a new pastor. They know Alexander, they
respect Alexander, but he is not Leonid. Still, they accepted
him. For Alexander, it means uprooting his family after they had
finally gotten settled in Ryazan (it took two years). Still, he
is ready.
In the midst of this painful transition, we realized how grateful
they all were for our presence. They were encouraged by it. It
reminded them that they are a part of a larger family that cares
about them, that is there with them in their grief and that will
be there with them as they move forward. They have a sister church
in Virginia. I know that the members of that church will join
us in prayer for Shatsk. We would ask all of you to join us as
well. Please pray for this congregation as they move forward with
Alexander, please pray for Alexander and his family as they begin
their journey with this community, please pray for Leonid and
his family as they return to Moldova to try to regain their health.
The Lord has blessed the congregation of Shatsk richly. He is
with them now in their sorrow and will be with them as they move
forward. He is with each of us each day. May we take comfort in
this and be encouraged to take new steps in faith. And may we
always remember that we are a part of a larger family that cares
for us. Thanks be to God!
With love in Christ,
Ellen and Al
The 2005 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
187
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