I just returned from Russia and wanted to give you an update. I was joined in Moscow by Frank Chappell from Columbus, Ohio. Frank is a joy to travel with. He has been involved in the Russian work since the wall came down. On another occasion I will share his current involvement in a special way in the city of Voronezh.

Airline Travel
Anyone who travels knows that a lot has changed in the airline industry since 9/11. I am sure that it is safer to travel now due to the security measures that are being taken. It takes all of us a little more time, but after a few dozen flights one becomes more comfortable with the extras required. The one unchanging factor airlines can't seem to overcome is delays due to mechanical failure and bad weather, and lost luggage. On all but one leg of my various flights I experienced these delays, sometimes being shifted to other airlines and landing and other airports. The next time you go to an airport, ask them to send one of your bags to Seattle and the other to Los Angeles. When they say they can't do that, say, “Why not, you did last time!” and then duck. (Just kidding) But God was merciful to me and since I am blessed to be able to sleep most any place or time, basically it was a good experience.

New Facilities & More Convenience
I flew from Zurich to Moscow, but instead of landing at the main international airport I landed at Domodedevo. It is a newly renovated airport that has the very latest in technology. It has huge LCD monitors throughout the airport and now handles some international airlines such as British and Swiss Airlines. There is also a new hotel about a block from the airport with free shuttle service. Things have sure changed from the old days. So in some areas, capitalism is alive and well in the former Soviet Union.

Tver Mission Team
One of my goals was to meet with the newest Russian mission team in the city of Tver. Tver is a city about 100 years older than 850-year-old Moscow. It has a population of about 400,000 and is located between Moscow and St. Petersburg. The entire time I was there it was cold and rainy and looked as though it would snow any minute. You could see the dread on the faces of the Russians on the street as they were mentally preparing for another cold, long winter.

It was great to visit with the team, former students of the Preaching School in Barnaul. They have been in the city since August and are learning that even in their own country they are kind of strangers. They will have to experience what many preachers in America experience when they move from one location to another. But I believe this Russian mission team is "light years" ahead of an American mission team, since they know the language, the culture, and are good students of God's word. Please pray for this work of our Lord that he will grant all concerned the wisdom needed to meet the needs of that wonderful city!

The Baldwin Church of Christ in Fayetteville, Arkansas, is the sponsoring congregation of this team, and they have been working in Tver for about 8 years. Last fall I got the opportunity to meet with many of the brothers from Baldwin in Fayetteville. In spite of their years of struggle with the Tver work, I found a people with a genuine heart for the lost of Russia. They have also printed a lot of Bible material in Russian. Contact them if you want to know what is available. Bobby Dockery and Craig Richardson have poured their hearts into this, making many visits personally. You can reach Bobby Dockery at robertdockery@yahoo.com and Craig Richardson at: craigndebbie@aol.com.

I got the opportunity to meet and spend a week with Jesse and Lois Brawner from Fayetteville while in Tver. They have been there almost a month working with the Russian mission team, the church, and taking care of lots of business. I believe the 4 weeks they were in Tver will help the mission team and the Church get off to a good start. Jessie and Lois are genuine caring servants who fit right in with the Church there.

Sasha and Svetlana Shushunov asked me to renew their marriage vows while in Tver. It was an honor to do so. Their two daughters, Valya and Natasha were standing on either side of them.

The Baldwin Church has helped the Church in Tver by building a very nice two story facility. As far as I know it is the only congregation in Russia that actually has its own facilities. It was great to be there for worship. There were 29 present on the Sunday I was there. One brother, Anatoli Kochergin, is 89 years old, and had to be carried up the steps into the building. I watched and listened as two brothers got under each arm and lifted him up. He cried out in terrible pain as his fragile body was lifted up. He had to rest and catch his breath as he was placed inside the doorway. He told me of the joy (it was also written all over his face) of having the new Russian brothers from the Barnaul school of preaching there. He said he would not miss being there in spite of the pain. I am always humbled at this kind of devotion of brothers and sisters like this who will not miss an opportunity to assemble with the Saints in spite of major health problems. May God always be glorified by such examples from his people!

Barnaul
Another goal was to take care of some legal business in Barnaul. Sammy Flanary was supposed to join Frank Chappell on this leg of our journey but had to return home due to some serious health problems. Sammy is a teacher’s teacher, and had been teaching in Greece and in France before becoming ill.

One of our faculty in Barnaul died this last year, and since he was a share holder in a joint American-Russian Corporation, we had to replace this vacancy. It took the better part of a week to get this done even with several weeks’ preparation being made before our arrival. Perhaps one of the slowest things to change in Russia is the mountain of paperwork involved in the simplest transactions. Although looking back to 1996, a lot of progress has been made. In the early to mid 90's no one wanted to assume any responsibility. This is changing as more Russians see that you do not lose your "head" over some small mistake or lack of understanding of recent changes in the law.

I found the preaching school actively engaged in preparing faithful men to proclaim Jesus Christ as the Son of God, to their lost world. The faculty was in good spirits and healthy, with two exceptions. We brought a new instructor in from the field to work in the place of our brother who died. The new instructor 's name is Vlad, and he has tuberculous. His body is having a difficult time kicking the disease. Please pray for him and his wife, Lena. Vlad is a bit discouraged, as he wants so much to be about his heavenly father's business. Lena is actively involved in working with the deaf. I enjoyed eating with them and giving them some TLC. Another part time faculty member who teaches our deaf is also having some health problems. Valentina teaches our students the language of the deaf. She has some teeth that need to be pulled, and others need filling. She also suffers from high blood pressure related problems. Valentina is such a giving person. She would have sufficient money to take care of her needs if she were not always giving to help the deaf who have even less. God and Valentia are responsible for the deaf ministry being what it is to the Barnaul Church. Please pray for her and the deaf people in Barnaul, especially those near the Kingdom. If you would like to contribute some to her health needs please contact me and I will see that she gets it. She does not know that I am writing this. She would be embarrassed, as she is willing to live with rotting teeth and other health needs. She just wants the deaf to know the grace of her Lord that she has experienced.

Next month I will highlight one of our new first year students. God again has blessed us with good jars of clay in which to place his treasure.

Thanks for all your prayers, love and support that you give to this ministry in Russia. May our Father in heaven be glorified by all we do!

If you would like more photos from my recent trip to Russia. Go to: http://www.sunsetinternational.org Roll your mouse over the Branch School button on the first page and a menu will drop down and you can go directly to the Barnaul page from there.

Your fellow servant,
Jerry Sisemore

jerrysisemore@earthlink.net

Tver Church Building

Russians worshiping at Tver

89 Year Old - Brother Anatoli