Russian Report...

By Mark Stumbo
St. Petersburg, Russia

It is a very sensitive situation right now for Americans living in St. Petersburg, Russia.  A gap has widened in U.S. and Russian relations more than I have ever seen. The recent conflict in the Ukraine has the potential to directly or indirectly affect us and the work of the Lord in Russia and our contacts in the Ukraine. Not only are the Russians starting to feel the impact of sanctions, but since we live among the people we feel them as well. Prices for food and travel have already started to rise. In the future, I am sure items and services will be limited. We hear rumors from time to time that it will be harder for Americans who wish to life in the country to get visa documents, and that Master Card and American Express will stop doing business in Russia. Already, some 70 billion dollars' worth of investment has left the nation as the world has lost confidence in Mr. Putin, confidence which took him around fifteen years to build.

Right now, there is a tense calm. We are praying for God to give us direction and divine protection as we are unsure what will unfold in the future. Some of our Russian neighbors do not look at us in the same way they did before. We see a storm across the bow of the ship.

Nevertheless, we are still determined to step across the railing and out into the sea of humanity; not to sink in the storm around us, but to keep our eyes on Jesus. We know that if we look at the ominous clouds of uncertainty, we will sink in doubt and self-pity. If we look at the crashing waves around us, we will be drowned by the opinions and feelings of others. But if we look at Jesus -- He shows us the way.

As I write this report, this upcoming Sunday will see three young children from the Sunday School Department being baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. On the 25th of May, we are planning a city-wide outreach,expecting people to come and break through in the Spirit. This summer we are planning to host a special event reaching out to children through English Evangelism. So, let kingdoms rise up against kingdoms, nations against nations, but as long as the Lord gives us the ability we want to labor in His Kingdom. We are not blind to the struggles around us, but are praying for revival, praying for the expansion of the church, praying and planning for God to do great things!

Editorial Note: Bro. Mark Stumbo and his family are ALJC missionaries home-based in St. Petersburg, Russia, with outreach in numerous places around the nation. They solicit your prayers that revival and a Holy Ghost outpouring will saturate the Russian people, filling them and empowering them to be witnesses any and every where all over this enormous nation. Hearts are hungry, God is willing, laborers are needed, prayer is vital!