There have been a lot of changes for me in the past year. At about this time last year if you would have asked me where I imagined I would be next year, this would have been farthest from my answer. At this time last year I was a youth pastor, and that was all I knew, and I didn't want to see past that. My ministry had become my walk with Jesus, and in turn my heart had grown hard and I hadn't even noticed. God had to humble me and showed me that my heart wasn't in the right place, I was not walking in agreement with him; however, it wasn't my physical position as much as the position of my heart. I seemed to be doing all the right things, but on the inside I was cold and dim. It was a long journey to where I am now, and my heart still needs fixing, but I would say I have recovered from where I had fallen. The valley is over and I am now climbing mountains again.
I am living in St. Petersburg, Russia, teaching English and being a missionary. My burden is to move to a smaller city 300 km east of St. Pete called Cherepovets to minister to shelter kids and orphans, and teach Inductive Bible Study Seminars. I will be working with an organization called Light of Hope, ministering working with the kids, and Intensive Care Ministries, teaching the IBS seminars.
I now live in St. Pete only because it was the only place I could find work to live in Russia, but it is too expensive and too much of a burden living this far away from Cherepovets. I am not able to really minister the way I would like. So I pray that the Lord would open doors to teach in Cherepovets, so that I can minister more closely.
I see so much opportunity here in Russia, but I also know that it will not be easy. Russians are hard nuts to crack, and there are many obstacles in the way. But I know that the Lord is faithful, especially when dealing with his promises, and he has promised to be there for his saints, and to answer the prayers of those who wish to live a life for Christ. I am confident that he will not only provide for my material needs, and a way for me to get to Cherepovets, but so much more than that, he will do an amazing work in my heart, and in the hearts of those I minister with and those whom we will minister to. I am filled to the brim with excitement to see what this coming year will bring!
