The Little Church in Nikolaevka

Sunday morning awoke with drizzle on the windows, like mini-magnifying glasses distorting the view out our window. With the rain, and being Sunday, there was considerably fewer walking out front. By the time we left for services the rain had abated. Nikolaevka is not very big so we walked the five minutes to church.

Service was held in the run down Soviet community center, second floor, third door on the right. The members rent this room that is about 16' x 24'. It's pretty shabby, but no one seems to notice. Today we were able to share communion with this little church as is the tradition here on the first Sunday of each month. Bread is broken right there and all sip from one glass goblet.

It was a time of hugs and renewing friendships with many we've known since our arrival in '94, but hadn't seen since last year. We all sang, in Russian, then Jeff was the first to preach. He talked about Nicodemus asking how to be saved. The pastor gave his message followed by more singing and communion.

We were excited that Yevgenie (Eugene), whom we invited to attend, agreed to meet us at the church. Jeff has been sharing Christian literature and talking to him when we were here last year and this time as well. Please pray for him.

Grace to you. "At the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil 2:10-11)