Since returning from the trip to Ryazan in early March, I’ve had several email exchanges with our Russian brothers and sisters in Christ.  I always enjoy hearing from them, even if the emails are short.  Here’s a summary of what I’ve learned.

Novomirchurinsk
Pastor Valery is getting current information on how much it would cost to pay the taxes on their church building and to make the extensive renovations necessary to use it for worship.  While the building is in poor shape, the location is ideal for their congregation.  Getting this facility functional would be a large project, but could be done by a few West Virginia Baptist churches partnering together with them.

Word of Christ Church
Pastor Vloyda expressed concern about our churches here in West Virginia, hoping and praying that none of them had been affected by the many storms of which he had heard.  I assured him the storms were not in our immediate area.  In another note, he reported a wonderful Easter service, and shared about God healing a woman of a liver disorder.  He attached a couple of pictures with his message:

Smolivka
Pastor Elijah is very interested in exchanging emails and continuing communication so that we might pray for one another.  He described his congregation briefly, and I replied by describing my congregation at First Baptist Nitro.  I shared a prayer request with him, and will likely hear from him soon.

David Bess
First Baptist Church
Nitro, West Virginia