Mission Russia International

News from Gertjan & Judy

Hi dear Friends

GRACE TO YOU & PEACE FROM GOD OUR FATHER AND THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

Thank you for spending this monthly “10 minutes of fellowship” with me, listening to all I want to share with you

THE “TWO LIGHTS”

On our arrival in Moscow on a visit, instead of greeting us as the “Tula-ites” (as you know we live in Tula), Philip greeted us with “Welcome to the Two Lights!”  I don’t know if it was accidental or on purpose, but it sounds good hey?  Nice to be called “Two lights” – for JESUS of course. From the 15th of June we might be called the “Ukrainian knights”
 
TABLETS

To take, or not to take, that is the question…

Last month, in Moscow at a seminar, I took out my daily asthma tablet and asked a Russian lady if there was anywhere I could get a cup of water.  One “seated, very spiritual lady” looks up at me and says “why are you taking that tablet?”  “I take it for asthma”, I say – to which she gives me a whole long shpeel about where asthma comes from and she is now gonna pray for me.  I sit down next to her, she lays hands on me and prays wonderful Russian prayers – after which the other lady arrives with my cup of water.

So now I am sitting in front of this doll with the tablet in one hand and the water in the other…

Before she spoke, I of course knew what she was going to say “are you still going to take that tablet?”  Look at tablet, look at her, decisions, decisions “well, yes I am”, said I, and popped it in my mouth and swallowed it quickly just in case she would take it from me.

I didn’t have enough Russian, or time on me to explain that I heard no instruction from my Father to not take the tablet – and I’ve been down that route of stopping medication a few times in what must have been my own strength, because I nearly died.  I believe I will know with absolute certainty when I may stop taking the tablet – one sign will surely be that I can breathe without constriction.

Of course I believe that Jesus can heal me and I have many times experienced, and seen His healing power – but at the moment this particular healing is still on its way – when it arrives, I promise you all, I will not take the tablet anymore.

TIGRAN

Those of you on our prayer group list will remember I asked for prayer for little Tigran who had operations on his palate and his coccyx bone?  The operation was successful, but more than that he had an amazing vision of Jesus while he was under anaesthetic.

He said he saw Jesus and His face was shining like the sun and His hands were lifted high while angels were seated all around Him.  Some were reading the bible, yet they were singing all the time.  He then saw Jesus pick up a baby and as He held the baby high up, the angels all rose and started to sing praises to God.

Jesus then looked at Tigran, and spoke these words to him “don’t be afraid, I am with you”.  He woke up immediately after Jesus spoke to him and said he was so happy.

The doctor said that he has never ever seen such a quick recovery from an operation such as this and he is able to pronounce so many new words now!   
                                                                              
Valya asked me please to thank you all so much for praying for him.

GERTJAN

In a nutshell: -

On most days during the week he is working with Pastor Sasha on his house, once every 2nd Thursday he comes with Natasha and I to the Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre, some weekends he preaches in deeds as he works at the dachas (small farms) with the families of folk in the church and when he’s not doing that he is preaching in words in various churches when they invite us.

LISA – Testimony from her mother

My daughter Lisa (she is 11) and I had to stay at the children’s hospital for a month – some tests were to be done in order to prescribe a proper treatment for my child. Judy Pelleboer visited us – she brought us tasty things, her newsletter and anointing oil. She prayed for Lisa’s healing and blessing and anointed my hands so I could anoint Lisa when I get back to our room. I came back to our room, anointed my daughter and we began reading Judy’s newsletter. I was very impressed with the extract from the book “The Shack” that God wants to be the centre of all in our lives. I saw a picture – a tornado is taking and lifting up everything around it but in the centre there is peace. It is very much like our life – a whirlpool of deeds, events, meetings, but in the centre there is God – the source of life, peace, strength, wisdom – everything is by Him and through Him. All deeds, thoughts – everything is with Him – He is all in all, we move by Him.

When we finished discussing these things my daughter started to repent and confessed her sins with sincerity and lots of tears. It was a deep understanding of her sinfulness and great desire for intimate relationship with God. We talked about being born again many times before. In church, and at Christian children’s camps she heard the call to receive Jesus. Lisa said the sinner’s prayer together with other kids many times. But that day it was different. She is happy because she feels renewed. She thanks God for her new heart, new life and new relationship with Him.  She reads the Bible with greater desire now. I see great changes in my relationship with her, as well as in her behaviour. We made a decision to celebrate that day as her second birthday.  Natasha Varabyova

“THANK YOU FOR NOT FORGETTING ABOUT US”

“Thank you so much for not forgetting about us out here” – words from a recovering drug addict that brought tears to my eyes.  Natasha and I are back on our post at the Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre ministering to the dear ones there.

HOW COULD I?

After preaching my message at the re-hab, one dear girl shyly asked me if she could please have the pictures of Jesus lifting Peter out of the water and another of  Him calming the storm.  Without thinking further than the fact I had just spent over 2500 roubles on 2 new cartridges for my printer, and am ever aware of our rising credit at the bank – I gently explained that it’s so expensive to print pictures & I’m gonna need them for when I will preach this message again.

I felt like a total “female dog” as I saw her expression of embarrassment as she apologized for asking me.   I took the pictures out and told her “I have more of these at home” (in my computer of course).  I have never been a selfish person, yet I allowed concern over finances to do such a thing!  I could hang my head in shame.
 
THAT’S IT! I will continue as before and not concern myself about the future – God has always taken care of us, and He always will. 

IN HIS GOODNESS

In His goodness, He “touched” the hearts of certain individuals who were able to give generously to us and we could take care of a lot of what we owe, as well as help others who are also so desperate.

A severe storm was predicted for one of our “Re-hab days” – As I looked at those dark clouds at 6 in the morning I thanked Father that He always takes care of the weather on Thursdays:  Not only did He move the storm, He also provided a jeep to take us in to the centre on the mud/slush road.
 
If you had to see long distance and the awful roads we need to travel by bus and walk on, you would understand why we need a good day – and God is faithful.

IT’S FREE

The Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre does not charge the folk who come there for help to come off drugs because most drug addicts and alcoholics are poor and destitute because of their addiction.  Their overseeing couple, are both former addicts and Oxana said once “as long as I have breath in me I’m gonna help these people”.  They do a sterling job of ministry and care with very little income.  It costs us nearly R300 every week just to go and minister there, but then we don’t have any finances with which to bless them as well. 

Last week we went on Saturday and the one girl asked us if there was any possibility to help them with some toiletries for the women and some spices for their food.  They have a cow for milk, and they grow veggies there – but during winter it’s very hard there and then they sometimes do not have food.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR “WITHNESS”

With love from Gj & Judy, in Christ, in Russia, on route to Ukraine from the 15th June

JUDY cell from S.A. +7-915-693-1444/GJ cell +7-915-693-0470
Home (dialing from South Africa) 007-487-248-1431
email: judynewcreation@yahoo.com

SOUTH AFRICAN CONTACTS: HEIN & JEANNETTE
4 John Ave., Charlo – 6070 Port Elizabeth
+27-072-510-7483 (cell), +27-041-368-1262 (h)
email: heinvanvledder@hotmail.com

PASTORS KALJU & DOROTHY PRIILAID
+27-082-653-7105 (cell), +27-041-368-5777 (h)

BANKING DETAILS: STANDARD BANK S.A.
G. Pelleboer savings acc.  083783741
Branch no. 051001; Swift add. SBZAZAJJ