As volunteer for the MBL organization, I want to share with you the my work activities that took place in Russia last September and October followed by a short trip to Belize City, Belize.

I was fortunate to travel with  Galina Obrovets, Coordinator of the Center for Biblical Resources and Natalya Longinova who coordinates orphan work in Russia.  We  journeyed into Chita, Siberia on September 22nd, 2001 to hold a workshop for about 80 professional and lay people at a Pentecostal Church in that city.  The church is one of the most progressive churches of that area ministering to its community.  The church's Pastor, Mikhail is a contemporary of Dr. Vladimir Obrovets, (Galina's husband) and is a former Baptist Minister from Belyrus.

The workshop focused on Pastoral Care for those families suffering from Substance Abuse; ministry to orphans and to street children; and a display of our Moscow Center for Biblical Resources literature.  Popular now is the new Christian women's journal, CECTPA, translated to mean "SISTER" .  The journal follows the format developed by the late Dr. Roger N. Carstensen's "Biblical Literacy Today" which was edited by Dr. Thomas C. Cook, Jr.  The journal is one of the first of its kind in Russia.

Upon return to Moscow, a meeting was held with Dr. Jirair M. Sigmonian, Reverend Rene Leonian, and Reverend Vagan Frankyan who represented the Armenian Missionary Association of America and of Armenia.  Dr. Sigmonian is a United Church of Christ minister who lives in New Jersey while his associates labor among Armenians in Moscow and in Erevan Armenia. Galina and I are planning a workshop for Armenian people who live in Moscow. Also, another meeting was held with Pastor Victor from the Smolensk area (see announcement below).  He has asked MBL to bring a team of Bible teachers and a work project team to his city.  He overseas the spiritual needs for at least 18 orphanages that are in his area. Novikoff returned to the United States  on October 4th, 2001.

BELIZE TRIP

A month later, representing Christ Church in Savannah, I accompanied Dr. Steve Acuff on a trip into Belize.  Steve has made arrangements to set up a computer lab and as a result, he took with him two computers and I took one computer.  Under a special grant, Steve bought two I-Macs while the computer that I took was one ordered by the Prime Minister of Belize who is also a member of St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church. The Prime Minister will use the computer as a reward incentive for students. The lab is located at the church school and also where the dental lab for Project Smiles is located.

Because the Ohio team of the Project Smiles program arrived on the same day, I was able to witness the excellent work that is provided by a team of dentists and dental technicians.  I can't give you a count of how many children were seen by this team but over a period of 3-4 days, I am sure it was at least 300! 

Also, Christ Church of Savannah had an opportunity to present to Father LeRoy Flowers, Rector of St. Mary the Virgin, two checks:  one for $2000 from the Mission committee of Christ Church for hurricane relief, and one for $5000 for the Partners for Progress, the education assistance program for the underprivileged.

So you can see that the love gifts and prayerful support of Christ Church is making headway in several countries.  After all, the Christians in those seemingly far away countries are also our brothers and sisters in Christ who need our encouragement.

I can never thank all of you Disciples and Episcopalians enough for the generous support you provide.  May the Lord richly bless you as you continue to help carry out the Great Commission.

Rev John Novikoff
Project Minister for Russia/Armenia