 |
Belarus Conference
In January of this year, our European President, Livija Lame spent time with the women of Belarus at their regional conference.
January 15th – Livija attended the sisters" prayer group at Calvary
Church in Minsk, where she joined the sisters in prayer for the charity
ministry to orphans and widows in Belarus. Livija spoke of the godly
life and ministry of the sisters in Latvia and in other countries of
Europe, Asia and Africa.
January 16th – Approximately 200 women gathered in Minsk from the
churches round that area and also a bit further away. They came
together in "the Gospel of Light" Church to learn how to live godly
lives in their families, churches and communities on the basis of the
Word of God. "Train yourself to be godly" (1Tim.4:7) was the theme of
the Conference.
The head pastor of Minsk region, Gennadiy Brutskiy opened the
Conference with a prayer. A guest from America, and evangelist, Mikhil
Savin, talked of the close relationship of Abraham with God, about
Sarah's obedience to her husband and to God, and he wished the sisters
to proclaim Christ with their godly lives in their land. Mikhail
Bogdanov, pastor of "Gethsemane" Church in Manulishchi, spoke on seven
stages of spiritual growth, based on 2Pet.1:3-11, dwelling mostly on
the fifth stage of godliness. The women's choir from "Calvary" Church
greeted the participants with hymns of praise to God. The sisters of
the Skovshino Church also brought musical items. A moving experience
was the number who testified to the work of God in their lives, for
example, families of those who had adopted orphans into their own
families. |
|
|
|
With
great attention the sisters listened to the greeting from the EBWU
president Livija Lame from Riga, Latvia, to her testimony and
encouragement of a godly life. Livija called on all the sisters to
thank God for His grace and limitless love with the words, "In everything give thanks" (1Thess.5:18),
sharing from her own personal life. When her husband died, she became a
widow with three children. She learned anew how to live, praying and
studying the Word of God.
The Lord spoke to her in a special way through reading Psa.116:7, Be at
rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you." She took
these words into her heart and began to trust God as her heavenly
Father. Livija also showed pictures from EBWU and from the Committee.
Sisters Natalya Kolesnichenko and Vera Shpileva from Gomel shared about
their ministry among the women in summer camps, teaching Bible study,
cooking, talking with unmarried sisters about preparation for future
family life.
Vera also has a ministry among women in prison, and asked for prayer
that this work might continue as she has seen many bright examples of
women who have come to know God.
Grigoriy Podrez, assistant to the head pastor in Minsk region, and
pastor of the "House of Peace" Church in Minsk also spoke as did Sister
Larissa Verhlina from the same church. A time of prayer closed the
Conference and the sisters went home rejoicing in the fellowship they
had with each other in the name of the Lord, inspired for work in His
field in 2010, which is the year of evangelism.
|
|
|
|
January
17th – Livija attended morning service in Pinsk, and took part in it.
Later she participated in the regional Conference for the sisters of
Pinsk and neighbouring villages and was able to share with them and
encourage them with the same spiritual programme as in Minsk the
previous day. With Livija was Aleksandr Filisjuk, Ex-President of
Belarus, who was a great support to her on this trip. Vladimir Vandich,
Director of Camp Zemchuzinka attended the conference and he issued an
invitation to Livija to come to the camp this summer and see the
children when they are there, and also to visit a home for the elderly
which they hope to open in June.
|
|
|
|
Livija
had a very blessed time in Belarus, and experienced the grace and help
of the Lord in all things – in her addresses, in conversations, and in
practical ways too. Even in the severe winter, the temperature was only
-5 degrees and not -20 as was predicted, and Livija was able to do a
little sight-seeing. The sisters were most warm and loving and grateful
for her visit as were the brothers. Livija was a blessing to the people
of Minsk and Pinsk where she visited and ministered; she in turn was
blessed. God is good.
Please pray for the women's work in Belarus. Vera Tihon is responsible
for the Minsk area but there is no national women's leader which is a
cause for concern – even the brothers are thinking about this. Pray
that the Lord will bring forward the woman of His choice who will serve
Him by serving the women of Belarus as the national women's leader.
Vera Tikhon
|
|
