Sunday was Easter. A celebration that all the Russians observe. The tradition is to greet everyone with these words, "kreestoc voskress!" Christ is Risen! Which then would be returned with "voeestenoo voskress!" He is Risen Indeed! As I was on my way to church my heart was fluttering with anticipation of attending a church service where our whole church congregation could be together. This has not happened since the summer when the city officials banned the church from meeting on the land they were renting. Since then we have been meeting in home church groups all over town, separately. We have had about 4 services for special occasions in a cultural center that cannot seat all of the people so we had to have 2 back to back services, for these times. This week the church rented a horse track stadium not far from where we live that could hold the whole congregation. On our way to church we had to drive on the road that was directly in front of the stadium to get into it. At the sight of the stadium, already full with thousands of people, my excitement and emotion could not be contained and tears filled my eyes! As we drove up, lining the roads were ushers, directing and greeting with the Easter chant.
Although the weather forecast was 70 percent chance of rain, by the time we got into the stadium the rain had ceased in answer to the prayers of a believing congregation! The Pastor stood up and shouted 3 times as is the tradition, "Kreestos Voskress!" the congregation shouted in reply 3 times, "Vo eesteenoo Voskress!" The presence of God overwhelmed me and the sight of 4000+ people standing with up raised hands shouting praises with passion and inhibition to their Risen living God, brought more tears, as I joined in to worshiping my God with abandon!
Many prayed the salvation prayer for the very first time! Even in the midst of threats and persecution the body of Christ thrives, believes, grows, loves, forgives, and presses on! Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ!
It did not rain the rest of the day and we enjoyed fellowship with our friends the Behimers and Herringtons. It was a good day! We had good food, fellowship, and bunnies too!
Remember the body of Christ here as the future here is uncertain and opposition grows.
Thanks a lot for showing pictures of your bunnies... I am now the horrible mom that never let my kids have bunnies.
ReplyDeleteI wish we could have been there for that anointed time with Bethania. We miss you guys!
By the way... Is Jonah the modern day Samson?
ReplyDeleteLet's not talk about the bunnies! Mark and his great ideas! He never bought a cage for the things and so of course Jack was very interested in playing/eating them. I saved the bunnies twice and then brought them in after 2 ran away, imploring Mark to buy a cage. Mark forgot to lock the door and Jack got in at night and the bunnies are now all gone. I was the most upset! I fell in love with the gray one! We might get some more?? If he buys a cage first.Mark has this idea that he can buy chickens and bunnies and just let them roam around free in the yard!? I am sure Jack would eat them and/or they would escape through the gate.
ReplyDeleteJonah is cuter with long hair I think, I know it is funny. Noah likes his hair short sometimes or I probably would let his go too. Silas does not look good with long hair. Jonah does have a wild and earthy character sometimes, so Samson fits him well.:)
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