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Our Summer 2013 Ministry Report
We left home on June 28th and came back August 27th. Two months of traveling!
It was great trip... Well, that's not enough to say just that, so I'm adding some details below and hope you'll enjoy reading through it.
I was invited to minister @ Love for Israel conference in Portland, OR, along with Jim Staley, Miguel Demelli, Daniel Botkin, and others. While organizers were paying for only my airfare, we decided to travel together using that money for gas, planning some other meeting and services where I could minister and sell my CDs & books to cover the rest of our expenses.
As we drove in Georgia I got an email that the conference is canceled, but we prayed and decided to continue with our initial plans. Our first stop was in Tennessee. We had great time of fellowship with friends and two services there.
At friend’s home in TN
While in TN, we didn't tell anyone that conference was canceled. On the contrary, we kept saying to others (and confessing in faith to ourselves) that we are going to the conference in Portland. Once I (Alexei) even thought that even if that original conference will not revived, God will make another conference, just for us. After TN we traveled to Missouri and while there we got another message that conference was reinstated, with some changes in schedule and speakers. HalleluYAH!
Celebrating 4th of July in Missouri
After MO we went to CO where we visited Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs while trying to figure out where we will stay for the night and if any doors will be open for us to minister in CO.
Focus on the Family - Adventures in Odyssey. Colorado Springs, CO
I tried some of my contacts, but nothing worked. We prayed and decided to drive through Denver, asking Abba if it is His will for us to minister there, then let someone contact us before we crossed Denver city limits. As we were passing Denver, the phone ringed and there was pastor Vladimir from Denver who wanted us to come and we happened to drive not far from his home. It was real answer from above. We stayed there for few days and ministered in their church.
After the service in Denver, CO
From there, crossing Wyoming and Utah we stopped to meet Svetlana's friends in Idaho and then continued to Portland Oregon.
Alexei & Benjamin having outdoor worship in Nampa, ID
It was great to meet lots of relatives there on both sides, like my brothers, Svetlana's sisters and many cousins. But we finally were at our main destination. There were many things at that conference that I could tell you about, but I'll mention just a few. Being a speaker myself I didn't hear most of other speakers, but I was blessed by what I could hear, mostly by worship, Jim's teachings and friendly atmosphere.
At Love for Israel Conference with Jim Staley from Passion for Truth Ministries
Many Russian believers attended that conference, some of them wanted to hear Jim Staley, some of them heard me on the radio the day before the conference and were intrigued, wondering who is this Alexei, first from Russian speaking community to be included in the list of speakers.
Many people approached me after the seminars and told me it was the word that every American needed to hear.
With our kids and some old and new friends @ Love For Israel Conference. L to R: Miguel, Lee, Ben, Alexei, Rebekah
God gave us there many new friends and we're thankful to Aba and to His servants Hank & Marilee Hobson for loving us and accepting us as we are.
Benjamin's Miracle.
Singing with our son Benjamin at Love for Israel Conference in Portland, OR
We always asked our son Benjamin to sing with me (Alexei). Many people were impressed and touched by his performance, but he himself sometimes was fussy, capricious and unwilling to sing. We told him that if he will be obedient and willing to serve, then God will bless him. It didn't take long to become the reality for him. After he sang with me at the conference, someone chased him down the hallway and gave him $100! That inspired him for the rest of our trip and taught him a lesson of obedience.
Love for Israel Conference. With our new friend Michael from IL in front of our ministry display
While in Portland and it's WA suburb Vancouver, I visited again Hebrew Nation Radio in Salem for another interview with Chadbourne Zitek. First time I was there in May this year. Both interviews are available in HNR archives for subscribed members. http://hebrewnationonline.com
Right after speaking on HNR I drove back to Portland for the interview on Slavic Family TV (in Russian).
After few days with our families, we drove south to California.
Shabbat Worship in Weed, CA
Our first stop in CA was in Mount Shasta area where we planned to meet and have Shabbat service with our dear friends Randy & Mary Jane (Bro. Randy is the most involved and caring member of this ministry) and with many other friends, some of whom I met during my visit to West Coast in April-May this year.
Our family team at the backdrop of Mount Shasta, CA
We enjoyed staying at Joe & Karen ranch where our son Ben had his dreams come true about farming,
geese chasing, etc.
We were glad to meet at Ray & Roxanne home for Shabbat. We are thankful for their love and support of this ministry.
Shabbat in Weed, CA with dear brothers. Left to right: Brian, Alexei, Randy and Ray.
We used some spare time to go to beautiful Siskiyou Lake
and to visit Mount Shasta Museum where kids had fun of dressing in old times themes.
From Northern CA we drove to Sacramento, where we stayed for a week with Svetlana's dear friends whom she missed seeing for decades. And I finally got to meet again my nephew Jeremiah, son of my late brother Benjamin.
Alexei, Jeremiah and our son Benjamin. Antelope, CA
My bro. Ben died in March 2001, at the time when I was in Israel. Because of his death I was issued US visa and was able to come for his funeral and then stay in the States, applying for asylum. At that time Jeremiah was just 3 months old. Now he's very interesting 12 y.o. boy!
Our son Benjamin finally “met” his uncle Benjamin after whom he was named
While in Sacramento we had two services with Russian Messianic congregation on Friday and Saturday and on Sunday we ministered in the morning in Russian church and evening - in Ukrainian.
Ministering at Russian Messianic congregation in Sacramento, CA
From Sacramento we heeded to Bay Area where we made 3 stops to see my sister and some of our old and new friends.
I was able to contact my old friend Sergey who lives and is the pastor near San Diego. We enjoyed staying and ministering with them.
Ministry in pastor Sergey’s church
We also had an opportunity to meet with other pastors in that area.
Happy to meet dear friends, pastors in San Diego area
While there we were told about one interesting group of people who live on the ranch, who have all things in common, like in the times of Apostles. They are called The Twelve Tribes. They have few such communities across America and some in Europe. They also run restaurants called "Yellow Deli"
We had some pleasant conversations there with some of the commune members and decided to go on and visit their Morning Star Ranch located just few miles away from YD.
We even met one Ukrainian lady over there! She’s next to Svetlana with her daughter
When we told Pastor Sergey that we are going to Los Angeles to meet some people there, he said it would be great if we could minister in some Russian churches in that area. He gave us contacts of 3 pastors who gladly welcomed us and on the following Sunday we had 3 services in 3 different churches: onе in the morning, another in afternoon and last one - in the evening.
One of the services in LA area
We stayed with our new friends Sergey and Lyana, who opened their hearts and home to us and served us as their own family.
From California, crossing Arizona and New Mexico we came to Oklahoma. Svetlana's niece Yelena received us there and thanks to another connection from pastor Sergey we ministered there in the church on Wednesday and also were invited by Sergey's friends Pavel and Sveta to visit them the next day.
Having good conversation encouraged by a good tea. Tulsa, OK
From OK we drove to TX, Dallas area. First, we stopped to meet Svetlana's nieces and then connected with our friends Jeff & Elda, who were part of our congregation in Florida. They received us in their home and invited to visit their Messianic congregation on Shabbat.
Walking with Jeff & Elda in their neighborhood
We met there also Lisa & Dilmar, another friendly couple that moved from Orlando to TX.
Visiting Dilmar & Lisa’s Texan home
They invited us to their home immediately after the Shabbat service. Later the same day we were invited along with Jeff & Elda by our dear friend Mark from Outreach Israel Ministries to come and spend some time with his family.
Hine Ma Tov Umanayim Shevet Achim Gam Yachad!
On Sunday Russian pastor Leonid received us in his church.
Аs you may know we at Stream Of Life are helping orphans in Ukraine and always happy to make new connections with someone who is doing the same. About a year ago I found online one interesting ministry, located near Montgomery, AL and always wanted to visit them. The name of the ministry is Bridges of Faith. They also have a campground, called "Bridgestone". Tom, founder of this ministry is married to Larissa, wonderful lady from Ukraine. Together they are dedicated to help as many Ukrainian orphans, as they can.
Tom & Larissa, comforting one precious girl from Ukraine
With few dedicated volunteers they run this ministry, receiving at Bridgestone 3-4 groups of Ukrainian orphans every year. On a very short call they were open to receive us right when they had a group of Ukrainian orphans there. What a wonderful time of fellowship it was.
In Alabama with orphans and with those who care for them.
We didn't want to leave them! I want to make a short video about this ministry. They invited us to come and stay with them in October when they have Almighty Mud Run - annual fundraising event with about 1,000 participants expected.
Last place we visited and ministered was Crestview at Harvest Vineyard Ministries with our long time friend, pastor Alex.
Alexei ministers in Crestview, FL @ Harvest Vineyard Ministries.
Of course, we met there many dearest friends. After ministering there we had a dinner together with pastor's family and some good friends.
With pastor Alex, his wife Gia & close helpers, good friends of ours - Lidiya, Kenny and Nadya.
The Harvest Vineyard ministry runs known in the area rehab center for those who got addicted to drugs and slipped onto criminal path.
At Multnomah Falls in OR. Our princess Rebekah
Total number of States we visited - 20; we took part in 18 services; we visited many beautiful places, like some in Colorado Springs,
Colorado Springs, CO. Garden of the gods. Of course, I’m not one of them (LOL), there’s only one true God!
Multnomah Falls and Noah's Ark in Winston Oregon,
Camping with Biblical Patriarchs in Winston, OR
CA Capitol,
Inside California State Capitol
Pacific Ocean & Lake Tahoe in CA,
Enjoying picnic @ Lake Tahoe, CA
Grand Canyons in AZ...
Enjoying the beauty of Grand Canyons, AZ
If you haven't seen yet, please come and see more of our pictures on Facebook.
We again want to express our heartfelt thanks for incredible love & hospitality to all of you who received us on our journey. You opened your hearts and homes for us and you are in our hearts too! We stayed in 19 homes, while had short visits to even more homes.
85% of those who receive us were either Russian or Ukrainian families.
While in people's homes, they showed genuine interest about our beliefs, asking questions on different subjects and how we understand serving God in purity and holiness now and in the future. There is common concern about raising children, young people in the Word, strong and faithful to God.
Outdoor neighborhood worship in Sacramento, CA
We restored many old connections and gained many new friends. In many places people, including pastors, were so open, they asked if we could move to their city to have our ministry there. Of course we'll be where God wants us to be, but we are really thankful for so many open hearts and doors to minister. Even when we encountered difficulties and something unknown, we are thankful to Aba for helping us to make right decision, to walk according to His will.
Needless to say that I ran out of my CDs and people as well as whole congregations were moved to support our ministry in the Ukraine as well as providing for our travels. We're thankful to everyone of you who stayed in touch with us, who encouraged us, prayed for us and helped us in any possible way... While traveling we always were thinking and prayed for you too. If you want to know how you can take part in what God is doing through our ministry either here in the US, or in the Ukraine, we'll be glad to talk to you personally and explain it in detail. Anyways, please keep praying that the Lord would lead us by His hand, especially in some important decisions that we have ahead of us!
Blessings & Shalom!
Monday, September 9, 2013