It is not often that you come across three friends who love the Lord and whose example is exceptional and also compelling. So, today I want to introduce to you three young ladies that have taught me much about ministry, not so much in word, but in deed. They are all an encouragement to me and I am blessed to know them as friends. Let me introduce to you, Marina, Indira and Emily.
Marina has been a christian for just over three years. I met here just after that conversion on my first trip to Ufa. Soon she was growing in the Lord and serving Him where she could. Now, three years later she spends most of her days ministering to the street children in the city of Ufa and is a great help and support in the newly established Church of Grace in one of Ufa’s centers. Some nights she makes food and seeks out the street kids to provide them with a meal. On other nights the kids show up at her church for a program and some food, and although not her main ministry, Marina helps with translation, and did so on many occasions while our team visited over the past two weeks. She is committed to the Lord and to serving these struggling and volatile kids.
Indira is a student at St. Petersburg State University in St. Petersburg, Russia. She came home for a two week break from school and with the encouragement of her sister Emily (see below) came and served our ministry team as well as serve with us. She is humble, gentle and a willing servant of the Lord. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for her.
Emily is Indira’s older sister. She has been serving as the Northern California Antioch Initiative Translator for over three years and is exceptional in that role. She is, however, far more than just a translator. She is a coordinator, a tour guide, an office worker, a middleman, etc. etc. She pours herself into the ministry of the Lord and serves teams like ours with great passion and vigor. She loves what she does and loves the people with whom she works. She loves the church and ultimately loves the Lord. Oh, yes, I can’t forget to mention that she actively teaches English as a means to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
All three of these ladies are faithful servants and have encouraged me once again. Girls, thank you for how you challenge me by your example, service and love for the Lord and the Body of Christ.
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