Long day yesterday (19th). We left at 11:00 AM for a wedding back in Pogranichny where we were on Sunday. We got home around 1:00 AM this morning. A couple in the church asked Pastor Oleg if he would ask Steve to preach at their wedding service. The civil ceremony was at 3:00 PM; the church service at 5:00. Very moving, very beautiful. Some of my pictures will tell the story.
Pastor Oleg picked us up in Uganay; then we picked up two Ira's to join us for the trip. Ira I. served as our translator. Steve has known her for many years. She is a godly and vivacious Christian woman who has had the sadness of two husbands leaving her. This is all too common in Russia. Now she lives alone with a 15-year-old daughter. Neither of her sons are walking with the Lord; one is serving a 3 year prison sentence. Yet in all this she has great joy in the Lord. This is a common theme here in Russia; believers exhibit joy and contentment with a life that most of us would chafe against. They have given me a powerful testimony by their resolve and joy in Christ.
Once in Pogranichny we stopped for some chai at Oleg's apartment and then went on the court house (if you will) for the civil ceremony. Many friends were there to witness and celebrate the vows. Later at 5:00 PM we gathered at the church for the church ceremony. Steve stood and preached from I Peter 3 and John 2 with Ira translating while we the witnesses sat in attention. Steve directed his charge to Victor (65) and Valentina (56) while we listened as glad witnesses. Both the bride and bridegroom had lost spouses by death, Victor only a year ago. Victor is a new Christian (less than 2 months), but Pastor Oleg is already discipling him now in the spirit of Matthew 28. Valentina has been a church member with Oleg for 15 years; she is clearly respected as woman of faith and real character.We had a feast, games, dancing, time of gift giving, toasts, etc. for several hours. The believers have regard for us as American pastors, so we received several requests to pray "over" wedding guests. I cannot go into it now, but I was very moved by the simplicity of faith in such acts.
We arrived back in Uganay at 1:00 AM Saturday morning. I slept most of the way, but Oleg hammered Steve with a litany of pastoral and theological questions for the three hours home. Oleg humbly asked, Steve patiently answered, Ira steadfastly translated. The church grows and strengthens by the power and influence of God's Spirit.
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