Well as the snow melts away it reminds me of life really. We seem to cruise through life doing the best we can, only to relise where has the years gone. yes the years seem to cruise by.

I was driving home today and saw a older (maybe 75 years old woman) walking home. This is not unusual in Russia except today it was a balmy -5 with a wind blowing of the snow about 40 km. yes it was cold I know as Im trying to be disciplined and walk an hour a day.

I thought I would try and be a nice neighbour as Im sure I have seen her close to my house before. I pulled up beside her and asked her if she needed a lift. she said no she would rather walk. I asked her the customery 3 times and she said no 3 times. I felt saddened as I drove away  and looked in the mirror to see her walking backwards up the hill to protect her against the wind. This did start me thinking though we need to be the most trusted and friendy people in our neighborhood. We need to be the ones who stand out. We are in a good position here as we live in a new area and as yet we really dont know people but it makes me want to be so well known that if we do stop to give someone a lift they wouldnt have to think about are they safe or not.

We have been busy doing a alpha course and I think this is one of the best courses i have seen and been appart of.

ok i have attached our latest news letter for those who ahvnt read it

blessings

Garry

SALT FROM THE MINES OF SIBERIA EDITION 5

 Garry’s ramblings

Ok, so in this edition of Garry’s ramblings I thought I’d share a very treasured experience with you. We were very privileged to be involved in an Alpha course and it was time for us to go away for a weekend of seeking God. So off we went to this amazing Baptist church camp site. The minute we arrived I knew this was going to be a special place. It was a warm weekend getting up to a balmy 2 degrees in the plus. However there was still a lot of snow on the ground and the river was frozen solid. As I walked down by the river with my pastor he said Garry listen (or Garry slusheet actually), and as I listened I couldn’t hear a thing. It was amazing, not a sound. The water was still frozen so the river wasn’t going anywhere or making a sound. No birds no cars no one talking just the two of us in silence. It was truly a amazing experience.

All this week I have been contemplating about this experience. I live in the city of Krasnoyarsk central Siberia. There are cars, buses and construction all around us. There is not a quiet or stillness like I experienced at this camp site. As I contemplated this I guess it reminded me of life, where we are sometimes in a construction zone or on a bus route in our lives. It becomes noisy. We struggle along, but surely and slowly wear ourselves out and for what? We need these quiet times to recharge and refresh. I’m not saying we need to travel out into the middle of a paddock and sit there like a crazy, but how do we recharge ourselves right now? How can we get that quiet time to spend in the word and listen to God? How can we, in our busy lives and striving sometimes just to survive, get back to the basics of why we are created - relationship with the King of Kings. I am amazed that sometimes we miss the boat on this. We have excuses (or I do anyway) I’m to busy, to tired or just worn out. But when we make a commitment to spend time in prayer and in the word of God our lives change and then we see other people’s lives change but most of all we bring joy to the heart of God. When we bring joy to the King of Kings guess what? He refreshes us, leads us and guides us. And I believe this is how we get to rest in the business of life.

 Alpha course

As I said earlier we have been very privileged to be able to be involved with an Alpha course. The more I see this course the more I like it. We had our weekend away and had about 14 people go away including my family. A great time was had by all. It was a joy to see God minister to people just where they are at. Also to see some who were closed to God open up and allow Him to minister to them. Please continue to pray for these guys as they experience the goodness of God.

 English school

As you know we have been helping in an English school through the winter as well as continuing in our Russian studies. We are building relationships with those at the school and slowly progressing in our Russian language.  We are looking at running an English camp with them over the summer.

Home school

My amazing wife is still busy with home school. Jessie has started doing her school online which has been a big, but positive change for her. I am always amazed when I see my kids reading , writing and doing sums to know my wife is the one who taught them. It is hard work and sometimes painstaking when my angles don’t want to obey but I am very proud of my wife. She is amazing.

Future plans

Now that the big freeze is over we are planning our trips back to the villages as well as organizing teams to come to Siberia. So far we have 4 teams coming. They are from YWAM Perth, Global Challenge from Africa, a media team from Holland, and some wonderful friends from New Zealand. We are also excited about another Australian family coming to join us for a year as well as a family from Ireland for a few months, so God is moving. With more people we can be involved in more ministries.

We do have a need right now to buy another vehicle for transporting teams around. I went to the car market today to check out prices on vans and they are expensive so we need a solution but I am not sure what yet. Please pray that God would give us wisdom.

We want to thank you all for your support prayers and friendship it means a lot to us. Please know that your prayers make such a difference.

Prayer points

1. Please pray for those involved in the Alpha Course. They are all precious and have amazing stories to tell. They also need God to move in their circumstances. One lady has a daughter in hospital with a chronic illness. She is caring for her granddaughter and would love your prayers for the healing of her daughter.
2. All those in the villages we have been involved with. That they would be encouraged and continue to grow strong in their relationship with God. Also for new opportunities.
3. As I said earlier we need a vehicle for teams.
4. Zhenya and Anya increase in support as well as the right apartment to rent.
5. We want to take Alpha to some villages about 450 km round trip. The 10 week programme would cost about 2000 dollars to do because of the travel involved.
6. People’s hearts would be open to the word of the Lord.
7. Gods anointing on our lives.

We would love to hear from you and what is going on in your lives and stand with you in prayer for any needs you have. We have been encouraged time and time again by God answering prayer and doing the seemingly impossible. There is no greater place to be than walking with Him.

Thanks again for all your support and friendship it means a lot to us

Love and blessings to all

Garry Christy Jessie Ella and Zac

If you would like to contribute to our ministry or projects our bank acc no is as follows. Please send an email and specify what the gift is for. National Australia Bank Bsb 085745 Acc no 609266634 Account name Garry E Parkinson