Mar. 27, 2006--Nikolai had written us that he not only wanted to pray for us, he also wanted to share all his blessings with us. But we were very surprised to receive a parcel containing a bear’s fur skin!
Nikolai and Nina, who live in Siberia, began listening to The Back to God Hour Russian language broadcasts ten years ago. We received their first letter about eight years ago. Nikolai wrote that he enjoyed our programs and he wanted to support us, but had no money. At that time many people who wrote to us said that they barely had enough money for a postage stamp. Sadly, that wasn't a figure of speech!
Nikolai was already retired, but the government, in an economic depression, had no money for pension payments. As a result, Nikolai and Nina had no cash whatsoever. In the summer they worked on their small land plot to grow some vegetables and small animals for their needs. They also have a few beehives. Nikolai also did some fishing, and in the winter he would go hunting (not for recreation but to put food on the table).
We replied to Nikolai that he could support us with his prayers. But he wanted to do more than pray for us. Soon, we were surprised to receive the parcel containing the pelt! Since he was blessed as a hunter he wanted us to enjoy this blessing! He was hoping that we would be able to sell the pelt and invest the money into the gospel. (Nikolai couldn't sell the fur in his village since no one had any cash. We managed to sell it at a Moscow church auction, and used the money for our Russian ministry.)
Soon we started receiving more parcels from Nikolai, some with dry fruits or dry meats and fish, wild rabbit skins, and other similar gifts. Through those gifts they wanted to encourage our Russia staff and volunteers.
In recent years the economic situation in Russia has been improving. As a result, Nikolai and Nina began receiving regular pension payments. Currently, they receive a combined annual pension of approximately $1,100 (US dollars). That is very little even by Russian standards. But a few years ago they had nothing, so what they now have they receive with gratitude to God. Now they are sending us monetary gifts—approximately 5% of their net. Another 5% goes into their house church ministry led by Nikolai.
There is no formal church in that village, so Nikolai has opened the doors of his house to the neighbors who want to hear the Gospel and study the Bible. He preaches and leads the Bible studies based on our messages.
The Back to God Hour has truly become Nikolai’s own ministry. He not only supports us with his frequent gifts and uses our messages in his ministry, he also encourages us by his honest opinions and critique, reminding us to stay faithful to the Lord and to the teaching of the Bible.
Last summer we received a very sweet gift from Nikolai and Nina: four liters of the wonderful honey gathered from their own bees during the short Siberian summer.
