March 23, 2007

A quick update: a student ministry team from Weatherford, Oklahoma, led by Scott Hume, has been here in Ufa since Sunday evening March 18.  They have done an outstanding job of cultural exchange ministry in local universities and language institutes and also assisting me doing interviews with potential participants in an ESL workshop we will present Sunday through Thursday March 25-29. 

 A team from Lakeview Baptist Church (Selmer, TN) is presently flying to Moscow, will stay the night there, and fly into Ufa early Saturday evening.  Please pray for a timely arrival in Ufa for them and their luggage, and please pray that all of their hotel accommodations fall into place.  Please pray for a timely departure for the Weatherford team as they fly out of Ufa early on Sunday morning the 25^th.    Pray for me as I shuttle people back and forth to and from the airport the next 2 days. 

 I have been sick off and on this past week and am physically weak.  I am making it by taking Tylenol PM tablets at night so that I can sleep soundly. 

 Pray also that the first day of the ESL school (Sunday March 25) go smoothly as possible.  Many people will come for the English lessons who have never darkened the door of a church building their entire lives and have the possibility of hearing the good news and the hope we have in Jesus.

 Blessings,

Chris

March 11.2007

Greetings to you from Ufa where the snow is finally starting to melt, and where we have finally seen temps up to freezing for a few days!  Thank the Lord the long winter is coming to an end!!!

 Here are some short prayer needs for which we invite you to join us in interceding: 

1. Please pray for two volunteer ministry teams coming to Ufa this month:
    
1. Scott Hume is leading a student ministry team to Ufa March 18-24; there are still some details to fall into place regarding ministry itinerary, please pray for us to see God at work and know when and where to join Him.  Pray for the team’s stamina as they undertake the 24-30 hour journey to Ufa starting Friday March 16…pray for them as they share their faith in Ufa’s classrooms and also as they assist our team interview hundreds of potential ESL participants on March 22-23…pray for them as they undertake the long journey back to Oklahoma starting March 25, that they may rejoice in all that God has done through their obedient service.
    
2. Ray Burks is leading an ESL team from Lakeview Baptist Church to present ESL lessons to up to 250 participants March 25-29…pray for the team as they make final teaching plan preparations and make the 24-30 hour journey to Ufa starting Friday March 23…pray for clear opportunities to share the good news during the lessons and especially during the closing ceremony 7pm on March 29; pray for them as they undertake the long journey back to Tennessee starting March 30, that they may rejoice in all that God has done through their obedient service.
    

2. Pray for God’s provision of medical care for little Julia Bragin, for whom we have asked you to pray during the past year…hopefully she and her parents will be going to Moscow in April or May  for specialized care…Julia has not gained any weight since her birth a year and a half ago, and she has occasional epileptic fits…pray for God’s provision of all Julia needs to gain the necessary care and for Grace Church as it rallies around this young family.
    

3. Pray for stamina for Chris & Eileen the last two weeks of this month as they coordinate all the logistics related to the two above teams; pray for them as they fly out with their five children early on March 30 and head to Moscow and then to Poland for annual meetings.
    

4. Consider your participation in our fields prayer and fasting emphasis May 1-June 10; we so much desire for God to bring church planting and evangelism breakthroughs not only in Ufa  but also for all of Russia; see our website (www.hope4ufa.com) for more details
    

5. Pray with us for God’s blessings on Ufa Bible Church’s desire to plant a new church in each of Bashkortostan’s 54 counties.  They have already effectively planted a new church in B-stan’s 2^nd largest city of Sterlitamak and are giving attention to new church starts in two other counties at this time.  
    

6. Please pray for God’s perfect timing for new team members Victor and Susan Bauer to move to Ufa.   Chris is presently negotiating details regarding a new apartment for them.  Pray for wisdom and understanding in these negotiations.  It is our hope that the Bauers can move to Ufa during the 2^nd or 3^rd week of April after we all return from Poland.
    

7. Praise God with us for the four new believers who have recently come to faith in Jesus recently in Ufa and Sterlitamak through the ministry of Ufa Bible Church, pray for their effective discipleship and  that they will accept the responsibility to eventually hold evangelistic bible studies in their apartments to reach others.
    

8. Pray for Chris as he finishes up requirements for a directed study doctoral seminar…he must turn in all course work by April 16 and so far is on target to complete the work on time.  The course work is quite demanding, with much reading, reflection, prayer, and writing of a final post-seminar paper.

Blessings to all of you who are teaming with us in prayer, your involvement is helping to tear down spiritual strongholds in Ufa and empowers us to not give up when we grow weary!

 Chris Carr

Ufa, Russia