The Russia Reportfrom

Glenn & Linda AndersonP.O. Box 91

Mt. Zion, IL 62549

Russia Christian Mission

January 14 is"D" Day

"D" (Departure) Day is coming fastas on January 14 we will board aplane for Moscow, Russia. For along time you have heard us talkingabout leaving in "mid-January" andnow the date has been set. The

exact time and place (fly out of) hasnot been confirmed but it will be from

central Illinois.

Back in March plans wereannounced to go to Russia, at thebeginning of July we started raisingsupport full-time and now "D" Day isalmost here. God has truly beenamazing as He has led us each stepof the way and provided for thisministry. God "is able to doimmeasurably more than all we askor imagine, according to his powerthat is at work within us," (Epti 3:20)

Winter, 1997

Visa Approved

We have just learned the RussianForeign Ministry has approved ourletters of invitation and have grantedus a multiple entry, year long visa.This is a giant victory in the Russianbeaurocratic system since the recentlaw. Praise the Lord! The final

paper work will be completed onDec. 22, faxed to a documentservice in Washington and shouldhave them in hand a week later.

With this knowledge we feel it is safeto proceed in purchasing airlinetickets and locating a flat in Moscow.

Gifts Are Tax Free

Because Russia Christian Mission isa ministry of the Mt. Zion ChristianChurch ail gifts to the mission aretax deductible. Checks can be

written to either the church or Russia

Christian Mission. David and Barb

Banfield receive, record and depositall gifts into a separate missionaccount. A year end statement willbe sent to all who gave in 1997.

New Law On

Religion In RussiaMany have been wondering aboutthe new law that threatens the

freedom of churches & missionaries

in Russia signed last September byPresident Yeltsin. About everyonewho has close connections to

Russia including missionaries MaxGoins and George Keralis(co-workers in Moscow) and RonCook (spent 3 and 1/2 yearsestablishing the Kostroma Church)have said that the law will probablybe selectively enforced by whateverperson one is dealing with at thetime.

According to the new law allchurches less than 15 years old canlegally be closed (if strictly enforced4,000 churches would close), foreignmissionaries can be barred from allof Russia (this part of it has beengoing on in some provinces andcities for a long time already),conversions are outlawed, andChristians cannot minister inschools, hospitals, etc. The Goins'and another missionary applied fornew visas after the law was passedand have received them after somedelay. As noted earlier our visashave been verbally granted(continue to pray they will be actuallyreceived as promised).

The door that just a few years ago

burst open to the gospel (at the fallof communism) is in danger ofclosing. Continue to pray for thework of the gospel and theChristians in that part of the world.

What's HappeningWith Our KidsAs many of you know we have threechildren who are older and will not

be going to Russia with us. We arepleased to tell you the direction theyare headed:

Jena has recently assumedthe position of Adult Worship andChildren's Minister with the FirstChristian Church of Monticeilo,Illinois. She and her dog are settlinginto a quaint two bedroom home.

Jeremy has been workingfull-time in Mt. Zion and is in theNational Guard. He has joined theArmy, leaving January 23 to bestationed at Ft. Hood in Texas. Hehas signed up for three years andwill be a chaplains assistant.

Jolynda, known by most asJosie, is a freshmen at LincolnChristian College, Lincoln, Illinois.She is the freshmen class presidentand is working hard at her studies.Her desire is to go into inner cityministry one day.Thank you for keeping our family inyour prayers during this time ofadjustments and separation.

Meet Our

Forwarding AgentJena Anderson, eldest daughter ofGlenn and Linda, will be theforwarding agent and primaryrepresentative of Russia ChristianMission in the stateside absence of

her parents. Jena has just moved toMonticello, Illinois to become theAdult Worship and Children'sMinister of the First Christian

Church. She is a graduate ofCincinnati Bible College and hasdone mission work in China, HongKong, London, and Russia.

Contact Jena to get the latest newsabout the work in Russia or for

displays and information to thepartnering churches. She will beavailable to speak and represent themission on a limited basis.

Her address:

408 E. Kratz Rd.

Monticello, IL 61856(217) 762-5921

It is not too early to think about usingthe Russian work as your VBS orcamp mission next summer.Contact Jena.

On Enclosed Letter

New Mail AddressAs you have noted by reading thisnewsletter many changes have beenmentioned. Another one is where to

send your gifts. We have a newpost office box number (they willforward your mail if you forget), sendall contribution to:

RUSSIA CHRISTIAN MISSION

P.O. BOX 91

MI. ZION, IL 62549

Snail Mail / E Mail

to RussiaWe do not have our flat (apartment)yet in Moscow [missionary friendswill secure one for us to move into

upon arrival] but here is a temporaryaddress (after Jan. 14). Send incare of Max Goins:

109518 Moscow, RussiaVolzski Boulevard

Phone or Fax - 011-7-095-173-4229

Email - Mgoins@glasnet.ru

We are on Email with many of youand will take your address with us toMoscow. When we get connectedwe will let you know our status andcurrent mail information. Jena will

also be on Email, but a differentaddress than the one we are now

using (gaarussia@juno.com). If wedo not have your Email address,send it over the wire before Jan. 14.

Observed While Raising Support1.God is VERY GOOD.

2. Prayer Is critical.3. People have been wonderful.4. The senior minister is critical to

receiving support from a church (inmost cases).

5. The support road Is a lot of work andmany miles but you meet lots of greatChristians.

6. Public relations and letter writing arevery important.

7. Information is critical.

8. People want to support missionariesthey know and believe in.

9. Prayer is critical.10. God is calling His church to go

places they have never been and dothings they have never done withresources they don*t have (but Goddoes).

11. Faith in God and people areindispensable.

12. We need [and want to be]challenged to give to missions.

13. Home is wonderful.

14. Prayer is critical (have I said thatbefore).

15. God is amazing in the way He isproviding for this ministry.

16. People do care about the lost.17. So many have been so wonderful -

thank you, thank you, thank you.18. This Is the easy part - traveling,

speaking, raising support, living outof a suitcase, sleeping in a strangebed. Our work in Russia will be the

hard part.19. Traveling makes one weary but

people are rewarding.20. Prayer is critical • we need it.

PRAYER & PRAISES....protection while driving ....directing &take care of our children ....providing

faithful friends &support ....providing financial support ....Mt. Zion Christian Church ....Your love andconcern for those outside of Christ - here and across the world,Prayers for ••..our visa arriving on time (before Jan. 14) ....the sale of our home ....resettling inMoscow ....ministrysupport needs ....the Christians in Russia ....Max & Marilyn Goins, George &Connie Keralis, Scott Spies (serving in Moscow).

Russia Christian Mission

P.O. Box 91

Mt. Zion, IL 62549

'̂ "•80*73777Knoxville, n 37920

Non-Profrt Org.Permit #5

POSTAGE PAIDMt. Zion, IL

62549

Address Correction Requested

OFFERING A NEW HOPE FOR A NEW RUSSIA

Russia Christian MissionGlenn A Linda Anderson

December 12,1997

Dear Friends,Long ago, in a land far away our Savior was born and

ibis monlb wc celebrale Dis birlb* Linda and 1 'Wiil juslmiss being at two parties - the first one we'll make inDecember but the second one two weeks later will takeplace in far away Russia (Christmas in Russia is January 8).And it is because of His birth and ultimatedeath/resurrection that we are going to work with theRussian people.

Ever since we embarked on this "God-venture" (twoweeks is an ad-venture, two years is a God-venture) wecould see His leading and blessing. The first step was to askGod to lead His people to provide monthly living support -93% ($1,775) has been committed as of this writing [need -$1,900]. Wow, isn't God amazing! Thank you Lord! And to each ofyou who have given special gifts and made commitments to give, we are sothankful.

The second step is the one that lies before us - ministrysupport. Russia Christian Mission (RCM) will be providingall the physical part of this mission (rent for facility,teaching materials, Bibles, interpreters salaries, supplies,everything else you can think of your church uses everySunday).

(over, please)

If you have been considering making a monthlycommitment now is the time to take the step. All specialgifts and new commitments will go toward ministry support($1,200 per month is needed).

Linda and I have committed ourselves to taking thegospel to the Russian people. If you haven't already, willyou join us as PRAYER PARTNERS and becomeSUPPORTING PARTNERS?

We are truly humbled at the way God has provided forthis ministry and are confident that He will work throughyou for the continuing needs of RCM. In a land far awaythe angels announced the good news to the shepherds of theMessiah's birth. There are still a lot of people in the faraway land of Russia who have never heard thatannouncement.

Thank you for your prayers, your love, yourencouragement, and your support. We are in this worktogether, and together we will make a difference for theLord.

For Christ and Russia,

Glenn & Linda Anderson"

God

"isable to doimmeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.(Eph3:20)