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Take a moment and think about people. Look at their faces. Imagine their lives. Think
about what you see. Look in their eyes and into their souls. Because Jesus does.....
The Euro-Asia Division is made up of countries that were once part of the Soviet Union. The
largest in land mass of the Church's 13 divisions, Euro-Asia represents some of the toughest
challenges facing the Adventist Church today.
"Our greatest challenge is to have more chapels here in this great division
territory, and the 13th sabbath offering will come for different projects of chapels in
different countries. so we are so happy and it's so important for us that the family of
our church will be contributing for these wonderful projects"
Located on the Black Sea between Turkey and Russia, Georgia is home to some 4 million
people and is famous its vineyards and a crusty bread called Puri. This bread is baked in
special ceramic ovens and the baker places the bread on the walls of the circular oven.
The coals reach temperatures over 600 degrees Fahrenheit or 315 degrees Celsius..
The largest city in Georgia is the capital, Tbilisi which is home to more than 1.5 million
people. One of these is a five year old boy named Luka. He enjoys spending time with his
family and playing on the playground near his apartment. He also likes to play with
his toys and on his fathers computer. Luka's father is a pastor and Luka heard that his
father was going to have evangelistic meetings. Luka loved his teacher and he wanted her to
love Jesus just like him. He decided to invite his kindergarten teacher, Ms. Keti, to the
meetings. She attended the meetings and found that her life was changed.
"When I came to the program, there were 20 meetings and I attended 19 of
them. and I liked it so much and I felt that this was what I was searching for."
This quarter part of the 13th Sabbath Offerings will go to print children's materials in the
local languages of the countries of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. This will help to
train the young children and help them to grow spiritually so that they can share the
love of Jesus with their friends and neighbors. Please think of these children when you are
giving your 13th Sabbath Offering this quarter.
Luka and all the other children from this part of the world thank you for your wonderful
gifts of love.
Not far from Georgia is another country where the 13th Sabbath Offering will benefit the
local church. We are not mentioning the name of this country because the members there
do not have the religious freedom that most of us enjoy and take for granted. This country
is a mixture of both old and new, east and west. It is considered a secular country,
but most religions are not allowed to freely share their faith. Despite these restrictions,
people are still being reached. Lives are being changed and peoples hearts are warming
to the message of Jesus' love and forgiveness. Please pray for the people of this country
in Central Asia. You may not know their names, but Jesus does and He wants them to love Him,
as much as He loves them.....
Siberia, the name brings chills just thinking about it. Stories have long been told of people
who were sent to Siberia by the old Communist government as a punishment. In reality, Siberia
is covered with some of the most beautiful forests you will ever see. It's dense landscape
rolls over hills and mountains as it spreads out from the Ural mountains to the Pacific
Ocean. This is an area of more than 13.1 million square kilometers and comprises 77% of Russia
land mass. Yet only 26% of it's population lives here. Life in Siberia can be challenging,
yet the people that live here have a warmness to them that instantly makes a visitor feel
welcome and at home.
In the city of Krasnoyarsk, the Adventist Church will benefit from your Mission Offerings
through the building of a new church. Plans have been set and the property has been purchased.
Now the 600 Adventists that worship in this town of 1 million people will enjoy a beautiful
church that will hold more than 500 people. Currently, members meet in a small church
that only holds 110 people and three groups rent public buildings. This new building will
allow the church to grow and will provide a welcoming and warm home for the members
to invite their friends.
The city of Tomsk is more than 400 years old and is proud of its history of being one of
the oldest cities in Siberia. Built on the banks of the Tom River, Tomsk served as a
fortress on the western frontier of the Russian wilderness. Monuments honor those who have
died protecting their homeland from invaders. Home to more than 500,000 people, its streets
are lined with the old traditional wood homes that help to protect its residents from the
harsh cold winters. The coldest temperature ever recorded here was -67 degrees Fahrenheit
or -55 degrees Celsius back in 1931.
Students come from all over Siberia to study here, since Tomsk is also home to a number
of institutions of higher learning.
This quarter your 13th Sabbath Offerings will help to build a new church for the members
in Tomsk. Currently they worship in a small house in a poorer part of town. Each Sabbath
more than 120 people crowd into the small room that serves as their sanctuary. The church
has about 180 members, but some don't attend as they know that there won't be any place
for them to sit, let alone stand during the service. The members in Tomsk would love to
grow their church, but they are out of room and a new church building is badly needed
so that they can invite their friends, family and neighbors to learn about Jesus.
A small lot has been purchased closer to the middle of town and is in a location where
it will draw the attention of passersby. By giving to the Mission Offering this quarter,
you are helping to establish a significant presence for the Church in Tomsk. Please keep
the members here in your hearts and in your prayers this Sabbath. Many of the members
of this church have seen their lives dramatically changed through the power of the Holy Spirit.
This overflowing church is a testament to the lives that can be touched by hearing about
the love of Jesus.
This quarter you can help make a difference in the lives of the people of the Euro-Asia
Division. You can help to reach people that need to hear the good news of a loving Savior.
Your faithful gifts will help provide new church homes for members who want to share
with others, how their lives have been changed. Faithful members who, despite living in extreme
conditions, strive to fulfill the gospel commission to tell the whole world about Jesus.
Thank you for supporting the Mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.