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This is Alexandar, he serves as the head elder of the Tomsk Seventh-day Adventist Church
in Siberia, Russia. Alexandar loves to help lead this small group of believers. Every
Sabbath they meet in a small house church, down a back alley on the outskirts of town.
More than 120 people pack into a room not much bigger than a living room. They read
the Bible, studying God's Word as they grow closer to Jesus. Many members in the congregation
have seen tremendous changes take place in their lives. But none have as great an impact
as the change that took place in Alexandar's.
"For the first five years of my marriage everything was fine with my husband. but then he started
to drink alcohol." :
"It caused some problems in our family because I didn't like his constant drinking and he
was not a good example for his young sons and I didn't want them to start doing the
same thing":
"I grew up in small village and when I received a job working for the communist government,
I was very proud. Then when communism fell, i lost my place. my pride was gone and i became
depressed. I started to drink heavily":
"One day I decided to kneel down on the floor of my apartment and I was crying out to god
saying "if you truly EXIST then help me. You know what is happening with my family." :
"A few days later, I was given a flyer for an evangelistic meeting that was taking place
soon. The flyer said that if you had any family problems, to come to the meeting. I decided
to go because I was praying that this was the solution to all my problems.":
Lubov attended the meetings and soon became a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
in Tomsk. Alexandar didn't like this, and he knew how to handle the problem.
"I was going to save my wife. I went to the church to cause a problem, but when I arrived
I was shocked. The members were rejoicing that I was there and I didn't know what to
think."
"I came there as an enemy, I came to create a war, but God showed me His love through
those brothers and sisters in the church. I decided that I needed to follow this lifestyle
like my wife."
Alexandar was baptized and today he and Lubov live in a loving Christian home. What was
once a place poisoned by depression and alcohol, became a place of love and peace.
: This quarter a portion of your 13th Sabbath
Offerings will go to build a new church for Alexandar, Lubov and their fellow Seventh-day
Adventists in Tomsk. Their lives were changed and now you have the opportunity to help them
change the lives of others who are searching for peace and love. Please pray for our fellow
Adventists in Tomsk. Please think of them when you are faithfully giving your Mission
Offerings this quarter.