1. Slava and Julia - They came to Novo for a couple of weeks to attend a couple of weddings. If you don't remember who they are, they are the former preacher and his wife who helped start this church four years ago. A year ago, they moved to St. Petersburg to attend seminary and work for a church there. We have really missed them and the leadership they provided while they were here. Slava performed both weddings - one here in Novo and the other in Tomsk. He also preached while he was here. They were a great encouragement for the church.

2. Baptisms- The Lord added two more people to His kingdom this month! One was a young lady named Polina. She was studied with by one of our sisters named Natalia. They were both co-teachers at Rob Brownes English Bible camp this year.

The second person who came to the Lord was Olga. She was the sister of Ludmila, our sister in Christ for three years.  Ludmilia and Lena, another sister, had been studying with Olga for the last year and a half. She was open sometimes to the gospel, and other times very prideful and not willing to repent. She has never been really healthy, and over the last year her health really declined. Ludmilia suspected stomach cancer, and by the time Olga went to the hospital a few weeks ago, it was already too far along to do anything. Olga, realizing that her time was limited realized that her pride was not worth her eternity and quickly repented. Steve baptized her there at the hospital. It was quite an experience for all of them as she barely had the strength to sit in the bathtub.  Olga, her son Anton, Ludmilia, and Steve sang praises to God and prayed together.   It was a special moment for all of them. Steve even anointed her with oil and prayed over her (a first for him). But over a week later, Olga passed on. It has been very hard for Anton, her son. He became a Christian a year and a half ago. Steve, Chris, and Rob, and Olga's boyfriend helped helped the family with funeral preparations, the wake, and the funeral.    Please pray for 18 year old Anton since he has know lost his mom (cancer), dad (murdered), stepdad 1 (cancer), stepdad 2 (auto accident).  Pray that he will not lose his faith and that he can find a good paying job.

3. Weddings- There was a wedding here in our church between Ivan I. (one of the few men in the church) and a girl named Looba. They met at a Pizza restaurant here in Novo. We were not sure if she was a Christian or not, but we found out she was converted in the International church of Christ but had left it because of legalism. She is a really sweet young lady and perfect for Ivan.  Ivan hasn't been very faithful in attending church, but we hope she will help him take more responsibility as a male leader in the church.  Jenny got to prepare the bride's hair and help her get ready for the ceremony (Looba's mom lives in America, she married an American three years ago, and there are no other relatives). Slava preformed the wedding, Chris was Ivan's witness (they call it that instead of groomsman, and they usually have one).  The church helped decorate the hall in the building we used to rent for church services (now we meet in a home).  The wedding was great and beautiful. But through it all Looba and Ivan got close to more people in the church.

The second wedding was in Tomsk. Us, the Vroomans and the Fants (Chris and Michele) took a road-trip up to Tomsk to attend the wedding of Vova and Sveta (Vova is Luda and Ron Kennedy's brother) and Sveta has stayed in our home as a guest. Slava and Julia also came up there to perform that wedding. We (Vroomans and Fants) stayed with the Norvilles and really enjoyed spending time with them.   Tomsk has has many special people that encourage us greatly.

4. Church- How is the church doing? sigh... It is a hard question to answer. I think the church is in need of a revival. On average we have about 25 people at church on Sunday's. But the atmosphere at the church has been a little stilted for some.  We are hoping that we can call people to a time of prayer and renewal so that this atmosphere will improve.  Things have improved that last two Sundays when we set aside some time for small group prayer.   Each member is able to minister and be ministered by praying for each other.  The worship has been better too.  The lessons have been very good.  We have been preparing the church to "give birth" to more house churches and to grow in knowing Jesus.

We are hoping that we can plant a new churches through "preaching points" in this city of 2 million souls.  These "points" are the homes, work places, or areas were seekers are open and comfortable in regards to hearing lessons about Jesus.  For example the Russian co-teachers from camp have invited Rob and Traci their homes  to teach them and their relatives about Jesus each Sunday.   Please pray that a new house church would develop.   Natalia and Polinda have been converted out of that group in the last year.  The first meeting was last Sunday and over 10 people came.   We are committed to starting many more such groups.

5. Apartment- O yes, we are still working on remodeling our flat. It needed new wallpaper, windows (the warm kind), paint, and plumbing and electrical work. So we are down to the last two weeks before we have to be out of our current flat and into the next flat and we are feeling a little stressed, especially cause we are having a hard time finding a babysitter, since ours returned to college. But the Lord is really showing us the love of people around us as they volunteer to help us out (especially our team).   Hopefully we will be moved by the 15th, and things will settle down a little bit for us.

6. Savannah and Daniel- Our kids are doing great. Savannah is still learning more and more Russian and she is pretty much potty trained now. Daniel started eating baby cereal but most of it ends up on his bib.  He turned five months old yesterday. He loves to smile and watch people. We get lots of ahs and ohhs from people when we go on walks and he is in the backpack and Savannah in the stroller.

7.  Youth Group - Chris has been helping Steve with the youth group for the past month.  We've needed two vehicles to transport the 8 or 9 kids to the boat marina on the Ob Sea.   One Saturday there were 3 waves coming at us as we pulled out of the marina.   The eight of us braved the swells and made it into cove.   After praying for quiet water, the wind died down and many went kneeboarding, wakeboarding, and tubing.  The Bible lessons have centered "God's creation", "new creation" and "love".  Anton, Vanya, Luba, Veronika, Chris and I have been trying to reach out to Dima, Nadia, Tamara, Lena, and Nikita.  Pray that Alona, Alosha, and Kristina can be more involved in the youth group.  Pray that we'd have a spiritual revival this fall.

8.  Boating Ministry - Besides helping draw visitors to Saturday's youth group, the boat has enriched fellowship in the church.  Ivan Ivanovich and his new wife, Luba, really enjoyed kneeboarding and tubing for the first time.  Better yet, it really helped us to get to know each other better.   Slava and Steve went fishing but had no luck in the catching department.  We have been blessed to have other Christians and seekers out on the boat for some fun, friendship, fellowship, sand, sun, and outreach.

Well, that is about all for now. Thank you for reading our update. We appreciate your prayers, especially for protection from the evil one, and growth for the church.  As soon as we get settled in our flat, we are going to several universities and are going to be guest speakers. We plan to invite them to an evidences class. Please pray that we see fruit from this endeavor. God bless you all!

Love,
Steve and Jenny Vrooman