The spring project in Baranovichi, Brest region:
Baranovichi, Lasyuk family
June, 3-6
4 days some boys and I invited people to watch "The creation of the world" film. We invited about 300 people. People received us differently. Some welcomed, some did not want to open the door. I met a woman, who rejected the existence of God. She was raised in a family where they even did not mention God, but when they spoke about Him, they said it was a fairy-tale. She asked me what was the movie about. About monkeys? I tried to explain. I told that the world was created by God. She used her scientific knowledge to prove the common view. I read the first chapter of Genesis. She replied that she believed only in science and did not want any other explanations. She finished our conversation. But she came to the film and took all her family. They said they liked the movie very much. They also agreed to come to the service.
June, 7
After the next performance of the film I asked some young people (there were about 30 of them) if they liked the film and if they believed in God. They said there must be a certain force which helps and keeps people from evil. Some of them would agree that there is God but they doubted and hesitated to call Him God. I invited them to come to our service to learn more about the "force" and to have fellowship with young Christians. They promised to come.
June, 8
This Sunday we had two services. Between the services there was a youth meeting. I was asked to speak to the youth. I did it. It was a good experience for me.
June, 9-13
The next week was even more intensive than the last one. I worked with children at the camp. I had short lessons with them. I taught different themes. Among them: "Who is God?", "The Holy Bible", "Why Jesus was born?", "Salvation", "Who can be saved?" I got very tired after classes but was happy. You can learn much teaching children.
June, 14
A music group visited our church. Young people had an outing with singers. We learned one another, had a nice fellowship, sang and played games.
June, 15, Sunday
The weather was fine and after the morning service we went to the park. We sang songs among people. We invited everybody who listened to us to come to the church to a concert. But people were afraid to come to the church, no one came.
June, 17-21
This week was very exciting. My wife and I went to see my mother. She lives in a small village near Baranovichi. There is a church there and we could tell people about Christ. My mother keeps a horse. Her fellow villagers ask her to give her horse to plough or to bring hay. Most of the people are old and I had an opportunity to help them. I did it gladly. I often got tired but I always tried to tell them about God. After work I gave people New Testaments which I always had with me. Not all people wanted to take books. A man said once: "I sinned so much in my life that no book helps me." One man asked me many questions about Baptists, who they are, how their services are and so on. Recently he has lost his wife and missed her very much. He felt very lonely. We spoke much about God with him. I tried to comfort him reading some verses from the Bible. I read about God's love, I read that God wants us to come to Him. I invited him to the church and he came!
In the evenings I met my friends. It was so painful to see my fellow villagers. There are two main groups among them - the old and drunkards. Especially young people drink much.
We spoke about the meaning of our life. They tried to justify themselves. There is no job. Life is hard. I asked them why they did not attend the church. They smiled and said that this is for old ladies, but they are young. They do not want to be mocked by their friends. I told them about many young Christians, about my fellow students. They listened attentively. One of them said that this was good that there are such young people. Their life must be interesting. But in the village only old women go to the church. If you came to the church your friends might leave you. I replied that God gives many friends instead of those who left. He never lets down His children. I pray that God works in hearts of those people.
Meanwhile my wife met an old woman. She hardly could walk. My wife visited her every day and helped her about the house and in the garden.
June, 22, Sunday
We stayed at the church in my village. I preached. People were very happy that we spent time with them. After the service I visited an elderly woman. She was ill.
June, 23
I took my mother's horse and went to the next village. Some people from the church joined me and we visited people in Selenaya village. We had a small meeting there. Some women cried when they listened to God's Word. Villagers like to listen but not many receive Jesus.
June, 24
On that day we were working physically. Two lorries brought Christian literature for Gedeons. We all unloaded it. Afterwards we had fellowship with brothers.
June, 25
While speaking to people in the town I met a girl. She appeared to be Jehovah witness. I began to speak about Jesus, about what He did on the cross. She told He was an ordinary man. She denied the Holy Trinity. I tried to close our conversation as quick as possible and we parted as friends. I want to keep good relationships with her to continue speaking with her about Jesus.
That day I managed to tell about God to some other people. In the evening we had a meeting.
June, 26
I prepared a meeting with the youth. My theme was "How to reach people out?" I told them that there must not necessary be big Gospel events with famous preachers and music bands. We can witness to our neighbors, colleagues, to people in the street and so on. I shared my experience too.
June, 27
My wife and I decided to visit some unknown single old people at the hospital. We bought some food and took New Testaments. A nurse told us that there was an old woman whom nobody visited. People in the room were surprised when they saw us. We told about ourselves and about Jesus. Women listened very attentively. We were not allowed to stay long, but we were very happy that the old woman felt not alone for a while and that we told about God's love. This encouraged us too.
June, 28
I was busy with my private businesses and prepared my next sermon.
June, 29 (Sunday)
After the morning service I had a long talk with the pastor. He shared his experience, told about his life, about difficulties and happy moments. In the evening I was preaching. This was our last day in Baranovichi. Next day we had to leave because my wife had to go to the hospital in Kobrin.
Weekly ministry & Missionary projects:
