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From December 7 till December 9 2007 we had an exploratory expedition to Pskov region. Bordering with Saint-Petersburg region,
it's population is around 660,000 (January 2007). It also has the highest in Russia death-rate because of alcoholism. As it
often happens in such "out-of-the-way" places in Russia, evangelical Church is not very strong here at this time.
In the whole Pskov region there are only 6 Baptist Churches and 4 groups.
Here we went, being invited by Church leadership to initiate Rehabilitation ministry, establish contacts and see the area
for ourselves. Out first point of destination has been Central Baptist Church in Pskov, where we have arrived early in the
morning.
There we met three brothers who would accompany us on the way. This is one of them, a deacon of the Church, photographer,
he is pointing out to a very well done stand in the Church hall, which leads you through the history of this 120 years old
congregation.
This is how their assembly hall looks like on the inside. Very nice!
We spent about an hour there, having some tea with cookies as well as our morning devotions from God's word and prayer. Then
we loaded some boxes with New Testaments and some humanitarian help and started our way to the South. We were supposed to
cover 350 km. and to arrive in the city of Velikie Luki, where a newbord local Church was earnesly desiring to organize Rehabilitation
center and help those in addictions.
Somewhere in the middle of the way we stopped for lunch. God sent us a possibility to feed one of the "perishing from
alcohol" men, that can be seen in multitudes on the streets. This good man has received not only food for his stomack,
but also for his soul.
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