From Sasha

Dear brother in Christ and friend, Rick and dear Carolyn! I greet you with Love of God.
As we have agreed on the phone I’m writing to you this letter responding to your questions and reporting about how we do.

Land. Having plans to enrage the church territory by joining a piece of land bordering on the north, we addressed a letter to the town mayor and visited him personally shearing our intentions. Following the law the city hearing was appointed, but nobody from the city showed up and the hearing was acknowledged to be not hold. The local authorities didn’t give us any reply. On the 14th of June we resent the letter to the mayor. The new hearing is appointed for the end of July. We hope for the good result, although the result can be unexpected. In the beginning we plan to build a playground for church children and local children. And if we have possibility later we plan to construct a building for children.

Public chamber. The members of it are representatives of public and religious charity non political organizations. The chamber is of consultative character at regional governor. The governor brings up to the public chamber bills and different issues touching the public life. The chamber considers, discusses them and gives recommendations or speaks out the opinion of the public organizations. At the moment the Legislative Assembly of the region considers and confirms the candidates for the chamber. I have been chosen as candidate as representative of Churches Unite of Irkutsk. So far I’m not aware of the Assembly’s decision about my candidature.

Students. Two brothers from our church: Evgeny Kobenko and Vitaly Medvedev study at the Theological faculty of Bible Collage in Omsk city. Evgeny will graduate in a year, Vitaly needs to study two more years. At the end of the studies they both plan to come back to the church and carry the ministry that church will commit them. Knowing their gifts we plan to commit Vitaly the missionary work and evangelism. Evgeny possibly will be a preacher and minister at small congregation in one of the settlements of the region. Now they both are on summer holidays and are very active at the church: work at the construction, help at the rehab center, preach at the worship services.

Summer work. We run a small summer camp for local children at Podkamennaya village, 40 km from the town. Possibly in September we will start charity canteen there for the local children and teenagers from poor families, and will run a Bible study group for adults. Time will show. From 24th of July till 15th of August we will be running two summer camps at the lake Baikal for children and teens of the town.

The 15th anniversary of the church. This year we celebrate the 15th anniversary of the church since the first baptismal. This date in July 1992 we consider as the beginning of the church history as independent congregation. We will have celebrations on 20, 21, 22of July with festive worships, baptismal and etc. we will have guests from churches of Irkutsk region. We are really sad that you will not be present at celebrations. Through this celebration we want to remind people church history and to show the perspective.

Strategy plans. We have developed strategy plan till the year 2010.
The goals:
- high quality evangelism to 10 000 people
- increase the number of preaches at the church to 15 people
- run evangelical projects at all the settlements of Shelekhov region.
- increase the church members number in 1,5 – 2 times
- increase home groups number two time
- finish church building construction
- have one more ordained bishop
- be involved at the process of planting new church at one of the districts of the town or settlements near by
We are already doing some work to archive the goals.

Other questions.
Our visions for 10 000usd:
- 500 – for Kiril studies
- 4000 for the same kind of needs as April transh
- 500 for church anniversary celebration
- 600 acoustic and music equipment
- 800 – video camera for the church
- 1000 stabilization found
- 2600 – different ideas, possibly to run some small business

Our vision for 5000 usd you, Rick, have spoken on the phone, as probably extra donation.
We could direct this finances for developing church business. We have bees thinking a lot about your words that Shelekhov church needs to develop to become more financially stable and able to support the ministries. At the beginning we weren’t used to this thought, but after many prayers and discussions we cam to the conclusion that we need to develop church business. In our vision we have two projects: wood processing and apiculture (bee-keeping).

A brother from the church Pavel Pkidku wants to donate to the church the power-saw bench. So, we plan to start sowing the timber and sell it. We also have one more idea: cutting the wood. We are aware or real possibilities. We understand that this is a very serious business, so we are not in a hurry and try to take right decisions. We have general things: unanimity of the church and ministers, vision and faith. Such business will allow not only receive some income and materials for construction finishing, but also to support different ministries and social projects at the church and in the town. It also will provide with working places for church members and help to adopt the former drug-addicted, that believed in God. To start this business (to sow timber or to cut timber) 100000 usd are required. The expected income (based on the experience of some companies) is leveling between 7000 usd and 20000-25000 usd per month. Brother Pavel is ready to donate 16000usd to start the business and we plan to use 5000usd from you to support the business too. Some part of 10000 usd with your agreement we also will use for this plans. We hope that God provides the needed sum of money and shows the better ways.

Talking about apiculture, we could develop it with successful start of the sawmill. But this another step and another idea. I wan to repeat that w are still at the point of planning and developing business plan. Things are developing fast.

We will be happy to hear your opinion about our plans.
At the church the climate is well. We are getting ready for summer camps.

I’m finishing my letter.
My family is sending our love to you.
Praying for you
Your brother and friend
Alexander