Dennis Braga – Pskov, Russia: Update 3

Hey Everyone

Since my last update, we finished all the work that needed to be done in the courtyard and the American team has left. Life in Pskov is different without the Americans, especially since the only person I can really talk to is Daniel. On the good side, I feel more like a local. We know where things are and how to get there on the bus without any problem. When Daniel, Alexander (the church-planter) and I were leaving a village gathering\house church, a young guy walked up to the window of the car and said that he recognized us when we were walking around the downtown area the other day. I am not saying we are celebrities, but people are watching us and it makes us feel like we are citizens of Pskov.

Right after the American team left, Alexander had to spend some time catching up with things that he sacrificed while the American team was here. That meant that the first few days of our first week here, were not very eventful. Even though I wanted to be busy, I think we needed the rest and down time from all that Jim expected from us haha. During one of our “restful days” we tried to call some of friends and see if we could hang out for a bit. Sergei, from the “Drunk Group,” was available so we walked around the neighborhood and chatted. Then we found some other friends Mel and his wife. In about 10 minutes, Daniel and I found ourselves sitting in a wooden gazebo with like 15-20 people, which I will call the “Extended Drunk Group.” Most of the people I didn`t recognized, but they knew us from last summer. Over the course of the night, I asked Mel and his wife if it is okay if we had tea and talked about the Bible says regarding family and marriage (since they have a little girl named Karina). During that same night, we met a 17 yr. old girl named Yulia who found herself somehow the next night at Mel`s house while we were talking about the Bible. We had a good time, sharing stories, laughing and also learning more about the Bible. We talked for several hours. Hopefully we can see Mel and his wife before we leave.

Because of that meeting, Yulia invited us to her house to have tea. Of course we agreed. Instantly we had favor with her mom, who was a great host to us and felt comfortable asking questions about our lives and about the Bible. It seems that Yulia has some background in the Bible and is really understanding what we are trying to communicate. Her mom, on the other hand, has many friends from different denominations and there is some confusion from those influences. Additionally, she has never read the Bible, so her questions are very good and somewhat outside the box. We plan on talking more with them tonight about spiritual things.

This past week we had the priviledge of blessing people with our time and energy. The first person was Sasha, a guy who has been using drugs and heavily drinking his whole life but met Alexander a few years ago through Sasha`s Mom (who attends the Pskov Church). Alexander took him to the village churches and the different ministries he is involved with even though Sasha was not a Christian. Eventually, he decides to go to a Christian Rehab Center and finishes the entire program. We has been clean for about a year and a half and a Christian for about a year. A couple Sundays ago, 10 people were baptized at the Pskov Church and he was one of them. Well, the other day we worked all day and helped him put up wallpaper in his bedroom. While drinking tea around 6PM and resting from our work, I said “Good food, and good company.” He said that if you told him a year ago that 2 Christians from America would be in his kitchen, it wouldn`t believe it. It is powerful how much God can change a person.

We also had the priviledge of going to one of the village churches and spending the day building the future church (which will be partially living quarters). One of the ladies there is Sasha`s Mom! It was cool hearing her story and just how grateful she is that Sasha is a different person now. Since becoming a Christian, she said that every area of his life is improving, even his relationships at work.

Last Sunday, Daniel and I went with our host Dad, Nikolai (who is the assistant pastor at the Pskov Church) to a village church where he is the pastor. Nikolai gave us the privilege of delivering one of the sermons (in Russian Baptist churches, there are always multiple sermons). I say “us” because Daniel is translating while I preach. I keep telling him that he is the real preacher because it doesn`t matter what I say, but what he says. He seemed pretty nervous and it is hard translating Bible vocabulary especially in front of people, but I think God used it. Daniel is really growing from this trip. He is even helping me in our talks with Yulia and her mom. For being 17 years old, I think he is doing a great job with everything involved with this trip and not just translating.

A couple weeks ago, Daniel and I heard from people at church about this huge Youth Conference in St. Petersburg that is happening this weekend. We went to the train station last night around 2AM to get tickets. We almost were beat up by some young military personel for being Americans. [During the somewhat-recent battles between Georgia and Russia, the U.S. got involved and many people from Pskov died in those battles]. There are going to be six of us going to the conference: Daniel, myself, Sasha, Yulia, Rita (a girl from church), Igor (a guy from church who has a similar story as Sasha). I am excited about what God is going to do in each of their lives. They are going to see so many Christians and get great exposure to the Russian-Christian community and good teaching. I think it is going to mind-blowing to say that least, especially for Yulia, who is not a Christian yet.

I think that is most of the highlights of our time in Pskov (post-Jim). Tomorrow is our last full day in Pskov and then onto St. Petersburg. We will have about a week after the conference to help our friends in St. Petersburg that were apart of the Pskov team this summer. Thank you for your prayers. God is working and it is exciting to be joining Him in His work.

Dennis