I feel compelled to present an opportunity to those who believe the Lord may be leading them to share His love in a broader way. It is true that many HC's (most) are too small to think of sending out a missionary or missionary family themselves. But there are other ways we can reach across our local boundaries to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the lost and exhort the church in another country.

One of these ways is to simply send God's Word to them: Give them Bibles. The Holy Spirit of our Lord will use His written Word to draw the lost, encourage the saved, and give opportunity for witness/testimony to those whose hands can hold this treasure. And this can be done at a level appropriate to any assemblage of believers --few or many Bibles sent, as resources permit.

Our body began, in 1990, to send Bibles to Russia. Not big truckloads to be "warehoused" in Moscow and dolled out as "favors". No, individual copies of the Scriptures to individual names and addresses. We were initially enabled to do this through a brother in Christ, Timothy Chmykhalov, who gave us the first 400 names and addresses. (Does anyone out there remember the "Siberian Seven" in the 70's?

-- underground Russian believers who, because of religious persecution, obtained assylum in the US Embassy in Moscow for 5 years? Timothy was the youngest one.

We met Timothy while living in Dallas (I believe he's in WA state now), after reading an article in a Christian magazine, and invited him to our student missionary fellowship group. At that time, he challenged us to do what we could to place God's Word into the hands of his countrymen, during the "perestroika" period. Timothy didn't just urge _us_ to do so--he lived this himself. Visiting at his home, we saw few material goods, but stacks of boxes of the Scriptures, all to be loving hand addressed and sent to longing hearts in his homeland, as his small salary allowed. (He worked in the mailroom of Christ for the Nations.) He had been "the voice" for a radio broadcast beamed into the Soviet Union, where he offered to send Bibles to any who would write asking for them --as funds allowed him to do so. The response was overwhelming...

Our HC began sending Bibles, reasonably purchased, in 50's and 100's. We include a note in English and Russian which simply says: "This Bible is given in Jesus' name by American Christians; we trust God that you received it in good condition. We are a small group of Jesus' disciples and would like to help you get Bibles into the hands of your friends, relatives and the church in your city. If you know someone who would appreciate a Bible, please have them write to (the name and address of one in our HC.) We will respond as quickly as God enables. God bless you!"

We placed this note inside the cover of each Bible, wrapped and addressed them as a body (children included, Joann! --they love this!) As one, we would lay hands upon the stack of packages, asking for the Lord's protection of them and for His direction of each book to the person for whom HE intended it, and sent them off via local PO. Realizing some might be stolen in transit, we claimed the promise that the Lord's word never returns to Him void.

Did we get responses? Yes!!! --do you want to see the notebooks full of letters of joy and tears and photographs of your brethren over there? Where did we get more names and address? Usually for every 2-3 Bibles we sent, we would receive another request for one. Are some being sold for private gain? Yes, probably. But if the Lord's Word goes out - we praise God! Do we have names and address left? Yes, we do --and enough to share a "starter" with any of your bodies which Jesus leads to be involved in this type of outreach. Write to us by post or privately, and we will help you begin with a group of labels and the resources where you can purchase the Bibles.

There is _not_ a KJV in Russian, brothers, should someone ask. There is one main Russian translation, which we trust God to have overseen! We sent 3 kinds of Bibles --Large print, for the elderly [about $9 each], regular print/vinyl covers [about $4 each] and children's David C. Cook illustrated NT [around $6 each] --plus shipping. You can figure about $7 per regular Bible for purchase and mailing. Some of these Bibles have a clear "plan of salvation" outlined in the back (similar to Campus Crusade materials.) In this case the "missionary" --the sent out one--is God's printed Word. Just remember...once you start this, it is difficult to stop! If He leads, tell the church in your house about this opportunity, seek the Lord's will regarding your participation, and drop us a line if you're interested or just want more information.