Rick & Pam Barry Prayer Letter - January 2008
Dear friends and family,
In January we’ve been preparing English translations of the Russian reports received from our national pastors overseas for the American churches that support them. Because the reports from nationals go out quarterly with photos, we rushed and get these into the hands of these prayer supporters for the 4th quarter of 2007.
Pam recently received a handwritten note from the mother of one of the public school kids that attend her Bible classes. This mom writes, “Evan really enjoys your class. He talks about it a lot. I have recently been saved—so we talk about things together.” We hope the old saying is true, that every letter you get represents many more just like it that people never took the time to write!
We are encouraged to see that coworkers overseas are experiencing some wonderful blessings from the Lord. For example, Vitaly Bilyak in Ternopil, Ukraine, is seeking ways to reach out to college-age youths in his city. Along with other believers from the church, Vitaly and his wife have arranged meetings on the campus of a technical school, held a Christmas program, started a group that meets in a café, and also have small group meetings in the homes of believers. Some have trusted Christ through this, and they continue to reach out.
Those of you who have read Peter Rumachik’s book A Path Not Lined with Roses about his 18 years in Soviet prison camps for being an active Christian will be interested to know that we will soon release an updated printing. This is another project Rick has been working on. In 2002 Peter and his son Pavel received permission to return to the Siberian prison camps where Peter was held during his years of captivity. The Lord gave marvelous opportunities to preach to convicts and some prison officials. So we’re updating his life story to include this final chapter and new photographs. We trust that it will be a blessing and challenge to many.
In March Rick plans to travel to Russia and Belarus. Although we do receive regular reports from our workers on the field, it’s good and encouraging to visit, to see firsthand how the ministry is going, to join them in the preaching, and to share whatever burdens we can with them. We have two new church planters in Belarus to visit. Rick would appreciate prayer as he makes travel plans, including preparing Russian sermons.
For those of you who have not seen Rick’s Christian WW II novel Gunner’s Run, you can read Chapter 1 by going to www.bjupress.com and entering the title in the search box. We have received very encouraging notes about the book from readers. Also, would you use the enclosed bookmark to suggest that your local library (or church library, or a home-school group) order a copy? Thank you! A little PR can go a long way.
We praise the Lord for the news that Calvary Baptist in York, Pa., has added us to their support. Also, a Christian businessman has been a huge blessing by providing support, and many of you have given occasional gifts, which are appreciated so much. Honestly we don’t have words to thank you for your prayers and the financial gifts that enable us to be working for the salvation of souls and planting of new churches in formerly communist lands in Russia and Eastern Europe.
Thank you so much for your prayers!
In Christ,
Rick & Pam Barry
P.S. Pastor Yuri Trofimov in Kazan, Russia, has planted a new church. Rick visited them a year ago. They hope to begin building their own building this spring and applied to BIEM for aid. Rick will plan to visit them too.