The following is my suggested schedule for 2016 that includes away from home travel eluding most all home activities like preaching, writing, preparing, house keeping, yard work, gardening, and exercising.
January....Work
out yearly schedule and take "Unique" to Searcy.
February...8-10--FHU
lectureship.
11-22--Mission work--Chia, Neiva, and Zapaquia, Colombia.
March 30-April
11--Chelyabinsk and Miass, Russia.
Campaign NE-SE reunion in Pennsylvania (in making).
May........At
home busy as stated above.
June........21-29--Help
with new work in Zapaquia (Maybe).
July.........Busy
at home.
August......4-15--Chia,
Neiva, Zapaquia.
September...26,
27--Harding lectureship.
28-October 11--Chelyabinsk, Miass (subject to change).
November-December--Thanksgiving
and Christmas.
Thanks for your interest, encouragement, support, and prayers.
God's care,
Owen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Russia Mission Report -- October 4-17
The
mission trip began in the Little Rock airport with Delta,Tuesday, Oct.
4, 9:35 AM and arrived in Chelyabinsk, Russia, Wed. 5, 7:30 PM. The difference
in time is because the time zone in Chelyabinsk is 10 hours ahead of the
central time zone in
the US.
Lessons Presented
For
seven days October 5- I2, I spoke noon and 6:30 PM in Chelyabinsk,
1,300.000 pop. We had attendance 13-21 on week days and 40 on Sunday.
We gathered in the apartment where the church meets except Saturday when
we met in a rented auditoria
where 27 assembled. In Chelyabinsk we had 7 visitors,
4 of which seemed possibly good contacts.
On
Thursday October 13 we rode a bus a little least than 3 hours to Miass,
200,000 where I spoke twice 6:00 - 8:00 PM October 13-16 to 6 to
15, including one visitor, the mother of one of the members who came to
visit her daughter. In both
cities we had many good questions after the lectures.
Maybe the answered questions after the messages were
the helpful than the lessons.
Weather Conditions
We
had cloudy weather most of the time with temperatures mostly in the 40s
and 50s. In Miass we had snow flurries Monday through Friday morning, and
a two inch snow on Saturday that stuck, but not in Chelyabinsk. Miass
is north and higher
in elevation.
Helpful During Travel
During
travel from and back to Little Rock people were very helpful. In
Atlanta I asked the lady behind the desk when I was to board, for in Russia
no number was placed on my boarding pass. She said to wait until she called
my name. To my surprise
she called my name, and no one else's, as one
of the first passengers to board. Please Pray for Russia
The
work in Russia is much slower than it was when we first went in the 90s,
but there still are those who want to learn if we can find them. Pray for
them and the members of the congregations.
August 2016
Finally, have the report ready. I think
you will be pleased with the work and
the blessings of the Lord on the work. The report
is prepared to keep all informed
concerning the good work in S Amer. God's care,
Owen
Trip to Colombia South America 8/9 - 24, 2016
The
mission trip was blessed with 5 baptisms, home studies and good attendance
for the children classes. I gave nightly lessons.
The
beginning looked like we were not off to a good start. Delta had grounded
all
planes two days earlier, but flights became possible
8/9. Mine was delayed so I missed
most of the dental help of Stan Mitchell in Atlanta,
but did have a lunch with him and his
wife, Brenda.
At the airport in Birmingham, Carolyn Windham found out she could not go
because
she did not have 6 more months in her passport
which is required to travel to a foreign
country. This was a big disappointment for her
and all of us. It was a loss for our
children's program for she is a good teacher
and had a lot of material for us to use.
Chia -- 8/10-14
We
had a special morning session for Mario and Jair, wives included, which
had suggestions for the work and how to keep
fresh for it. At the drug rehab we had 10
men present, to whom I gave an hour lesson. Norbey
decided to be baptized. He and his
friend, Germain, who was away but returned the
next day, were baptized. Those in
the drug rehab realized they need help so chose
to go there. Their support is mostly
supplied by their family.
On
Saturday afternoon we had 2 special children programs, one in a Zipaquira
park which was attended by 30 children and one
in a Chia park which had around 90
and some parents. Around 12 parents stayed for
a lesson I gave for then. Members helped
prepare the program. Claudia did a good job with
activities and Bible teaching for the
children.
Jair,
who is working with the Zipa congregation, and Mario with Chia, and some
others went to nearby homes to invite children.
Mario and I had a good study with a mother
who came to the Zipa children's program
Zipaquira -- 8/15-17
The
Zipa congregation began last fall when Jair, who has his own business,
decided
to help begin the work in Zipa. He is married
and has children. The N. Olive St. congregation
in Peoria, AZ is helping with this work. We had
one lady and daughter who attended one
night session in which I spoke. We found a few
we think will be good contacts for Jair to visit.
Neiva -- 8/19-21
Four
of us, Mario, Jair, Claudia, and I, traveled Thursday in Jair's car about
200 mi. to
help the small congregation of around 10 in Neiva,
which has struggled to grow for some time.
We were able to study with contacts left by a
brother who earlier came to help Neiva for a
few weeks. Around 10 nonmembers came to the home
of a member for a Bible study. Padro,
one of them, was later baptized, and also sisters
Andrea and Karen.
25
attended the children's program. This helped make the congregation known
in the community.
On
Saturday evening I gave a wedding ceremony for Juan Carlos and Yolima.
It was
a non-marriage wedding ceremony. They had wanted
it an official ceremony, but a problem
in getting the license meant the official wedding
will be later. Since they wanted me to
perform the wedding, they went ahead had the
ceremony, but they will be married later.
We
4 stayed in the home of Alex and Heidi, who prepared meals for us.
After
this we returned to Chia 8/22. Jair took me to the Bogota airport the next
day.
The Work
Most
of the planning for the work was done by Mario, who did an excellent job
of putting it all together and helping with the
work. He preaches in Chia; also he was the
translator for all my nightly lessons. Jair is
involved in preaching and helping the new
Zipa congregation grow. Claudia taught home classes
in the place of Carolyn and did a
good job with the children. She teaches and has
attended university classes.
Please Pray
The
congregations in these 3 places are healthy and wanting to grow. Please
pray
for wisdom in all we do in these works.
Plans
are in the making to go to Chia and Zipa twice a year and once a year to
Neiva.
Thanks
for your interest and help. The financial gifts that are given help support
the
mission efforts and provides some of Mario's
support.
South America Trip - August 9-23
The upcoming trip for Owen includes speaking at Chia, Zipa, and Neiva,
Colombia.
Carolyn Windham of Birmingham
also plans to go. She is to teach home studies, children
classes, and a ladies
class. Claudia a native of Colombia is to be her translator. Owen is
to speak at all three
congregations and teach home classes with contacts made in June in Zipa.
Mario Pinzon is to be
his translator.
At each of the cities is planned an afternoon for children classes. These
may be a great
help. The last trip we
had a trial run in Neiva on Saturday. Over 20 children came, which
also attracted parents.
Zipa will be a main target for it is the new congregation that started
this spring. The
team led by Jimmy Pinzon
in Zipa that included 17 from Arizona and 2 from Tennessee, plus
me, left around 25 contacts,
which we plan to see and study with if possible. Jair has
arranged to let others
attend to his business so he can work full time teaching the gospel.
In Chia and Zipa will be jacket wearing weather, while Neiva will be more
like here.
Thanks for praying for these works.
Chia Report
We had on this month a special day for fellowship focused in the youngsters, the activity was host by the church of Christ in Funza. We had young people coming from 6 different churches of Christ (The church in Los Angeles, the Church in Salitre, the Church in Boza, the Church in Zipaquira, the Church in Chia and the Church in Funza) around the state that I live. The topic was entitled: “Be wise in your Youth”, the speaker was a brother from El Salvador that was helping and working for a period of time for the church in Funza. They played some games, and had fun!! We had around 40 people in attendance.
We had continue the class for young people on Sunday morning. The rehab center have encourage the young people that are with them to join to these classes. Now they are more linked to the youth group of the congregation!! We still had the material we told you months ago, because it is very dynamic and make the class very active, these are lessons based on the scriptures with special activities for the young people.South America Trip - August 9-23We are very glad to inform you that the ministry at the rehab center it is producing fruits, 3 boys were baptized on this month!!! As you know we have been going once a week since April of this year; we study with them, show love and appreciation to them and God made the seed grow! The church here is really happy for this and took more courage to preach to their relatives and friends!! To God be the Glory!!
We spoke with the members that live in one of the neighborhoods (Fagua) that it’s far from the downtown, since is difficult for them to gather in a weekly meeting, so we decided to begin in that neighborhood a home bible study, and because the rehab Center is located in the same area we spoke with the lady who runs the rehab center and ask for permission for the new brothers to attend to this home bible study and she agreed, so now they are in this bible study as well!!
We had the IV Seminar for couples during this month. The topic was: “A Successful Marriage Needs to Cultivate Spirituals Goals”. Brother Alex and I were the speakers. We had 7 couples (5 Marriages and 2 not married) of those 7 couples there were 2 that were in the seminar for the first time, they are not Christians, but they really enjoyed the seminar!!
We made an activity for the young boys and the young girls of the congregation. The Young girls stayed at our home, my wife and also Jair’s wife were in charge of the activity. They stayed awake until 3:30 AM in that period of time they had a bible study entitled “The Behavior of a Christian Young Lady”, my wife and Angelica gave the lesson in 2 parts, also the played some games, made their own hot dog and watched a good movie!!
The young boys went with me to Zipaquira to Jair’s house and had the activity through the night until 4:00 AM. Jair and I were in charge of the bible study entitled “A Man after God’s Heart”, we also made our own hot dogs, and watch a movie with a nice message. In the young girls meeting they had 4 visitors and in the young boys meeting we had 2!!
Concerning my Family, it is a blessing to see our children to grow in the Lord. I am training to our daughter (15) to delegate her the use of the projector and the making of all the slides for Sunday services. Our little boy (9) it is being trained in the leading of the singing in some of the weekly meetings. My wife is in charge of the ministry for children’s bible classes, so each member of our family is doing something for the Lord and His Work and that is really awesome to be witness of that! To God be the Glory!!
Finally, we give thanks to all of you, dear brothers and sisters for the help you are giving us so we can continue the work here in Chia and we ask your prayers so Our Heavenly Father blesses us in the plans we have with the Church and the community we are working to reach for Christ. God bless you.
In Christian Love,
Mario & Liliana Pinzon
The upcoming trip for Owen includes speaking at Chia, Zipa, and
Neiva, Colombia.
Carolyn Windham of Birmingham
also plans to go. She is to teach home studies, children
classes, and a ladies
class. Claudia a native of Colombia is to be her translator. Owen is
to speak at all three
congregations and teach home classes with contacts made in June in Zipa.
Mario Pinzon is to be
his translator.
At each of the cities is planned an afternoon for children classes.
These may be a great
help. The last trip we
had a trial run in Neiva on Saturday. Over 20 children came, which
also attracted parents.
Zipa will be a main target for it is the new congregation that
started this spring. The
team led by Jimmy Pinzon
in Zipa that included 17 from Arizona and 2 from Tennessee, plus
me, left around 25 contacts,
which we plan to see and study with if possible. Jair has
arranged to let others
attend to his business so he can work full time teaching the gospel.
In Chia and Zipa will be jacket wearing weather, while Neiva will
be more like here.
Thanks for praying for these works.
50th Reunion July 29, 30
Thanks goes to Larry Krause, Gary Smith, Randy Matheny, and John Otis for
planning and
putting together the
50th reunion.
We traveled to Summerville, PA for the 50th reunion July 29,arriving late
because a worker at
WalMart had not properly
repaired a tire that had a nail. Around 40 were assembled and eating when
we got there around 6:30
PM. 11 of them were former campaign workers. The others were people who
had associated with us.
Some had knocked doors with us when we were at their congregation. Part
of the
program was put on Skype.
Some members who could not attend phoned and others sent e-mail
messenges to let us hear
from them. One part of the program was over an hour of pictures that went
all
the way back to the '64
and until '87.
One interesting comment by a member of CNE-NE, was that they learned more
Bible teaching
during campaigns than
they learned in college. The reunion was inspirational with workers
telling campaign
experiences and sharing
their past and present lives, as well as future plans. This also included
some odd
things I had done.
The person who traveled the longest distance, excluding Katya from Russia,
was Muriel from
Florida who had worked
on the continuing team. Alfred Donald also had been on the continuing team.
All agreed the reunion was uplifting and well worth the travel.
McFarland - 1 (and wife)
McConnell - 1
Cooper - 1
Durham - 1
Donald - 1
Finn - 2
Matheny - 2 (and daughter)
Katya - 1
Owen - 1
Did I overlook someone?
July 12-31 Report
Katya and Yuta arrived late July 12. They were housed by Imogean Falwell,
Robin Hill, and
Rochelle Stalan who helped
keep Yuta busy while Katya and I knocked doors and conducted Bible
studies. Because of the
temp (around 96 to 99) we did not knock during the heat of the day. 5 of
our contacts attended
Sunday morning services on July 24, after which we left to attend worship
in
Nashville and stay all
night with James McGill, the husband of my late sister Nedra.
While I visited people I had baptized in NJ, Katya and Yuta were at the
beach three days, except
Katya had a fever and
did not get to go to the beach July 28. While in NJ we attended a breakfast
that included those who
had been present for campaigns, including Lorie Pinto (last name before
marriage) who was on
the continuing team in Northfield, NJ.
Mission
Trip, Zipaqulia, Colombia, June 21-29
Owen D. Olbricht
The mission team, that consisted of 17 from Arizona, 2 from Tennessee,
and me
was blessed by the Lord with 3 baptisms (2 with whom I got to study).
Also we
made a number of contacts as the result of door knocking in the
community
and the handing out of around 1,800 invitations in the city square.
It was
faced by a large old Catholic church and old government buildings. One
had the
date 1604 on it. Different men spoke during the evening services, of
which I
was last speaker. The Sunday we were there 82 attended: 20 visitors,
36 from
the Chia congregation we started in 2008, 20 visiting workers, and
6 from
the Zipa congregation that we are helping begin. Jair, with a wife and
2 child,
is the preacher.
The leader, Jimmy Pinzon, did a good job. I met him in 2000, during a
mission
trip in Valeria, Colombia. From this beginning, 5 congregations have
been started.
I sent him 2 years to Harding's preacher preparation school, and
he was
in the Acts class I taught. After graduation he began work in Venezuela,
but later
in Alabama, and then in Peoria, AZ where he now preaches, teaches
classes,
and has other responsibilities.
We stayed in hotel Peublito, which was more like cabins, which had
no heat
or hot water for showers. A short living fire was lit at bed time. The
food we
ate in restaurants was all Colombian style. I hope they eat more
vegetables
than we were served, for they were only in the soup, which was
usually
served before the main course. Our drink was squeezed fruit juice, like
raspberry,
strawberry, orange, passion fruit, or coffee and cocoa for breakfast.
We shivered all the while we were in Colombia, especially those from
Arizona
where it was mostly above 115 before they left for Zipa, One report
gave 45
in Zipa as the temperature at night. Many in Colombia wore jackets
or light
coats and something to cover their heads. We baptized in cold water in
a Jacuzzi.
Good friendship existed among us who worked. In all, it was a blessing
to be a
part of the mission team.
Please pray for this new congregation.
*********************************************************************
Below gives plans for a 50th reunion for CNE/SE.
Be sure to come if you
can and also help by sending info to those you
know who have associated
with
Campaigns NE/SE, and it put on facebook.
Hope you are doing well. Let me hear from you. Would love to see you.
God's care, Owen
***********************************************************************
Schedule
Friday evening
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM -- registration
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM -- dinner supplied by Summerville and Kittanning.
7:00 PM - 8:30 -- Welcome (Gary and Larry), then
pictures of past campaign events
(Sendto Larry).
8:30 PM - 9:30 PM or later -- All present
introduced with short
statement by each telling where they live,
what they are
doing, what they have done since campaign days.
9:30 PM -- Historic view by Owen followed by short devo.
Saturday morning
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM -- breakfast supplied by Summerville and Kittanning
9:00 AM - 11:30 AM -- Introduce by years 1964-2013
(workers, preachers,
members associated with campaigns)
Opportunities for each to mentionthings about
locations, teams,
congregations, and events during campaigns.
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM -- relax time to visit and
for lunch by Summerville
and Kittanning
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM -- Final, time to share future
goals and say farewells.
Closing remarks by Larry, Gary, and Owen
Sunday morning and evening services Owen is to
speak at Summerville (or
at Summerville one service and Kittanning the
other).
Please pre-register - Send name, address, years
associated with campaigns
and possible time of arrival and departure. This
will help in preparing the
meals and seeking places for housing for
Friday or Saturday nights.July 29, 30, Friday 5:00
PM to Saturday 3:30 PM--50th year reunion in
honor of Campaigns Northeast/Southeast
and team leader Owen D. Olbricht. The
event is being sponsored by the
Summerville and Kittanning, PA congregations.
Contact -- Larry Krause, 724-664-8005,
lfkrause@windstream.net or Gary
Smith-- 814-856-2303, gary.smith12900@comcast.net
for further information.
50th Reunion of
CNE/SE
A reunion
celebrating 50 years of Campaigns NE/SE led by Owen D.Olbricht
is planned Friday, 5:00 PM through Saturday,
4:00 PM, July 29, 30, at Summerville,
PA church of Christ. All who have participated
in or associated with Campaigns
NE/SE are invited to come to visit and share
memorable campaign moments
and hear speakers with Campaign NE/SE experience.
Plans are being made to feed and
house those who attend. If you can attend, send
your reservation to the
following so we will know how to prepare:
-- Larry Krause, 724-664-8005, lfkrause@windstream.net
or
-- Gary Smith, 814-856-2303, gary.smith12900@comcast.net.
Beginning of Campaigns
While
Owen was preaching in Lamar, MO, L. C. Sears, dean of Harding, who
was organizing a 1963
campaign for Edinburgh, Scotland, invited Owen
to lead singing for the campaign. Following the campaign,
which was led by Ivan Stewart, his oldest brother,
Thomas H. Olbricht, a professor at Penn State University
suggested Owen hold meetings he could arrange
in Pennsylvania. Owen agreed and asked Don Gettys, a
student at Harding to lead singing the summer
of 1964. Don found five other male students who could go,
making seven on the first campaign team, which
was called Pennsylvania Campaigns. They were in
Johnstown, Huntingdon, Altoona, and Erie, and
were blessed with 75 baptisms.
Early Years
Ronnie
McFarland, a student at Harding, helped organize a team of 6 male and 6
female workers for the
summer of 1965, which was blessed with 50 baptisms.
In 1966 the team was increased to 18 with the student
leader, Mark Woodward, who later began "Lets
Start Talking." Over 100 were baptized that year, which
results continued until 1980. The most baptisms
during one summer was 237in the mid-seventies. Around 2,000
have worked on the teams and over 3,500 have
been baptized.
While
at camp Wyldwood in the late 50s, Owen met Al Jolly the preacher for the
Sylvan Hills church in
N. Little Rock, now Sherwood, who asked him to
let his congregation support him. After discussing with the
Sylvan Hills elders, they decided in 1966 to
support Owen and a continuing team, which began with 3 young
couples and Owen in Warrington, PA. The name
was changed to Campaigns Northeast.
Later Years
Jeff
Burton was acquired to work with Owen and to lead teams in the Southeast
while Owen led teams
in the Northeast. The name was changed to Campaigns
Northeast/Southeast. The summer teams grew to 103
one summer in the mid seventies which included
2 teams of 24 and 6 teams of 12 to remain 8 weeks after
the first 3 week campaigns, making 14 campaigns
in all.
During
the 50 years of campaigning, students were mostly from Harding and Freed-Hardeman,
but
also included some from David Lipscomb, Abilene,
York, Texas Tech, and teachers and other adults.
In order to include only the best workers, interviews
were necessary to become a team member and
required training. Increased popularity of campaigns
had attracted those who were not prepared. They
were not successful and began to speak against
campaigns.
By
the 80s campaigns began to lose their appeal, so finding workers began
to diminish, until by the
beginning of the new century the number who wanted
to campaign slowly declined to 12 or less
Interest in religion in the culture began to
be less popular, especially among the younger generation. Those
raised by TV were more into entertainment than
spiritual things.
Today
The
change from past interest in religious matters is great, but there are
still many who can be
won for Christ by those who are prepared to seek
them. The 50th reunion of Campaigns NE/SE
will give those who attend a change to discuss
what can be done in this present age.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chia's Report
The ladies of the congregation attended to an International Conference for Christian Women. The hostess was one church of Christ in Bogota. The attendance was around 90 ladies. There were sisters coming from different cities from Colombia and sisters coming from 11 countries, such as: Chile, Mexico, Venezuela, USA, Ecuador, El Salvador, Etc. The topic was: Women that Reflects God’s Character. It was a very edifying activity, plus the communion with all these sisters it was very encouraging. There were 3 days, but honestly the time was short. We give thanks to God for let the ladies of Chia’s congregation be a part of this conference!!
On this month we had again a lunch for the congregation in order to raise for the fund we have been doing to buy a piece of property for the Church in Chia. We had some visitors invited also. We did this lunch as the last activity of fellowship for the year. The congregation was generous and the most of the members participate.
The children of the congregation had a special activity. With the help of their teachers they made a “house of chocolate”. The church provided the ingredients and they had a lot of fun doing it. This was the last activity of the year for them. The parents were very glad seeing the piece of work that their children were able to do!! Also the congregation prepared some presents for them, and at the end of the Sunday service the children received them.
We presented to Jair and Angelica (which is one of the marriages from Chia’s congregation) formally to the church as the missionaries that will go to Zipaquira to plant the church there. We (the men of the congregation) were around them praying so the Lord bless their work in Zipaquira. It was a very emotional moment, tear were there also. The church in Chia is really proud for this family to take the courage to go and do the Lord’s work. They will move to that city on January 2016.
We said good-bye to our dear brother Jeison during this month. He was baptized in Neiva (another city from Colombia) but he came to work as a security guard in Chia. He stayed for 8 months and then he returned to Neiva to live there and also to help the church in that city. We are glad because he will encourage to our brothers and sisters in Neiva.
We had our last home bible study for the year
so, we decided to make it special! Each member brought some food to share.
We had a nice bible lesson and after that we had a nice fellowship all
together. It was a beautiful activity with the church.
Concerning my family, we spent a great time during this Christmas season. We went to Bogota and stayed a couple of days in my aunt’s (that is a sister of the church also) and we had a nice family reunion. The kids had a lot of fun and also my wife and I. during this month was my birthday number 32, it was an awesome day also with my wife and kids!!
Finally we give thanks to all of you, dear brothers and sisters for the help you are giving us so we can continue the work here in Chia and we ask your prayers so Our Heavenly Father blesses us in the plans we have with the Church and a the community we are working to reach for Christ. God bless you.
In Christian Love,
Mario & Liliana Pinzon
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greetings from Poland,
One more day here in Poland, which stay included
some highlights, but to
some degree has been disappointing. The advertisement
was well done in
color with the picture of the speaker and topics
concerning the resurrection of Jesus,
which was very appropriate for the Easter season.
Attendanceat the most was from 10 to 36.
Ed Wharton from Sunset, the speaker, did an excellent
job of showing the reality and
importance of the resurrection.
He is one of the instructors at the Sunset School
of Preaching.
Lord willing, I will leave on Wed. Mar. 30 for
Russia where I am to
present 19 lessons--8 in Miass and 11 in Chelyabinsk
before I return home
April 9.
No snow of the ground here, but there may be snow in Russia.
Hope all there are doing well.
God's care, Owen
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From Miass with Love,
In Sopot, Poland the time was 6 hours different
than Arkansas, which I|
adapted to fairly well before I left. Now I need
to become used to 4 more
hours difference than Poland. It is 7:00 here
in Miass, Russia. Because
I was not sleeping, got up to send a message.
My high light work in Sopot was getting to share
with a Pentecostal
preacher who was the translator for the lectures.
He was a really a top
quality man. We discussed salvation and spiritual
gifts. He has a lot
to think about now. I also had 2 studies and
was in discussions with
brother
Ed Wharton, He is a long time teacher at Sunset
School. He asked about
the Greek in a number of passages. He thanked
me for some insights.
I got up Wed. to leave for Russia at 9:00AM at
Sopot in a taxi to Gdansk,
Poland. My 12:05 PM flight was cancelled, so
my flight was at 4:00PM.
I was fortunate to arrive in Warsaw as the plane
was loading for Moscow.
At 4:45AM I arrived at Chelyabinsk, Russia on
Thu. and got to bed by
6:00AM.
At 2:20PM we caught a bus to Miass where I gave
two lessons. A reporter
captured me for TV as I gave the first lesson.
I have two lessons each day here and Chelyabinsk,
except I am to present
two here and one in Chelyabinsk on Sunday.
Saw it snow some. Snow is piled along roads and
parking lots.
It had increasing depth in the fields as we traveled
westward for the
higher elevation of Miass.
God's care, Owen
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Below is the report of the recent mission trip.
I sent this report to some of you so
forgive if it is a duplicate.
God's care, Owen
Mission Trip -- March 22-April 9
After
a little less than 30 hrs. in airplane and airports while flying home from
Chelyabinsk, I got to bed at 11:30 PM, then got
up to preach two sermons the next day,
April 10, at which time I also gave a brief report
concerning the work in Sopot, Poland
and Miass and Chelyabinsk Russia. In each place
an opportunity was made possible
to teach the word.
Sopot, Poland -- March 23-30
The
work was slower than expected for it was hoped that the Easter holiday
would
bring more people for the good resurrection lectures
of Edward Wharton. An opportunity
was opened for me to discuss twice with the very
good translator, a Pentecostal preacher,
who was open to discuss freely spiritual gifts
and salvation.
While
there I arranged to send 30 Unique for Christ, the paper I edit,
to the Sunset School for preachers and mission
workers. This makes the 4th school
that receives the paper besides 4 universities.
Miass, Russia -- March 31-April 3
After
a cancelled flight and a day of flights and airports (I was taken at 9:00
AM by
taxi to Gdansk, Poland on Wednesday to catch
my flight), I arrived the next day in Chelyabinsk,
Russia around 5:00 AM. After a few hours of sleep,
we took a two hour bus ride to Miass,
Russia where I spoke 8 times, twice a day
Thursday through Saturday (6:30 - 8 PM) and twice
on Sunday (April 3, 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM).
Thursday
evening a TV reporter came to the first lecture and interviewed me afterward.
The
church in Miass would like a full time preacher. Andrei Greshnikova preaches
there
now and works for TV transmission at the tower.
He has a wife and baby girl. He was
baptized through our work in Chelyabinsk in 1996,
I think, when he was but a boy.
Chelybinsk, Russia -- April 3-8
We
returned by bus on Sunday (April 3) to Chelyabinsk where I spoke (6:30
PM)
then spoke until I left twice a day 12:00 PM
and 6:30 PM, eleven times in all. The church
has gone through a number of trying times. The
members in the congregation are dedicated
and desirous of reaching people in this 1,400,000
population city.
Most
of the members were faithful in attendance to the lessons, which were usually
forty minutes, about twenty minutes plus twenty
for the translator, then followed by
questions, which added about an hour more. The
question period was beneficial for it
gave members a chance to find answers to some
things that were troubling the congre-
gation as well as to other things of interest.
The members instead of visitors received the
greater benefit of the teaching.
Discussion
of a large outreach effort in the fall, late September or early October,
was one of the important aspects of my being
with the Chelyabinsk congregation.
Finally
The
trip was beneficial and helpful for the congregations but was somewhat
disappointing because of the lack of visitors.
This seems to reflect the present of mood
in Russia, which is reflected in other reports
of workers in Russia. Poland may be
different, but I am not sure.
Keep
praying for the work in Poland and Russia for in them are some very dedicated
Christians in the churches of Christ.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for your continuing help with works in
which I am involved.
Your help makes these efforts possible.
Report
The following is how monies you are giving is
being spent.
1. $500.00 a month to Mario Pinzon, preaching
and doing a good work in
Chia, Colombia.
2. $ 50.00 a month to support Yheison,
a young man we baptized around
2002 who is now going to preacher's training
in Bariquisimeto and doing a good job
preaching in Turen, Venezuela. I have increased
his help to $50.00 a month because of
the recent exchange rate difference and rise
in living cost. He uses the money to travel for
training.
3. Around $1,200.00 for Caroline Windham's
2 flights a year to Chia. She
pays for all other of her expenses. She
teaches the Christian ladies and the children,
as well as conducts home studies.
4. $1500,00 to cover John Otis's visa and
some of his flight expense
once a year to Russia.
5. $2000.00 + for Katya and Yuta, her daughter,
to help with a VBS here
and so she can attend the 50th campaign
reunion. I have brought her to the USA 4
times. She is a hard worker and writes
up more contacts than any of the student workers.
6. I have not taken any money from gifts
to cover my expenses.
Monthly contributors
include:
$100.00 -- Imogene Falwell
$100.00 -- Alan Parker
$120.00 -- Joe Sponagle
$150.00 -- Ted Taylor
Other one time gifts --
$1000.00 -- Bob Diles
$500.00 -- Marion Caywood
I have helped.
For this year:
1. 2 trips to Chia + Neiva + Zipa (Zipa
is a new work so extra trip in
June) -- February
August.
2. 2 mission trips to Russia and one to
Poland -- March/April.
3. July trip to Sumerville, PA for 50th
campaign reunion, and to visit
Russell Diogorgio in Media, PA, John Otis
in Brookville, PA, and Barby and Rit Crema
(and others) near Smithville, NJ, who were
baptized while I was in Northfield, NJ.
4. I have been invited to go to Costa Rica
in November, and may go, but
not sure at present.
A big thanks to all who have helped. Because
of you and the Lord, the
works have been madeossible. And another big
thanks to all who will continue to help.
The doctor gave me a great health report -- .016
PSA, good blood pressure
(I had some problems with blood pressure in Poland
(maybe because I was sick in bed 2
days 4 days before I left for Poland) and a good
heart after listening to it. A test showed
a problem with kidneys for which I am taking
antibiotics. If this does not take care of it, my
doctor will give me further examinations.
A
new member who is a good preacher and personal worker and I
knocked doors today and found some new contacts
and followed up on those made before.
All went very well.
Thanks
for your prayers and support.
May God give you the best of care, Owen
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please read, share with others you know and put
on facebook. A statement
like the first paragraph has been sent to the
Gospel Advocate and Christian Chronicle.
If you know of other papers, please copy and
send ro them. (Send info to me if you plan
to attend).