Bike trip – July 13 – Kargat town

The Transcontinental bike Expedition arrived at Kargat town. The town is located by the Kargat River, in 180 km from Novosibirsk town. Its population is 11 thousand people. About 80 persons including kids attended evangelization organized by the church. Other inhabitants of Kargat were perhaps too busy with other activities. Translated from old Turkish language the word “kargat” means boulder or a heap of boulders. No one knows about the origin of the name of the town and river, and we did not see any big stones in the town. But we met boulders of sin of unbelief.

Zinaida is 44-years-old, but she looks as if she is 55-60 years old. She came to the meeting with missionaries drunk. She was celebrating the birthday of her grandson during 4 weeks. She tried to commit suicide several times, but doctors saved her life. She drinks regularly together with her three daughters. She wept when we gave her the NT.

Catherine is 22-years-old. She is an alcoholic. She does not see any sense in life. She drinks regularly because she likes it. She is not interested in God and church. She does not have friends and does not need them. She will need to give drinks to her friends, if she has them. But she does not have enough money. She prefers to drink alone and drinks much. She plans to commit suicide soon and do it calmly and painlessly.

Andrew is 28-years old. He wears a big cross on his chest and a tattoo with the Cancer Zodiac symbol. He is not afraid of God as he is sure that there is no God.

While preaching on the bank of the Kargat River I felt a great desire to rebuke local Orthodox priests for negligence, indifference and lack of love to their co citizens. But no Orthodox priests attended the meeting. Perhaps they were too very busy.

We are the light and salt of the world. We, born by the Holy Spirit and believing in the Gospel, are provided with special strength and power. We are called by God to light and give salt and help needy and free people who are sin-dependent. We spoke about it in the local church at the solemn worship service at 22:00 p.m.  On the 13th of July, 30 minutes before the evangelistic service Nadezhda and Larissa were baptised. At 23:15 praying for new church members we joyfully took part in the Lord’s Supper.

We got asleep after midnight on the floor in the prayer room. I was tired but was unable to sleep. I felt very sorry for those people with whom I talked to, and who did not want to be reconciled with God. If they do not do it they will perish forever. Please, all of you, who read this diary of the Expedition, pray for the people about whom I told you. If possible do it with fasting. Perhaps Zinaida, Kate and Andrew will be reconciled with God and then you will share in their salvation.