Bike trip – August 21 – Svobodny town

It was the first airport in Blagoveschensk town after a long period of poor roads. And a new team consisting of Boris Berezhnoi, a soloist and the leader of the folk instruments ensemble «Good News» (Blagovestie) and Albert Redin, the leader and the soloist of the music team «Inheritance», together with me, Leonid Kartavenko, joined the Expedition again. We arrived a day earlier and were able to meet bikers already in Svobodny town. I parted with the Expedition in Kansk town, Krasnoyarsk area, a month ago. On the 21st of August I saw at them again but as if new people, who did not resemble those clean and neat men, with whom we went to Germany where  the Expedition began. I looked at them with surprise – weather-beaten, brown, tired people, some with beards. They looked not only mature but older. Only one thing did not change in their appearance – shining eyes and unfailing desire to reach people with the Gospel.

 

Administration of the town Svobodny did not allow us to have evangelization in the central square neither at the stadium, saying that Orthodox people neither had any activities there. Praise God, the church is located in the central town street and we decided to have an evangelistic meeting in front of the church house. Journalists of two local TV channels and other mass media workers met us at the entrance of the town. A road inspection car was waiting for us too, though no official order was given to them to accompany us. It reminded us about the parable in the Bible about two sons. One of them said that he would go and did not go, and the second said – I would not go, but went. Our group accompanied by winkers and beeps stopped all traffic in the town. People came out of shops and houses asking each other what was happening, when they heard such a noise. We so much wanted to tell them that it is Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee is entering this town. Still they answered this question themselves – to be exact posters in the town answered their questions. They invited people to the evening service. Senior Pastor for Amur region was with me in the car. He accompanies the Expedition in the territory, which he supervises. Looking at the fuss around us he recalled the story about Mordecai whom malicious Haman wanted to do evil, but he was the one who helped Mordecai to mount a horse and led him around the town giving him all possible regards as to the king. This way Christ entered the town Svobodny.

 

We put sound equipment by the church house, checked it and… rain began. Dark clouds covered the sky. My first wish was to take equipment to the church, but, praise God, bikers had stronger faith than me. They offered us just to pray and we prayed. I was looking at the clouds with caution, but rain became less intensive and then stopped a few minutes after. We saw rainbow in the sky. No there two rainbows simultaneously! They were large and beautiful. Perhaps one rainbow was for everyone, and the second was designed for me that my faith remains strong.

 

The service by the church house began, but people continued to arrive. Believers of other denominations and unsaved people came. Twice rain tried to resume again, but prayers of saints stopped it. This was the way the services went on. Sky was covered with dark clouds, some drops of the rain reached us, but the grace of God was pouring on listeners abundantly. The service was very rich - Boris Berezhnoi and Albert Redin sang, as well as Edward and Natalia from Irkutsk. They are going to leave for home tomorrow. Members of the Expedition shared their testimonies and preached. But as usual the most important part of the event started after the official part of the meeting, when all members of the Expedition and bikers talk to people. Such talks continued in small groups till late at night.

 

Then according to our usual plan we had dinner in the church. Part of our team stayed in Christian homes at night to continue talks with believers. Bikers prepared benches and slept in the church. It is impossible for them to stay in Christian homes as believers will not let them sleep and will talk all night long. But bikers need rest as more kilometers expect them tomorrow.