Dear New Bethel Family,
 On behalf of my comrades and me, this letter begins with our deepest thanks to all of you for your timely and generous contributions to “global warming”. At minus 35ºF to minus 40ºF we are enjoying in one of the warmest Decembers on record; a full 30º warmer than normal. Whatever you’re doing—keep it up! I’ve only had to button up my Golden Retriever coat once.
I’m back in our republic’s capital; via another sleepless bone-jarring 12-hour drive from Vilyuisk which began at 7:00pm Friday night (All dental implants are holding). I’ll preach 3 services at as many churches tomorrow (Sun.), and then meet with a group of pastors to minister to their needs and have some theological Q&A. Monday I’ll meet again with the Federal Foreign Affairs Minister and with the new mayor of Yakutsk who was inaugurated today. Then LORD willing on Tues. the 18th I’ll fly to Moscow to begin my return to the US. In Moscow, we’ll have a gathering of saints for 4-5 more hours of Bible Q&A. Our Russian brothers and sisters are SO hungry for God’s Word—it’s so refreshing!
 Once again our Father has awed and humbled me by His sovereign and almighty hand leading me through not a few overwhelming barriers far bigger than I, with no fear in my heart and with miraculous and timely provision at every turn (Ps. 23:4&5). Though I’m without my beloved spouse and ministry partner at my side, I’m not alone here. Faithful Russian and Sakha friends have met me at strategic destinations, but in all my journeys this time, I’ve had to solo navigate Moscow and Siberia. We truly serve a God who alone can be trusted with every need even before we ask or think them (Matthew 6:8 and Ephesians 3:20). I’m honored and so unworthy to serve such a magnificent King. I identify with the Apostle Paul when he said by the Holy Spirit in 2 Corinthians 4:7-12:
We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you. NLT
During this Christmas season, I’ll again witness many in the US who possess far more than my beloved Sakha brothers and sisters could dare dream of—as they give to and receive from those who also have in super-abundance. But God’s special gift to me again this season was to give the gift of physical life to those saints who likely would not see spring but for the food, medicines, and simple pieces of clothing God’s US kids empowered me to lavish on the neediest village saints(James 2:13-17). It’s a special treat when I can be a conduit to give my Lord so many “birthday” presents per Matt. 25:35-40. All of us here are so grateful for those of you who were a part of that giving!
Your faithful prayers for my travel and Diane’s physical healing are greatly appreciated. I trust that our Father will reunite us all real soon, and I can fill you all in on many of the divine appointments we experienced this trip. I remain your emissary and servant of God’s love and your care to the precious Sakha people in the “Black Hole”…
Brother, Comrade, Pastor, Rev., Dr. Mike |
