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Leaving Novosibirsk region our Missionary Expedition crossed the border with Kemerovo region. Two road inspection cars and Rev. Pavel N. Bak, regional Senior Pastor met us at the road inspection post. Kemerovo region is located in the West Siberia. Its territory is 95,7 thousand square kilometers, and its population is 3063,5 thousand people. Roads there are not bad. But long ways up and down made our bikers weary. During one climb one biker fell. Though Yaroslav assured us that he fell asleep while wheeling it seemed to us that he lost his conscience for a moment. Providing him with first medical aid we continue out trip.
Kemerovo region is very beautiful and resembles “Siberian Switzerland”. But I have never been to Switzerland. The main natural resource here is coal, which is being mined in 13 local towns.
Traveling over 140 km along the region we arrived at Kemerovo town. In comparison with Omsk and Novosibirsk the capital city of Kuzbass looks not so beautiful. Kemerovo is the largest industrial centre in the East of Russia, the town of energy, car makers and chemistry. Only in the evening, taking us to the central part of the town Pavel Bak assured us it its beauty. It is true that the central part of the town is beautiful and comfortable. The population in Kemerovo is 525,6 thousand people of 103 nationalities. Basic part of the population is Russians (93%). The town was founded in 1720 when the village Scheglovo was founded on the left side of the Tom’ River. Now this is Kemerovo town.
There were no spare places at the evening worship service in the local church. People from other towns of the region came to meet the bikers. Mrs. Catherine N. Stas came to the meeting to greet guests on behalf of Mr. A.G. Tuleev, the Governor. She is a vice-chairman on culture and national politics and a counselor on religious issue and she assured the audience that local authorities do whatever possible that local people despite their nationalities and religion feel free. As a sign of appreciation for the propaganda of healthy way of life she gave each Expedition member a box of sweets. We gave her the Bible and a set of Christian books. The worship service was held with the presence of the Holy Spirit and His power. 4 persons responded to the altar call. After the service many church members shook our hands and sincerely thanked us for sharing spiritual renewing with them in the sphere of missionary ministry. That day was spent not in vain. We rejoiced that we were able to tell unbelievers about unlimited love of God, and to simulate Christians for more active ministry in God’s field.
After a morning breakfast at 05:00 a.m. (01:00 a.m. Moscow time) we went to Mariinsk town, local brothers and sisters were expecting us there for the evangelistic meeting.
P.S. On behalf of all members of our team I would like to express sincere and hearty appreciation for Pastor Vitaly Bak, Pastor of Central ECB church in Kemerovo, for care, attention and hospitality.
Piotr Lunichkin
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