From Russia, June 21st, 2010

For the third straight summer I find myself in the amazing country of Russia.

My team is currently resting and recovering from our flight at the apartment of a local Navigator by the name of Jim Conner. For the next few days we will be joining with a few Russian believers who we will be partnering with in this camp. Then on the 23rd, we will head to the Caucuses to begin our camp. The camp will run for two weeks. After the camp, we will return here to St. Petersburg, where we will spend a lot of time with our campers and see the city.


For some reason, I am more excited about this summer than I have been about the last two. I think I am encouraged by the excitement of our team. But we are in desperate need of prayer, since we are storming a stronghold of the enemy!

1. Pray for faith for us, that we would continue to believe in the power of God.

Sometimes, it is hard to believe that God can really change the lives of the students, many of whom seem so far from him and so uninterested in spiritual things. We want to have our fixed on the invisible things.

2. Pray for protection from the enemy.

Already some of have felt attacked with doubt, discouragement, etc. We need your prayers desperately in this area.

3. For open hearts for our Russian friends.

I believe the gospel is "the power of God for the salvation of all men," and that "he is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine." Would you pray for his Spirit to go before us WITH POWER?

4. Finally, a personal request: Every time I leave the comfort of my daily habits, I struggle to connect deeply with God. So far, he has shown me a lot of grace in this area. Would you pray for continued grace for me, and the endurance to move into the Word and prayer despite how I feel?