I was possessed by the desire to visit the USA many years ago. I didn’t want to move to the USA forever, but just to know why Russians move there. I was very curious why some of them stay in USA for their whole lives while others come back to Russia after they achieve some success in America.

Both my father and I were born in a family with many children. The Civil War, the Great Patriotic war, and the Communist regime played a role in breaking our family links. Even now I don’t know the destiny of many of my relatives.

I, as well as other students of the Biblical Theological Seminary of St.Petersburg, had to learn English before our visit to USA. Last spring God gave me a chance to have some English classes held by Natalya Mironova, the office manager at BTS. Also my relatives who live in USA found me via the internet. I believe it was a miracle. My niece, the daughter of my father’s sister, has taught English for Americans for 20 years. God finally sent me there, so for me it was a great chance not only to meet my relatives, but also to preach the Gospel. St. David Church in Hockley, Texas (in the Houston area), kindly provided for all my needs while in the USA. Praise the Lord!

So the mighty hand of God was over me and I had a privilege to be among the saints in Minneapolis, MN. It strengthened my desire to come back home soon and tell all my friends, relatives and other people what God doing for His faithful Americans, Russians and Europeans. Attending the meetings of brothers from America and Euro-Asia helps to establish the Kingdom of God on the Earth and preach the Gospel to the ends of the world. Probably, some people couldn’t see the power of unity (and this is the Glory of God), but we still pray for that. It is impossible not to see the love flowing from the hearts of the children. Children are the heritage of God – “children who will not deal falsely” (Is 63:8). I’m grateful to God for the opportunity to meet families with many children, to see how they serve God in St. David Church, to communicate with kids after the service, to hear how they praise God with singing. I also gave my testimony to them. Staying at the David Shorman home and attending precious meetings helps to establish our close relationship. We were one in the Spirit. The Presbytery and pastor Gene Franklin kindly gave me a chance to preach to the Russians who live in USA.

Russians who live abroad always feel nostalgia and many of them want to help their countrymen with their talents and abilities. But unfortunately some of them do not understand that our real Motherland is Heaven. This fact encourages me to apply all my strength, abilities and talents for preaching the Gospel everywhere – in Russia and abroad.