Odessa Mission
Our First Baptisms
Tamara and Sasha are our new sisters in Christ. They were
baptized in the bathtub at John and Ira's apartment on Sunday, July 25, 2004.
This is a memorable occasion since it is the first two baptisms of individuals
attending the Kind Road Christian Church, and we certainly rejoice with them and
praise God for their decision. It is interesting that Jesus was born in a
simple stable, and these two ladies were immersed in a simple tub. May God
richly bless their lives as they continue to serve Him.
Serving Him,
Al
Tamara getting baptized
Tamara and Pastor John afterwards
Sasha getting baptized
Sasha and Pastor John afterwards.
Kostya, Galya's older brother, is a twelve-year old boy who has been attending
KRCC for about eight months. He's from a broken home that is not only poverty
stricken but also steeped in Mom's eastern philosophy. To make things worse,
both of his older sisters, Ella and Veroneeka, are as promiscuous as their
mother. So we praise God for saving Kostya and giving him the hope and
direction he desperately needs.
Oleg is a nine-year old boy whose mother, Rayeesa, is probably very familiar
to you because of her ministry to the Gypsies. Oleg's older sister, Nastya,
is also very active at KRCC. Even Alexander, his Dad, recently began attending
our church regularly. So we're very glad that Oleg has a spiritual support
group at home also.
"group after Kostya and Oleg" - this is the crew who witnessed the baptisms
On the afternoon of Saturday, February 4th, Elijah was immersed into the Lord
Jesus Christ by his dad Sergei. Sergei did the baptizing because John
believed it would be good to let Sergei do it and it would help to convince
Sergei of the need to be an example for his son.
Andre, Oleg & Nastya - This photo was taken while John was explaining the
meaning of baptism to everyone present before Elijah's baptism.
Sergei baptizing his son Elijah - Baptisms are done in the bathtub at John and
Ira's apartment because there are no baptismal facilities at the Kind Road
Christian Church building.
Congratulating Elijah - After his baptism, Elijah is met by his KRCC friends.
Witnesses to Elijah's baptism - This was a group photo taken just after the
baptism but before tea and refreshments were served.
A special card for Elijah - Andre created a card for Elijah which showed a
little of Andre's artistic side.
Elijah and Bible - After the baptism we (KRCC) gave Elijah a couple of gifts
"Natasha and kids" - Rayeesa (the blond on the right side of the back row) is a
member of KRCC who's been working diligently with six different Gypsy families.
She actually cleans their homes for next to nothing which has opened the door
for evangelistic opportunities which are definitely working. She actually
leads a small Bible study group every Friday night with several women from
these families. Natasha is one of those women who recently decided to be
baptized into Christ and she was immersed on April 30th. Three of Natasha's
children also made the decision to be baptized too. From left to right in
the front row: David (7 year old boy), Ksenia (8 year old girl), and Maleena
(11 year old girl in pink) all submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Moses (4 year old boy in blue shirt) was clearly too young to completely make
the commitment to make Jesus the Lord of his life.
"Natasha's joy" - This is a picture Natasha preparing to be baptized in her
own bathtub (rather than at John and Ira's apartment where other baptisms
have taken place).