Murmansk, Russia

Greeted by deep, deep snow with temperatures below freezing, Jill and I arrived in this winter wonderland called Murmansk.

Pavel, a former student from a class in Moscow four years prior, was waiting for us at the airport.

We arrived at our host’s home, Sergey and Kathleen, at 4:00 in the morning. They showed us to our room where we quickly fell asleep on the couch/bed.

Classes began Thursday morning, 9:00. The 32 students were ready for class with notebooks in hand. Some of the finest students we have ever had the honor to be with in our travels were in Murmansk, this Russian seaport city. Pages and pages of notes taken as students tried to record every thought we presented.

Believers packed both morning services on Sunday.

Every little space had someone pushed into it as they gather to worship the Lord and hear the Bible proclaimed. My message came from Matthew 9:9 and 10 where Jesus calls Matthew to follow. Although the auditorium was cold in temperature, the believers were warm and friendly and we felt at home.

With an invitation to return to teach this fall, we will see many of these pastors again. Murmansk is a difficult region of Russia where the life expectancy of a man is only 60 years old. Yet, in the middle of this area, God has raised up people to praise his name and proclaim the Good News of the Gospel.

We loved the people with the warm hearts in the cold region of Murmansk! Enjoy some additional pictures without comment from Murmansk...