Dear praying friends and financial supporters:

Days are getting longer again, and though we still have snow, there are days of melting so we know that spring is on the way.  Though we have had some cold days this has been a very mild winter.  Already some of the trees have buds ready to burst open.  God had been gracious in giving us both good health during this past winter, in spite of sickness around us.

Our ESL classes started again in February.  Following a Business English course we have a whole new slate of students.  Most of them are business people wanting to progress in their speaking skills.  With the new students we have included Belarusian preachers to preach during our Bible time so that everyone can understand much better.  It has been Rick's responsibility (and privilege) to prepare salvation messages that these men could preach each week.  We have had some good successes as a result of our classes.  Every Thursday Rick meets with Henry, an older man who has many questions about the Bible.  He really wants to become a believer.  Another young lady comes to our Friday night group.  She is very confused about many things but has shown good growth recently.  Many others are contacts for salvation and discipleship.

We continue to travel regularly to hold studies in the city of Mozyr (3½ hours by car each way).  During each visit we meet regular and new people that are hungry for Bible answers.  They listen attentively as we show them truth from God's Word.  Many of them have problems overcoming church traditions/teachings that they have practiced for years.  BUT, God's Word is at work in their lives.  Each visit we make there people get to hear the clear plan of salvation. There is a real need to establish a work there immediately.  Two of our ESL students come from that city.  It reminds us of the words from the prophet as he cried, "Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision . . . ." (Joel 3:4).

Marie is enjoying her Thursday night studies with the ladies and together we work with the college-age youths on Friday nights.  We just completed a series on Baptist Distinctives.  This was very important because most of the folk here have little or no understanding of church history and those beliefs that set us apart as Baptists.  Our growing international group includes Belarusian, Russian, Chinese, Jewish and Iranian people – hungry and searching for Truth!

Sundays are always packed full of teaching and serving opportunities.  We continue to teach the young singles at the church in Zhodino. Marie keeps active with music groups.  Rick also teaches in the Institute program that follows the morning service.  We have about twenty-five people that stay for this extra teaching.  Plans have started and are set in motion to develop this program further.  The missionary (Scott Allis) that was there for almost ten years has returned to the states for a furlough trip.  Together we will be expanding the institute ultimately to include a seminary level as well.  Our own church (and Bible College in Georgia) has agreed to work with us in developing this teaching arm in this local church also.  Before coming here we knew that the spiritual future of this nation lies within the believers here.  But they need proper training, and we are excited to be part of that vital process.  Scott is now raising funds for renovations to the building and support personnel, and we will also raise funds to help finance some of the students that come for classes.

At the end of May we will be returning stateside.  We need to visit our sending and supporting churches, and also to travel to new churches to increase our level of support.  During that time we also need to see our own families, but especially our grandkids!  God has proven Himself to be ever-faithful as He continues to guide our steps.  What a joy it is to serve Him!  Thank you for your prayers, faithful support, cards, letters and e-mails.  Accompanying this letter is an introduction to Aleona Kniazhevich, a young Belarusian lady that is part of our mission team.  See what God is doing through her also.

Please pray with us for these specific needs:
(1) ESL students hearing the clear gospel presentation,
(2) Henry's salvation (and others we are working with),
(3) people in Mozyr and someone to lead a work there,
(4) our weekly home study groups,
(5) college programs that we are developing,
(6) travel arrangements to return stateside,
(7) scheduling of meetings in churches,
(8) our safe and speedy return to Belarus, and
(9) our studies in the Russian language