Under Communism, it was not unusual for believers to baptise new converts under cover of darkness, even in the winter going to such extremes as cutting a hole in the ice. To this day, few, if any churches have an indoor baptistry. The tradition is for baptism to be in the local river or lake where now it is a very public testimony and opportunity for preaching the gospel. That said, it is still unusual today for new believers to choose mid-December, when ice has formed at the water’s edge and a Northeasterly Siberian wind is blowing and the temperature is registering -7 C. However, this is what happened recently, when Alex and Inna were baptised in the River Dnipro. The engaged couple, who are getting married in April, became Christians at an extreme camp, the like of which Hope Now will hold this summer under the leadership of Alexander (Sasha) Malamuzh, who now takes up the story.
Many people came to see the baptism. There were Alex’s friends, Inna’s relatives and the serviceman Alexander who was Alex’s commander when Alex served in the Ukraine Army. Alexander is a Christian, so he often met soldiers and talked about Jesus Christ, the Gospel, and salvation. Alex had argued with him and said “I will never believe in God.” However, Alexander had special confidence in Alex’s salvation. So, when three years later, Alex called his former commander to tell about his faith in Jesus Christ, he was very happy and came to be a witness of Alex’s baptism. This baptism can indeed be called “an ice baptism”, for the rocks on the bank of the river were covered by the ice. Some tried to persuade the guys not to do it; some said “You will catch a cold”, but Alex and Inna had been waiting and were ready to do it in spite of the cold.
Sasha baptises Alex in the freezing Dnipro
After the baptism, all our fellowship met around the table. We had wonderful teatime with a real Russian samovar. We had conversation, sang songs and were very happy. The next day, Sasha Prichodko accepted Jesus Christ into his heart. He had been thinking about his life and his need of Jesus for a long time, but this extreme baptism of his best friend Alex motivated him to repent. Praise the Lord! Sasha Malamuzh
If you are interested in being part of the Extreme Water Camp 16 – 20 August please contact vic.jackopson@mac.com. If you are, or know someone who, is an instructor in kite-surfing or wind-surfing, we would love to hear from you. The camp is designed to test to the limit under expert tutelage and within acceptable margins of safety, but It is not for the faint hearted! Come at your own risk! You must be over 18 to apply.
On the 7th January, Christians from all over Cherkassy gathered at the Palace of Culture to celebrate the Ukrainian Christmas Day and to hear evangelist Stanislav Gruntkovsky, who will preach on the 6/7th June at the Cherkassy Football Stadium.
01.02.2012 Pray for Alla, Lena, Ksenya and the team presently working in Calcutta for another two weeks with Tear Fund projects
02.02.2012 Pray that the Mission Fund, which undergirds all that is done both here and in Ukraine, will have the finances to meet all our obligations
03.02.2012 Pray for all the older people that came to our Christmas party in Cherkiassy, that the Lord will bless them whatever their situation or background
04.02.2012 Pray for those who had a well installed last year, that as they share their water they will get opportunities to share their faith also
05.02.2012 Pray for all those who are attending the Bible School that they can give adequate time to studying, working and being with their families
06.02.2012 For all the foster parents of children supported by Hope Now, that they will have patience as they have to deal with problems that occur from time to time
07.02.2012 Our auditors visit the Southampton offices today to audit our accounts – pray that all will be in order as figures are checked
08.02.2012 Give thanks for all the volunteers that come into the office and give of their time so sacrificially, doing jobs at times without even being asked
09.02.2012 Pray for Frank and Lin as they plan for the summer at Kompas Park, and visit churches to speak about the varying areas of service possible
10.02.2012 Pray for Misha and all the staff at the Ukraine office as they consider all the requests from those asking for help
11.02.2012 Pray that all the plans for the Annual Weekend Away next month will come together well, and that people will register early while rooms are still available
12.02.2012 Pray for Alla Kostyunina, Director of Kompas Park, that she will be given wisdom in her decisions and management of the Park
13.02.2012 Give thanks that the young people in South Africa are doing well with their education, and pray for wisdom for Margaret Ferguson as she guides and directs them
14.02.2012 On this St Valentine’s Day, pray for the students we support who are in relationships, that they will be sensible and keep up their studies
15.02.2012 Pray for David and Valerie Reddaway as they oversee the Bible School, and the Church planting and twinning programme
16.02.2012 Pray for Jon as he attends a Men Meet meeting in Milford on Sea this evening
17.02.2012 Pray for Jon and Ali as they travel to Buckinghamshire to attend the Vetinerary Christian Conference this weekend
18.02.2012 Pray for Maria Shevchuki of Kuchkivka village as she celebrates her 86th birthday today
19.02.2012 Pray for the Directors and Staff of Orphanages we are involved with, that they will look after their children with love and dedication
20.02.2012 Pray for the young girls in Swindon House, and boys in Cornah House as they learn new skills which will prepare them for their futures
21.02.2012 Pray for Jon in his many responsibilities, that he will have wisdom in each decision that he has to make
22.02.2012 Pray for Lidia Savelieva and her vision of a sheltered home for older people to be realised, and pray for finances to come in for this project
23.02.2012 For Larisa Vovk in her work of overseeing the work being done with children in the orphanages and cottage homes
24.02.2012 Pray for Jon and Ali as they travel to Carlisle for the Northern Vet’s Christian Conference
25.02.2012 Pray for Cyndee and Darrell Knight and the work they do in the American Office for Kompas Park
26.02.2012 Pray for the Food Programme in Ukraine, especially through this winter time, that all those in need will receive help and no-one will be overlooked
27.02.2012 Pray for Vitaly and Ludmila Sidenko in their work with the African Students at 2nd Baptist Church, and Ludmila’s work with the deaf community at the same church
28.02.2012 Pray that we may be able to assemble a team of dentists and nurses to treat the children in the internats
29.02.2012 Give thanks for all our supporters who pray regularly for the work of Hope Now, and give sacrificially month upon month – pray the Lord will bless them as they bless the people of Ukraine
