Russia is a very difficult place to share the good news. They supposedly have "Freedom of Religion", but government presses Believers in many ways. One large Moscow congregation has no heat, no electricity and no water because they cannot get a permit to complete the church building. Liferoute is training and supporting Christian leaders anyway.  Russians are a hardy bunch that does not give in easily to persecution. Because they do not own a car, the LifeRoute team makes their way around Moscow by hitchhiking to the nearest train. 

Can you imagine how Galina and I look as we stand on the street with our thumbs out to get a ride to do ministry? The head of a seminary asked us to train students in nine Bible schools, so we headed out for their campus across town.

Galina and Gary in the cold Russian winter

First, four of us rode the train for almost an hour to a suburb near Moscow.  After a great discussion, we headed back to Moscow. We stood on the roadway in freezing weather for a half hour before a man stopped, crammed us into the rickety, little, old, unheated vehicle and took us back to the train station.  Imagine how much ministry time is wasted that way. It summarizes the daily life of Galina and her team that must hitch rides all over Moscow. 

For about $15,000.00 we can buy a car to make their ministry travel effective and efficient. We already have over $4000 in donations.  Won't you act now by sending a donation to: STOP RUSSIANHITCH HIKING? Sweeten Life Systems, P.0. Box 498455, Cincinnati, OH 45242 or online? 

More history on Russia and LifeRoute