Winter Newsletter

Dear praying friends & family,

'When the fullness of time was come, God brought forth His son....." I've always liked this verse when I consider that God promised a Savior and Redeemer back in Genesis 3:15 when Adam & Eve sinned. I'm sure many people waiting for the Savior to be born thought that God had forgotten them. But nothing and no one could thwart His plan for redemption. He had it all planned out and when the time was ready Christ was born. We've had an exciting month as we've seen God fulfill the desires we've had for years.. all in the fullness of HIS timing.

An AMAZING God! When we moved here three years ago we had a little dream that one day we would have a Nara-Faminsk Youth Center that would be open to youth in need 24 hours a day 7 days a week. We started out in an apartment; but that had it's limitations as the police were always visiting us and telling us that no more than 12 people could meet in the apartment at the same time. In the space of two weeks we saw the incredible hand of God move... it started with a knock on our door and a lady telling us she wanted to sell her home across the street. It was quite literally *perfect* for a youth center. One large open room, a large entryway, a bedroom, kitchen & bathroom plus a large yard that could be used for volleyball - see enclosed picture. Two weeks later we had a buyer for our apartment and extra money from a dear group of friends in Texas. We gave a downpayment on the house and the paperwork is presently being done to own a new Youth Center. We stand back in amazement as we see the fulfillment of the hopes and desires we had three years ago when we moved to Nara-Faminsk. God continues to lead, provide, and draw people to the knowledge of salvation. I wish so much we could let you 'peek in' on the Bible studies and see these young people who know nothing about God or the Bible ~ To see the darkness and hopelessness of their lives and to be able to explain to them the greatest love story every written.

Christmas Plans Please be in prayer as this time of year is extremely busy and a wonderful opportunity to share Christ. Starting Monday the 26th through Russian Christmas celebrated January 7th we will be handing out food baskets and gifts to 65 needy families and children. We received the names and addresses from the city administration. In addition we will be visiting a children's hospital, the military base to give gifts to some children who are invalids, and an orphanages to hand out gifts, candy and fruit. Please pray that every conversation we have with these children and families will be a God-given chance to share the gift of salvation with them.

We will also be showing the film 'Luther' in a school auditorium the evenings of January 4th and 5th. We had permission to rent the largest auditorium in the city (seats 1000) but last week we were told of a new law that went into affect this week that forbids religious non-profit organization from renting a public facility and having any type of programs. It was a huge disappointment at first, but we are praying that showing the film in a smaller setting will allow us a chance to talk with people afterwards. Please remember us in prayer during these very busy weeks. Much work and preparation have gone into these plans and we are praying for God's blessing on each endeavor.

A New Pair of Socks Last night after the Bible study James came home with a new pair of warm hand knit socks. Sergei, a young man that was saved during the summer camp, had brought them to James from his Mother. Sergei's mother has been an alcoholic for the last 8 years; she has rarely gone outside her apartment or held a paying job. James had talked with her and told her he would pray that God would deliver her from alcoholism. Sergei came to the Bible study and told James his mother has not touched alcohol for over a month. He said she could not believe the change in her son's life and wants the same *miracle* for her own. When James had gone to visit her and took off his shoes, he had a big hole in his sock.... so she had made him a new pair of socks :) Praising God for new socks and a new life in Christ!

Family News Rachel celebrated her 7th birthday last week... I am feeling VERY, very old!! We had a wonderful birthday party with seven of her friends. We are so thankful for Rachel and her tender, loving heart. She teaches her parents so much of the ways of God. I'll never forget this summer walking to the store with her right after a big national holiday. We walked by three drunk men who had passed out near the side-walk. They were covered with vomit and smelled terrible. I walked by thinking 'I wish they would find another street to pass out in.... I feel so bad my children have to see stuff like this..' When we reached the store I looked down and Rachel had big tears in her eyes. When I asked her what was wrong, she replied, 'Oh Mommy, we have to pray for those men, without Jesus they'll never be able to say no to alcohol.' My heart was so convicted I couldn't even answer her... I walked by a self absorbed 'Pharisee', but Rachel walked by and had Jesus' heart for these men. When you have little ones around you understand so clearly 'Unless you become like a little child you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.' It's amazing how much you can learn from your children!

Our deepest thanks and gratitude to each of you who stand with us in prayer and giving. 'For where your treasure is there will your heart be also.' So many of you have your heart here in Russia with us and we are so grateful for you. May the Prince of Peace give you peace in your souls as you reflect on all He has done. 'For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people.' Luke 2:30

Rejoicing in Him,
James, Susan, Rachel, David, Caleb and Johanna Joy

Susan has a personal blog at www.jamesandsusan@blogspot.com
so if you want to see pictures of the cutest kiddos this side of the Atlantic please check it out.

Also we will have a copy of this newsletter and pictures of the new Youth Center at www.beairdnews@blogspot.com
Will post all newsletters and ministry news at this address. We decided it might be a good idea to have two blogs so those interested in just ministry news won't have to read through 15 pages of 'today Caleb ate green paint' etc. etc. :)

Summer Camp Report


Thank you for praying for this year's camp! James said it was the best since he's been having them. God was at work in incredible ways and we praise Him and thank YOU for your important part! Some of the many answers to prayer... 1. Nine young people accepted Christ! Keep reading and you'll see their pictures and individual stories. 2. Wonderful weather - it had literally rained for 3 weeks straight leading up to the camp. When James went out to the campsite a few days early to scout around his car got stuck on the only road out to the camp... he finally returned home at 3am covered in mud! Boy were we praying! The day before camp started the weather completely changed, we finally saw the sun and for the 12 days at camp it was beautiful sunny weather. 3. Lots of great helpers - Chris Brudi flew in from Michigan the day camp began, he was a huge help. At the last minute two American young ladies from a church in California arrived in Moscow with 'nothing to do'. Liz and Diana had been forced to leave the orphanage in St. Petersburg were they had worked for the past 4 months. We had been praying for extra help and what an incredible blessing they were! They basically ran the kitchen for James and did a great job. 4. Physical safety - no one got hurt on the zipline! 5. Generous financial support from the States - so many different individuals and churches gave to fund the camp. Many of the youth were from very poor families. The camp was the only 'vacation' or special event for their summer. Okay, pictures are better than words....


Here's a picture of Sergei age 20. A friend of Sergei's went to last year's camp and invited him to come along this year. The first night of camp Sergei got drunk and James almost sent him home. By the end of the camp Sergei had spent hours asking questions, reading his Bible (for the 1st time in his life) and learning about Who is God? Why was I created? Why is God interested in me? The last night Sergei prayed to receive Christ. Just yesterday he showed up at our apartment an hour early for the Bible study so he could ask James some more questions. Pray that Sergei will grow in his faith!


This is Elvira age 17 on the right. She came to last year's camp but did not seem that interested in God. This year was a different story; she was excited about the Bible lessons, singing, and asking lots of questions. She told everyone at the camp she had accepted Christ and was now a different person. Please pray for Elvira as she doesn't live in our city and so won't have a chance to come to the Bible studies and have fellowship with the friends she made at camp. Pray that she'll find some believing friends and a church where she lives during the school year.

On the left is 17 year old Zoya. She also came to last year's camp but did not seem that interested. This year she prayed to accept Christ and seemed excited to learn. Please pray for her as she comes from a very difficult home situation. She has no father and her Mom can barely provide for them. Her Mom was very grateful for a 'free camp' that Zoya could enjoy.


This is 18 year old Katya. Katya comes from a terrible home situation. No father, her Mom is an alcoholic. We have know Katya for the past two years as she lives very close to our apartment. We would see her almost every week stumbling home drunk. James and some other youth had invited her to our apartment several times but she was never interested. We learned later that Katya had been working as a prostitute for the past year. The first week of camp she was not interested in any of the lessons and slept through most of the morning meetings. Praise the Lord that He did an incredible work in her heart the last two days! Please pray for Katya as she faces such a difficult home situation. Pray that she will begin coming to the Bible studies in our apartment and that God would free her from alcoholism.








This is Lena age 14. Lena's older sister went to the camp last year. The camp was the first time Lena had ever read the Bible or heard anything about Jesus Christ. Please pray for her older sister and entire family to become Christians.

This is 20 year old Olga. She came to last year's camp along with her best friend Alona. Alona accepted Christ and became very active in the Baptist church in her city. (doesn't live in Nara-Faminsk, was just visiting for the summer). Seeing the change in her friend's life over the past year made Olga want to return to camp and study the Bible again for herself. Olga is studying to be a psychologist and her university is several hours away. Pray that she will find some believing friends and some type of Bible study at her University.






This is 14 year old Liza. She was invited to camp by a friend who went last year. For the first time in her life she read the Bible and was very interested in all the lessons. Pray she will become active in the Bible studies this coming year.









This is Julya age 15. She suffers from a rare bone disorder so is very small for her age. She also comes from a very difficult home situation. She seemed to quite literally 'blossom' before your eyes at the camp from all the love, attention, games and activities.




This is 14 year old Nastya. Her father left when she was little and her Mom is very busy at work. Her grandmother lives in our building so we invited Nastya to camp when we found out she'd be staying with her grandmother for the summer. Pray for her as she returns back home in September that there will be some kind of church and believing friends in her city.

More pictures of camp!



I apologize as this is my first attempt at blogging and I have no idea what I'm doing... layout is not quite professional

The picture of the black car above is a neat answer to prayer... James had prayed for a 'junky' car he could buy for camp every summer. God provided this black Volga for only $250.. it even had insurance! It was a huge help. July 7th was James' 33rd birthday and he woke up to find the entire car painted with handprints and 'We all love you Happy Birthday' written on the front hood. Luckily it washed off!

The picture next to the car is our friend Chris Brudi who was a huge help.