Seeing saints suffering

Hi, this is Karen (Dan's wife). Because of the lack of availble ease of internet use, Dan asked me to post some details he wrote to me about.

They have an amazing translator named Julie, a Christian from the area. She is new at translating, but did a great job translating for Pastor Baker's teaching and she is with them all day.

Today, Dan rode out with Pastor Piotr and Pastor Yuri to a town about two hours from where they are staying. Their mission was to encourage a pastor named Sasha whose church was severely vandalized overnight. This was not simply vandalism, but out right persecution. Several sections of fence were destroyed, swastikas were not just spray painted, but carved into the outer church walls, bullet holes were shot through their church sign, and another symbol was painted in several places that labelled the church a cult. Pastor Sasha was upset, but in control.

After viewing the building, they prayed with him, and he invited them to his house for light lunch. They had coffee, some sausage, and coarse bread (very typical). They met his wife and children as well. It was a very humble home, but well kept. On the way, they stopped at a market and bought a case of grapes and a bushel of apples as a gift to the family. They were very appreciative.

It was a hard day, seeing persecution up close for the first time, and also because Dan did not have his interpretor. He was simply able to observe the Pastor's heart through his emotions.

Please pray for God's comfort for this Pastor and the congregation there. Thanks so much!