Russian Harvest Field – David & Galina Binkley
Important update on our most recent activities and changes
Already, 2008 has been a year full of missionary activities in Russia and Ukraine. We are most grateful to many people who make it possible for us to continue our work in the Russian-speaking world. In the first part of this year, we made a fruitful trip to Magadan out in the Far East of Russia. Early this summer, I received a call from an old friend who is now one of the elders at the Dalraida Church of Christ in Montgomery, AL.
Important update on our most recent activities and changes
Already, 2008 has been a year full of missionary activities in Russia and Ukraine. We are most grateful to many people who make it possible for us to continue our work in the Russian-speaking world. In the first part of this year, we made a fruitful trip to Magadan out in the Far East of Russia. Early this summer, I received a call from an old friend who is now one of the elders at the Dalraida Church of Christ in Montgomery, AL.
Bob McKee, along with myself and four other missionary teachers from the USA made a mission trip to Inta in 1992 and established the church in that city. We had large and enthusiastic crowds at all our meetings while we were there. A missionary later moved there and worked with this church for a while. After he moved back to the States, the church had several difficulties and this year they were in need of some strong encouragement. Galina and I agreed to accept Bob’s challenge to make this trip even though we had only been back from Magadan a short while. This trip turned out to be most rewarding for us to become better acquainted with the spiritual needs of this struggling congregation. The Komi Republic of Russia and the city of Inta which is situated at the northern end of the Ural mountain range Inta was the first city that I visited in Russia. That campaign in 1992 helped seal my commitment to do everything I can to share the wonderful story of lo
ve with the people of the Former Soviet Union. Now, as if she did not already know, Galina understands more deeply the love I have for Christians in Russia. This year’s trip to Inta was an important trip since she had never visited this part of Russia and we became better acquainted with Christians in the Inta church as well as Syktyvkar. With abiding comfort from our Lord Jesus Christ, and your help, we are committed to continuing our endeavors as long as God allows.
We have been praying for several years that we will be able to once again devote our full-time to doing mission work. Now, God has answered our prayers and we are in the process of concluding some arrangements that will make it possible for us to be in the country of Russia for more than six months each year. Our plan is to spend more than three months in Russia and almost three months in the States; then back to Russia for approximately three more months.
For the past two years, we have been able to receive Multiple-entry visas for one year. Now, it is possible for us to receive Religious Worker visas for only six months at a time. This presents a little more of a challenge, but on the other hand, we were not turned down. Even today, as I am drafting this letter we came home from the Post Office with great joy that the Express Mail envelope contained our new visas that are good until 27 January 2009. This means we must get moving quickly to make our next trip happen according to our prayers and plans.
A few have asked what we will be doing during those approximately six months in the States. First of all, when we enter Russia, we know from experience that all our activities are closely monitored, and we know that we could be detained for an indeterminate period of time. If that happens, then we make the most of God’s method of extending our visas. While in the States, we will be working on visa issues and visiting with supporters who would like to see us and have first-hand reports. We will also be available to conduct Russian language and cultural classes for those interested in preparing for trips to Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus, etc. In addition, I will be engaged in personal evangelism as usual and otherwise doing the work of an evangelist. We are constantly writing teaching materials for our lessons in Russia and Galina is busy doing this translation work as well as handling much correspondence with Christians in Russia. She also does translation work for World English Institute as well as some other missionary works.
When we are in America, we also stay in constant contact with brothers and sisters in Russia by way of e-mail, telephone, and SMS messages. They always know our whereabouts and miss us almost as much as we miss them. Our mission work in Russia does not suffer while we are in the States. In fact, the times away allow our brethren to grow stronger in the faith as they work to implement Biblical plans and procedures for the church to do its work and worship.
Now that we have our visas in our hands, we are finalizing our travel plans to make this next trip to Russia. Our first destination will be Magadan by way of Moscow, and then back to Moscow and up to Inta. We plan to leave on or about 7 October and return the around the end of January 2009 – when our visas expire. We will know better, when we hear details about our tickets. We then must immediately begin working on our next travel visas for the next planned mission trip in April 2009. Please pray for us as we try to contain our enthusiasm about these opportunities and that God will open many doors for this present harvest.
The Cedar Key Church of Christ has been handling the mission fund for our work during the years that I could not get a visa to Russia and a couple of years since we have been able to travel. Since we now have this opportunity to spend the majority of our time in Russia, I have given my resignation as preacher for the Cedar Key church. My last Sunday here will be 14 September, and after that we will be available to drive down from Montgomery and preach for a few Sundays until we leave for Russia on the 8 or 9 October. We plan to return to USA around the end of January. We are moving out of the “preacher’s house” and to a rented house in Montgomery.
To our supporters who faithfully send money each month, here is the new address to send your support. For those of you who send one-time or periodical offerings to our work, please use this address also. We sincerely appreciate all your help in this vitally important work of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the Former Soviet Union. We are still a long, long way from reaching the great country of Russia. We need more workers in the harvest field!
ve with the people of the Former Soviet Union. Now, as if she did not already know, Galina understands more deeply the love I have for Christians in Russia. This year’s trip to Inta was an important trip since she had never visited this part of Russia and we became better acquainted with Christians in the Inta church as well as Syktyvkar. With abiding comfort from our Lord Jesus Christ, and your help, we are committed to continuing our endeavors as long as God allows.We have been praying for several years that we will be able to once again devote our full-time to doing mission work. Now, God has answered our prayers and we are in the process of concluding some arrangements that will make it possible for us to be in the country of Russia for more than six months each year. Our plan is to spend more than three months in Russia and almost three months in the States; then back to Russia for approximately three more months.
For the past two years, we have been able to receive Multiple-entry visas for one year. Now, it is possible for us to receive Religious Worker visas for only six months at a time. This presents a little more of a challenge, but on the other hand, we were not turned down. Even today, as I am drafting this letter we came home from the Post Office with great joy that the Express Mail envelope contained our new visas that are good until 27 January 2009. This means we must get moving quickly to make our next trip happen according to our prayers and plans.
A few have asked what we will be doing during those approximately six months in the States. First of all, when we enter Russia, we know from experience that all our activities are closely monitored, and we know that we could be detained for an indeterminate period of time. If that happens, then we make the most of God’s method of extending our visas. While in the States, we will be working on visa issues and visiting with supporters who would like to see us and have first-hand reports. We will also be available to conduct Russian language and cultural classes for those interested in preparing for trips to Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus, etc. In addition, I will be engaged in personal evangelism as usual and otherwise doing the work of an evangelist. We are constantly writing teaching materials for our lessons in Russia and Galina is busy doing this translation work as well as handling much correspondence with Christians in Russia. She also does translation work for World English Institute as well as some other missionary works.
When we are in America, we also stay in constant contact with brothers and sisters in Russia by way of e-mail, telephone, and SMS messages. They always know our whereabouts and miss us almost as much as we miss them. Our mission work in Russia does not suffer while we are in the States. In fact, the times away allow our brethren to grow stronger in the faith as they work to implement Biblical plans and procedures for the church to do its work and worship.
Now that we have our visas in our hands, we are finalizing our travel plans to make this next trip to Russia. Our first destination will be Magadan by way of Moscow, and then back to Moscow and up to Inta. We plan to leave on or about 7 October and return the around the end of January 2009 – when our visas expire. We will know better, when we hear details about our tickets. We then must immediately begin working on our next travel visas for the next planned mission trip in April 2009. Please pray for us as we try to contain our enthusiasm about these opportunities and that God will open many doors for this present harvest.
The Cedar Key Church of Christ has been handling the mission fund for our work during the years that I could not get a visa to Russia and a couple of years since we have been able to travel. Since we now have this opportunity to spend the majority of our time in Russia, I have given my resignation as preacher for the Cedar Key church. My last Sunday here will be 14 September, and after that we will be available to drive down from Montgomery and preach for a few Sundays until we leave for Russia on the 8 or 9 October. We plan to return to USA around the end of January. We are moving out of the “preacher’s house” and to a rented house in Montgomery.
To our supporters who faithfully send money each month, here is the new address to send your support. For those of you who send one-time or periodical offerings to our work, please use this address also. We sincerely appreciate all your help in this vitally important work of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the Former Soviet Union. We are still a long, long way from reaching the great country of Russia. We need more workers in the harvest field!
Mark your support: BINKLEY MISSION FUND
Send to:
Elders
Dalraida Church of Christ
3740 Atlanta Highway
Montgomery, Alabama 36109
Tel. 334-272-2561
Our primary e-mail address remains the same: dgbinkley@aol.com
Cell phones in USA, David: 352-949-0070; Galina 352-949-0120
Cell phone in Russia when dialing from USA: 011-7-915-356-0197
Please let us know if you want to receive updates about our mission activities in the Former Soviet Union.
The most powerful and beneficial support we receive is the prayers that you offer on our behalf. It truly means a great deal to us just to know that you have us in your thoughts and prayers.
Another note, while we are in the States working on visas and taking care of other matters pertaining to our mission activities, Galina is available to do some translation work. English/Russian or Russian/English; English/Ukrainian or Ukrainian/English.
Since we have moved from Cedar Key, here is our new USA address:
David Binkley, Sr.
Galina Binkley
8116 Ansley Trace
Montgomery, AL 36117
Tel. 334-277-4628
The best way to communicate with us while we are in Russia is by E-mail or text message. We will do our best to stay in touch with everyone that shows an interest in this rewarding work for the Lord Jesus Christ.
With the love of the Lord,
David and Galina
The best way to communicate with us while we are in Russia is by E-mail or text message. We will do our best to stay in touch with everyone that shows an interest in this rewarding work for the Lord Jesus Christ.
With the love of the Lord,
David and Galina
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