We are very grateful to God for the privilege of receiving a four-member team of missionaries to Moscow Russia which consisted of Brother Chijioke and Sister Iffy from Nigeria, and Brother Martin and Sister Kristina from the Czech Republic.
Brother Martin and Sister Kristina were the first to arrive Moscow at about 12:30 pm Moscow time, and Brother Efeturi was on hand to receive them at the Sheremyetevo Airport in Moscow. They waited for Brother Chijioke and Sister Iffy who arrived in Moscow at about 2:30 pm. From the airport, they headed into Moscow city where they hoped to stay at Intercontinental hotel; surprisingly, the hotel was fully booked. At this point, they were joined by Brother Donatus and together they searched around for some other lodging options with little success. At about 5:30 pm, the Spirit led them to a hotel with available rooms where they settled in.
At 6:00 pm, the Brethren (Brother Chijioke, Sister Iffy; Brother Martin and Sister Kristina) left for a fellowship meeting that lasted from 7 till around 9 pm. At the meeting place, Sister Vanessa, the host, prepared a meal which they all ate together; after which Brother Chjioke and Brother Martin shared the word with the brethren who were present (they were about 7 of them).
After the sharing, Sister Vanessa showed the brethren pictures of their mission work. And the brethren were thankful for the great way God was using them to bring healing to the hurting of Moscow Russia.
From the meeting, they headed to the hotel where they rested for the night.
Saturday 29 August, 2015
After breakfast at the hotel, the Brethren were joined by Brother Efe, Brother Donatus, and Brother Precious and at about 12 noon they departed for the Students for Christ (SFC) meeting venue, where they were to meet with the students in Moscow. Brother Daniel from SFC was there to pick them up.
The meeting started around 1:30 pm, and about a dozen students was present to learn of the mind of Christ concerning them, Brother Martin and Brother Chijioke shared the word of God.
Brother Martin encouraged us to get our vision for life from Christ (1 John 2:14). According to him, “We need to be walking as ambassadors of God, as God wants us to be like him and do like him. For that to happen, we must grow.”
Brother Ike, one of the students present, asked a question on how a young man can discover his purpose, and Brother Martin said the secret is to “make up your mind to do God’s will and have God teach you to obey His will.”
After Brother Martin’s session which lasted about 40 minutes, Brother Chijioke reminded us that we are priests with God with amazing treasures within (2 Cor. 4:7). He reminded all present that God’s mathematics puts our soul at par with the whole world, and still the whole world does not measure up. He encouraged us to develop our soul and make it a watered garden so that God can dwell in it.
The meeting ended at about 4 pm, and from there we (Brother Chijioke and Sister Iffy; Brother Martin and Sister Kristina; Brothers Ike, Efe, Donatus, Precious and Brother David) headed for for dinner.
Along the way to the metro, Brother Chijioke took questions from Brother Ike on several aspects, including wisdom for life, marriage, and leadership. Brother Chijioke, bless God, answered all the questions that were asked him. He explained that Wisdom is that grace from God that directs the soul, and that the foundation of wisdom is the fear of God.
On wisdom for leadership, Brother Chijioke explained that one-man ministry ended with Moses, and that brethren in leadership must practice mutual submission.
When asked about 3 keys he would suggest for marriage, he gave the following:
- You must marry someone that loves God more than you. On the basis of that the Love of God can grow.
- Vision. What is the person’s outlook on life? Is God primary in the person’s life?
- Compatibility, of the same kind. There are people God has made for you. Beauty is secondary. “The woman that fears the Lord she shall be praised.”
At the dinner location, we were ushered to the African Restaurant, Avenue, where we had an early dinner and some fellowship. After dinner, we all left for the Red Square in Moscow so as to appreciate the city of Moscow.
After seeing the Red Square, the brethren headed back to the hotel to rest their head for the night. But before doing so, they invited us to join them for a time of breakfast and fellowship at their lodge on Sunday morning.
Sunday 30 August, 2015
After breakfast, we had a time of fellowship in Brother Chijioke’s hotel room which lasted till 11 AM. Brother Martin shared on the concept of Christ, laying special emphasis on the importance of Baptism into Christ – immersing yourself into Christ and allowing him to take control of your life.
He used the Tabernacle of Moses to illustrate the steps into being immersed in Christ, encouraging us all to not stop yielding ourselves to God, until we have fully been immersed into Christ.
The meeting ended with a time of prayers, after which Brother Efe assisted the visiting missions Team – Brother Chijioke and Sister Iffy; and Brother Martin and Sister Kristina – to the airport so they could meet up with their flights.
It was really a blessed time in Moscow and we thank God for sending the Team to encourage us in Moscow.
Brother Ike on behalf of the Moscow brethren