The headlines tell the story. The former Soviet Union is in economic and political crisis. The devaluation of currency has fallen dramatically, and politically everything is up for grabs. To say everything is a mess would be an understatement, and on September 13th, I'll be leaving the United States to join in the mess.
I will fly from Atlanta to Budapest, Hungary, where I will spend about a week in orientation meetings and training. From there, our team of six will fly to Minsk, Belarus in the former Soviet Union where we will live for about a year.
What awaits us in Minsk? The first couple of weeks will most likely be spent in cultural adjustment. That's just a fancy term for moving in and getting settled in a place where most people don't speak your language. It will also give us time to enjoy being millionaires (one US dollar is equal to about 230,000 Belarusian rubles!).
I am anxious to begin ministry, however. We will be resuming ministry with many Christian students as well as meeting students with whom we can share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Here's where your prayers will be greatly appreciated.
You play an instrumental part in this ministry with your prayers. Where financial support lets you be involved in the ministry, prayer support puts you in the midst of it. And it will be a huge comfort for me to know that you are serving alongside me.
I thank you for your willingness to participate in this ministry. Your prayers have already been felt as I have been preparing this summer. See you on the other side…
The Lord bless you and keep you,
Jared Bridges