March 7, 2007
Dear Family and Friends,
We were told that spring comes very quickly here in Moscow. They
were right. One week we were below zero, and now it is rainy and
hovering around 40. It is not the prettiest time of the year for
the city, but you can certainly see transformations taking place
right before your eyes. Moscow turns from a beautiful white pristine
city to a bit of a slushy, grey, chaotic place.
Here at the Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy (MPC) February was a
very busy yet eye-opening month. On Friday the 9th Bob was in
the metro with the coordinator of all of our soup-kitchen ministries,
let’s call him Kevin, (every month we provide more than
4,000 meals and put together over 300 food bags). As soon as we
got out of the metro a policeman stopped Kevin. He is from Ethiopia.
He was arrested for “improper documents,” and Bob
went with him to the police station out of solidarity. After an
hour Kevin, told Bob that it would be best if he left. If the
police know that there is someone with financial backing behind
those who are arrested, they will keep them until they are able
to get something from them.
Bob left, and Kevin stayed in jail for 12 hours until a member
of MPC was able to “convince” the authorities that
he should be released. Kevin is back and working with us, and
just recently became legal through the Russian system. The girls
had a ton of questions in regards to this case, especially because
they know and love Kevin. It was a real eye-opener for them about
the realities of life here in Moscow for some. We once again realized
how protected we are in so many ways. As you pray for us, pray
for the many members of MPC who daily have to wonder if they are
going to be stopped and thrown in jail.
We continue to be excited about the growing support for MPC’s
social ministries. Bob and others continue to visit possible locations
for the second soup kitchen, which we hope to see open in the
coming months. The giving in church has been extremely generous,
and we have a few people who have taken it upon themselves to
look for corporate sponsors. It is amazing what a little bit of
work and a little bit of publicity can do to help people who are
so desperately in need.
The church continues to grow. We are debating the pros and cons
of starting a service at the U.S. embassy. We hate to divide the
church into groups because it is now so wonderfully diverse. But
if we keep growing something has to give! Stacy continues to coordinate
the Sunday school, and it has now divided into three classes and
a nursery. She also is leading a women’s Bible study at
the U.S. embassy.
Bob has begun a high school Bible study at a fairly well known
compound for primarily ex-patriot residents. It started this past
Tuesday, so you can keep that in mind as you pray for us and our
ministry.
The girls continue in the activities in which they have been
involved in the previous months. This month was a special one
because we decided to splurge and bought cross-country skis for
all the family. What a great decision that was! The girls have
been skiing almost daily and absolutely love it.
Besides our home page
on PC(USA)’s Mission Connections Web site, the Reformed
Church in America keeps a Profile
in Mission for us and also has an "RCA
Missionary Update."
If you gave to our ministry this past year and did not receive
a personal thank you from us or a note from the Presbyterian Church
for your taxes, please let us know.
During this Lenten season we wish you all a period of thoughtful
and disciplined reflection as you await the coming of Christ.
We are your servants in Christ,
The Bronkema family |
