November 2003

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs."
Matthew 19:14

Dear Friends,

Over the last ten years, Lyuda and I have been privileged to develop a unique Christian educational institution in St. Petersburg, Russia, the former capital of Peter the Great. The Kargel and Bedaeker School is a Christian, general education school with three tracks: the Russian School, the International School, and the Russian Language School. The Russian School is for Russian children, and for children of foreigners who want their children to have a Russian education. It runs from kindergarten to the eleventh grade (a full program in the Russian system). The International School is for children of foreigners and has an American-style curriculum. It runs from kindergarten to the twelfth grade. The Russian Language School offers Russian language to foreigners, largely church workers and missionaries, who need to use Russian in their ministry and work.

In the course of the past twelve years, more than 300 young students in the Russian and International schools have received a quality elementary and secondary education and been surrounded by the love and instruction of a Christian staff. In the Russian Language School, we have served several hundred Christian workers from more than ten countries and thirty organizations, providing them with education in the Russian language and assistance in settling in Russia.

Since June of this year, we have been challenged as never before in our ability to continue our school. It is simply a fact than in Russia today we have to deal with corruption and criminality at every level. In June, we were evicted on questionable legal grounds from our facilities.

In the course of the summer, we have been able to contest the eviction, primarily thanks to the efforts of three people. Andrei Deryabin, a film producer and notable citizen of St. Petersburg, learned of the challenges facing us and decided to help. He enlisted the aid of Aleksandr Sokurov, the highly acclaimed director of the film “The Russian Ark” and a personal friend of Valentina Matvienko, then President Putin’s envoy to St. Petersburg and now the governor. Aleksandr convinced Governor Matvienko to intervene on our behalf, and we are finally on the way to negotiating a rental contract that will protect us from the arbitrary actions of others. With the help of many caring people, we opened our doors on time on September 1.

Unfortunately, in the weeks when we did not occupy the classrooms, the administrators turned the school into a student hostel, which resulted in a lot of damage. Furthermore, as we were given only three days in June to vacate the building, there was a good deal of damage to equipment and furniture. When we moved back in we fixed or purchased what we were able in order to start teaching. And, as the school year has progressed, we have continued our work on restoring the facility. When we ultimately prevail in the legal battles, however, we will need to add improvements such as a fire detection system and renovated restrooms. We also want to enlarge the kitchen and dining room and purchase some new classroom equipment.

In September, leaders in the Worldwide Ministries Division sent a special appeal to many of the supporters of Presbyterian mission in Russia. The first response has been generous, for which we are very thankful.

The future of Russia is its children. And we have been privileged to work in this place, at this time, with those children. We continue to ask for your prayers and your financial support to help us through this difficult period.

In Christ,

Garth and Lyuda

The 2003 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 94