Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today I returned back home from Khakassia with this news: new
trial against our Evangelical Lutheran Mission in Khakasia (ELMK)
will take place in Abakan at February 12.
Invitation to be in the court we received last Saturday, when we
were preparing to the Sunday services in Touim and Vlasjevo.
This Sunday two Divine Services took place. One person was
baptized, and 9 more individuals joined our church through
confirmation. Some people more are studying in the confirmation
classes. Our Mission preaches the Gospel of Lord Jesus Christ to
non-believers.
New trial means new difficulties for us. And it needs our time,
our strength and our money. We need to use out strenth not for
preaching the Gospel, but for defending ourselves in the court
again.
You know that for last two years there were several trials in
Khakassia against our Mission. Khakassian authorities with
surprising persistence tried to close the ELMK. The Supreme
Court of Khakassia made a decision to close our Mission, but
the Supreme Court of Russian Federation abolished this decision.
But in spite of the fact that all the trials finished with defeat
of prosecutors nothing has changed. It seems like Khakassian
prosecutors have nothing to do besides that struggle with
Lutherans. Like there are not criminals, thiefs and mafia in
Khakassia anymore. And like they have nothing to do besides that
struggle against small Christian mission. But Khakassian authorities
with new energy begin new trial.
Two Christian lawyers from the Slavic Juridical Center (Moscow) are
planing to fly to Abakan to help us on the trial.
Please pray for our Mission in Khakasia.
Yours in Christ,
February 15, 1999
Evangelical Lutheran Mission in Khakasia
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Pastor Vsevolod Lytkin
Novosibirsk
Mikroraion 3-36
Pgt Touim
Shira District
Republic of Khakassia 662425
RUSSIA
Tel/Fax +7 (390 35) 98.293
Rev Vsevolod Lytkin
P.O. Box 87
Novosibirsk 630058
Tel. +7 (38 32) 333.868
FAX +7 (38 32) 333.317
E:mail Bible@Lutheran.nsk.ru