From Russia with Love:
Two Month’s Salary for El Salvador

by Peter Siegfried, GBGM*

   Fifty Dollars for the earthquake victims in El Salvador - a nice gift, though nothing extraordinary.

   But this particular donation took on great significance when I read the note attached by the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries financial officer for the area.  It said, "This is a gift from a small church called Holy Trinity UMC in St. Petersburg, Russia.  This may seem like a small amount but it represents two months income for most Russians."

Church is Eight Years Young

   The Holy Trinity United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg was started eight years ago and now has 54 members.  They have a strong Sunday School for children and an excellent youth group.  They assist an association of disabled people, have a drug abuse and prevention program, are organizing summer camps for children and youth, and have a ministry in an orphanage in St. Petersburg.  It is one of the largest orphanages in the area, housing 210 children and teenagers from seven to nineteen years of age.  Many of the children and youths participate in worship services and other activities.  "We are trying to make them feel God’s love and mercy," says Oksane Petrova, pastor of Holy Trinity.  "Life is difficult for these kids."

Sharing God’s Love

   Rev. Petrova wrote me, "When we learned about the terrible disaster in El Salvador, we decided to send our little donation to the Church in El Salvador.  We are thankful to our Lord for the wonderful gift of our United Methodist Church, the church of connections.  There are no political connections between Russia and El Salvador, but we can build bridges between common people through our church.  God is good and very merciful."

   Until ten years ago, no outside connections were possible in Russia.  Now, the Holy Trinity Church has opened the window and become aware of other people and nations.  The people in St. Petersburg have very little, but the Spirit of God has enabled them to share with those who have lost everything.

Christian Witness Where Religion Had been Banned

   For fifty years, The United Methodist Church was banned from Russia.  In the ten years since the collapse of the Soviet Union, almost ninety United Methodist churches have been opened.  The people of the church in Russia appreciate the gift of the global connection of the Methodist family.  They are not only on the receiving end.  They are beginning to share with others.  They have received the promise of the Lord, "I will bless you and you will be a blessing for others."

* The Rev. Peter Siegfried is GBGM Executive Secretary for Europe and North-Africa.

More Information:

• The Russia Initiative, links to excerpts from a recent issue of the Russia Initiative Newsletter, in which participants in the Russia Initiative share their experiences and their excitement over proclamation of the gospel in Russia.
• Global Connections:  Russia
• El Salvador Earthquake UMCOR of The General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church responds to the earthquake disaster in El Salvador.
• Global Connections:  El Salvador