Friday, August 12, 2011

CC Sokol Update

Editions that were made on the 13th are in yellow

Editions that were made on the 14th are in pink

Be ware of the wolves

Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them” Eph. 5:11

Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, I would like to update you on the present situation in our church Calvary Chapel Sokol, which was meeting at metro “Prospect Mira” till December 2010 and now is spread around Moscow due to the circumstances I want to describe below. We still need your prayers since, because we were separated and some church members maybe harassed.

Some information that maybe you have gotten from our church before maybe just a scam.

CC Sokol

This blog belongs to our church CCSokol, but for a while Melvin Dean Malispina, whom we considered our pastor, friend, supporter and a missionary of Calvary Chapel Church Planting Mission and later Spiritual Freedom Ministry, was updating it, so you might want to read some of the posts below.

Nataliya Frolova

I have been serving in Moscow, since 1999, after i've graduated from the Calvary Chapel Bible College in Murrieta Hot Springs. Some people know me quite well, but for those of you who never met me personally, you can find my pictures below, since I was the only Natasha in our church. My full name is Nataliya Michailovna Frolova (Наталия Михайловна Фролова)(b.76) and I know the Lord since 1992.

I've been attending CCSokol since 2001, when Vadim Chipinov (CC Volgograd) was pastoring and am serving full time since 2003, since Melvin Dean Malispina became a pastor.

The previous post describes what took place in our church, so if you have not heard of it please, read that message first, to understand that our church, and I believe I can put name of Calvary Chapel here, which is in many places around the world and also missionaries and fellowships with different names have suffered persecution. Also, to avoid any confusion our church has one e-mail address ccsokol@mail.ru and my personal e-mails are natasha4jesus@gmail.com (mail.ru, rambler.ru, voila.fr), also I have twitter (not tweeter), Facebook (which is now closed) and Vkontakte, so if you've received any messages from these accounts with some information it might be untrue since my e-mails and profiles were broken in to and some messages could have gone out without my knowledge.

CCCPM – not CCCP:-)

The first church I've attended was Calvary Chapel Pushkinskaya (we were meeting at Dom Medika), when Allan Esses was pastoring it. When he, his wife Natasha and daughter Rebecca moved back to the US in 1999, Kevin McKen became a pastor and together with his wife Natasha they are still serving at Calvary Chapel Kurskaya-Курская (former Pushkinskaya-Пушкинская) the Russian name of the church was «Голгофский приход» and both my mom and my sister Tania were attending it. After I've returned from the Bible College I became a part of CCCPM (Calvary Chapel Church Planting Mission-Миссия по Организации Церквей «Часовня на Голгофе») led by George Bryson, who was bringing teams to Russia since 1991, I believe. His wife Debby organized many women's conferences and follow up outreaches in different cities of Russia. The Calvary Chapel Dormitory (aka Dorm) was situated at one of the buildings of MADI (Московский Авто-дорожный институт) first at Sokol (Сокол) and then at Planernaya (Планерная) metro. The Dorm was attending to the needs of long and short term missionaries and was headed by different people thought the years – Celeste Romero from New Mexico, US (now serving at CC Prishtina, Kosovo with her husband Mark Yocom.) Also Celeste served with CC Omsk and traveled to several cities around Russia. Chris Wheatly from California, who was organizing several outreaches and became a pastor of CC Tushino (Тушино) and served there together with his wife Sasha. Had to move back to the US due to visa problems, now they have two daughters and live in California. Among the missionaries who served at the Dorm were Guy Tukonaga from Howaii, Jay Dove from California, Christina Dixon from Upstate New York, she was a long term missionary in Nizhny Novgorod, and then helped with Calvary Chapel Bible College in Moscow headed by Ilya Gromov, originally from St. Petersburg, Russia (now serving at CC Novorossiysk with his wife Ira and his brother Alexey's family), Paul and Toni Petrignani (now serving at CC Nice, France with his family), Christabel (Bell) Chua, Scott and Jamie Williams.

Steve and Debora Olshevsky with their daughters Alyssa and Katy, who were serving at CC Tushino when it was just planted and the meeting places were at Turistskaya street (Planernaya metro) and at Mendeleyevskiy University diner, where also Bible College Graduations were held and the outreach teams were having organized meals with people they've met at the concerts and street outreaches. Also, it was a place where CC Tushino and the Bible College were organizing cafe with free music and treats. As far as I know Calvary Chapel Tushino had to be closed shortly after Chris and Sasha Wheatly moved away, the last meeting place was at metro Skhodnenskaya where a small Rehabilitation Center for Blind (помещение реабилитационного центра Всероссийского Общества Слепых) was located. The same kind of rehabilitation center was at metro Prospect Mira where our church CC Sokol was meeting since 2007, before that CC Sokol was located at Architectural College (Архитектурный Коллеж на улице Усиевича) at metro Sokol, then, after we were asked to leave in 2006, for about 4 months we rented a place Sokol Hotel apposite Triumph palace (Гостиница «Сокол» в Чапаевчком переулке). Among other missionaries I can name Page and Promise Bakurich, who were serving at Krasnogorsk and then moved to Dedovsk, the last I heard, they had to move back to the US, but I'm not 100% sure. Scott and Lena Bensen - both of them were a part of church in Smolensk, where Mike and MaryLou Bryan were serving for many years. Both families had to move back to the US because of visa and registration problems. It was especially surprising for Scott and Lena, since Lena is a Moscovite, both of them have a heart for people in Russia and a desire to continue serving the church. The same I can say about Bryan family. Also Chris and Katherine Knox, who served in Perm, Joel and Heather Curtly served in St. Pete Central for many years, Lori Amato, who served at CC Kashirskaya together with Tim and Darlene Mattox, who are now missionaries at Cyprus. There were and are many others who have love for the people and want to continue serving the Lord in different parts of Russia.

It is quite possible that some of these and short term missionaries along with Russian churches could experience some problems and even persecution due to the network system problems and loss of some documents, including database, which was used to organize conferences in Moscow.

I also have noticed that CCCPM site was hacked at least once.

Keeping the Unity.

I know that there were some unity problems between George Bryson other missionaries and pastors, but while at home all this time I've realized that some “little foxes”could cause serious problems, especially when people do not communicate face to face, but have a “mediator “between man and man, who says “I'll take care of this problem for you”, “I'll be the peacemaker” or “I know what is going on with such and such a person and I know what he or she said”. Some small talk of someone who has his own agenda can destroy relationship for many years between people, who love and respect one another. Some assumptions can produce real devision. Personally, I still wonder what had happened between George Bryson and Ken Ortize, who served for years together, since Dean mentioned his sister's Lynn name to me and that she actually talked to Ken personally and if actually anything happened or the Lord just decided to do it this way, so the work may continue in a different area. But I think many of us still miss great conferences we had at Molodiozhnaya hotel, I really miss worship, teaching, time of fellowship. It was always a huge encouragement not only for those, who served, but for those who considered serving or just needed refreshment.

This year I could not even attend women's and St. Pete conferences, because I could not get the right information and the e-mail that I've received were confusing. I also chose to stay at home and not to go to the missions conference in Austria, because I still feel very uncomfortable thinking that I might meet Dean and his “team” there or might be misunderstood by people who maybe received some untrue reports about me or received fake e-mails from my accounts. This can happen to anyone, so this is the reason I'm writing about it. I know that the Lord will take care of any problem sooner or later, but communication is vital especially in serious situations.

Dale Freeman Tweedy

The same can be true about our missionary Dale Freeman Tweedy, who was serving in Russia since 1994, I believe, has daughter Dasha and wife Lena, with which they were separated for many years due to divorce, but continues to keep in contact with her and good father for Dasha. We are still praying for the restoration of the family.

Dale's gmail account daletweedy@gmail.com was either hacked or has a tween, so some unwanted messages could proceed from it.

He begun his work in Russia with Calvary Chapel Church Planting Mission (headed by George Bryson) and then continued his ministry with Spiritual Freedom headed by Phill Wagner and then by Alexey Tichkonov. The situation with Spiritual Freedom in Moscow is rather unclear right now. It was renamed to “Set Free Ministries”, but in Russian, I think it is still the same “Духовная Свободa”. Dale was attending CCSokol almost since the very beginning and thought men's bible studies and for the last several years he was teaching monday night Bible Study. He disappeared from my life in December 2010 and the last text message I've received from him was in January 2011. I still do not know what had happened to Dale, but his place took his tween brother we were not aware of. It may sound even humorous, but this man has the same name, I came to this realization only today, because below you can find a post by Dean called Chaplin Dale Tweedy. I usually edit our blog, so when I read it I though it was a mistake and it was supposed to be Chaplain, because this is who Dale Freeman Tweedy is, but I believe that his ministry in Russia and maybe even in the US was undermined by his tween brother Chaplin Dale and also is true about Dale marriage and relationship with his wife Lena.

We were not even aware of it, but the Lord has faithfully revealed some of these things to me in these last days. However, I am not sure if people in our church know the truth because as it says in 2 Peter 3:3 :”Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with {their} mocking, following after their own lusts,” Many people were lied to and friends and families were separated, because each person knows his own “truth” about people and circumstances. Some people, who came to the church more or less recently were not aware of our church history and small talk behind our backs could produce separation and undermine good testimony.

Servants

Our church had several people serving including CC Bible College graduates from Moscow since Melvin Dean Malispina became a pastor. Lynn Malispina was a part of hospitality ministry and was considered Dean's sister by me and many other members of the church. She left Moscow in 2003 to be married to Brad Prittchard, Dean was performing the wedding in California and two girls from our church Masha Pasenchuk (who is presently in New York) and Marina Marinushkina (who might be in San Francisco at present) were leading worship. When they came to Moscow we watched a video of the wedding together and I remember that they commented that the guys beard was fake. Again, it may sound very funny, but both Masha and Marina were a part of CC Sokol for many years while Chris and Morgan Hess were leading the church. Marina attended CC Bible College and Austria, worked with George Bryson, translated William McDonald's commentary, and had been interpreting for Dean for several years and leading worship. Masha was leading worship as well as oversaw some other ministries in our church. Then she went to the US to work.

Marina continued to serve at the church leading worship and translating until we moved to a new place at Prospect Mira, then she stepped out from the ministry, but was a faithfully coming. So last I heard from Marina was in December, but then I was told that she moved to San Fransisco. Both girls are still single.

Mary Lynn Malispina Prittchard kept in contact with me, but never visited Moscow again. Even though I had all the confirmations that she got married, still some doubts came when I actually remembered the difference between the man on a video and a man on the picture. Also, I remembered that when Lynn was introducing herself, she said that many people thought that Dean and her are husband and wife therefore put them in the same room, but they are just single brother and sister.

Andrey and Rita Antonov came to our church after being in Tambov serving with Ray and Rebecca Curran. They were leading youth ministry and also provision for hospitality. Andrey also was taking care of our church site, which at some point was broken into and stolen from us. Rita played jumbey.

They've continued in ministry for some time then found regular jobs and went to another church. As far as I know they moved to the US.

Luba and Sasha Kustov were coming to our church for some time. Luba was helping me to teach women's bible study after Masha and then another Luba left. Sasha was leading worship, but at some point they both left and after they little daughter Nastia was born they turned to Ortodoxy.

Vova (Vladimir) Oblov – Moscow bible college graduate was a part of the worship team and lived in the same flat with Dean and other guys. Unfortunately, he had to step out from the ministry and never was disciplined properly, living one foot in the world.

After Vova stopped leading worship in 2007, I stepped in and was leading up to December 2010.

Tanya (Tatyana) Terechkova-Bowling – was teaching children along with other Bible College Graduts.

Julia Geshtovt – headed hospitality ministry up until we had to move to Prospect Mira. Julia was faithfully attending the church since 2002 (or 3)after she came from St. Pete with her 3 children.

She moved to St. Pete from Alma-Ata with her 3 children (Veronika, Dima and Sveta) as their family was harassed. Her family was going to reunite, but before they were about to move back to Alma-Ata her husband passed away after having a heart attack and she stayed. She later remarried to Steve Bruton and moved to China for about a year. Unfortunately, her family was again separated, Julia and her younger children moved back to Moscow and her older daughter continued to study in China. I did not hear from Julia since April 2011. When I warned her about Dean in December, she did not receive it and I think it happened, because we did not know about Dale yet.

Geno (Evgeniy Borisovich Grigorovich) – was saved while Dale witnessed to him in prison and after the release was translating and helping Dale up until he was convicted with a same sentence and sent back to prison. It happened shortly after he helped Dean to get his new beeline mobile plan.

Missionaries

We had several missionaries visiting our church through the years, but in more recent years Marcelo Santos (Athletes in Action) with his family were attending our church. They had to move away due to some harassment, but still would like to come back and serve in Moscow.

Tyler and Melissa Goodell were a blessing to our fellowship. They both have heart for Russia. Before they were married Tyler was a part of our church in spite of “3 months in 3 months out” visa regulation. Melissa was a part of short term missionary teams both to Russia and Ukraine.

Steve and Sharon Paul with their 3 children were a part of our fellowship up until they moved on to belong term missionaries in Blagovechensk where they were serving for some time, but had to move back to the US.

And we've never met Dave and Darlys Bird or Matt and Lisha Phillips family in Moscow.

Dean's house

After Lynn Malispina-Prittchard went back to the US, Dean's flat continued to be a place where we would have home fellowships, women, men and prayer meetings. It also was a place where some guys from our church were staying including Vova(Вова) and his brother Sasha (Саша) Oblov, who came from Tambov, Liosha Shakin (Лёша Шакин), who was from a dysfunctional family of alcoholics and had some mental disability, both of his parents passed away and his brother sold their flat, not giving any share to Liosha, some militia man was involved in this situation, we tried to help, but Liosha went back to the streets at some point. It seemed like Dean really had a heart for him and wanted to help and sent him to a rehabilitation center, but Liosha disappeared. Roman Dovol'nov (Роман Довольнов) stayed with Dean for some years after he met him at a homeless outreach with Dale, I believe. Roma was helping out at the church and remained faithful up until we had to close the doors of our meeting place at Prospect Mira. Geno, whom I already mentioned above, also stayed at Dean's place along with Dennis, whom we met at a homeless outreach, unfortunately, he later turned back to drinking. Yuri Timonnikov (Юрий Тимонников), who claimed to be a lawyer, but seemed like a person who does not have an occupation. He tried to help out at the church and he was the person, whom I asked to take care of the offerings during my 3 month absence. Dean told us that Yuri passed away in a hospice. Dima Schneider (Дима Шнайдер, previously had a different last name as he was attending the Bible College in Moscow), had lived with Dean for many years, but several times was accused of theft by different people, though it was not proven. He has some mental disability and is an orphan, we tried to help him as well as Liosha to finish their school education at special education center, based at the St. Andrew's Anglican church in Moscow, so that they would be able to find jobs, but it never worked out. Dima was in and out of the church, visiting other churches in Moscow as well. Last time I saw him at a church that was meeting across the hallway from us. In the last 2-3 years Dean had a flat mate Volodia (Володя), whom he knew for years, but who never showed much interest in the Bible or Spiritual things, but kept coming to the church. Rifat Vakhitov(Рифат Вахитов), was coming to our church for many years and was attending Christian university in 2009-10, then he won a grant and was supposed to go to the US to study. Dean told me that he got his visa and went.

It always looked like Dean really cares for all these guys and has a lot of patience with them, but at the same time he never really discipled them and never disciplined them properly. Many times he would begin meeting with them for a Bible Study, but then stop it in 2-3 weeks.

We tried our best to keep good relationship with the neighbors and make sure they are not troubled by the noise, while Dean lived at Sokol on Usievicha street, but many times guys would misbehave and it would threaten our church fellowship meetings. I even had to deal with militia on that, but still they asked us to discontinue the meetings.

All these men were a part of our church and with the most of them we had a good time of fellowship, prayed together, but only Roma and Volodia are the ones, who remained in the church.

Church support

Since 2003, after Lynn left I was taking care of church offerings, which were coming directly from the people from the church. Dean helped with the rent of our meeting place when we were still at Sokol, but then stopped and asked to do it from the offerings. The Lord faithfully provided for us and we were able to continue supporting different ministries and also help a little to “Spiritual Freedom” and CC Kaluga.

When we moved to Prospect Mira we had enough for Sundays and Wednesdays, but then stopped renting on Wednesdays due to small attendance. Our Monday and Wednesday bible studies continued at the “Spiritual Freedom” office at Saviolovskaya metro.

I also received my support (about $400) directly from Dean.

The administration of the place where we were renting had asked me to sign agreements and make payments trough a bank, so we would have a good stand before the authorities.

Being officially on staff with Association of Evangelical Christian Churches “Calvary Chapel” I worked closely with Nadezhda (Nadia) Martunenko (as far as I know she was going to get married and to change her last name to Morhouse) Nadia helped me to organize the payments through the bank and she was the one who had the seal of the Association. I fully trusted her and after I realized that Dean is truing to manipulate funds and switch to cash, I asked for a meeting with Drew Morhouse and Dale, to remove Dean from pastorate. This meeting never took place, because Dale received a phone call from Kostia Kretov, who told him that they will take care of everything. This happened on the 28th of December 2010 and I never heard from Kostia. Only later I realized that Kostia could not take care of anything since I never talked to him personally and never really explained anything to Dale.

I thought that maybe Dale and Kostia were aware of some other problems with Dean and he will be asked to leave, so I gave it into the Lord's hands.

On December 30th, 2010 Nadia sealed the agreement that I signed for the new year, but then she took the agreement from me. I thought that Dean will be removed and this question will be resolved by our next church meeting, but it never happened.

I tried to write as many people as I could, but received no answers. Nadia was the one I tried to keep in touch with but her answers were very unclear. I tried to meet with her too, but it did not happen.

I stayed at home most of the time and had to disconnect from the Internet, realizing that my wifi was hacked as well as both of my beeline numbers.

Resurrection day

After a long waiting and hoping to receive some kind of an answer from people, on April 20, 2010 I got a phone call from Dale and we met so that he would give me some bills and money for the apartment. I hoped for a good news, but it seemed like he never read anything I wrote to him. Also, he informed me that he is going to teach wednesday bible study at Prospect Mira instead of Dean, because he was gone for a week. I was rather shocked by that news and asked where did they get the money and who is taking care of the offerings (since, I previously asked him to hold on to them), he said that he does not really know. I said that it is maybe a good idea to meet with Dean, because he need to leave the church, because more and more things were rising up. He promised to set up a meeting.

Then I went to “Integra” office to pay our bill for the warehouse were most of our church equipment supposed to be stored, but the office worker Irina told me that Dean had asked to give all the staff away and Marat Saphin(who was known to me as the person who pastors CC Kashirskaya and works at the warehouse) was willing to do that.

Later I realized that when we were moving from our place at Sokol, Dale and I were clearing the storage space, but Dean was the one who moved everything to Integra. So, it looks like we lost all our equipment and payed for something that even did not belong to our church.

In the evening I went to translate for Dale and also found out that somebody already payed for the rent.

The next day I talked to the accountants and cashier they told me that some men came and payed for the rent in cash. I asked them how is it possible since my name is on the receipt, they told me that the Administrator ordered them. So, after that I asked them to discontinue our rent until farther notice.

It is quite possible that our legal church registration and my name was used for other purposes as well as for tax fake reports inspection. Also, it might very well be that some other churches, who do not have a registration, could use our name, bylaw and registration, but teach different doctrine, because Moscow is filled with prosperity teaching.

Finally, on Sunday the 24th, the Resurrection day, I came to our meeting place where Olya Alexsandrova and another woman whom I never met before, but probably had some alcohol problems, because I sensed very strong odor, were ready to lead worship. I told them that it cannot be possible, because at our church everything should be done decently and order.

I had to confiscate the list of people and ask the guards not to let Dean Malispina in. Elena, Olga's friend was rather upset and called Dean right away. His response was angry. So, after this I went to

CC 1905 to talk to Kostia Kretov and ask him for help again and to meet with George and Dale together, but he was unwilling and said that he is going to be in St. Pete for the conference while George Bryson will be in Moscow.

Letter Writing

Thinking upon the situation I though it would be wise to write George Bryson again describing the whole situation in more detail, exposing those people who were involved and tried to procrastinate, undermine and lie, now for many years.

Also, I wrote tax inspection, my Internet and mobile providers. No answers came again. Then I realized that our real Dale had disappeared and since January 2011, I was writing and converting with his tween. Real Dale had an eye surgery before and never mentioned that he had a tween brother, but his tween has contacts and mentioned his tween brother, who has a rheumatoid arthritis. So, I asked some people for prayer, but again no responses had come, besides very negative ones. I have to mention our dear sister in the Lord Karen Kozman, who came to Russia several times before and taught at Women's Conferences. Her e-mail account was broken into and possibly it happened while she was at the Dorm in Snegiry. So it is possible that many missionaries who came to Russia through Calvary Chapel Church Planting Mission and stayed at the dorm could suffer from harassment.

The Big Brother, I guess

Last year on October 12th, something very terrifying happened to me, I could not understand what it was at first, so it took me several months to figure everything out, while I stayed at home not feeling very well. My whole body was shaking as I was laying in my bed and my tongue was moving as if some evil spirit entered my body or maybe from medical stand point it would look like an epileptic seizure. Being a Christian for many years now, I know that it is impossible for a Christian to be demon possessed, but at that point I was just unable to understand what was going on. After everything stopped, I tried to write in my journal as usual and here someone was trying to manipulate my prayers, which corresponded to my testimony on a blog I posted sometime ago, so that I would write it again. Repeating my commitment to remain single for the rest of my life, giving my desire to have a family of my own as a sacrifice.

Finally, when it was already dark the “voice from the ceiling” pronounced: “now you will have to marry Dean.....” the phrase in English continued and I just tried to pray out loud, not even being sure why this was going on, then I fainted completely as if someone was trying to suffocate me and my head was filled with noise. In a little while I woke up and tried to walk, then woke up on the floor though without any injuries or bruises as if someone had carefully put me on the floor. The next day I felt weak, but the Lord was speaking to me about His kingdom. And after that I was able to sing and praise Him.

On Friday the 15th I was able to go to the Bible Study, I was running very late, but when I came, I understood that something was not quite right with my friends. We usually have small fellowship at Julia's home and both Dean and Dale were present. Everything seemed fine, but for some unknown to me reason Diana was asking how was I feeling and if my head hurts. I was surprised, because I did not tell anyone anything not being sure what took place. Diana is an anesthesiologist and also my good friend, whom I shared with somethings the Lord was revealing to me, but she was lied to and when I tried to explain to her the situation with our church later in December, she did not receive.

That was the first time when I noticed that Dean looked very angry, though I understood this much later.

After I came home that evening somethings continued, but it was not as bad as before, though I almost fainted several times again. I stayed at home for 3 weeks trying to understand what is actually going on in my flat, in the mid November I came back to church, but Dean seemed very unhappy again, though while I was ill he kept contacting me trough sms and e-mail.

The more I listened to the noise (which reminds me the noise of TV monitors, high voltage electricity, very strong radio and wi-fi transmission, it can be both white and black, the best I can describe. Plus some very strong light, which hurts my eyes even while I am trying to sleep) in my room, the more evident it became that some technical means are used and proceed from the flats next to mine, upstairs and downstairs. I realized that I do not know who my neighbors are and the more I looked around, I understood that they change all the time, sometime just stay for a few hours and leave, then new people come, some with children. One night two men woke me up at 3 am by talking loud and then at 5am they've decided to go to sleep to another flat.

Some people, I've never even met before still hurting my health, stealing my voice by putting me on a leash (that is how it feels). I would like to record some songs that the Lord blessed me with during this time of trial on MP3 player I have at home, to share them with others, but so far it was not possible.

I know that some people lived in my building for many years, but some just moved in and out some flats stay empty, the same thing is going on around the whole city and the center looks almost like it is hunted. I've also noticed that traffic jams are a constant problem on our street, but then I realized that some cars just driving around in circles, like in “Truman Show” - great movie, I recommend it.

I am not really sure where to go with this since feeling like a “radio head” it is probably approved by the some authorities, they know that I've been translating for Dean, it is not a surprise for them.

Unfortunately, they do not or do not want to understand still that people in the church and citizens of different countries should be protected or maybe the problem is much bigger and only the Lord can take care of it by establishing His kingdom around the world, isn't it what many people had prayed for many centuries “Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On Earth as it is in Heaven.” Matthew 6:10

The thorn in the flesh and the Gift of God

For some reason Dean was often boasting that his last name Malispina means “bad thorn”.

Last summer, after CC missions conference in Austria, my sister and I went to Venice with the team from CC Modesto (Damian and Karin Kyle were sharing at the conference) and one person on the team whom Dean called his missions pastor, Matt Phillips, gave Dean a new nick name Malisputnick, I thought it was funny, at first. I bought a little white cross for Lynn to send it to her through the team, but later Dean forwarded me a message from Matt, where he just laughed at the gift and called Dean Malisputnick again. I know that wiki leaked a lot, even from my head, I even saw a billboard advertising Lenovo computers, which had an unfinished idea from my tweeter.

What can I say – our treasure is in Heaven, but also on Earth and it is not in material possessions, but in people, we have this treasure in earthen and glorified vessels.

Satan has asked for us to be sifted as wheat and sifting is good and our God also wants us to be cleansed, so ALL families on Earth may be blessed, it is by Grace that we are saved through faith, it is not by works lest any man should boast, it is a GIFT.

Each person created in the image of God is Loved by God, loved more than we can ever imagine and His Grace is Enough. In 2009, the Lord gave me a verse in regards to my family “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ” 2 Cor. 12:9 I believe, it can mean both for my church and my extended family, because, it is in my weakness and fears, I understand that God can do anything, the way I could not even imagine so that we may be “perfect and complete lacking nothing” James 1:4b

People, can live not even realizing that they live for the last of the flesh, last of the eyes and the pride of life, and call themselves Christians, who will open their eyes besides God, who will draw them, who will cleanse them, besides Him. Salvation is a Gift, but it is also a Miracle, I really want ALL to be saved and I believe He does too. It is impossible to have abundant life and His Kingdom on Earth, when people are still suffering from their own illness or from those who are ill near them, but only God can heal. In some cases He heals when person has faith and Jesus, says “I am willing, be cleansed”, but in some other He admires the faith of those who brought their friend for healing.

Lord, You can heal spiritual blindness and leprosy, please, do that, so all the families on Earth and in Heaven maybe blessed exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask or think or even imagine.

Please, keep our fellowship in prayers.

Blessings, Natasha

p.s. In August of 2006 while attending Austrian Conference the Lord spoke to me from 2 Chronicles 20:15,17,21 (in the context of the passage 15-22):”And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: Do not be afraid nor dismayed, for the battle is not yours, but God's...You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, Who is with you... Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you...and he appointed those who should sing to the Lord and who should praise the beauty of His holiness...”

Last August, 2010 at the Missions Conference in Austria the Lord gave me a verse through Karin Kyle, it is in Exodus 14:13: “...Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today...”

Also, verses from Songs of Solomon 2:11-12a: “For lo, the winter is over and past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the Earth; the time of singing has come...”

Monday, January 10, 2011

CC Sokol update

Know the truth and the truth may set you free...if you believe it. Jesus is the TRUTH, but if you do not believe Him, He cannot set you free.
Being alone in this fight for your faith, for righteousness and for those who suffer is unbearable and almost impossible.
How is it that after being back in Russia for 11 years, after trying to serve the Lord faithfully for 7 years at the church where He called me to, now everything seems to be completely destroyed, just because of one person who chose to disobey his Creator, who decided to follow his own ways and who does not want God's Kingdom to come on the Earth. This one person who was ordained to be a pastor, did not shepherd the flock, but became a wolf for the sheep that where entrusted him for guidance and protection still does not repent and lies to others.
It is painful to understand that something could be done years earlier if people in my home church did not keep silent, but asked for help. It could happen in 2006, when the first public act of unrighteousness was committed, when this person who still calls himself a pastor, whose name is Melvin Dean Malispina, decided that he can disobey God's order in the church and can marry a couple that was never disciplined and counselled properly. He did not protect a single mother who already was hurt by a broken relationship, but let her and her family to be hurt even more by not telling them the truth of the Word of God, by not stopping her from becoming a wife of an unbeliever, but actually pushing her toward this marriage. Even though he knew the Bible and he was rebuked by the Lord through me before the last counseling session took place, still he chose to proceed and made the whole church to be a witness, he made others to participate in this. This became a snare to many believers who being young in their faith and understanding of the Bible followed the same path. Since then the church continues to suffer, it is hurt upon hurt, when both men's, women's, children's, worship and home ministries had been destroyed. Many lives where broken already, but now even more will be broken including mine, because for some unknown to me reason the church is not the church anymore, because people who ordained this person keep silent and do not want to do anything about this. I asked my brothers and sisters for help and prayer, but there is still dead silence.
The wolf still leads the sheep and eats them up, because fatherless, widows and elderly people cannot find protection. He uses the offering for his own benefit and not even ashamed to be called a wolf. Our African brothers and sisters under a thereat of deportation right now. Our American brothers and sisters might be under a threat of not being able to come to Russia again.
Our fellowship needs support and prayers and not silence and indecisiveness, because in reality it is not just one fellowship that is being destroyed, but the whole church in Russia and around the World. Righteousness cannot dwell with darkness. The time is running out for the people who suffered and are suffering right now, who need help, protection, encouragement and restoration.
It can very well be that this person's unrighteous acts are known outside the church, even to the Authorities and it can become a public disgrace and destruction for the God's movement that begun in the 60s and which is known as Calvary Chapel, but it will affect not only our church, it'll affect all Christian churches around the world, because it is impossible for people to come to church when they do not see an example of God's love and righteousness.
I do not know what to do, because I've already asked for help from people. I do not want our church to suffer anymore, I do not want other people to suffer, who do not know the Lord yet and for God's work to be destroyed because of one man, who does not want to do what is right and does not love God with all his mind, heart, strength and soul and love his neighbor as himself.
"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, whatever a man sows, that he will reap. If he sows in his flesh, he will reap corruption, but if he sows in the spirit, of that he will reap everlasting life" Galatians 6:7-8
Lord, please, do not let Your work and Your people to be destroyed, please, establish Your kingdom. Only You can help Your people who cry out day and night for deliverance. Please, give wisdom to the authorities and to the government to do what is right and to ask You for help, because You have all WISDOM and POWER and You are LOVE. May Your perfect will be done on the Earth as it is in Heaven.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Friday, December 12, 2008

My story is not over yet...

Some things had happened since I wrote my last entry here. Some things happened to me...I am not the same...I cannot explain it, but some things changed inside of me. I have "before" and "after" experience. I do not know, but maybe it is the time to share some of my story...The story is about God's work in my life and also about me realizing how Real He is.
I think often He uses relationships to change us and to work in us something that we never knew about ourselves, to work His will in us and I believe His main goal is to teach us how to love, to love Him and to love others. So many times relationship is His tool for helping us to learn how to love: to be patient, kind, compassionate, forgiving, longsuffering, persevering, not easily angered, trustful, thankful and all the other qualities that Love looks through at us.
My story is not that profound, but it had and still has a great impact on my life. It happened some years ago now and I do not remember exactly how everything begun. We were working or better to say serving together. Since we saw each other every day, it was easy to start getting to know each other and though our personalities clashed on several occasions still something started to happen between us.
At some point I just realized that I have strong feelings towards this man and he seemed to be the person I've been praying for. I begun to pray for him and ask the Lord to reveal His will.
The important thing to know about me is that I hardly ever show my feelings and it's always been like that: if I liked somebody I would never show it and actually I would become almost indifferent on the outside, though inside my heart would tremble. The reason for such a strange behavior now I think is that it is a part of my personality, but also because I believe that if it is from the Lord, then the guy has to know it not from me, but from Him.
It may sound strange or even foolish now days, but it was not so in the Bible times. Besides I believe the Lord actually made me this way to protect from unnecessary mistakes and heartbreaks.
My heart's always desired to meet the one from Him
and this time I was praying that my feelings would not be just a temptation. The more I prayed, the more confirmations I got from the Word, the more I believed that this person is the one for me, I believed that he is my future husband.
But then came a change, very painful and hard...just when our relationships began to get so exciting ...I had to leave. It was and was not my choice the situation was very difficult and I knew this is how the Lord was answering to my other prayer - to make me a woman after His own heart.
Things became very difficult for me, it seemed like I had trial after trial, all my fears and weaknesses were rising and now looking back I know that the Lord was changing me, making a different person out of me, cleansing me from the things that were not pleasing to Him and not good for me.
We were separated now and could see each other only some time...I kept praying, asking Lord's confirmation and kept praying for him intensely.
I found a very strange thing in my personality it was a lack of commitment, my feelings were like a sea wave that took me up and down from excitement to depression. I could not decide what I wanted, either I love or do not love...my loving or not loving simply was depending upon my feelings and I realized that it is not right, it should not be this way. I learned that love is not a feeling as many think today, but love is an action and commitment. So I decided that if the Lord gave me this person and confirmed it to me through His Word, I should be committed no matter what my feelings tell me.
Every month I would write a commitment prayer in my journal...a year went by, another difficult year. It was the 12th month of writing my commitment prayer down and this time I had so much peace in my heart, I was excited, because things looked different, I believed that soon the Lord will answer and the time of trial and separation will be over. That evening I wrote: "Every month I had to check my heart & repeat the same words again. I do not know how much longer I need to wait - it is in Your hands, but I know for sure that You will bring Your will to pass...Lord, I hope for Your blessing even tomorrow, but I give this desire of my heart, that I know came from You, into Your hands as an OFFERING, as a SACRIFICE from my whole heart. You know how much I desire Your will, but I give it to You with hope that You will fulfill my greatest desire, which is to serve You. I cannot really understand this myself, but if You want me to be single my whole life (I am scared to say that), but if You do want that for some better reason, I want what You desire. Please, take this offer & do not let me to hold on to my desires & to the one I love, just take it, Lord, so I could serve You wholeheartedly, because I love You."
That was my prayer and God answered it, He took my words very seriously and answered them. Only recently I understood what was one of the reasons for it, as I shared part of this story with my friend.
But month and a half later, after I wrote those words, when the Lord answered my prayer by an engagement announcement, I could hardly understand why. If I did not have my prayer written down, I would probably go crazy, but He simply accepted my offering. That day He became very REAL to me, though my heart was broken, crashed, pierced and in pain, I was amazed that He answered.
It was not easy at all, but I realized some other things too:
one painful understanding was in that I looked at my life and at my heart and saw how busy I always was, not busy with activities, but busy with emotions and feelings. I always thought of myself as of a faithful person, faithful to the Lord, faithful to my future husband. I tried to keep my heart from wondering, I was proud that I never dated, never had a boyfriend, I though I was better...pride was my sin and in reality my heart was always taken by some person I liked. Finally the Lord got my attention and my heart, now I decided to be committed to Him, at least to try. Then I learned another thing - even that I cannot do without Him, my faithfulness, commitment and righteousness is absolutely nothing...He is the One who can give me all that and sustain me in those things...I have learned many more lessons, I hope.
Another painful understanding - though I was very brave while praying ready to stay single for my whole life, after all this I understood that I still want to have my own family and to serve together with my husband. I prayed a very specific prayer one day, basically giving a list of things that would just save me from wondering and help me to recognize and to be sure of His will. I gave it to His hands that He would chose it for me, but until then I would just forget about this desire....and I did...for a while...but then I traveled to Europe for the first time...more than 5 years went by since then...my story is not over yet, but I know Him better now and trust Him more...it is all His doing anyway...

P.S. I did not mention that the Lord answered my prayer completely, He gave an opportunity to serve at the church where most of the people were single as well as the pastor...I am still serving at this church, but things kind of changing now, we are getting more families and that is pretty exciting:-)...


Tuesday, October 14, 2008

October 14th, Tuesday

My mind and heart are still troubled, I do not feel anything, just the fear. I know it must be spiritual thing, but all my doubts are rising back again as if I never went through them before. He is away and I have no idea for how long, only the assumptions. I am afraid to see something or to hear the news of an engagement. In my mind I do not have any hope.
Last night I've happened to watch "Persuasion" - faithfulness, hope, love...but this world is so different now.
I read blog entries of people who are just a little younger then me and I do not understand them. For me things are much more simpler and I do not think that they ever were that complicated or sophisticated. I feel like a fool in this world with my "down to earth" understandings and thoughts. Who will consider a fool, who will have interest in a fool? ...... I am glad that You are interested and You do consider me. All the great wisdom of men is nothing compared to Yours, but Your words can be understood even by a child, even by a simple or mentally retarded person.
What is man that You are mindful of him, the son of man that You visit him?
Thank You that You do not change with this world and Your faithfulness, love and hope are the same. This is the only way to live on this earth - holding on to You. I cannot trust neither my heart nor my mind right now because they are filled with fear, but I can trust You and Your wisdom, holding on to You and trying to continue to be still, knowing that You are God! .....I love You! Natasha


Thursday, July 17, 2008

Be still my soul

From my today's Devotional reading "Streams in the Desert":

O troubled soul, beneath the rod,
You Father speaks, be still, be still;
Learn to be silent unto God,
And let Him mold you to His will.

O praying soul, be still, be still,
He cannot break His promised Word;
Sink down into His blessed will,
And wait in patience on the Lord.

O waiting soul, be still, be strong,
And though He tarry, trust and wait;
Doubt not, He will not wait too long,
Fear not, He will not come too late.

Lord, please, help me to be still and know that You are God.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

New Jerusalem

The Golden city where I long to be
Not fairy-tale but reality
Where golden streets and golden walls and pearly gates
Where glassy sea
And all of that created just for us to be…
…for whole eternity.

There won't be any fear, pain and no confusion
No tears and no shame or bitter disillusion.
No sin and no misunderstandings,
Eternal Light will always shine upon our faces.
Not night, but day of rest in Your sweet presence.



A lot and nothing...

I have so much to say and at the same time nothing at all. I want to pour my heart out, but the stream is painfully frozen. I want to cry, but my eyes are dry. I am trying to forget, but I see your face before my eyes still...I want to speak, but words will not make sense if you do not have faith. I do not see anything, but I am still waiting and hoping and praying that the Lord will perfect that which concerns me. He tells me over and over again: "Be still and know..."

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Trip to Europe

I want to share the wonderful blessing of the Lord that I’ve received this August and may the Lord encourage you through this and speak to your heart.

Preparation
Every August for the last 4 years, I was attending conference in
Millstatt, Austria
and every time the Lord would have something special for me, it usually is a highlight of the year. However, this year I was not going, because I had a very difficult time getting my visa for my last trip. Well, when I received an invitation this spring to attend the conference, I knew in my heart that I should go. I prayed about it for some months and I made all the necessary preparations: got my ticket early (ticket is necessary to get the visa), my insurance and application and went to sign up for the interview. To make the long story short: when I got to the embassy the guard told me that I am already late, if I wanted to make my trip I had to come earlier, all the slots for interview were taken up to the mid August and it is when I needed my visa. I told the guard that I already have everything and my official invitation is coming in a few days, he responded that for my type of visa, it is too late, but I still can try an agency though it will be more expensive. I said that I cannot pay any extra money, his answer was short “Well, then you are not going…” but after thinking for a moment he added “come on Monday” Later I read on the embassy’s site that going through an agency may result in refusal to grant the visa. Go figure.
As I was leaving, I told the Lord that I give up and I do not care if I lose my ticket, because I have no desire to fight for this little sticker in my passport called visa. Then there was a still small voice telling me gently: “Do not worry about this and do not give up, I will take care of everything.” And the most wonderful peace entered my heart.
I can tell you it was the easiest getting of my visa and I did not do anything for it. The Lord helped me through Dean, who got hold of ambassador and also took my invitation to the embassy. What a blessing to have a pastor like that:-)! This was only a prelude.

On my way to the conference.
When I came to
Austria
, first 2, 5 days I stayed in Vienna and it was a very nice but also interesting time, because I did not get hold of any of my friends and had to spend this time by myself, which was fine since I like to walk around beautiful places taking pictures. However, one thing really bothered me: three weeks before my trip I cut a cold, I recovered really quickly, but a sore throat would not go away, even though I was taking stuff to cure it. Now it got so bad that I could hardly talk. I asked the Lord to heal me, but He did not answer. Finally I decided to get a stronger medication, which I rarely do, but after taking it, I felt even worse, the food had no taste and I even could not enjoy coffee:-\.
Well, I believe it was in the morning of my departure to Millstatt, I was talking to the Lord saying that it is ok with me if I will not be able to talk to anyone, I’ll just sit and listen, and I will not sing, but if I cannot sing how will I praise You!!!? It was my question to the Lord and He instantly gave me an answer…the sore throat was gone right that moment. Hallelujah!!! …This is just a beginning.

Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.
On my train ride I’ve noticed a small group of Americans and I guessed that all of us are going to the same station. Later, already at the Castle, I was able to get better acquaintance with Steve and his wife Anita; they came from
Costa Mesa
and traveled through Europe with an evangelical outreach.
After an evening session, I got to talk to Anita and we prayed together. I had a personal request and I really desired to hear from the Lord
about this matter at the conference, because it was an important matter for me that I’ve been praying for the last 4 years and it was not clear to me whether I should continue to pray and to wait or just to let go. Anita gave me verses from 2nd Chronicles 20 and I read them, trying to understand if there was something that would speak to my heart, but nothing really clicked at the moment, besides that she pointed out how king Jehoshaphat put Levites to the front lines of the army that they would praise the Lord. Well this I could do! The Lord gave me my voice back and now I could worship Him aloud and it was the most beautiful time of worship I’ve experienced in a long time.
During the conference we had women’s sessions and this time they were on prayer. First, we had a teaching and then we would break in to groups for a discussion and a prayer time, we’ve also received a little study outline which we were to read before each session and to do some home work.
One of the studies was called “Keep it real!” and the passage we were to read that day was in 2nd Chronicles 20!!! Well this time the passage really got my attention, because when the Lord speak twice it means …pay attention!!! I was literally taking every word in, this chapter started to make perfect sense to me, and now I could understand what the Lord is saying to me. When King Jehoshaphat faced a challenge, he was afraid and he set himself on seeking the Lord. And as he prayed he reminded to himself and to God too of His power and His wonderful deeds, of His promises and His will. The answer to this honest and humble prayer came right away and the Lord said not to be afraid, but to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. Jehoshaphat in response bowed and worshiped the
Lord. The next day the Lord gave His people and the king His victory as they were worshiping Him they saw how the Lord is fighting for them. I think it is so important that Jehoshaphat not only received the answer from the Lord, but he also believed it and acted upon it and gave Him praise. It is such a beautiful picture of the way our relationship with the Lord should be. Because sometimes I can ask for something and God gives me an answer and I might receive it, but then my mind begins to think…and I refuse to believe it, to “walk by faith and not by sight”. Or maybe I received and believed what the Lord said but then do not act upon it, because I am still afraid of … whatever; either I had a bad experience before, or because it might hurt or it costs me something … and I do not praise Him as a result.
Later during the worship time Dave Sylvester, who was leading it, prayed, “Lord, as you told King Jehoshaphat to stand still and to see the salvation of the Lord….”
I think the Lord REALY wanted me to pay attention to what He told King Jehoshaphat
:-) wouldn’t you agree?
Besides this absolutely wonderful blessing of hearing the Lord’s voice and an answer to my prayer, He also blessed me with beautiful time of fellowship with my friends that I’ve known for a while and with those I just met.

Back in Vienna.
Djudji whom I met at this conference for the first time has truly blessed me by
inviting me to stay with her family in Vienna on my way back. I had only 2,5 days, but it seemed like a whole week or even longer, I felt like I had another vacation. We got to do a lot and I do not remember sightseeing so much, it is because Djudji is a very good tour guide:-) I got to meet her family and each member has an incredible testimony. Djudji’s father came to Austria from former Yugoslavia about 30 years ago and found God in this new land, then his wife came to the Lord, later their son and after all Djudji. She shared her testimony with me and I would have never guessed that she went through many trials, because the Lord made a big change in her. She went to the Bible College in different countries – Japan, Brazil, US and Israel. She has a desire to go back to Israel and serve there.
On Sunday, we visited Calvary Vienna. Before the service there was a reading of Psalm 34, it is one of my favorites and I love the verse 8: “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!”
It was a nice service and it was good to see friends, to have mission’s conference reunion and also to meet some new people. One girl came up to greet me and asked where I was from, as soon as she found out she begun to speak Russian. The girl’s name was Nurzy and she came from
Kyrgyzstan
to work and to study in Vienna.
On Monday, Djudji invited Nurzy and some other girls for a prayer meeting, but only Nurzy made it and we ended up having time of sharing, fellowship, encouragement and prayer. First Djudji wanted to share a verse with us and it was from Psalm 34 verse 8: “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!”, it is so interesting, but hearing it again made me to realize that it ties together with “stand still and see the salvation of the Lord” from 2nd Chronicles 20. It was another blessing for me – to see the Lord opening His Word to me and speaking to my heart.
Nurzy shared her testimony with us. I had no idea that she is just a baby Christian; she received Jesus a little over two months ago. She told us that back in
Kyrgyzstan
she worked with missionaries translating for them and this was going on over the period of last 5-6 years. People sometimes would ask her if she believes what she translates and being from a Muslim family this question would leave her bewildered often times. Earlier this year she came to visit her Christian friends in Switzerland and one time when the family was praying together, Nurzy had a strong desire to join with them as if she heard a voice inside telling her “I want you to pray too”. So, she prayed and it seemed very natural and beautiful experience for her. Then Nurzy begun to ask God to reveal her the way He wants her to go, she wanted Him to show if it is going to be Islam or Christianity. What a prayer!!! On the way back to Austria, at the airport, she saw a group of Christians praying (talking about Christian witness!!!!) and she took this as the Lord’s answer. She begun to attend CC Vienna regularly, and decided that she needs to be baptized. Please pray for Nurzy if you would. She is a baby believer and she has to face the challenge of a Christian in a Muslim family. At the time when we met, she had not yet told her family that she received Jesus, but maybe she already done this by now.

Serbian church.
I had no idea that
Austria
has a fairly large Serbian population. So after attending American-Austrian-Multicultural Calvary, Djudji asked me if I want to visit Serbian church. I hesitated at first, but then decided to go. Serbian language has much in common with Russian, so most of the time I could understand what the Pastor was saying; besides it is always easier to understand when the Bible is taught. This church is very young, it started in March as a home group, but now they rent a meeting place at one of many Evangelical churches in Vienna. It is a small baby church, but it has a wonderful family like atmosphere. Pastor Dragan shared his testimony and it is so amazing how the Lord can take people from their comfort zone to bring them to Himself. As I can recall when Dragan was in his early 20s, he left his country to go to Western Europe to look for different life and to find a job, after trying for sometime he ended up in Austria. One day as he was walking on a street, he heard people singing Serbian worship, I believe, it got his attention and soon he begun to attend church and grow in the Lord. Then the Lord put on his heart to reach out for Serbian community in Vienna and now he became a pastor.
So, this trip for me was unlike any other trip and I am very thankful to the Lord for everything He did during this time and for His many blessings. I am yet to see His answer to be unfolded before my eyes, but that will be another story
:-)

I hope you got to the end of this entry. I know it was long, but as I said in the very beginning, my hope is that the Lord will speak to your heart and bless you with an encouragement. God bless you! Natasha