(L-R) Mike Mounts, Kenneth Akers, Denver McVay, Tom Harmin, Rick Cash A few weeks ago, we told you about a mission trip in Russia that was good, but that could have gone bad, and nearly did. The trip was sponsored by Master's Men (National Men's Group of Free Will Baptists), and the group left for Russia on April 18. It was a 10 hour flight from New York to Moscow, a three hour flight from Moscow to Krasnodar and a two hour drive from Krasnodar to Tikhoretsk.

The men flew back home after a good, and memorable trip on April 27.

This report is from the end to the start of the trip as told by the Rev. Mike Mounts, of the Bellview Free Will Baptist Church in Colquitt.

He said, "On Friday, April 25, after being informed that Americans were present, three immigration officials came to the youth camp in Tikhoretsk where we were working. They checked our documents, told us they were not in order, and that we had to go to the courthouse. Once we were there, only Stanaslov (the camp director) went in. We were told to report back to the courthouse on Saturday morning at 8 a.m. to see the judge. When we returned on Saturday, we saw no judge, but saw the two female officials. All five of us filled out papers stating that in ignorance of the law we had not properly registered with the city of Tikhoretsk. Each of us, including Stanaslov, was fined nearly $100. The part that obviously concerned us most was the uncertainty and the 16 hours Immigration held our passports and visas.

On Sunday, April 20, I had the privilege of speaking at the church in Brukovetskaya (population 30,000+). By Monday morning a local official visited the pastor of the church and mentioned that he had heard that an American had been in the church. He (the official) insisted that he be notified any time an American visited.

As we spent a brief time in Moscow and ten days in the Krasnodar Region of Russia, we clearly saw the merging of the old and the new. In the cities and villages new modern homes are built beside old run-down shacks. As we worked at the Christian youth camp, we didn't have the use of modern tools or equipment. We mixed by hand several yards of concrete in a metal tub. Inner-city Moscow continues to be a reminder of the results of atheistic communism with its institutional looking drab gray buildings. Its people are somber-faced and seldom, if ever, look you in the eye. I could sense the spiritual depression and even see it on their faces.

On the other hand, Krasnodar (north of the Black Sea) is a very modern and growing city (population nearing 1,000,000). Yet, there are overt signs of spiritual depravity and depression everywhere: pornography, alcohol, women's dress, and advertising. But in the midst of it all, the evangelical church is strong and growing. These men and women have a smile on their faces and the joy of the Lord in their hearts. The evangelical church that prospered during the days of atheistic communism continues to be salt and light in the "free," but spiritually dark and corrupt country of Russia. Two thoughts I brought home with me: (1) Compared to the evangelical church in Russia, we desperately need to repent of our complacency and renew our commitment to Christ and His church. (2) Compared to the country of Russia, we need to thank God every day for His abundant blessings and the precious freedom we enjoy as Americans.

Want to hear something ironic? The very Christian youth camp where we worked was once a communist youth camp. In a place where children once heard the doctrines of atheism and communism, they now hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ from the Bible!"

The Bellview Free Will Baptist Church members are happy to have Brother Mike back in Colquitt, and they wish the other team members God's richest blessing for their work in Russia.

It was truly a Homecoming last Sunday, May 18, for the congregation, the visitors and Brother Mike.

It is agreed by most visitors that Communism is far from being dead in Russia, and the freedoms that Americans take for granted are not enjoyed by the citizens of that country. There are always armed soldiers almost everywhere in that country.