Russian Publishing Director Travels to Khabarovsk in the Far East Mission
February 21-28, 2008

To see pictures of Pastor Arfanidi’s trip to Khabarovsk, please click here.

Recently, Euro-Asia Division Publishing Director Andrew Arfanidi and SOLPH General Manager Lev Bondarchuk visited the Far East Mission, 7 time zones east of Moscow! Here they share their experiences with their publishing colleagues. Their primary objectives for this trip to Far East Mission were:

1. to meet with the LEs;
2. to meet with the pastors;
3. to evaluate the ABC’s work.

Travel Diary:
February 21: Thursday – Depart Moscow. The duration of this trip was 8.5 hours by airplane!

February 22: Friday – Arrived in Khabarovsk on the eastern coast of Siberia, Russia.
This day was dedicated to meetings with the Far East Mission administration and for overcoming jet lag (7 hours difference between Moscow and Khabarovsk). At the meeting with the FEM secretary and treasurer, as well as with the publishing director, we raised the question of the proper relationships between the ABC and the Mission. We saw that the situation is moving in the right direction. All of the ABC’s financial transactions are under the control of the Mission Treasury. A 2008 budget for the Publishing Department and the ABC was agreed upon.

A repayment plan for the FEM ABC and SOLPH’s debt was created. This meeting was very productive.

February 23: Sabbath – We preached in the four churches within Khabarovsk city limits. That night the local congregations held a tea party for us.

February 24: Sunday – During the first part of the day we met with the LEs from the Khabarovsk region for 4 hours. I shared news about the work from the different Euro-Asia Unions and gave an update about the work being done on the ESD Publishing Policy. We discussed some issues regarding the social coverage and assistance for the LEs. Then Lev Bondarchuk shared information about SOLPH’s work. The price formation issue was also discussed. Ten suggestions and recommendations, which are important for the book printing, were given to us. After lunch we inspected the local ABC. We compared flow, account, and literature availability. It’s nice to know that the FEM ABC covered all of its debts to SOLPH.

February 25: Monday – We met with the pastors from the Khabarovsk and Amur regions. At this meeting, with all of the FEM administrators present, we emphasized the importance of the LE ministry in the development of the church’s mission. This meeting was well received. The Mission leaders expressed their gratitude for the questions we discussed.

February 26: Tuesday – Travel from Khabarovsk to Vladivostok (780 km).

February 27: Wednesday – We met with pastors from the Primo Khabarovsk region (the Maritime Territory). The FEM administrators were with us and they shortened their meetings so we could have 3 extra hours for our presentations. This enabled us to conduct seminars and share necessary information. Also, we listened to the pastor’s opinions and responded to their questions.

February 28: Thursday – Return to Moscow via 8.5 hours by airplane.

In general our trip was very fruitful and useful for maintaining close contact with our colleagues which is necessary in this ministry. We found that the FEM administration has a constructive approach towards the work of the LEs and ABC. We drew attention to the very good spirit between the ministers of the church. All of the issues were dealt with in a calm atmosphere and with an understanding of the importance of our work. We witnessed God's presence and blessings as a benefit of our visit.

Our next trip, to Novosibirsk, is planned for the month of April. We have already discussed with PERUM Publishing Director Alexander Bondarenko the necessary preparations. We will also meet with the ERUM administrators and church pastors, as well as the LEs who will be able to attend the meeting.

To see pictures of Pastor Arfanidi’s trip to Khabarovsk, please click here.

A.K. Arfanidi
ESD Publishing Director


 

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