Look quick, it is daylight!

One of the interesting things about coming to Murmansk at this time of year is the polar night. While it is not quite at the point of 24 hours of darkness, it is close! The sun rises a little after 11 and goes down a little after 1. Even then it is generous to say it is daylight, it is usuall overcast. Today is cold, but not as cold as yesterday. The snow has picked up the last couple of days, but it is generally a fine, continuous snow.

The polar night is somewhat descriptive of the spiritual condition of the people who live here. Most do not know our Savior, many do not even acknowledge God. I am thankful that this morning we were able to share in a university about the Christmas story, what it means, and why it is important. Please continue to pray for us to have opportunities to talk about the hope that lives within us.

This evening we will meet at our hotel with some young people who want to practice English. At these meetings we have much more flexibility to share about Christ. Pray for open hearts of the people who will come.

Please also pray for an opportunity to meet with the local Baptist pastor. I want to try to engage him more in our efforts, and as such will be asking him if he might want his congregation to participate in the Community Bible Study and also ask if we can use his church for our English language clubs. Please pray for a receptive spirit and cooperation, for both of us.

Thanks again for your prayers. What a joy to be connected to each other and to our God by the lifting up of requests for His will to be done, in Murmanks and around the world.