Praise God for the stability and spiritual growth of churches in small towns. Peter Lukashevich, SMS missionary, admits that sometimes it is discouraging to see many young people leave Ushachi (pronounced Oo-sha-chi), Belarus to study in large cities never to return to their hometown. But it is also encouraging when some do marry and choose to remain where their genealogical roots have been planted.

Recently, two of Peter’s children have married (Andrei and Leeza, the two oldest). Andrei and his wife have chosen to stay in Ushachi to assist his dad in the work of the ministry. Leeza and her husband desire to return to her hometown to serve in the church, but her husband has not found work there at this time; therefore, they will remain in Minsk until God leads further.

Although the church has lost some members for various reasons, new people continue to attend and join. Through ministries with the children, youth and adults in the community throughout the year, Peter and the church see some repent of their sins, believe on Jesus as Savior and be baptized to follow the Lord in obedience. And with some new businesses being built in Ushachi, Peter hopes that a few of these new faces and families will stay.

During November, the interim director of Slavic Missionary Service enjoyed the atmosphere of a mid-week service at the church in Ushachi. A pleasant mixture of young and old attended the meeting to hear a message given by the director. Peter asked if the same message that was presented to the SMS national workers in Minsk during the month of September be given to his small faithful flock. The message was about Baruch, the personal scribe of Jeremiah, and it encouraged Peter immensely.

May God help SMS workers (and all missionaries) who are serving in small towns, as well as big cities, not to become discouraged in “doing good.” How important it is to go into all the world, which includes not only the heavy populated areas but also the densely populated places too.