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The Udmurt people, a folk group South West of the Ural Mountains, received an edition of the book, Bible Stories, in the Fall. It reached the local Christians just in time for them to give the book as Christmas and New Year’s presents. The Music Group from the Philadelphia Church in the city of Izhevsk also had books with them on their Christmas Tour to remote Udmurt villages. This is what members of the Music Group, Inkrez report: After New Year’s – in Russia Christmas day is the 7th of January – we traveled to the area of Bashkortostan, Tatyshlinsky and Janaul, where Udmurts live. People there are either pagans or Muslims. There is not one Christian church there. When we contacted the people in the various villages in advance if we could come and have a Christmas Concert, they told us they do not know anything about Christmas. In spite of this, they welcomed us because we are also Udmurts and our program is in the Urmurt language. During the days we visited the villages it was extremely cold, but despite that, the Community Halls were filled with people. People listened to us with wonder. The message of Jesus Christ’s birth and the atonement for sin was entirely new for them. We had actually come to a people who live in darkness! People were moved by our message. They asked us to come back and tell more about God and His Son. They were also interested in the books. People eagerly accepted the Bible Stories and all spiritual literature we could give them. We also visited Udmurt villages in the Perm District. We had been there previously and people had received New Testaments and Children’s Bibles. Their hearts were now open for the blessing of Christmas. After our concert, no one left the hall. Everyone stayed to hear more about the Way of Salvation. When we told them about sin, its wages, God’s salvation plan, Jesus’ death on the cross and the atonement for our sins – tens of people asked if we would pray with them. What a prayer time we had! People repented of their sins and asked for forgiveness, burdens were left at the cross and at the close we thanked God together with those who had accepted Him. That was true Christmas Joy! We thank God for all the books which we have been able to share with people. “Once again we could ascertain that God’s Word does not return void!” |
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Institute for Bible Translation
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Institute for Bible Translation
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