The streets of Moscow, Russia (Photo by Greg Yoder)
Russia (MNN) — Russia has turned to soft capital controls to stop the tail-spin of the ruble this week. The falling ruble, combined with falling oil prices, have economists predicting a recession worse than 2008. Russians panic over a bleak economic forecast.
President of Mission Eurasia (formerly Russian Ministries) Sergey Rakhuba says Russians are panicking, which is when outreach thrives. “I believe that God creates more opportunities for the Gospel to get preached, more opportunities to train the next generation, more opportunities to train the next generation to help churches to get the Gospel out of their walls in their communities.”
Rakhuba says Russia’s aggressive international plans are on hold right now. “Their military might is decreasing. Their influence is decreasing. It does limit them with all their aggressive plans that hugely impacted the region, especially with Ukraine.”
Spiritually, the same challenge exists. Rakhuba says, “Russia needs the Gospel. All these politics and frustrations does limit our ministry.”
Child receives Gift of Hope from Mission Eurasia.
But Mission Eurasia’s Gift of Hope outreach is moving forward. “We plan to distribute 30,000 Gifts of Hope to needy children. People in Russia are giving less because of the economic turmoil. We really want [MNN] listeners to continue praying, but also continue giving.”
Anastasia Yoder, the daughter of Mission Network News’ Greg Yoder, is raising money to supply Christmas gifts to her former orphanage in Russia. Today is that last day to give. You can see pictures and watch a video she created at YouCaring.com/giftofhope.
There’s still time to give. Russian Christmas is January 7.
