Subject: Report
Date:    26-Mar-96 at 01:48   
From:    YVES PERRIARD, 102655,517
 
To:  Frank Chappell,73364,1500
 
      Dear Brothers and sisters ,
  In this report, as an answer to some of your questions, let me write a
little bit about how I feel about Russia and what my weekly schedule  is.
   The're a lot of aspects I like about the Russian culture. But the
one I love the most is the amazing fact that most Russians are open and
not prejudiced towards spiritual matters. I have been in a lot of
countries in my life and seldom have I see such an honest interest in
spirituality as here. When people become Christian here, their faith is
really sincere and full of deep emotions. Hear them pray and you will
understand. 
  For instance, a few weeks ago Natasha Kulieshova came up to me after
the service. She wanted to know more about how to become Christian since
she had already been attending all the services for 2 months. When I
started to study with her, all I had to do was to " count the cost ",
and the following Sunday she was baptised. This happens regularly and is
really encouraging.
  On the other hand, an aspect of the culture that is disturbing ( and a
real challenge to me ) is the lack of  discipline and commitment  I see
in many people. That is why most things usually don't  happen the way I
plan them, and a lot of surprises are always coming up (for the best or
the worse). For instance, last time when I went to Gorno-Altaisk we had
16 people present. The time before we had only 2 ! 
I remember one Friday night when we had over 40 people craming into my
flat and the next one only 6! In all those instances, I have never been
able to come up with any rational explanation . As one American told me
once : " The one thing you can predict about Russia is that it is
unpredictable!".  Russians have another way of putting it: one of
their most famous poets  wrote himself:" The mind cannot understand
Russia.  All you can do is believe in it."
       Let me now tell you a little bit about my  weekly schedule :      
   From Monday to Friday I teach in the Preaching School the Practicum to
the students ( that is, all the practical aspects of the ministry ).
Besides the course, a lot  of time is concentrated to individual needs.
The longer I work with them, the more I see how my practicum is getting
practical : I have to deal with individual  problems that go from " how
to make and  keep a budget " to the counseling of their own marriage !
   Five times a week I have two hours of Russian language at the
Institute of Foreign Languages.  Those lessons have greatly improved my
ability to communicate in this very difficult language. 
   Three times a week I have another challenge to my self-discipline :
body-building ! My wife is already quite pleased with the visible results
of these gruelsome and painfull exercises ! For me , the best in all of
this is not only an improved health, but a network of friends and
potential converts. I have already been able to share a lot  about the
Bible with one who is the second place champion of body-building in
Russia. Let's pray that his physical strength will be converted into a
spiritual one !
  The evenings are usually for Bible studies or church. Lately,  I have
tried to make them more free for the sake of my lovely pregnant wife !
  This is a little bit what characterises my life here. Thank you for
your prayers , we always feel them !
                      your swiss missionary in Russia ,  Yves