I would hardly have made it through the ten days of ministry in Vietnam, on top of my usual three-week trip through Belarus and Russia, had it not been for the energy and inspiration I drew from my truly amazing ministry partners in Vung Tau, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, and Hanoi.

Orthodox monks and priests, Evangelical pastors and missionaries, university faculty members, lay leaders, and ordinary church members went out of their way to arrange my presentations, take care of my lodging and transportation, and even translate my materials for non-English-speaking audiences.

Week three in Moscow actually lasted only three days. My flight from Omsk, Siberia was delayed by ten hours due to the closure of all four Moscow airports after a drone attack.

I had to reschedule one of the events to a different date. Praise God, the skies were clear for all the other days of my ministry there, including the day of my outbound flight to Vietnam.

Week One. Visiting Belarus and speaking at youth conferences in Minsk and Brest made me feel forty years younger. Despite many modern technological changes, the cities still look somewhat like the “good-old-USSR.” Of course, hanging out with students and teenagers fills me with their joyful energy.

Here’s a sample of the feedback notes I received after my presentations on the “Rational and Historic Foundation of Christian Faith”:

• Honestly speaking, I would never expect my unbelief in God to be challenged from that perspective. Of course, I will now have to do my own research of this historic evidence, but you made me much more open to reconsidering some of my worldview positions.
• Your presentation is clearer and more memorable than our theology professor’s class. I do not have memorize your arguments and evidence material –it still stands in front of me… in color!
• Your answers to the most difficult and “unpleasant” questions from the audience were respectful, gentle, and always to the point. Our leaders also learned a lot from your experience and your expertise tonight.