Rev. Victor Perez

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After many years of prayers and preparations we can now say that our dream has become a reality. We now have a new Emmaus community in Satka, Russia. Fourteen men and twenty three women heard the message of God's unconditional love in their own language. Praise God! The walks were held in camp Zyuratkul (southern Urals, Chelyabinsk region, near Satka), which is translated as "Heavenly Lake" from the Bashkir language.

Brothers and sisters from Estonia joined the small community of Russian Emmaus leaders to become channels of God grace in sharing the great news of God's grace with the new pilgrims. Through personal witness, talks, table interaction, prayer, Agape love and the guidance of the Holy Spirit pilgrims' lives were touch and transformed.

A group of twelve Americans and two Russians who live in the United States flew to Satka to support these walks by serving meals, cleaning facilities, preparing and distributing table Agape, praying for the speakers and the pilgrims, serving as translators, and attending candlelight and closing.

It was exciting to hear the testimonies of these men and women as they shared what the Walk to Emmaus meant to them and what they were planning to do with learnings received through this experience. Among the pilgrims were representatives of Yaketerinburg, Satka and Tyumen United Methodist churches. There were also three pilgrims from a Pentecostal church in Zlatoust.

We experienced the Body of Christ coming together to bless the lives of 37 new pilgrims. We ask you to please continue to pray for our new Emmaus brothers and sisters as they move into their Fourth Day. A second set of Walks is planned for the summer of 2009.

Rev. Victor Perez
International Spiritual Director