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  October 28-. The internet was down and I couldn't get messages or calls out at all!
It was Max and my last day in Novomoskosk.  Tanya Bokoch and I went to workout and came back for lunch with the remaining family. Unfortunately the food is always good here and it is easy to eat too much. We started talking about the church again and all the unnecessary barriers that it puts up which keep people out that Jesus wants in!   There is no real teaching about God's glorious plan for the physical relationship between men and women, the beautiful purpose God has for calling us to wait for His perfect plan and healing after our failure...etc.  No one here wants to talk about it they only address what they consider sin and failure which is often tied more to old traditions that are many times in direct contradiction to Scripture.  We went on for over two hours and it was a sweet dialogue with amazing agreement on what needs to change.  God has prepared these opportunities with hurtful topics like this with three different regional pastors who have influence with hundreds of other pastor!  It is significant not just for our own understanding but all those who depend on their leaders to clarify what has been shamefully unaddressed for decades.  And I think there is a earnest Spirit to change in a way that truly lines up with the Word of God!  Much prayer is still needed...
  After four days of meals and dishes for 15-20 people a meal, our ladies were exhausted so the remaining six of us went out to eat at a modest place with good Georgian food- their choice!  It was difficult to get them to agree to go at first but then they were all in, all dressed up and looking beautiful!  It was fun and restful and a wonderful way to conclude our stay in Novomoskosk!
  We got in about 10pm but my jetlag was still hanging around so I worked on e-mails and notes until about 2am and finally fell asleep until our 4:30 wake-up.
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