White nights are here, and we have plenty of sunshine!  Our kids have not seen darkness for almost four months now.  We are enjoying it while we can knowing the dark winter is coming.

Summer not only brings lots of sun but also opportunities with people out and about.  You have to be more creative in the cold Russian winter.  I have been able to do street witnessing and improve my conversational Russian.  Also, I have the opportunity the lead Kyle Charters church for the summer while he is away.

This summer we had our first Russian Independent Baptist missionary retreat.  We had a good time with four other missionary families from across the country and got business done on the mission strategy and Bible College.  We are excited about the potential of our combined efforts to train nationals to go out and start churches and for the local Russian churches to support them.  There is still much work to do and funds to be raised for material and translation.  A big thank you for those who have sent money to get the courses translated.  This November we will be hosting the 5th Annual Russian National Fellowship Meeting here in St. Petersburg.  We are looking forward to a time of encouraging Russian pastors and church workers and getting more work done on our mission strategy.  Please be in prayer for this meeting that God’s will and work would be accomplished.

This fall I will be changing the way I study Russian.  I will be doing more conversational practice and meeting with Russians to just talk and practice, practice, practice.  I also hope to get more practice in preaching and teaching in Russian.  Pray for wisdom in this area.

Keith Sampson, Russia