Praise Report from Gorbachevs

Last week, we sent out a prayer request for the Gorbachevs and the resistance they experienced at the university where they study. Their work has to do with the teachers' role in students spiritual formation. And spirituality is an uncomfortable topic for a group of atheists to discuss. For background information, please click here.

This week, Alexei gave us the some encouraging news. What follows below is a praise report in his worlds.

Monday morning (April 28th) I contacted our advisor letting him know that many people pray for the second meeting of dissertation committee where he will have to speak in behalf of Tatiana about her work. He said that situation is quite difficult. He sounded burdened. The meeting was scheduled for Monday afternoon. In the evening our advisor called us saying that discussion about Tatiana's dissertation was very intense.

As we prayed many people in the committee read the dissertation prior to the meeting - we wanted this to happen so that they will start thinking about their own understanding of spirituality and God will plant His seeds. At the beginning of discussion the committee was unconstructively negative, just saying that they do not want this dissertation to be defended. Our advisor had a strong personal arguments with several members and they were throwing accusation against him personally.

Then, as our advisor said, God started His work, and he was able to establish constructive communication with these people and committee as a whole. They started pointing to particular places in the work, to particular words which they considered religious. Finally committee agreed that if dissertation would be corrected, it could be approved for defense. Our advisor said that Tatiana will correct the work according to their requirements and Tatiana's defense was appointed for June 23rd. The changes she has to make are not major ones - it is more matter of terminology, and it will not require to compromise the content.

Praise God for His work in the heart of of people in dissertation committee!

Thank you very much for prayers!

Alexei and Tatiana