This is what God Himself has raised up in this relatively small town of Lesosibirsk, Siberia, Russia.
If you are new to this blog site, I hope you will take time to read their story. Imagine their circumstance, let your heart understand their new found HOPE and purpose in Christ.
If after reading, you find that you would like to encourage and help this body of believers, please contact me at brivins55@yahoo.com
Thanks for looking (photos link is to the right) and letting God move your heart.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Shouts of Joy and Noise of Weeping
And they sang, praising and giving thanks to Jehovah, because He is good, for His mercy endures forever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised Jehovah because the foundation of the house of Jehovah was laid.
But many of the priests and Levites, and heads of the fathers, the aged men who had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice. And many shouted aloud for joy,
So that the people could not tell the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of weeping of the people. For the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.
Ezra 3:11-13
As I read these verses during my devotional time the other morning I was struck by the emotional responses of the people in Ezra’s time as they witnessed the re-building of the Temple. What a mixture of emotions was present that day!
It also brought to mind much of what we have experienced as we witnessed the Reconciliation Church building, through much prayer and hard work, being transformed into a functioning, gathering place for the believers of Lesosibirsk, Russia.
I’m thinking of Nina and Luda, whose parents were among the original group, who, in Soviet times, had to worship in secret, believing that one day they would have the freedom to praise God in a church building of their own. What joy it is for these sisters to see this “House of Prayer” (as they call it) becoming a reality!
Then there is Pastor Roma, who for ten years he has carried in his heart the vision that God could and would make this dream a reality. Through much opposition and seeming impossibility, he has continued to work toward the fulfillment of this vision and today his church family is beginning to reap the blessings of his prayerful commitment and hard labor.
I’m remembering the day we said goodbye to the brothers and sisters of Reconciliation Church. It was one of both joy and sadness. Joy in the love God has given us for each other, joy in the what we have seen God do, and sadness in knowing that although we are close in heart and purpose, we live a world apart. We said goodbye to some in the church who feel the weight of the responsibility of the new building, all that is yet to be done, and the realization that without God’s continued help, direction, and provision, it is impossible.
For those of us who have prayed, given, and labored, recent days have been bittersweet. With the elation of seeing the work closer to completion comes the realization that although the building is in use today, as the year progresses and colder days come, this church family will be “homeless” once again.
Although much has been accomplished, there is much left to do. Outside, the brickwork is complete and the front steps were begun. Inside, the bulk of the insulation and sheetrock work is done. The stage area is built, the electrical wiring is in place, and several rooms have been framed out including a sound room in the loft area at the back. There are temporary doors and window coverings in place to protect from the weather. We also built and painted about 20 benches, all of which were filled with people several Sundays in a row!
Although there is much yet to be done, the people are joyously meeting in the new building for as long as they can. Please continue to pray for the believers of the Reconciliation Church and the completion of the church building so that they can most effectively minister to their community from this central location. We believe that God intends to use this people and this place to make His Name known in the entire region.
We want to once again assure you of our gratitude for your partnership and care to the brothers and sisters that God has gathered in this faraway place. Please continue to pray and consider if you might give of your time or finances to complete the task. Should God put this on your heart, you may contact www.send.org to ask how you may help.
But many of the priests and Levites, and heads of the fathers, the aged men who had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice. And many shouted aloud for joy,
So that the people could not tell the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of weeping of the people. For the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.
Ezra 3:11-13
As I read these verses during my devotional time the other morning I was struck by the emotional responses of the people in Ezra’s time as they witnessed the re-building of the Temple. What a mixture of emotions was present that day!
It also brought to mind much of what we have experienced as we witnessed the Reconciliation Church building, through much prayer and hard work, being transformed into a functioning, gathering place for the believers of Lesosibirsk, Russia.
I’m thinking of Nina and Luda, whose parents were among the original group, who, in Soviet times, had to worship in secret, believing that one day they would have the freedom to praise God in a church building of their own. What joy it is for these sisters to see this “House of Prayer” (as they call it) becoming a reality!
Then there is Pastor Roma, who for ten years he has carried in his heart the vision that God could and would make this dream a reality. Through much opposition and seeming impossibility, he has continued to work toward the fulfillment of this vision and today his church family is beginning to reap the blessings of his prayerful commitment and hard labor.
I’m remembering the day we said goodbye to the brothers and sisters of Reconciliation Church. It was one of both joy and sadness. Joy in the love God has given us for each other, joy in the what we have seen God do, and sadness in knowing that although we are close in heart and purpose, we live a world apart. We said goodbye to some in the church who feel the weight of the responsibility of the new building, all that is yet to be done, and the realization that without God’s continued help, direction, and provision, it is impossible.
For those of us who have prayed, given, and labored, recent days have been bittersweet. With the elation of seeing the work closer to completion comes the realization that although the building is in use today, as the year progresses and colder days come, this church family will be “homeless” once again.
Although much has been accomplished, there is much left to do. Outside, the brickwork is complete and the front steps were begun. Inside, the bulk of the insulation and sheetrock work is done. The stage area is built, the electrical wiring is in place, and several rooms have been framed out including a sound room in the loft area at the back. There are temporary doors and window coverings in place to protect from the weather. We also built and painted about 20 benches, all of which were filled with people several Sundays in a row!
Although there is much yet to be done, the people are joyously meeting in the new building for as long as they can. Please continue to pray for the believers of the Reconciliation Church and the completion of the church building so that they can most effectively minister to their community from this central location. We believe that God intends to use this people and this place to make His Name known in the entire region.
We want to once again assure you of our gratitude for your partnership and care to the brothers and sisters that God has gathered in this faraway place. Please continue to pray and consider if you might give of your time or finances to complete the task. Should God put this on your heart, you may contact www.send.org to ask how you may help.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Looking back to the last few days in Siberia
Each day started with devotions by a team member and singing. We learned a song based on Micah 6:8 from Bob and Robin. It was a two part song with the men starting and the women echoing. This was a great way to begin every morning. Rob's devotion on Tuesday was regarding service and in this case, service to God. Marjorie focused on anger and forgiveness on Wednesday. Ryan (Herms) talked about joy in the Lord. As Christians we need to show that we are happy and share this with others.
We had several Russian women come to help sand and paint the benches on the last few days. Some of the Russian men worked on digging the foundation for the steps as well as on inside projects. Even though we couldn't speak each other's language, we managed to communicate what needed to be done and showed our appreciation of each other.
Marjorie, our oldest team member, was in charge of temporary windows. She designed a plastic covered frame that could easily be removed for ventilation, while keeping the rain and wind out when that was needed. She had favorite tools that worked for her and we had many laughs over her protectiveness. Just ask anyone on the team who might have borrowed them without telling her! Her work will be much appreciated by the church goers as the weather cools until the real windows can be installed.
On Thursday Jared and Rob secured the steeple area from leaks. Just getting up to the steeple was a challenge. Check out the pictures later for their precarious climb. The ceiling insulation was finished and the dry wall in the sanctuary is done. A woman from the church will be doing the finish work on it. Bob's last big item was getting the framing done for the first step into the church. These aren't just a small set of steps, they reach across the entire end of the church in a semi-circle. The Russian men will complete the steps and send a picture later.
On Thursday evening we had a time of fellowship with the Russian believers. The shashlik (shish kebab) took a few hours to make enough for everyone. They were cooked on a wood fired grill. We were given gifts made of birch bark from the church. The ladies received a beautifully shaped flower and then men received either a wallet or decorative box also made of birch bark.
Dan, our youngest team member, brought a few games to share with everyone. A favorite was a game that gave a light shock to the loser....and people kept playing and laughing over the fun. He also brought a football and frisbee. The Russian men enjoyed learning some techniques for throwing a good pass.
On Friday we met at the church at 8:30 a.m. This was a time to say our final good-bye to our Russian sisters and brothers (some quite emotional), take team pictures, and for Bob to give final instructions to the Russian men who will continue the work. It is amazing how close relationships can form in just two weeks and it was hard to see the tears in the eyes of some of the church leaders. The believers of the Reconciliation church are hard-working, faithful people. They have a new building now and we have a better understanding of Russian culture and their strong faith. We are humbled by these men and women who are connected to us through faith in God.
After our good-byes we headed to Krasnoyarsk with some of the Russian brothers. It is always exciting to ride with these men who might be well-suited for Indy racing! Riding with them can be a test of faith. They believe in fast driving and quick stops, too. It seems to be the Russian way.
We arrived in the city of Krasnoyarsk for some sightseeing and souvenir shopping. We were in a perfect place to see the solar eclipse on Friday evening. Several of us had a chance to view it through some special lenses provided by a television crew....which led to some filming of the Americans watching the eclipse. The evening ended with a debriefing with the SEND missionaries, James and Paul. They were invaluable in all aspects of our time in Siberia. They suggested that we prepare 30 second, 1 minute, and 5 minute responses for people who ask about our trip. You may want to suggest which version you'd like or you may hear more than you have time for.
Watch for another posting soon about the last leg of the trip. We enjoyed safety and companionship throughout the trip.
We had several Russian women come to help sand and paint the benches on the last few days. Some of the Russian men worked on digging the foundation for the steps as well as on inside projects. Even though we couldn't speak each other's language, we managed to communicate what needed to be done and showed our appreciation of each other.
Marjorie, our oldest team member, was in charge of temporary windows. She designed a plastic covered frame that could easily be removed for ventilation, while keeping the rain and wind out when that was needed. She had favorite tools that worked for her and we had many laughs over her protectiveness. Just ask anyone on the team who might have borrowed them without telling her! Her work will be much appreciated by the church goers as the weather cools until the real windows can be installed.
On Thursday Jared and Rob secured the steeple area from leaks. Just getting up to the steeple was a challenge. Check out the pictures later for their precarious climb. The ceiling insulation was finished and the dry wall in the sanctuary is done. A woman from the church will be doing the finish work on it. Bob's last big item was getting the framing done for the first step into the church. These aren't just a small set of steps, they reach across the entire end of the church in a semi-circle. The Russian men will complete the steps and send a picture later.
On Thursday evening we had a time of fellowship with the Russian believers. The shashlik (shish kebab) took a few hours to make enough for everyone. They were cooked on a wood fired grill. We were given gifts made of birch bark from the church. The ladies received a beautifully shaped flower and then men received either a wallet or decorative box also made of birch bark.
Dan, our youngest team member, brought a few games to share with everyone. A favorite was a game that gave a light shock to the loser....and people kept playing and laughing over the fun. He also brought a football and frisbee. The Russian men enjoyed learning some techniques for throwing a good pass.
On Friday we met at the church at 8:30 a.m. This was a time to say our final good-bye to our Russian sisters and brothers (some quite emotional), take team pictures, and for Bob to give final instructions to the Russian men who will continue the work. It is amazing how close relationships can form in just two weeks and it was hard to see the tears in the eyes of some of the church leaders. The believers of the Reconciliation church are hard-working, faithful people. They have a new building now and we have a better understanding of Russian culture and their strong faith. We are humbled by these men and women who are connected to us through faith in God.
After our good-byes we headed to Krasnoyarsk with some of the Russian brothers. It is always exciting to ride with these men who might be well-suited for Indy racing! Riding with them can be a test of faith. They believe in fast driving and quick stops, too. It seems to be the Russian way.
We arrived in the city of Krasnoyarsk for some sightseeing and souvenir shopping. We were in a perfect place to see the solar eclipse on Friday evening. Several of us had a chance to view it through some special lenses provided by a television crew....which led to some filming of the Americans watching the eclipse. The evening ended with a debriefing with the SEND missionaries, James and Paul. They were invaluable in all aspects of our time in Siberia. They suggested that we prepare 30 second, 1 minute, and 5 minute responses for people who ask about our trip. You may want to suggest which version you'd like or you may hear more than you have time for.
Watch for another posting soon about the last leg of the trip. We enjoyed safety and companionship throughout the trip.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Heading home....the Lord is Good!
The blog will be updated when we return to the states. These last few days have been long and shown much progress. We have the entire sanctuary dry walled, the steps framed, the steeple area sealed, the benches painted, and the extra rooms framed in. Tonight we had a special dinner which is like shish kebob. It is called shashlik. Many people form the church joined us and we shared a special time together. It will be an emotional parting for many of us tomorrow morning. We will leave Lesosibirsk at around 9 a.m. to go to Krasnoyarsk. We will have time to see some of that city, spend the night, and fly to Moscow on Saturday morning. There we will have a tour of the city and hopefully visit a market for some souvenirs. Since Lesosibirsk is not a tourist town, souvenirs are not to be found.
The faith of the Russian brothers and sisters is very humbling. We have been thanked many times for being here, helping build their house of prayer, the Reconciliation Church. The prayers of many have been essential to this project. The hand of God has been evident everywhere.
Thank you.
The faith of the Russian brothers and sisters is very humbling. We have been thanked many times for being here, helping build their house of prayer, the Reconciliation Church. The prayers of many have been essential to this project. The hand of God has been evident everywhere.
Thank you.
Monday, July 28, 2008
The days are passing quickly.....
I Corinthians 10:31 "Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
This is what we must keep in mind each day as we begin working and throughout the work day. This building is a place of worship, a house of prayer, for the Russian people. All the glory goes to God.
Monday night. We started this morning shortly after 8 a.m. with devotions by Jared. Once again patience was mentioned. We have only 3 days left to work and so much we'd like to get done. We need patience for the tasks to be completed, patience when working with others, patience with the many changes that can take place during the course of the day.
Today they started digging for the foundation for the main steps using an excavator and man power. It rained and is very muddy. The men had to help push the truck out when it got stuck. We started painting the benches a soft cream color and they are looking good. Dry wall is still being installed on the ceiling and side walls. The upstairs area under the steeple entrance has some flooring installed and more to go.
One of today's highlights was the arrival of the television crew. Two men came and took video and also interviewed a few men. We noted that no women were interviewed. They did videotape the women working on the benches though. Dan demonstrated the operation of the nail gun.
The other highlight was a special treat for lunch. The head architect of Lesosibirsk, a woman who has worked her way up to this position, came to the site. She had a part in the design, I believe. She brought borscht for us and a fry bread that could be dipped in sweetened condensed milk. It was an unexpected gift and very appreciated. This was in addition to our regular meal. We are not going hungry! Sweetened condensed milk is used for many foods here as a topping like syrup or for dipping.
Sunday we were very pleased to see a very large crowd for church. The benches were full and there were a few people standing. Next week they will have all of the benches available. The team sang two songs, one based on Micah 6:8 that Bob and Robin taught us. The second song was "In Christ Alone" and we could see some of the Russian brothers and sisters saying the words along with us. Richard, our team leader, gave the first message of the morning. There were also several songs led by two of the church members. People from the church also got up to share something with the members. Dan, another team member, also spoke during the service.
After church several people went to the local Chinese restaurant for lunch and then to see the Orthodox church. It is a very impressive building with gold towers and a very large landscaped area with a fence around it. Others went shopping and enjoyed pizza in a small cafe. It was a good day for relaxing and sightseeing.
Please continue praying for safety for the team and for continued progress. Also pray for the members of the Reconciliation Church.
This is what we must keep in mind each day as we begin working and throughout the work day. This building is a place of worship, a house of prayer, for the Russian people. All the glory goes to God.
Monday night. We started this morning shortly after 8 a.m. with devotions by Jared. Once again patience was mentioned. We have only 3 days left to work and so much we'd like to get done. We need patience for the tasks to be completed, patience when working with others, patience with the many changes that can take place during the course of the day.
Today they started digging for the foundation for the main steps using an excavator and man power. It rained and is very muddy. The men had to help push the truck out when it got stuck. We started painting the benches a soft cream color and they are looking good. Dry wall is still being installed on the ceiling and side walls. The upstairs area under the steeple entrance has some flooring installed and more to go.
One of today's highlights was the arrival of the television crew. Two men came and took video and also interviewed a few men. We noted that no women were interviewed. They did videotape the women working on the benches though. Dan demonstrated the operation of the nail gun.
The other highlight was a special treat for lunch. The head architect of Lesosibirsk, a woman who has worked her way up to this position, came to the site. She had a part in the design, I believe. She brought borscht for us and a fry bread that could be dipped in sweetened condensed milk. It was an unexpected gift and very appreciated. This was in addition to our regular meal. We are not going hungry! Sweetened condensed milk is used for many foods here as a topping like syrup or for dipping.
Sunday we were very pleased to see a very large crowd for church. The benches were full and there were a few people standing. Next week they will have all of the benches available. The team sang two songs, one based on Micah 6:8 that Bob and Robin taught us. The second song was "In Christ Alone" and we could see some of the Russian brothers and sisters saying the words along with us. Richard, our team leader, gave the first message of the morning. There were also several songs led by two of the church members. People from the church also got up to share something with the members. Dan, another team member, also spoke during the service.
After church several people went to the local Chinese restaurant for lunch and then to see the Orthodox church. It is a very impressive building with gold towers and a very large landscaped area with a fence around it. Others went shopping and enjoyed pizza in a small cafe. It was a good day for relaxing and sightseeing.
Please continue praying for safety for the team and for continued progress. Also pray for the members of the Reconciliation Church.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Patience and Prayer
Ephesians 6:18 "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perserverance. "
Friday morning started with devotions by Yvette about patience. Patience is something we all as a team need. Prayer is always needed, too.
On Friday the scaffolding was moved from the altar end of the church to the opposite end. More ceiling dry wall work was accomplished. The ladies went on a shopping trip for souvenirs in the morning. Lesosibirsk is not a tourist area so we found other items including fairy tale books that are just like our fairy tales, dolls and stuffed animals that say things in Russian, and Russian chocolate. We also found rabbit fur coats on sale for 8000 rubles, about $400. The shopping trip required a bus ride for 10 rubles per person each way. We met Oleg, a man from the church, on the return ride. Ira, a young woman who Bob and Robin befriended last year here in Lesosibirsk was working in one store and recognized Marianne, from last year's New York team. It was a joyful reunion for the 3 ladies. We returned to the job site in time for another delicious lunch. Later the salty snacks we had were also appreciated by all. We now know that the Pringles that are 99 cents in the U.S. are $4.00 a can here. Maybe that is why they tasted so good.
Friday devotions by Lynn focused on prayer. Prayer for the team's safety and progress, prayer for the Reconciliation Church project, prayer for the people of the church, prayer for Pastor Roma and his family. Also prayer is needed for the missionary familes serving in Russia who face many issues each day that we are unaware of.
Today's goal was to finish enough to be able to have church services in the building on Sunday and we accomplished it! We cannot give enough thanks and praise to God who has been our guide and protector and to all who have prayed for the team and project. The Russian brothers came to put the benches back into place when we left for the day.
On Friday evening we were invited to the men's rehab center sponsored by the church. Two young women served us tea and prayer was said for their upcoming trip to start a new women's rehab center in another city. We all had a chance to check out the banya, what we would call a sauna. There were 3 rooms that got progressively hotter. They also use hats to keep from making their head too hot! The evening was completed with a dinner at a local cafe for the team and translators. Pastor Roma and a few Russian brothers joined us for some fellowship.
Please keep Pastor Roma and his family in prayer as they are now on the way to Moscow for a seminar that he will attend. The trip will take about 3 days. We hope to meet them in Moscow next Saturday when we are on our return flight.
Friday morning started with devotions by Yvette about patience. Patience is something we all as a team need. Prayer is always needed, too.
On Friday the scaffolding was moved from the altar end of the church to the opposite end. More ceiling dry wall work was accomplished. The ladies went on a shopping trip for souvenirs in the morning. Lesosibirsk is not a tourist area so we found other items including fairy tale books that are just like our fairy tales, dolls and stuffed animals that say things in Russian, and Russian chocolate. We also found rabbit fur coats on sale for 8000 rubles, about $400. The shopping trip required a bus ride for 10 rubles per person each way. We met Oleg, a man from the church, on the return ride. Ira, a young woman who Bob and Robin befriended last year here in Lesosibirsk was working in one store and recognized Marianne, from last year's New York team. It was a joyful reunion for the 3 ladies. We returned to the job site in time for another delicious lunch. Later the salty snacks we had were also appreciated by all. We now know that the Pringles that are 99 cents in the U.S. are $4.00 a can here. Maybe that is why they tasted so good.
Friday devotions by Lynn focused on prayer. Prayer for the team's safety and progress, prayer for the Reconciliation Church project, prayer for the people of the church, prayer for Pastor Roma and his family. Also prayer is needed for the missionary familes serving in Russia who face many issues each day that we are unaware of.
Today's goal was to finish enough to be able to have church services in the building on Sunday and we accomplished it! We cannot give enough thanks and praise to God who has been our guide and protector and to all who have prayed for the team and project. The Russian brothers came to put the benches back into place when we left for the day.
On Friday evening we were invited to the men's rehab center sponsored by the church. Two young women served us tea and prayer was said for their upcoming trip to start a new women's rehab center in another city. We all had a chance to check out the banya, what we would call a sauna. There were 3 rooms that got progressively hotter. They also use hats to keep from making their head too hot! The evening was completed with a dinner at a local cafe for the team and translators. Pastor Roma and a few Russian brothers joined us for some fellowship.
Please keep Pastor Roma and his family in prayer as they are now on the way to Moscow for a seminar that he will attend. The trip will take about 3 days. We hope to meet them in Moscow next Saturday when we are on our return flight.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
Wednesday morning started with devotions by Marianne. This time every morning helps us to focus on the project at hand and the work being done as part of God’s plan.
Today the floor of the sound room was finished and a knee wall built with a view of the altar area. There is also a room set aside on the second level for the night watchman and one for visiting pastors. The altar area dry wall was completed. Galia put the first coat of mud on it. This is her profession and it will be very helpful as the walls are completed. She is excellent at this task. The ceiling work is very slow. The scaffolding is about 18 feet high and there is much overhead work to be done. Leftover bricks were collected around the work site and used to complete pallets that can be resold. Each brick costs 12 rubles which is about 52 cents.
Lunch was again from the workman’s deli but today we had chicken and mashed potatoes. In addition to the stuffed cabbage breads we had apple filled ones. For our afternoon snack we had a fruit compote made with currants that Genadi , the night watchman, bought for us at the store. It was put on Russian ice cream. Delicious! Lunch for 20 people cost 1250 rubles. This is about $55, about $2.75 a person. It sure beat McDonald’s, too. The ice cream was 800 rubles.
That is $34.50.
Genadi has been a Christian for 3 years and was baptized this spring. He said that he lost many friends when he changed his style of life. He has been the night watchman at the new church site for the past two summers.
Thursday – The first week has gone by quickly. Dan’s devotion reminded us about how important the small things are that happen in our lives that we aren’t even aware of usually. It is our mighty God who is working out all those little details. Work has continued slowly but steadily today. The goal is to complete enough of the ceiling to be able to bring the pews back in for Sunday services. Otherwise people will meet in homes.
Today the floor of the sound room was finished and a knee wall built with a view of the altar area. There is also a room set aside on the second level for the night watchman and one for visiting pastors. The altar area dry wall was completed. Galia put the first coat of mud on it. This is her profession and it will be very helpful as the walls are completed. She is excellent at this task. The ceiling work is very slow. The scaffolding is about 18 feet high and there is much overhead work to be done. Leftover bricks were collected around the work site and used to complete pallets that can be resold. Each brick costs 12 rubles which is about 52 cents.
Lunch was again from the workman’s deli but today we had chicken and mashed potatoes. In addition to the stuffed cabbage breads we had apple filled ones. For our afternoon snack we had a fruit compote made with currants that Genadi , the night watchman, bought for us at the store. It was put on Russian ice cream. Delicious! Lunch for 20 people cost 1250 rubles. This is about $55, about $2.75 a person. It sure beat McDonald’s, too. The ice cream was 800 rubles.
That is $34.50.
Genadi has been a Christian for 3 years and was baptized this spring. He said that he lost many friends when he changed his style of life. He has been the night watchman at the new church site for the past two summers.
Thursday – The first week has gone by quickly. Dan’s devotion reminded us about how important the small things are that happen in our lives that we aren’t even aware of usually. It is our mighty God who is working out all those little details. Work has continued slowly but steadily today. The goal is to complete enough of the ceiling to be able to bring the pews back in for Sunday services. Otherwise people will meet in homes.
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