Former Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR)
and
Russian Far East

The work in the former USSR is divided up among workers.  There is a group that covers most of that area, working at least in Russia, Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia and Kazakhstan. It’s possible they have gone into other countries also.  Currently (2010), there is an American family living in Azerbaijan, so the workers may spend some time there also.  This group of workers usually all gather together in the convention in Latvia.  

Bernard Manning from Australia, who visited the USSR as often as possible from his fields in Italy during the communist years, was the first Overseer. After a few years, he stepped down due to failing health and Dale Benjamin from Montana has been Oerseer since then.  Dale had spent years in Korea, and originally went to Kazakhstan to work among the large ethnic Korean community there.  

There are two Belarussian sister workers, two Russian sister workers, and one Kazakh sister worker at least, and there may be more.  Not sure if there are any native brother workers to this area.  The group of workers is from all over -- with a number from Netherlands, Italy, Korea, US, Canada, Australia, and several other countries.  Besides the convention at Kegums, there is one in Moscow, one in Minsk ( Belarus), two in Kazakhstan, and perhaps others.

When did the workers first arrive? 

Who were the first brother workers? 

Who were the first sister workers?

Who was the first couple to profess? Tolya and Marina and son Dima in Inta, Russia.  

Who was the first native to go in the work? There are two Belarussian sister workers, wo Russian sister workers, and one Kazakh sister worker at least, and there may be more.  Not sure if there are any native brother workers to this area.

When & Where was the first meeting? 
When & Where was the first baptism?

When & Where was the first convention? Probably May 2000*  
Where have subsequent conventions been held?
Where is the convention currently held?  Besides the convention at Kegums, there is one in Moscow, one in Minsk ( Belarus), two in Kazakhstan, and perhaps others

Who have the Overseers been?

Bernard Manning from Australia, who visited the USSR as often as possible from his fields in Italy during the communist years, was the first Overseer. After a few years, he stepped down due to failing health and Dale Benjamin from Montana has been Overseer since then.  Dale had spent years in Korea, and originally went to Kazakhstan to work among the large ethnic Korean community there.  

*May 2000 brought the first ever (as far as we know) convention in Russia. "Convention" in this case meant 8 Moscow contacts, anAmerican family living in Moscow, four friends and one "interested" from other parts of Russia, and several workers. By the end of our three days, however, we had five friends from other parts of Russia...We met in a "resort" which used to be a communist children's camp. The "amphitheater" was decorated with a mosaic of Lenin, and the communist youth slogan, "Always Ready", which can also be translated as "Always Willing." Two were baptized.

Russian Far East

There are at least two pairs of workers in the extreme Russian Far East, Vladivostok, Kamchatka, etc.  Brother workers from Japan were the first to go to that area. The workers don't always travel all the way to Latvia to convention, and instead go to Japan.  One of the Russian sister workers is from that area, a lady of Korean extraction.  There is a convention in that area also, location unknown.

TTT Editor's Note: In the absence of a written account, the above information has been compiled by the TTT Editor from various sources. Corrections or additions are most welcome; as well as other historical accounts for this country Email TTT