Russia2008

Woke up early for some reason so showered and am preparing for a morning discipleship walk with Sasha K. Had a good walk with him and it was very refreshing. We had a light breakfast and left to meet Bishop Andrea. What an amazing church organization he is leading. He is the bishop over 50+ churches in the region and then leads his local church. We spoke for 3 hours about the church and how they are doing things and the way that God is working among the people of Western Siberia. They have many home groups that meet once or twice a week and they are really the body that cares for one another and then they come once a week to here his sermon. But he points out that the real serving of one another happens in the home groups.
We meet with another Sasha that heads up the prison ministry and he spoke about how the government wants them to be in more prisons but they lack the money and people to cover all of the areas. They serve on a counsel of the government to discuss the needs of the prisons and how they can help. It as amazing to see how they are such a light in the community. Another leader of the youth program came in and spoke about the youth soccer program and how the local government saw how they treated the fields and cared for the property and kids that they are asking for more teams and the government leaders are now sending their children to their programs. They are truly a light in the darkness. The church has also won awards from the Governor for their contributions to the community and work in local business.
We then traveled to a rehabilitation center for drug and alcohol addicts. It was very overwhelming to see such need and also so much dedication to serving by those in charge of the centers. As we toured the building we saw the room dedicated to a funeral service business. I got some photos of the caskets and they are the simple pine boxes like the old west with the exception of a satin liner. This is a business that the men in the center run to bring in funds for the center.
We next saw the classroom, office and the detox cage. This is the cage that when a new person enters the program they are locked up in for 10 days to a month to get their system cleaned out. Each of the others will spend time in the cage with them talking and praying with them to help them through. The day we were there they let the man that was in the cage out for our visit. He looked so relieved.
We gathered back upstairs in a large room with all of the men and the ministry team. I was asked to tell whom I was and speak to the men for encouragement. I spoke for about 15 minutes and ended with Romans 12:1-2. Then to my utter amazement and joy Sahsa Kovalenko began to speak about his testimony and life. He was such an encouragement to me and everyone in the room. As he spoke I was reminded of the prayers for an opportunity to minister with him one day. I was overwhelmed at this reality. It was actually happening and it was all Gods work! All praise to Him!
Our next stop was completely spur of the moment but absolutely incredible. One of the team remembered that a coal miner once told him of a fossilized tree that was in a layer of coal along a road by the river. They asked if I wanted to see this “proof” of the flood and I just about jumped out of my skin with a YES! Off we went to find it and once we did we climbed to steep slope up to his log and you can see that this log is positioned vertically in the horizontal layers of rock and coal. So it flies against all of the conventional wisdom that each layer took billions of years to form, including the tree fossil. One of the team called it the Noah log. Once up the slope we each climbed the last bit of slope in order to touch the log and get a piece of it. Truly a moment to remember.
We then traveled to a woman’s rehabilitation center in an apartment in town. There were 12 women there in a four-room apartment all making hand crafted pictures from bread dough and paint. We heard many of the testimonies and stories of lives destroyed by alcohol and drugs. One woman had walked 60 miles to get to the center because she had lost everything, including her rights as a parent. Another told about her husband’s death and how she started drinking and then her 7 year old son died leaving her with her 14 year old and no hope. She drank so much that her parents sent the son to school and she has not heard from them for 2 years. I can begin to understand this type of heartbreak. Before we left the woman wanted to show me the blankets that our church had sent and they were so thankful. They said they felt loved because the quality of the blankets was so good.
The next stop was another men’s center that was up on top of a hill overlooking the city. This was more of a country setting and had two building made from logs. They were in process of remodeling the interiors to try and accommodate 50 more people. There are so many things that could be done at this site by teams of men with construction capabilities. This is an area were men could make a significant impact. I will begin praying about this one and the possibilities for the future.
We were again asked to share at the church service and again both Sasha K and I spoke and I was again moved by his passion that seemed to be growing by the minute. He is very committed to the idea of getting many of his friends into this program or getting a center into his hometown. Watching Sasha today I was able to see many lights going on in his head and heart. Later after supper and a walk Sasha and I again had a long talk about life and dreams and how God will change your dreams to fit His plan. He was seeing how this was so after today. It will be interesting to see what the Lord does with him in the coming years.
The day ended with Bliny (very thin pancakes) and honey with tea in the kitchen at Oleg’s apartment. Oleg had so many questions for me about politics and religion in America. We talked until midnight. He is such a joyful man and so very simple and gentle. He is a real picture of humility and joy in the Lord. He was so sad when I told him how we have taken God out of the schools and public square because he said that this is what caused the problems in Russia before communism and in Germany before Fascism. The look in his eyes was one of sadness as he said the America is supposed to be the light to the world as a Christian nation and if that is lost there will be so much trouble in the world. Eye opening.

We rise in the morning to pack before going to church because we will leave for another region from church. Sasha Kovalenko lovingly prepares a breakfast of some sort of cheese, yogurt, and fruit dish. We once again have a good opportunity for deep conversation. The other Sahsa's arrive and we leave for church.
The church is in a movie theatre formerly built by the Lenin regime and was used for the promotion of communist ideals. It was purchased after the fall of communism to be converted into a casino but that was never completed. The church bought the building and had a drug rehabilitation center in it. The men in the center began working on the church to renovate and today it is a very nice facility complete with Sunday school rooms and a small café for fellowship after church. We were fed a fantastic Russian meal after church. The Sermon during the service was very good and rely called on people to depend on God and listen to His call.
The next part of the day was the 7-hour drive through Siberia. The real faith part was that I did not have a working seatbelt in the small Toyota car. The good highway and only highway was like many of the older highways in the U.S. Rough and bumpy with areas that they were making some improvements. The countryside is beautiful and very picturesque of the western U.S. but distinctively Russian. The farms noticeably undeveloped and the large piles of hay in the fields like you would see in the world war two era. You really have a sense like you have gone back in time as you travel through the countryside.
We arrived late at the home of Oleg. He seems to be an incredibly joyful man. He was so happy to have us in his home and he and his wife were just so very gracious in giving us a bed and a meal. Again, very good Russian food! Sasha K and I went on a discipleship walk that lasted about an hour and was very fruitful. By the time we arrived back at 11:30 PM Oleg was getting ready to take his son 200 miles away to drop him off at a school for railroad engineers. His son must only be 14 but his career path is pretty well determined. Oleg will return tomorrow. Off to bed at 1:00 AM.

We woke to a very beautiful fall morning and had the usual drinkable yogurt for breakfast. We had been put up in an apartment that the owner was out of the country for a while. We then went to visit Sasha L’s business. They manufacture chain link fence and concrete reinforcement mesh. What is really amazing are the conditions that they work in. Not to mention how grateful they are to God for his provision of what they do have. They are running a very good business and want to expand because many people like the product and the service (honest) that they get from them. Sasha L has a great vision for his company and I think he will do very well. Please pray for him.
We then took off for the day tour of Novosibirsk. It is a very clean and nice city. We visited a construction site and spoke with a crew installing some composite materials. I wanted to get a sample of the attachment extrusions they were using but we had to pay one man 100 rubles for the parts. That’s about $4.00 U.S. so not bad. It was comical how they were very willing to sell anything once we bought those parts. It was great to see the different systems and really come away with some great ideas for back home.
The afternoon was the St Petersburg circus in Novosibirsk. The arena is a permenant facility that houses the circus 11 month out of the year. It was funny seeing four older guys going to the circus with all of the children and moms. Sasha K thought it was really awkward. He still has a great sense of humor. After this it was a quick supper and then Sasha M went to stay at Sasha L’s apartment and I and Sasha K stay at the other place. Sasha K and I stayed up until early in the morning discussing our relationship with the Lord and how it should change our lives. We also discussed many things going on in his own life and it was a very blessed time for conversation and prayer. We both praised God for bring us together 11 years ago and three years ago and now in Russia. We are still in awe of God’s hand in all things.

Got up earlier and got ready to leave for Novsibersk. We rode the Metro during rush hour which was a joy with our luggage. Packed wall to wall with people and suitcases made for an interesting ride. We then hopped the train to the Airport which was much less crowded. Met Sasha Kovalenko in the airport and off we went. No hitches in security and time for a tea before we left. Once airborne it was like going back in time to the era when you got a lot of service on a plan and not just a glass of pop and some pretzels. First we were given newspapers, then drinks, then a full course meal that was too much food to eat. But wait. After that here comes the teacart. It was amazing.
Once in Novosibirsk we had to set the watches ahead another three hours making me a full half-day ahead of everyone at home. Then we met another Sasha that would be our host. Now I a riding with three Sashas. It gets a bit confusing at times but I am managing ok since the new Sasha speaks as much English as I speak Russian. We got the riding tour of Novosibirsk at night. A town of about two million that looks like Des Moines.
For diner it was Mexican. Taco salad with a mariachi band playing and singing in Russian. A strange clash of cultures at best. The funny thing was that I thought, “hey I will have some Sangria, a nice refreshing fruit drink.” So the Sashas thougth that would be good to try and we all ordered one. When the brought the drink I knew something might have been lost in a translation. The drink looked like a V8. But I thought maybe like many other things here it must just look different. We all took a drink and let’s just say there is not language barrier when it comes to coughing and spitting. It was like thick Tabasco sauce. We had a great conversation and I got to know Sasha L really quickly. He is a very bright and friendly brother in Christ.

Today was another full day of meetings in Moscow. Met a gentleman from America and had a great discussion on business in Russia and it was great to get a westerners perspective on things. Again the meeting was at McDonalds. A different one but still McDonalds. Great meeting anyway. Left there for another meeting and to meet a representative from a Curtain Wall manufacturer in Moscow. He showed us to numerous projects and we discussed details when working with Aluminum Composite. Got to spend a good deal of time with Andre and Alexi from Irkutsk region. Then walked again to the Metro and a long crowded ride to the home of Sahsa M. Got to spend some time with Anna and Peter before they went to bed and that was really nice to get some kid time in. Oh and for those of you that don't have Skype. I highly recommend it for you. I get to see and hear Karla and the kids and some friends for free. It is an amazing age we live in today.
God has once again been more than gracious to me and kept me safe here and given me the energy to get through these long days. Sasha Morozov is an absolutely fantastic host and translator. I am grateful for him and his friendship. He has a great passion for helping the church in Russia grow and helping members of the Body of Christ learn how to fish rather than giving them a fish. The ministry God has in and through him is very practical and essential. Please pray for him.
Blessing to all.

Had the grand opportunity to visit an art museum and view Russian art from the 5th century and later. Some of the most amazing and profound art(paintings) depicting the bible stories and also Russian life from the bounty of the land to the oppression of people. There was so much art from the orthodox church in the 5th -9th century that was on wooden panels vs. canvas. When you stop and think about the stories that are unchanged since then. Depictions of the resurection of Lazurus, Christ baptism, the crucifixion, and many more. Again I am taken to the reality of my limited understanding of God and his immense power to change the lives and time of people all over the world in different cultures, in wealth and in poverty. In freedom and oppression. God uses all things and circumstances for the pursuit of his glory!
Lunch was more amazing Russian food that is really good for you. Mushroom soup and a cabbage roll thing and mushroom roll thing. There is a word for it but I forgot it. After lunch we went to an exhibition hall and met with friends and discussed the ACM business and also had a chance to discuss the gospel with them. Truly an amazing gift to be able to do this with Sasha Morozov translating and speaking truth also. Here is the fun thing. We were in the Moscow McDonalds while this conversation was happening. Big Macs and the word. A great combination.
Anyway, missing family and friends but enjoying the city. Tomorrow holds a meeting with an american gentleman from the Morozovs' church to discuss business in Russia. This should be very interesting. We are also going to another Museum. Hopefully more pictures tomorrow. Blessings!The pictures below and of "Christ the Saviour Church" Yes that is the name of the church in the heart of Moscow.

Had a action packed day. Meeting with a company named Volty that does the same thing Metal Design Systems does. We drove around Moscow looking at projects for 4 hours and the had discussions on how the industry works in Moscow. Pretty similar only with some issues related to government and corruption. But none the less, some pretty spectacular systems and projects. I have already learned a great deal regarding possible improvements to MDS.
Moscow reminds me so much of Chicago and is a very amazing city. The driving however still causes one to spend a great deal of time in prayer and praise. The amazing thing is that there were no accidents to be seen. I am not sure how that works. If I had a choice I would sell brake pads in Moscow. That is what you need to survive, good brakes. It is like Nascar with 60 million people.
Tuesday looks to be full again with another meeting this afternoon regarding ACM work in Russia. We may have time to see a museum if possible. My host, Sasha Morosov took me out to see downtown Moscow last night and it was amazing. Red Square is really spectacular at night with the lights. There are also so many statues and memorials dating back to early history of Russia. I stod right below a balcony where Lennin would address the people and promote the state. I also learned much more about the christian heritage of Russia. I really have come to realize how small we are in this huge world we live in. God has done so many things all over in our lifetime alone but we know so little of it. Yet He knows it all and is always in control.
Sahsa Morozov grew up in Communist Russia and it is very interesting to hear him talk about that time period and all of the things that have happened to bring democracy to Russia and also so many of the projects done for the state and how national pride can be a God to many. People are the same everywhere, just different circumstances that are out of our control. God is always the same and is in control of the circumstances and is always in pursuit of His glory through people and circumstances. I am so glad He is in control.