AFTER MY RETURN

THINGS I MISS

• Katya & Sergei and our long conversations
• Sveta’s porridge
• Sveta & Dima
• the little pan that they cooked the eggs in
• the buses
• the staff at coffee bean
• Sveta and Dima
• Anya, Maksim, Tolik, Stas, Sergei and all their smiles
• the elevator

THINGS THAT TOUCHED MY HEART
• Anya calling me on my last day and telling me thank you
• Dima’s email that I just received
• Sveta trying so hard to speak English to me
• the girls at Coffee Bean that laughed at me as we tried to speak each other’s languages
• all the people that I met
• Katya’s heart and compassion for people
• Sergei’s love for Katya
• Katya’s love for Sergei
• the little orphans who don’t realize that their life is really all that bad (yet) and smile and want to just play futbol with you

THINGS I HOPE FOR IN THE NEAR FUTURE
• cheap plane tickets for my October return
• a new Jesus movement to start in Rjazan

THREE WEEKS COMING TO AN END

In less than 48 hours my time in Rjazan, Russia will come to an end for this trip. I generally come to spend 2 weeks here in the summer. This year, my time has been different. First of all, I have not had 20 teenagers in tow. I came all by myself. I have been staying with a family, experiencing Russian culture in all possible ways that can be done while being here for 3 weeks – eating traditional Russian foods, taking the bus, learning the language, listening to friends as they share the attitudes and lifestyles of the Russian people (as a whole).

I won’t lie and tell you that I am excited to leave Russia. I am sad. Why? Because isn’t that the normal emotion you feel when you leave good friends? Yes. I have gotten to know some people on a deeper level and my respect and compassion has grown tenfold – probably more like a hundred fold.

They are struggling with expanding the Kingdom in a time when Russia is emerging out of communism into materialism yet the times of the past are not easily forgotten and the ways and attitudes from the era of the Soviet Union go deep. The younger, Christian generation are truly pioneers as they forge into a new climate.

Within 2 years there has been several new malls and a fancy sports bars built. Someone the other day told me that this past year there has been an increase in pregnant women. I asked why. “Maybe because people have more money,” was the response. I am able to sit in a comfy chair in a coffee shop (like I would in LA) and utilize the free wifi and have a cappuccino.

Two years ago when I visited Rjazan, wifi was very expensive and now my friends are even able to afford it in their home. I remember standing in line to use the computer where we were staying as everyone wanted to write an email or visiting the only internet café in town. My point in this is that some things are changing. As we all know, change brings resistance for some and change can always look nice and shiny on the outside, but Jesus is still not in the picture. If I say “hello” to someone sitting next to me at the coffee shop they might say “hello” back. If I push the conversation further, I’ve been told that more than likely that person will get up and move to another seat. Inviting your neighbor for dinner is just not done. Why? Because your neighbor won’t come. Why? Because they think you will want something from them.

Waking up in the morning wondering if this is what they really should be doing is a daily occurrence. Feeling oppression on a brand new level for long periods of time is nothing new. My heart is broken for the people of Rjazan. How will they make a new way?

If you are reading this, would you pray that God would show them a new way and not just a new way but a new path and a new courage and strength beyond what they could ever imagine. My sweet friends, I love you beyond what words can express.

FREAKISHLY HOT WEATHER

The weather in Rjazan has been so hot that they said it is the hottest it has been in 100 years. Thanks.

The last few nights I have been getting back to the flat where I am staying a bit late in the evening and although it is a bit nice outside there is no breeze in the bedroom where I am sleeping. I am normally a person who is cold (always). I carry a jacket everywhere with me in SoCal. I have not wanted to or needed to carry anything even when I sit in the air conditioning because I think I am so thankful to be in the cool air that I sometimes wish I didn’t have to leave.

Last night we went to a sports bar after debriefing the conference. It was not as crowded as I thought it would be and although the air conditioning had been on the night before you could not feel it last night. So by the time I got back to my flat at 2am I really wanted to sleep in a tub of cool water, but opted not to in case the couple I’m staying with should think there is a giant fish in their bathroom when the sun arose several hours later.

Laying in the bed for a few hours feeling like I was just roasting in an oven made me thankful for clean, cold, running water and air conditioning. By 7am I was awake, not because the sun was pouring in the window but because I was laying in a pool of sweat. I laid there as long as I could and finally got up and moved slowly to the shower in anticipation of how wonderful this cool, running water would feel as it would hit my face. I really wanted to use all of Rjazan’s water supply up in my one shower, but thought I better not.

When I sat down to have breakfast with Dima he announced that they decided they will get air conditioning. I emphatically encouraged him and told him all the reasons it would be healthy (ha ha).

I normally don’t complain because of heat but this is seriously the HOTTEST weather I think I have ever experienced.

Thank goodness for Coffee Bean and it’s free wifi and air conditioning. Actually, I mean – thank goodness for Coffee Bean and it’s air conditioning, free wifi and mega cappuccinos that are GOOD and not EXPENSIVE. Do you think if I give them some money they will let me sleep in one of the chairs over night? I could tell them that I can be their security for the evening.

Life is good.

THINGS I HAVE LEARNED WHILE IN RJAZAN

1. Why do orphans seem so much cuter than the average kid?
2. Most people walk or utilize public transportation.
3. I am considered spoiled because I crave air conditioning (and I would agree).
4. Life is much more simple here (and I like it).
5. Russians have to get a visa to go to most countries and they can be denied because the person issuing the visas is just in a bad mood. Oi.
6. People stare at you for no apparent reason (and I sometimes stare back).
7. The woman selling roses on the streets is dressed in a very pretty dress and high heels (like she’s going to dinner at a nice restaurant clarifier: in California). She doesn’t necessarily have a lot of money but she dresses this way because this is her business. It might be her only dress and she might not live in the best of conditions but she potentially wears the one dress that she owns.
8. Women wear high heels EVERYWHERE! And we’re talking 3-4” stilettos. Ouch.
9. The cost of living in Rjazan is similar to Los Angeles, but salaries are DRASTICALLY lower. When I say drastically, I mean so low that you would be living in an SRO in Los Angeles with mom, dad and the kids.
10. Russians eat 3 meals a day and walk about 4 miles in 90 degree weather. I’m only slightly exaggerating.
11. Balconies are for hanging the wash to dry.
12. Hospitality in Russia means bringing out your best china and cooking the finest meals and helping you in whatever way they can possibly help. The hospitality is beyond what I can put into words and I am extremely humbled by it.
13. Life in Rjazan is what I would imagine life was like in the 50s in the USA.
14. Showering is an option for some people.
15. My heart beats stronger and harder for my friends here in this city as they struggle to do what God is calling them to do.
16. Russians don’t make idle conversation with one another. In fact, it is difficult to begin conversations with people because they just won’t respond (even for a fellow Russian).
17. Eating dinner out is considered a major luxury and most people just can’t afford it.
18. It is acceptable to carry a bottle of beer on the street. Clarifier: I have not done this …
19. On any given Friday evening you can go to the city fountain and join the hundreds of people having a “party” with their bottles of beer.
20. It is not uncommon for someone in their 40’s to just be learning how to drive.
21. Most people live with just what they need. By this I mean if there are 2 people living in the house there are 2 (maybe 3) plates, 2 forks, 2 spoons, etc.
22. Being drunk does not necessarily indicate being incoherent.
23. Experiencing Russian high school graduation is not like anything I have ever seen
24. Elevators are the size of a coffin and when you are claustrophobic and 3 people want to join you … you pray that the ride is quick
25. Russians have beautiful smiles.

THE COMMON GROUND

While I’m here in Rjazan I am staying with a family, Sveta and Dima. Sveta, is all about herbs, plants and learning how different spices and foods can be used to help medical problems as well as to be used as preventative measures.

“I’m there,” I think to myself. Here is the common ground. Did I mention that she doesn’t speak must English? I don’t speak much Russian.

We started trading recipes and talking about how each of us uses different foods (with the help of Dima’s translations). Sveta has taught me how to make some Russian dishes as well as giving me some different medicinal reasons for eating some kinds of food.

My recent struggles with my stomach have caused me to view ginger in a whole new way. It is no longer an accent to a dish I am cooking. Because of my stomach, I now make tea from ginger (with some dates and honey) to ease the nausea and sometimes the pain. Recently I discovered uncrystallized ginger at the store. Now I carry it with me, especially when I travel. It has become like Pepto Bismol for me. Now I carry Pepto Bismol AND ginger.

The other evening Sveta was not feeling well. She was having some digestion problems. Later that evening we had a discussion about remedies for digestion and I told them that I use ginger. Her eyes got big and she asked me why and how do I use ginger. Ginger is new to Russia. They have just recently been importing it here and not many people know what to do with it. I brought out my Trader Joe’s version of uncrystallized ginger and had her try a piece. The next day she asked if I could give her another piece. I gave her the bag out of empathy.

The day after that she asked if I would teach her how to make crystallized ginger because in our discussion of ginger I told her I had found a recipe for making it and was going to try it. Yesterday she came back from the store with a large piece of ginger.

And our common ground continues.

WHO AM I ... REALLY?

I carry an American passport, I have an American name, I live in an American state, but inside I have always struggled with who I am. Most of you know that I was raised as a Third Culture Kid. (Definition: Being raised in your formative years by one parent of one culture and another parent of another culture, living in a completely different culture from the two parents.) The other day I was crying out to God in my state of confusion because I’ve been wondering if I stick out like a crazy American here in Rjazan, Russia or do I blend in. As I wrestled with God over this subject one morning I was all ready to say, “Ok, LORD, I am an American. I should just embrace the American flag and take the US into my heart.” Later that evening I was having a conversation with my friends and this very subject came up. I don’t know why and I don’t remember what prompted it, but the subject did not begin with me. I was all ready to figure out how to be more American.

“So, do you see me as an American?”
“You know, it’s funny. I look at you and know that you are an American but you are not American.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re not really American in all your ways.”

From a previous conversation. “You know if you were able to learn the language, you would fit in quite easily.”

And so my struggle continues.

Do you trust Me?

Which road will you take?
Will you do it for my sake?
And how will you know if I am there?
I will show you with My care.

Is trust just a word for you?
Or do you hang on until you turn blue?
What if you don’t hear my voice?
Will you still walk with me?
I will show you with My care.

How will you know it is right?
Are you waiting for the road to be bright?
I am here to clear the way,
And I will be with you all the day.
I will show you with My care.