October 24, Wednesday (The Longest Blog)

Ten days till we head home. We have a lot left to do. "Slava boga" (Praise God!) is the cry of the Christians here. We praise him for what we have been able to witness and accomplish so far. Let me tell you about four encounters today:

10:30 AM on the train to Vladivostok. Steve and I are talking about everything under the sun. A young woman is sitting next to him. Finally I ask her, "Do you speak English?" "So, so" is the reply. Tamila Gasanova is a 22 year-old travel agent from Uganay. She is a Christian (2 years) and attends a Baptist church in Vlad. She was on her way to the port in Vlad to take a three day cruise to Seoul, South Korea. We learned that Tamila lives with her mom and twin sister Camila. She lives in a high rise somewhere near the Pavlenkos (our hosts). Steve began to show her a book on Daniel which she had already read on line. Steve gave it to her as a keepsake. We traded my blog site for her phone number. We hope to see her with Alexi before we leave.

12:15 PM Republic Restaurant. We eat lunch with Valeira (sp?), a 31 year-old father of three (ages 2, 7, and 8). He had asked Sunday at church if he could catch lunch with Steve and me. He attends the church in Uganay. He works downtown as a self-employed tutor for high school students in music, mathematics, and physics. He lives with his wife, children, and brother in a two room flat in Vlad. His brother works as an electrician, but does not speak at work or at home. Put your self in Valeira's shoes. Privacy in his marriage is a huge issue. Time is an issue: tonight he will finish his last tutoring session at 10:00 PM and return home in the dark to his family in their shared apartment. We finished our lunch by Steve praying for Valeira, his family, enough work for a separate place, and for assurance for his salvation.

1:45 PM. Another Republic Restaurant. I am studying for my Bible school lecture tonight on the person of Christ (already completed). An Uzbekistan bus boy talks to me as I get a refill of my 15 ruble "chai." I motion him over to my table. His name for me is "Mr." :) He hopes to become a Russian citizen in January. He desires to move to the U.S. We trade names, email, phone numbers, and hope. His name is Farkhad Sadulloev. He is 23 years of age. Later his boss pulls him away as he tries to sneak another minute to talk with me. Contact, connect, conversation, relationship, and technology all create opportunities for the Gospel. I promise to call him (on Alexi's phone) and further the contact I've made. Who knows how God may break into Farkhad's life?

3:30 PM. Same Republic Restaurant. I have been studying since about 1:30 for my lecture, except for a few minutes speaking with Farkhad (above). The lunch crowd slowly clears out of the restaurant; I am left with two young girls (they look 12 or 13) in my section. I needed to use the restroom, so I went over and placed a 10 ruble bill on their table, pointed to my stuff on mine, and asked them to watch out for it while I went to the toilet. When I returned they excitedly came to my table, returned the 10 rubles and asked, "Where are you from?" Their smiles communicated that they were happy to meet an American. I explained that I lived in the S.E. United States (comparing Atlanta to Vlad). I introduced myself, gave them my blog name, described my family (4 children - to which they were like "Four?" with a wide-eyed expression), and explained why we were in Vladivostok. They had already asked the big "Why?" question.

Then they introduced themselves to me - Anna and Marsha (both 12), best 7th grade friends who go to different schools but live close to one another in Vlad. They both live with their fathers and mothers. I reminded them that they were very blessed to live with both their parents, as Russia has an 80% divorce rate. I also encouraged them to visit America. I assured them they could stay with us if they could only get to the States. They smiled with pleasure. :) I offered my email address. Marsha said, "Skype?" I indicated I would have to email the Skype information to her. As we were finishing our conversation I said I regretted not having my camera with me. Instantly one of them grabbed her IPhone - we promptly had two pictures - Mark and Anna, Mark and Marsha. They got right next to me as though I were their father. Too cute. They promised to email me the pictures, for which I clearly said "Spaseebah" or thank you. I made sure they promised me they would tell their parents about the strange American man whom they befriended in the Republic Restaurant. I, in turn, promised to tell their story on this blog. These are young ladies that would fill any parent's heart with gratitude and pride.

 An age of unprecedented technology opens doors for cross-cultural communication with young, post-Perestroika Russians. And open doors of communication are open doors for Gospel communication. My prayer: God give us the spirit of friendship to wisely enter doors you have opened for your Gospel. Help us be faithful to Your mission. In Christ, amen.