October 25, Thursday

Today and Friday we have no Bible School. So we meet with as many people as possible. My pictures for October 22-25 tell part of the story. Today was warm and beautiful, though we had snow less than 48 hours ago. It is beautiful now as well. The wonderful sound of children at play rise up some one hundred feet from the playgrounds below to our humble apartment on the 9th floor of building 97.

First, we had lunch with Helen and Irina from FEFU. These women have been colleagues for 12 years. It was Helen who paved the way in 2004 for Steve to have free access in the classrooms. When Alexi first brought Steve into his classroom in 2004, Helen walked by in the hallway and heard an American speaking. She poked her head in, gave Alexi a look that could kill, and left. After class she called Alexi into her office and explained her embarrassment: "If I had known you had an American guest speaker, I would have arranged for a better classroom" (paraphrased). All is well now, however, and it is apparent the affection that Helen has for both Losha (Alexi) and Steve. The t-shirt that Steve is wearing is one that Helen sent to America last summer with Alexi. The door is open to speak the Gospel with these women; we have another lunch arranged next week. Helen lost her husband through death; Irina is divorced. As I mentioned earlier in a previous blog, Russia is full of either divorce women or women who have lost their husbands to premature death. This reality must shape ministry efforts and focus.

In the middle of the afternoon we met with Cristina (Novoshatsink), Kseniia (Nhohodka), Artum (Sakaland Islands), and Dasha (Vlad) for tea and dessert in the afternoon at the same Republic restaurant where I met  Marsha and Ann (two 7th grade students) earlier in the week. These are four first year dental students. Very bright, very personable. Only Cristina (featured in a previous blog) professes faith in Christ. But Cristina has real credibility with them. She assured us, "I talk to them about God." Kseniia's parents are divorced, Artum is Russian-Korean and from the Sakaland Islands (spelling?); Dasha's parents have both died in the last several years. We had such a great time with these four 18 year olds. They are intelligent, curious, and the future of their country. May God reveal Himself to them so they can be servants in His Church, not just professional healthcare professional.

Our 6:00 - 8:50 PM English class was excellent as usual. My blog pictures tell much of the story. We arrived early so I could help edit Kseniia's letter to several German universities where she seeks entrance into graduate chemistry studies. First Alice and Anastasia told stories in English - Alice about the Ford Model T and Anastasia about her lost keys in the middle of a deluge after work several weeks ago. In our class we discussed Johnny Lingo and his 8 Cow Wife, cross-cultural communication, differences in Russian-American speech/dress/customs, preferred majors in US universities, cost of a US university education, the difference between managing and leading, love as the primary motive for leading, the Christian faith as the primary reason for Steve and I making the trip to Russia, our hopes for Russia and our student's futures, etc. Do you know what it is like to earn favor with a group of people? I believe God has given that to us. A great time of building friendships. Next week we will bring family photos and snacks to eat. We will also speak on the Reformation. Pray for us!

Dear God, thank you for the joy of building friendships with those who bear your image, though we speak different languages. Teach us to love our new friends in such a way that we bridge our language differences. Help them to come to faith in Christ in days ahead. Help us to know how and when to wisely speak your Word into their lives. Amen.