October 9, 2012

Sunday, October 6, 2012. First of all, I apologize for the late posts. The posts for October 6-9 are actually being written tonight on October 9^th, Tuesday evening. Two reasons for the late posts: First, the internet situation here is very difficult. I simply haven’t been able to get much of a connection. Alexi (our host) is attempting to get it resolved even as I write.  Second, my co-laborer Steve Graham is intent on running hard all day every day. This has worked for him in his previous four trips. I am trying to keep up, but between jet lag, a little culture shock, and tight living conditions – I am struggling. It’s challenging to live in someone’s apartment in a different country out of your suitcases. But I am trying. Honesty is the best policy, so this morning I told Steve that I couldn’t run hard 24/7 without some rest time and time for organization.  I understand from friends with significant missionary experience that conflict can have a cancerous effect on missions, so I am committed to gracious, timely, honesty with my trip partner. Therefore, my blog will reflect gracious honesty; I won’t sugarcoat the experience to make it something that it is not. J 

However, relative to our travel, we had an uneventful day on Saturday as we arrived in JFK and flew to Moscow, Russia. As the clock struck midnight, we were over Europe, sweeping down toward Russia’s capitol.   

Sunday, October 7, 2012. We arrived in beautiful Moscow early afternoon on Sunday. The airport is modern and reflects Russia’s best. It gave me real insight to observe native Russians in the airport. I noticed that Russians (as a rule) like dark clothing, are very fashion conscious, don’t tend to engage one another in conversation in public places, and are quite stoical in their expressions. I am not in favor of many generalizations or comparisons, but I offer those as a window into Russian culture. When midnight came, we were on our way to Vlad.

Monday, October 8, 2012. Bear with me as I keep blogging through day three. From Greenville, SC to Charlotte, NC to New York’s JFK to Moscow, Russia to Vladivostok, Russia the trip was a 32-hour marathon. Our host Alexi Pavlenko picked us up at the airport and drove us to the apartment he and his mother have shared for 20 years. It would be our home for the next four weeks. The lone elevator (36”x42”) was not in operation. So we huffed the 200# of luggage up to their 9^th floor apartment. Alexi’s mother Luda (short for Ludmilla) has been a widow for some 20 years since her seafaring husband passed away. Alexi was only ten years of age when his father passed away. I am not familiar with the details. However, Pastor Steve has had a huge effect on Alexi during his previous four trips to Vlad in '04, '06, '08, and '10.