More kashi anyone?

The "newness" of the experience here is starting to wear off. I, for one, am getting a little tired of a dozen varieties of kashi and hotdogs. I look forward to food that crunches. The food has actually been very good, but it's not like home. I think I would trade my digital camera for a slice of my wife's chicken pesto pizza. I think the water is starting to have an affect on our digestive systems as some of us are feeling a little squirmy. From now on it's bottled water only.

We played softball with some of the staff and campers today. The only other time I've felt so talented on a baseball diamond was when I played with a similar group in China. It doesn't take much skill to be leagues above someone who has never held a bat. They're a very athletic crew but baseball takes a little practice. They picked it up fairly quickly and I look forward to more games. Mike shared his testimony tonight at the meeting. By God's grace, he's feeling much better and did a great job communicating.

One of the brothers here, Andre, is a graphic designer. I asked if he would be willing to design a logo for Crossroads. Within a day he had a half dozen options to choose from. They're all amazing and I can't wait to show them to the rest of our college crew. I don't know how much that would cost to have done in the free market, but it can't be cheap. Andre did it for free, although he keeps joking about a payment of 25 American t-shirts. At least, I think he's joking. Like I said, it's hard to tell sometimes. He's a very neat and creative guy, always quick with a sound effect and facial expression to emphasize a story or joke. He's one of the many Russian brothers and sisters we'll miss when we head home (which is less than a week now).

God bless!

Between Two Worlds

We have been studying heaven and life with an eternal perspective in our group devotional. We've studied the New Earth to come, which will once again be free from sin's consequences. God will once again walk with us as He did in the garden before the fall. Today we considered our present state as pilgrims and sojourners on this earth, awaiting our true home to come. Life makes so much more sense when we realize that we are living between two perfect worlds - the original sinless creation and the restored earth (heaven - Rev. 21:1) to come. The pain, frustration, and longing we often feel is natural if we are not yet in our homeland. Nicole spoke for all of us when she said that she has studied this before, but it makes so much more sense now that we are away from our present homeland of America. We miss our homes in America, but even more we long for our true country that awaits us as citizens of heaven.

Today we were able to borrow a guitar and sing a few worship songs in English during our group time. It was like drinking from cold, fresh water after being in the desert. They music is great here and I imagine the words are good, but we have no clue what they are saying. To sing and hear music in English felt like such a treat!

Dema, the young boy we shared with yesterday, followed up with us today. He tracked me down this morning and said he thought about the question and knows what God will do if he fails to obey His commands - He will punish him. He really wanted to talk more (as did I) so we met after the evening meeting with our translator. The short of it is we spent an hour talking through Romans 6:23 - "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Through asking questions, drawing pictures, and explaining the passage Dema understood (I think) that God made a way for him to be in heaven with Him through Jesus' death on the cross. Both God's love for Dema and His requirement of justice were satisfied in that one act. All Dema has to do is receive God's free gift. He understands the need to obey God, but he has obedience in the wrong context. He thinks obedience earns God's forgiveness instead of obedience being a result of forgiveness. It was difficult to communicate through a translator, but I think he understands. He wants to think about it more. We still have four more days of camp, so please pray that God would work in His heart, reveal His truth to Him, and that Dema would receive God's gift of salvation.

Thanks for following along at home. We really appreciate your prayers. Thanks to those of you who post comments. We check once in a while and are encouraged by your words.

(The picture is of Luke and Dema in a silly game on stage during the morning meeting)

Sunday, July 29th

Today has been a good day. We all spent more time with campers and had many conversations about God. We performed another skit at the main meeting tonight. If you know me, you probably know that skits aren't exactly my "comfort zone" but they have come together pretty well, praise God. Luke and Nicole have really shined though. I hope Hollywood doesn't get ahold of any clips or we may lose them to the big leagues.

Luke also shared his testimony tonight at the main meeting. He emphasized a burning question he always had growing up. "God, I believe in You. But what do you want me to do?" In college he found out that God desires him to trust in Christ's finished work at the cross and learn to walk in obedience through Christ's power in him. It was obviously difficult for him to speak through a translator because he had to say a few sentences and . . . pause . . . and say a few more sentences and . . . pause . . . It's difficult to keep a train of thought going at full speed when it keeps making stops along the way. He did a great job though and we're very proud.

Luke, Mike, and I had a chance to talk with a neat, young boy named Dema today. He looks to be about 14 and is very amiable. I asked him the same question Luke used in his testimony - "What do you think God wants from you?" He said that God wants him to obey his commandments. I told him that he is right, but can you obey his commandments all the time? He replied with a quick and sheepish "no." We followed with, "What do you think God will do if you cannot obey Him?" He seemed a little surprised by the question and said that he didn't know but would think about it. We asked him to think about it tonight and we will ask him tomorrow what answer he came up with. Pray that he does consider it and the Spirit of God would convict him of his own sin, not simply to lay a thick "guilt trip" on him but so that he could see his need for Christ's provision on the cross.

Mike has been feeling a little sick the past two days. I think it's a combination of a cold and exhaustion. Our team very strongly encouraged him to rest today and he took us up on it - sleeping for 5 hours this afternoon. He looked much better tonight, but please pray that his strength would continue to improve. (Mike says, "Don't worry Mom and Dad, I've had worse)

The picture is of Luke and Nicole discussing anatomy and physiology with Serge, whose parents are doctors. I think the other guy is Serge also. Or Dema. Or Sasha. If we can't remember a name we just through those out and they work for 50% of the Russian guys.

Technology

We've been surprised by the level of technology here at camp. Digital cameras seem to grow on trees. Laptops litter the office. My own cell phone would be obsolete. I'm accessing the internet via a wi-fi connection hooked up to a cell phone. In the middle of Russia. At camp. For some reason, our assumption about Russia was that they would be a little behind us technologically. The opposite is true for this group. Not only is the technology here, the people I have met use it very well. The first night of camp they recorded and edited a video based on The Matrix to introduce the camp counselors. I think Spielberg would be impressed. That's not to say they are rich. I believe the average income is around $400 per person, so money is tight for most people. But they use the technology they have very well.

Saturday, July 28th

Today the campers used the obstacle courses we built for the first time. Everything turned out very well. They got frustrated at some points, but that's the way team building exercises go. In the end, they had a great time, got dirty, and built community with each other. That sense of closeness helps them to be open with their tent leaders and other kids at camp.

We tried to tie in spiritual message when we could. On one part of the ropes course, they are all tied together and attached to a rope that winds around trees and over obstacles. The whole team must follow the rope through everything. At the end of the course the rope was attached 25 feet up a tree trunk. We designed it so that it was impossible for them to do. When they started complaining that there was no way they could do it we explained that it is an illustration for our lives. Although there are many difficult things we can get through, there is no way we can be reconciled to God and live a perfect life. It is impossible. However, Christ came to earth and did what was impossible for us (lived a perfect life) and paid the penalty for our sin on the cross. God treated Christ as if He had lived our lives and, for those who respond to Him in faith, He treats them as if they had lived Christ's life. Hopefully it will help get through to some of the campers. I was told that of the 52 campers here, 20 of them are not believers. They have already had several chances to hear the gospel. Please pray that they would listen carefully and that they would respond this week. The camp director, Vadim, shared his testimony tonight at the meeting. He actually came to Christ at this very camp about 9 years ago. It was a very powerful picture of how God may use the kids at this camp in the future. Tomorrow night someone from our team will share their story. Please pray that it translates clearly and connects with the campers.

Friday, July 27th

One of the other camp leaders, Sasha, speaks a little English. He thought it was very funny that Katie majored in biology. He thinks the word sounds like "booger" so he keeps asking to see her "booger collection." Very funny.

The campers arrived this afternoon so we had many finishing touches to do. Again, we rarely rested all day long. It's good though. We came to serve and God is giving us opportunities to serve. Sometimes the communication of expectations is difficult, but we are learning to be flexible and willing to change our plans when needed.

Katie, Luke, Mike, Amber, and Nicole are all assigned to tents with 5-8 campers per tent along with one or two other counselors and a translator. Please pray that they could connect well with their campers and be welcomed in as part of the "tent family" and not seen as an outsider.

Spokana noche (good night - sp?)

Thursday, July 26th

Thursday was non-stop activity. Luke spent 7 1/2 hours suspended from his harness attaching climbing holds to a 30 foot tall brick wall with Mike assisting. By dinner time they had it finished and it looks great. The crowd of Russians gathered around grew in proportion to Luke's progress and height on the wall so that by the time it was done around 20 were ready to watch the first person try. Luke is very safety oriented (unlike some of our Russian brothers) and was very good about insisting on proper safe climbing procedures. After spending almost all day building the wall, he and Mike finished the day by teaching them to climb it. They were very thankful when it became too dark to climb.

While they were building the wall, the rest of us designed an obstacle course that the campers will have to navigate while carrying a 20 ft. log. They will weave it in and out of trees, lift it up to pop balloons, use it to walk across a water pit, carry teammates on it, balance a cup of water on the end, and much more. It was nice to exercise our creative juices and our muscles. We checked with Vadim, the camp director, part way through our design process. He loved it but wanted to make it harder, wetter, and dirtier. Our kind of guy.

I'm so proud of our team. They have hardly had a chance to sit down over the past couple days but they have pushed through and worked very hard. Please continue to pray that we don't get worn out. We usually have activities scheduled until late at night and haven't been able to get as much sleep as we would like. Thursday night we were around the campfire singing songs and listening to each of the 30+ camp helpers share about their expectations and hopes for the camp ahead. It was almost 1:00 a.m. before it was over and we could head to bed. We enjoyed the fellowship and were encouraged by their hearts for the campers and the Lord, but we were also very sleepy. Thankfully, God placed Macy in my life 6 months ago so I would be prepared to function on little sleep. Unfortunately the others haven't had the same blessing. Parenthood has prepared me for camp and camp will prepare them for parenthood.

Adventures at Camp (Wednesday, July 25th)

We stepped off the train in Lipetsk yesterday morning at about 7:30. Waiting for us were Vadim (the main youth leader for the Tambov region), Rick (an American who has been ministering in Russia since 1993), and another Russian brother who would drive us to the camp. The camp is located about 30 minutes from town in thick, lodge pole pine type trees. There is one large building in camp that is about 40% finished. Only the first of three floors is usuable. It contains a large kitchen and dining area where we will eat, two small bathrooms, and about a dozen bedrooms. We will sleep in two of the rooms until the campers arrive. After the campers arrive on Friday we will sleep out in 10 person tents with them.

The gruff, serious dispositions of the Russian people in Moscow have been replaced by joyful, smiling faces and people who are quick to crack jokes. "Luke" means "onion" in Russian, which they find very funny. They like to tease often and it can be difficult to tell when they are joking or being serious, but we have connected very well. It only took the girls a couple hours to have a crowd of men, women, and children gathering around them and working on crafts. They were laughing and joking without a translator, melting away any apprehension Nicole, Katie, and Amber had. We are all very glad to be here and very much looking forward to the next two weeks.

As I write on Wednesday evening, a serious thunder storm is crashing outside so the whole camp is gathered together in the building. Mike just made his big entrance on the unicycle. Vadim introduced him with a "drum roll" and the whole camp is amazed. Now "Onion" is about to step on. Thankfully he purchased travel health insurance before we left. After Luke, several Russians have attempted. They did about as well as me on my first attempt. Not so good. But everyone is laughing and we are building relationships. Slava Bogu (praise God)!

We have spent the past two days building a low-ropes obstacle course, attaching a safe anchor and climbing rope from the top of the building, preparing the craft projects, helping with camp cleaning, and brainstorming camp games. Katie already had an opportunity to share her story of coming to faith in Christ with a young man named Dyem. Dyem has helped in the kitchen at camp for several years because his friends come here, but he has not yet placed his trust in Christ. He was very interested to hear Katie's testimony though. Please pray for Dyem over the next two weeks, that we will have more opportunities to share with him and his heart would be softened.

By the way, Mike's luggage arrived today. Slava Bogu! His sky blue, 1960's style, hard sided suitcase was a little banged up, but we're very glad it's here. Thanks for your prayers. We miss you all!

Day 3

Monday, July 23rd - Day 3

We're on the overnight train from Moscow to Lipetsk as we write this. It's dark now but we had a couple hours of light to look out over the Russian countryside. Rolling green hills stretch out to the horizon with thick stands of aspen trees breaking up the grassland. We've passed several small communities with groups of 100 year old farm houses and matching barns. People in Russia say there are two different countries here: the country of Russia and the country of Moscow. It's easy to see that as we ride out of the modern city with 12 million people, Mercedes and BMW's parking on the sidewalk because the city is overflowing with cars, and hotels running $2,000 per night and into the rural areas with subsistence gardens and outhouses in the backyard.

Before boarding the train at 9:00 p.m. we spent the day touring the city with Serge, an accountant with Slavic Gospel Association's Moscow office. He explained that Moscow is an ancient city, founded in 1170 A.D.. We didn't see any buildings that old, but there are many churches and buildings that date back several centuries. They are proud of their history as reflected in the many monuments and churches dedicated to battle victories, conquering generals, poets, and communist leaders. Red Square is impressive, bordered with the tall walls and towers of The Kremlin on one side and beautiful buildings and cathedrals on the other.

Throughout the city are unavoidable remnants of their communist past. A towering statue of Lenin stood right outside our hotel. His embalmed body still resides prominently in a tomb in Red Square. The buildings are decorated with stonework depicting Communist symbols. The railing in bridges show sheaves of wheat and sickles. Many subway stations have mosaics depicting the working class and bronze reliefs of Communist leaders. Serge explained that this poses a problem for the Russian leaders who want to break from Communism but also retain pride in their past and please the people, many of whom still believe in that system. It's a beautiful city though and we enjoyed our tour.

In the mid-afternoon we met up with Vadim, the main youth leader for the Tambov region. He is in charge of the camp we will help with. Vadim would like to turn part of a 30 foot high brick wall at the camp into a climbing wall. The problem is he doesn't have any experience. We happen to have two very experienced climbers in Mike and Luke who are thrilled at the chance to help put the wall together. Coincidence . . . hmmm?

It was nice to board the train and sit for a while after walking the pavement and cobblestones for hours. We had a fun time of fellowship piled into one cabin for the first couple hours. We played a card game, looked out the windows, and talked about the benefits of being around believers from other countries. We've realized it helps us see ourselves and critically analyze our Christian walks in a new light. Now the girls are next door in their cabin and we guys are in another. When the sun wakes us up in the morning we should be in Lipetsk!

P.S. The pictures show the crew in Red Square and Mike, Luke, and Dan on the train

Breakfast in Moscow

We just polished off breakfast while listening to American pop music from the 80's and 90's. There's something strange about eating hotdogs and sourcream for breakfast in a beautiful, ornate ballroom with M.C. Hammer singing "Can't Touch This" in the background. Besides the hotdogs, most of the food was very good. It was buffet style with fruit, bread, cheese, salami, yogurt, cereal, eggs, and a cooked barley dish. Everyone slept well and we are feeling adjusted to Moscow time. It's been nice to have a day in Moscow to recuperate before heading to the camp. I think we're all anxious for the "ministry" part of our trip to begin but this has been good for our bodies to have a chance to adjust. Today we'll take a tour of the city before boarding our overnight train at 10:00 p.m.

Traveling Mercies

We landed in Moscow this morning at 10:00 a.m. (midnight Poky time). We're safe, sound, and very sleepy. Although long, everyone agreed that the flight wasn't as difficult as we expected. God was very gracious and allowed us to get some sleep on board. Which is good because I think we're all going on about 5 hours of sleep over the past 48 hours.

The only problems we experienced were with our luggage. We spent two hours in Atlanta waiting in one line after another trying to track down Mike and Luke's bags. We found them eventually and Delta checked them into the system but apparently Mike's two bags didn't make it to Moscow with us anyhow. Please pray that they show up on tomorrow's flight because they hold some valuable items for camp (not to mention for Mike). If they don't show up tomorrow then we'll have to leave without them.

Team unity has been great and we've really enjoyed each other's company. Because we're so far away from home it seems to make the fellowship even sweeter with each other. I'd love to write more, but my bed is calling and it has a very loud voice right now.

p.s. The two pictures show our "bag ladies" waiting patiently in Atlanta and Amber, Katie, Nicole, Luke, and Mike posing on a bridge near our hotel in Moscow. What a photogenic crew!

Waiting in SLC airport

We showed up at the airport in Salt Lake City a full three and half hours before our flight. Our aching shoulders bearing the weight of bags carrying unicycles, ropes, crafts, and lead stones from Idaho. Maybe not the stones...but it felt like it. With no lines, we breezed through to our gate and now we wait. Luke is drinking the first of many, many lattes. Mike is buried in the book of Numbers. Amber broke a nail . . . but I think she wants to press on. Nicole is journaling. Katie is plugging in her MP3 player. And Dan is typing.

The aiport can be a little taste of heaven. Not so much the over-priced, mediocre food. It is neat to be surrounded by people of different languages, skin color, clothing, and nation. It reminds us of Rev. 7:9-10

"After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; 10 and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." "

We look forward to the day when all who trust in Christ will worship the Lord together. Until that day . . . we have missions. Thanks for your prayers as we head out on this adventure. We'll try to keep you posted.

Prayer Calender

Friday, July 20
Psalm 96:3 "Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples."
Pray for traveling mercies and divine appointments as the group leaves tonight and travels as far as Atlanta. Today's verse is the team's theme verse.

Saturday, July 21

1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing."
Pray for team unity during the upcoming trip. The group leaves Atlanta this afternoon for Russia.


Sunday, July 22
Psalm 121:71 "The Lord will protect you from all evil."
Pray for quick recovery from jet lag as the team arrives in Moscow. Ask God to keep everyone healthy and safe in the days ahead.


Monday, July 23
Psalm 4:8 "In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for Thou alone, O Lord, dost make me to dwell in safety."
The group spends the day in Moscow and travels overnight to Lipetsk. Pray for everyone to sleep throughout the trip.


Tuesday, July 24
1 Corinthians 16:14 "Let all that you do be done in love."
The team arrives at the camp today where beginning Friday they will be ministering to 80 high school aged young people. Pray for bonds of Christian love to develop between our group members and the Russian counselors.


Wednesday, July 25
Genesis 31:49 "...May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from the other."
Pray for Dan's family while he is gone. Ask God to give Sarah grace and patience as she takes care of the children and deals with day to day issues.


Thursday, July 26
Acts 1:8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."
On this last day before the campers arrive, pray for God to equip all of the camp staff so they can effectively proclaim the gospel in the week ahead.


Friday, July 27
Isaiah 55:11 "So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it."
As camp begins today, pray for the team members to rely totally on God as they reach out to the campers with the love of Christ.


Saturday, July 28
John 6:35 "Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.'"
This is today's theme verse. Each day of the camp is focused on one of the "I am" statements of Christ. Pray that the testimonies of the team members will be powerful and used by God to draw the campers to Christ. Pray for accurate translation.


Sunday, July 29
John 8:38 "Jesus said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I AM.'"
Pray that today's theme verse will come alive through the skits, music and discussion.


Monday, July 30
John 10:9 "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."
This is today's theme verse. Pray for our team's devotions this week, focusing on heaven and living with an eternal perspective.


Tuesday, July 31
John 10:14 "I am the good shepherd; and I know My own, and My own know Me."
Pray that good relationships are developing between the campers and the counselors. Today's theme is the good Shepherd - how God cares for us.


Wednesday, August 1
John 11:25-26 "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
Pray that today's theme of resurrection and eternity will prove to be powerful, as the campers consider their own eternity.


Thursday, August 2
John 14:6 "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.'"
Pray that today's theme verse will prompt many questions and that the counselors will have answers that point the campers to Christ.


Friday, August 3
John 15:1 "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser."
On this last day of camp, pray for many decisions for Christ.


Saturday, August 4
2 Thessalonians 3:3 "but the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one."
Our team travels to Tambov today. Pray for safe travel and spiritual protection.

Sunday, August 5
Psalm 119:18 "Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Thy law."
The group attends church in Tambov today and travels overnight by train to Moscow. Pray for the team to continue to be amazed by our awesome God.

Monday, August 6
Matthew 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit."
Our team returns home today. Praise the Lord! Pray that this trip created a passion for missions in our college students.

Location, location

In case you're wondering where Tambov is...

The camp we will minister at is actually located in the oblast (state) to the west near the town of Lipetsk (not shown).

Trip itinerary:

Here's a rough itinerary for the days we're gone.

Friday, July 20th:
Leave Pocatello ~ 6:00 p.m.
Depart SLC 11:59 p.m

Saturday, July 21st:
Arrive Atlanta 5:30 a.m.
Depart Atlanta 3:40 p.m.

Sunday, July 22nd:
Arrive Moscow 10:30 a.m.
SGA driver picks us up at the airport, takes us to our hotel
Spend remainder of Sunday at hotel or nearby

Monday, July 23rd:
Tour Moscow with guide
Board overnight train to Lipetsk

Tuesday, July 24th
Arrive in Lipetsk (probably around 8:00 a.m.), picked up at train station and taken to Transformation Christian Center (camp)
Prepare camp for campers; practice skits, testimonies, music, etc.; bond with Russian camp coordinators

Wednesday, July 25th - Thursday, July 26th
Prepare camp for campers; practice skits, testimonies, music, etc.; bond with Russian camp coordinators

Friday, July 27th – Friday, August 3rd
Camp with 80 Russian high school students

Saturday, August 4th
Travel to Tambov with Russians

Sunday, August 5th
Fellowship and Worship at the central church in Tambov
Board overnight train for Moscow

Monday, August 6th
Depart Moscow 1:10 p.m., arrive Atlanta 5:00 p.m.
Depart Atlanta 9:15 p.m., arrive SLC 11:06 p.m.
Arrive in beautiful Poky at about 2:30 a.m. – unless we are too tired to drive safely and need to stay in a motel :)

Testing...

Less than two weeks to go! This is a test of our blog. We hope to update it daily while we are traveling and in country.