The Annoying Common Cold

Hello Everybody,

I was encouraged to see that someone posted a comment to my last post. It makes one feel a bit of vindication when you get a response to something like that.

Anyway, this last November for me can be characterized by a languishing common cold and bit of stomach issues that had me in the bathroom longer than I wanted. Hoorah! Gotta' love living in a foreign country. Granted I am not certain what caused the stomach issues, so it could have been my bachelor skills, or the lack there of, that lead to that fun little episode (please note the sarcasm beginning to pool at the top of your screen). These wonderful illnesses effectively took me out of my normal life for about two weeks. No worries, all is well now and, praise God, these kind of illnesses are a rarity for me.

I still haven't found anyone to celebrate Thanksgiving with here. As you know they don't celebrate it in Russia. However, they do celebrate Alexander Pushkin's birthday; a very famous writer in Russian literature. The way they celebrated him was almost on the level of how the soviets worshiped Lenin and Stalin. In other words, in someways you could argue that the Russians have simply replaced the old soviet religion with a humanistic nationalism. Granted, I know for certain that this nationalism isn't anywhere near as strong or widespread as communism was. In general, one can say that the totalitarian state that existed under communism no longer exists, and for the most part the "little" people who aren't in power are free to do what they want. Things get trickier when you have a lot of money or are in some seat of power. At this point you begin to wonder how much of a democracy they have here. With all of that said, I eschew discussing Russian politics as much as possible as it is none of my business and could get me kicked out of the country; to which I say no thanks. I will simply pray for the leaders and those in power.

On a completely different note, my experience this time around in Russia has been largely focused on ministering to foreigners. Namely those students that are studying the Russian language with me at the university. In particular, I have been able to help three Korean students find a home church while they are here in Russia. I've also had quite a few discussions about the differences between Judaism and Christianity with my American roommate. I don't know if the things that I tell him are changing his mindset, but none the less I will continue to plant seeds and pray for him.

So, as of now, most of my ministry to Russians this semester has been to those at my church, or to Russians in general through prayer. On one hand I miss the corporate prayer times I had with my friends in Chicagoland, but the times of prayer I've had here in Russia just between me and God have been tremendous. My room has a great view of a hockey arena and the largest Orthodox Christian cathedral in Khabarovsk, so often I found myself praying for those who attend the hockey games and in general pray for the leadership of the Orthodox church. Of course, this doesn't keep me from praying for all of the Russians as a whole. But that's not all, what makes prayer so wonderful to me is that it truly can be a conversation with God. So often we talk at God in our prayer time, when we should at least pause every once in awhile and listen for His voice. After awhile of trying to listen for God's voice it will get easier. You simply have to believe that He is the God who speaks, and answers and wants to talk with us. Sure it may not be exactly like a conversation with your earthly friends, mother or pastor, but the more we believe that He answers and rewards our pursuit of Him the deeper will our relationship with God be. Of course, the better we know God's Word we will also deepen our relationship with Him. The two work hand in hand.

Well, anyway, that's enough of me on the pulpit. And I think that will be all for now. Thanks for your prayers and comments.

Blessings,

Jason

A Bit of Life Here On the Streets

Hello everybody,

I am still working on getting this blog updated on a regular basis. Things are slowly settling into some sort of normalcy, but I actually don't necessary want that. Meaning, I don't just want to sleep walk through life, doing the same thing over and over each day. My heart is to follow God wherever that may be. That includes the street evangelism ministry that I believe God is leading me to. This last month and a half I have not been able to do much about this ministry because I have been busy settling the practical every day issues of life, e.g. what meals should I eat, how should I go about studying Russian etc. I say this to say that I haven't really had the chance to walk the streets of Khabarovsk and pray ... that is until this week.

When I finally found myself with no place to be other than where God wants, I felt at peace. Basically I realized that I'd been so busy, that my relationship with God had slipped a bit. And in particular I noticed that I missed our times when God and I walked and talked on the streets. So it was a great blessing to finally get back to that this last week.

In this particular session, I found myself in the in-between place. That is to say that I was off the main streets and effectively was in people's back yards. Back yards here in Khabarovsk aren't what we think of, however. I am referring to the courtyard between apartment buildings where people can access the foyers that lead to their apartments. This area also doubles as a playground and general hangout. In other words, this is the place where most tourists won't go, and according to most American tastes isn't that pretty. In fact, it is characterized by rusty iron playground equipment and concrete everywhere; concrete stoops, concrete building facades, concrete walkways, concrete, concrete, concrete concrete ... the Soviets loved the stuff. And most concrete structures have been around for awhile. I once saw a stair case connecting the street to the courtyard that actually didn't have any concrete. All that was left was the rybar (metal bars that they put in the concrete to strengthen it, obviously this time it didn't work).

However, in my opinion this particular building material has taken a part in killing architecture here. On the other hand the architecture is being revived a bit by infusing the new buildings with accents of old tsarist Russian architecture. For example, some apartment buildings have roofs that are similar to the onion domes found on the Orthodox cathedrals. The difference being that they use modern building material.

Anyways, besides making a few observations here and there on the streets I didn't hear much from God, other than He is reassured me that He is working things out in the background. Either way I was simply extactic to find myself where I know I belong, and the details of how I minister to people on the street will work themselves out in time.

Besides what's happening on the streets, I have decided to switch to the easier Russian class which focuses on grammar and speaking. So far this has been a good decision despite the fact that most in the class are at very different levels of comprehension and conversation. Either way, I find it easier to ask questions and have been learning more than in the other class.

On another note, I forgot how many people here want to learn english. Last time I was in Russia it was mainly Russian students which asked me to help me with their English, but this time around, a couple of pastors children and a Korean student asked me to help them. I am not certain what to do. I want to help, but it's easy to lose focus and find oneself doing all kinds of little things that may not necessarilly be what God had in mind. With that said, I am simply putting off a lot until next semester. For now I am focusing on the language and my own personal relationship with God which I am certain will lead to what God does have in mind for me to do in particular.

Speaking of which, I was able to counsel a young Korean christian to find a church and not be turned away by the things other Christians do. In other words, part of our relationship with God occurs when we are arround other Christians, not to mention that God doesn't want us to forsake the assembly of the saints. Furthermore, God can also use our unique point of view to help other Christians get closer to God; amongst many other things.

So I have probably bored whoever came upon this blog already, so I will sign off for now. God bless all who travel the road with Christ. And for those who have not yet met God, I hope you will soon get to know Him personally.

Blessings,

Jason

I've made it to Russia just fine. No problems really. It took a while to get through customs at the airport in Khabarovsk, but this wasn’t because anything was wrong; I was just at the end of the line. The pastor and a couple of friends waited patiently and we went straight to the dorm. All worked out well and the next day I was in class. There is a possibility that I will be able to live in my own room by myself, but for now I live in a room that may include two others. This will all depend on how many foreign students enroll in classes. I’ll hopefully know better soon. As of now I am in that room alone. However, there is another American in the small room next to mine with whom I share the bathroom. I will tell you about him later.

I just got back yesterday from a Royal Rangers camping trip and have so much to write about it that you'll probably see another post a bit later.

On the other hand, basically all is well, praise God!


Blessings,

Jason

As you can tell this is your run of the mill blog. However, I want you to use a little bit of faith to envision that eventually you will come to this address and find all kinds of wonderful information. This may include, but not be limited to, the following: A weekly update about what God is doing in the mission He has given me to reach the Russian people with His love, an archive of my monthly newsletters, and, of course, various notes that you wish to leave amongst whatever else may come to my mind. So please have patience as the vision becomes manifested. :)

Blessings,

Jason