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