If you read my post about going to Olga’s place in Zol’noye and praying for her son, Maxim, who has relapsed into drug use, you will certainly feel like rejoicing along with me when you hear about the “p.s.” of the story. This past Sunday I went to the service at Tree of Life Church. I wanted to seetheir new building (still in progress) and congratulate Pastor Alex and his wife, Ann, on this great step of faith. All of that happened, and so much more. Pastor Alex invited me to stay after the service and minister to the residents…
A short stroll down memory lane in Kuromoch
Some of my earliest and dearest memories of Russia come from the small town (aka village) of Kuromoch, about 20 miles from Samara, near the airport. Here, at the home of my friend Vera’s mom, I had my first banya, my first sip of kvass, and my first (and best) shashleek meal. That was 14 years ago. Yesterday I spent the day with Vera and her husband, Volodya, at this same little house in the village. Sadly, her mom passed away 4 years ago. I still carry the travelers icon she gave me in my wallet. Vera and Volodya live…
A day on the Volga–an opportunity to show I care
With a little bit of trepidation, I agreed to get on a boat with a new friend, Olga (I don’t even know her last name), and travel 2 1/2 hours up the Volga to her home in Zol’noye, a small town (I would call it a village) right on the riverbank, where people live quiet, peaceful lives away from the noise, heat, and general stress of the big city. My trepidation had two facets–one, that Olga speaks NO English. Zero. That put the burden on me to communicate and comprehend. No easy task, I guarantee you. And she LOVES to…
Why Passion Matters
In the past ten or so years that I’ve been invited to teach Bible studies at the Salvation Rehabilitation Center near Pestravka, Russia, one of the frustrating but inevitable aspects of the process is recidivism (or, in their more direct vocabulary: failing.) It’s not unusual to see “familiar faces” at the Center, and not because they decided to stop by and say hello. It’s tough out there, folks. Life on a farm in the country is nothing like “real” life in the city. Temptations abound. Old friends carry peer pressure in their back pockets. And, without prospects of education opportunity…
Samara in Spring
Such a feast for the eyes and nose! I think I timed my trip just right–not too late for the lilac and tulips, and in plenty of time to enjoy the peonies (about a week away). The warm weather is encouraging the flowers to open so there is something to enjoy around every corner. Yes, I’m obsessed with my new camera and its ability to take such detailed close ups. Another perk of warm weather in Samara is the embankment of the Volga River and its sandy beaches. And if you can’t get to the beach – the…