Terry's Russia Blog

Striking Pictures from Russia a Century Ago

Here is a link that I think you might enjoy.  These are pictures from Russia in 1909 and 1910 - in color!

Russia in Color

 

Missing America Today

After living in Russia for nearly twelve years and having lived in several other countries before that I have grown accustomed to being in a foreign culture.

However,there are those moments when you just miss being home.

Today is one such "moment". These moments can sometimes last for days, depending on the season or circumstances surrounding you. This is of course time for the American Thanksgiving holiday - simply my favorite time of the year!

After navigating the combat zone known as a Russian grocery store, where you must do battle with the babushki and their out-of-control carts, the stock clerks with their forklifts and pallets in the middle of the aisles to the grumpy cashiers, we stopped in at the brand new Starbucks. Wow!!!

Greeted by a friendly staff who actually spoke good English I was suddenly back home. The whole place is decorated for Christmas (which they don't do) with gingerbread coffee and Christmas blend and new cups of all types. Next week they will have pumpkin cake and cranberry. Oh, my!

They even play American music. How cool is that?!

I am going to miss the turkey and football this year. Sometimes just being there is the only cure. Most of our American friends don't really know what it feels like and that makes it difficult to relate our feeling on this one. Even celebrating a Thanksgiving dinner with our friends here overseas is difficult since that is a work day in Russia. Trying to mesh everyone's schedule is a logistics nightmare sometimes. On the actual holiday Terri is teaching three hours in the seminary and I teach and hour and a half.

It was nice though to step into Starbucks and relax for a few today.

Veteran's Day - A Day of Honor

Today is a day of remembrance and honor.  Honor is something that U.S. military men and women are taught from the outset of their training.  Without honor there is no cohesion as a unit, no respect for authority and no purpose for serving.  Soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen and coasties who do not embrace this fundamental aspect of military service are considered misfits and a burden on those soldiers who must carry their weight.  

Without honor, military members cannot endure multiple deployments in overseas areas with the required motivation.  With this sense of honor and duty however, they excel and are promoted more quickly than those who are just biding their time and waiting for that "freedom bird" and that coveted twenty year letter. 

It is blaringly obvious that those in society who skirt service of country hold a different set of principles.  Instead of honor there is self-promotion.  Instead of the love of country and freedom there is only the use of others and the greedy attitude of a taker instead of a server.  Those young people who choose not to serve their country often look for ways to sign up on the public dole in some form or fashion.  That attitude can even come from the top.

When our representatives travel abroad to apologize for the United States, calling governments such as Indonesia a great nation, a government, which oppresses freedom of speech and religion, it is a thumb in the eye of every service member standing watch at his or her post, eating dust and enduring hardships that people at home in their comfy rockers, watching football and eating turkey never dream of. 

Our military derseves the highest honor.  Today at least, we should give it to them. 

Ministry in the Urals Region

Last week, Terri and I flew out to the Ural Mountains to hold a pastor's conference with our friends, Sergei and Natasha Bagretsov.  They are directors of Good News Association of Pastors and Churches for Russia and Ukraine. 

It was, frankly good to visit one of the cities out of the Moscow region.  Part of our survival mechanism for living in this montrous city is to visit other regions of Russia and other countries from time to time.  It isn't just us, the Russians themselves also do this as often as possible.  In fact, they will drive for three hours on friday night (or more) just to get out of town to their dacha and return in brutal traffic jams on Saturday or Sunday nights.  Quite a price to pay just for a day's break from the city. 

We weren't just going on a weekend trip though.  This conference has been planned for some time and Terri and I enjoy serving the Russian pastors and their wives and leaders very much.  They too enjoy getting some in-depth ministry for their weekend.  Often they travel quite a distance to attend. 

Terri taught several sessions with some very pratical application regarding how to counsel their people.  She calls it "Soul Care" since that is a more Biblical way to name it.  (Hebrews 13:17)  Those pastors were very thankful for gaining some practical tools, which they could immediately begin implementing in their ministries.  It enabled them to do their jobs much more effectively and easily. 

The weather there was colder than Moscow.  While we were there the rain turned into a heavy snow storm. 

The city itself has been used as a major source of industry for Russia since the 1930's.  It was in Chelyabinsk that the famous T-34 tanks were developed to fight off the Germans.  Those tanks changed the war. It was once called Tankagrad.

After WWII, atomic energy and weapons were delveloped there and the city was closed until the early 90's.  In the 1950's there was a major atomic accident with many casualties.  There are at least five nuclear power plants there today, supplying power to the area.  It is listed as one of the most polluted places on the planet!  It is quite a barren landscape there as well.  Nothing but rocks and lakes, apparently from an ancient glacier.  The name Chelyabinsk comes from the local, ancient dialect meaning a hole in the ground.

The fact that we are able to take the message of Christ into places like these is humbling.  There is always a need and we have never seen an apathetic face at any of these meetings.  It is quite refreshing!  It is also quite a privilege. 

 

Elections in the U.S. are Still Effective

President James Garfiled is quoted as once saying,  "Now, more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature. If the next centennial does not find us a great nation it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces."

History shows us whether he is right or not about the 20th century in America.  I believe we have had good leaders, great leaders and some poor leaders.  The point I make is this:  In the U.S., a citizen's vote is a real vote, which is taken into account.  There, you do not have to choose between one evil crook against another evil crook or take your life into your hands if you cast a ballot, fearing a bullet when you leave the balloting station.  In the U.S. your freedom is in tact.

Some will say that they're all evil crooks.  To that I say, "You need to travel more."

America, cast your vote this year.  It counts.  You are responsible for the character of the congress.