July 3

Today was a day filled with lots of learning! We started the day with breakfast (cereal), and then devotions outside followed by quiet time to be with God. Then us non-Russians (there are 4 of us) had a seminar in Russian culture. Some of the things we learned:

- Russians are very tidy in their own spaces (their homes are always clean and neat). Public spaces are not clean (a result of communism - if it belongs to everybody it belongs to nobody...therefore nobody takes responsibility for the public spaces

- Russians have no word in their language for "privacy" - another result of communism - they may not knock, give you space, etc. They will also ask bold, invasive questions.

- Russians are very blunt and direct

- they like to sit around and drink tea - being late for something is a normal thing here

- life is a daily fight for survival - Russia does not have good benefit systems, health care, etc.

- a respectful appearance is very important to Russians. They always wear a nice outfit when they go out - never frumpy - many Russians can only afford to have one nice outfit, so they always wear it out. They take very good care of it. They also care a lot about their shoes - the are shoe shining stops, and also people will stop and clean their own shoes while they are out.

- Russians are unpredictable, spontaneous - don't generally plan ahead

- Russians are hospitable - they want to present a good home for your visit

- the "Russian Soul" guides daily life -  it is whe all the feelings are and is unpredictable and uninhibited (ie. one day their soul may have done a lot of work but the next day their soul is not feeling up to it.)

- Russian society has lots of corruption

- many new Christians have come from prison, drugs, etc.

- theft is a big issue

- Russians don't like to keep the law - especially if no one is looking - therefore the law is very punitive 

- most families are divorced, with the father missing. Therefore "grandmothers carry the country on their shoulders", men are irresponsible

- health is very important to Russians - therefore using a healthy body as a metaphor for explaining the gospel is effective

- avoid political conversations with Russians - they believe westerners have a political agenda and are trying to change Russia

- Russia covers 11 time zones

- the population of Russia is 145 million

Church differences:

- 70% say they are orthodox (they know about Christianity but are not committed believers - only about 2-4% go to church

- we believe that we all sin but God has given us the gift of Jesus to bridge the gap. God loves us and has saved us even though we are sinners

- Orthodox believes they are "getting into shape" to be in God's kingdom - God gives his grace and that helps them on their way to salvation. Salvation happens gradually - it is a journey they don't finish until they get to heaven. 

- we want to bridge the gap between church and life

- Orthodox sees them as separate - they want to leave the corrupt world and get salvation

 - we sing joyful thanks to God for saving us

- they sing minor songs praying for mercy

- orthodox Sunday services are 2 hours with 2 or 3 sermons & communion. People can only take communion if they have gone through confession. 

- new Christians have to pray a prayer of repentance in front of their church congregation, then do a discipleship program, and then get asked questions by the board. The board votes on whether or not they should become a member of the church. If they are voted in, they then proceed with baptism.

Next we had a team meeting and discussed what we wanted to bring to the experience and what we wanted to get out of it. Then we got a run down of where and when we are going. 

For Friday and Saturday we will be doing a kids club at the orphanage in Yurga for three ours in the morning. After lunch we will do practical work around the orphanage like painting the walls

On Sunday we will go to church and then do some sightseeing in Yurga.

Monday and Tuesday we are at an orphanage in Tomsk doing the kids camp we did in Yurga with practical work after lunch. On Tuesday evening we will get together to pray and discuss how things went.

On Wednesday we will be going to an outdoor museum to learn about Russian culture.

For Thursday, Friday & Saturday we will live in tents near an orphanage in Kemerovo. There will be no running water, and they will dig a hole under a small tent for the bathroom. We will be cooking meals over a fire. :) For these three days we will do a kids club in the mornings at an orphanage and then in the afternoons at a school.

Saturday night we will move to a local church and have rest. Then a Sunday sermon, sharing testimonies, food, and then come back to OM in Novosibirsk.

During our trip we will ride on a ship twice to get to the different locations.

After the meeting we had lunch (sausage, potatoes & salad), and then had a Russian language lesson. Then we did worship and prayer together, followed by another team meeting. At this meeting we planned our roles for the camp and learned the schedule and activities.

Then we had a BBQ outside. It was raining, so we gathered under a parachute hung over a trampoline frame. I had cucumber and tomatoes. I'm going to need a granola bar before bed!

Then we had a third team meeting and finished planning the rest of camp. 

I have so much more to say but once again I can't keep my eyes open!! 

Oh - and my luggage finally came! Yay!!!!!