I felt surrounded by drab decay
and a sea of unsmiling faces, but out of the crowd emerged a couple,
the pastor and his wife. From their eyes spilled light. It is
a quality that I have seen again and again, as I have gotten to
know my fellow Christians here in Russia. In the midst of difficult,
often oppressive circumstances, the light shines from them in
sharp and radiant contrast to the struggle around them.
Our family began 2004 in the United States, with five months
of itineration. It wasn’t easy to return to the United States—we
actually felt more culture shock returning to our own country
than we had in coming to Russia. We couldn’t figure out
why so many individuals drove large SUVs and minivans. Stores
were overwhelming—so much stuff. The news carried so many
stories of thoughtless acts of violence. We felt like strangers
in a strange land, but then we began visiting churches and we
knew we were home. We found in those walls the light once more.
We were impressed with all the ways that your churches are reaching
out with love and compassion to your neighbors. Being with you
refreshed us, restored us, and gave us the strength and energy
we needed for the rather gruelling schedule we had.
We have been back in Russia since early June and have experienced
the usual challenges and frustrations of living in Russia. Everything
is more complicated and time consuming here, but there is very
little choice, so one just puts one foot in front of the next
and keeps going. Al and I have been working together full time
this fall. It has been good to take some trips together, as we
have set out to get to know new churches. In January, he’ll
begin teaching again, but only part time. As much as he has enjoyed
reconnecting with the churches, he has missed the classroom. Teaching
in the mornings will allow him to have the best of both worlds.
Our girls are all back at the schools that they love. Meg and
Emma enjoyed being in Louisville this year and made friends with
the other missionary families staying in the furlough home at
Louisville Seminary. Meg emails often with Salome Boyd in Cameroon.
Still, they were glad to get back to Russia. They are already
“third culture kids” and felt a bit like aliens in
the United States. They may feel like aliens here too, but at
least here they’re supposed to feel like aliens. Meg is
now in the 8th grade and has lots of activities. She helps out
with the school’s AWANA program, has joined the JV basketball
team and is part of a Bible study. She hopes to play volleyball
in the spring. Emma, now a second grader, participates in the
AWANA program. A great joy for them this fall was that I finally
gave in and allowed a dog, a cocker spaniel named Snickers. The
cat and I are managing.
Our oldest, Allison, is a junior at Carleton College. We had
several short visits with her, but then she joined us this past
summer and is now here for Christmas. She’s so busy while
at school that it’s hard to feel in touch, but it doesn’t
take us long to get caught up again.
We have learned something in our travels here. We are truly one
family in Christ and His love is enough. May His light shine through
us. There is a great deal of darkness in the world, but it has
not overcome the light.
Our warmest wishes to each of you for the joys of the Christmas
season.
With love in Christ,
Ellen, Al, Allison, Meg and Emma Smith
P.S. I may attend a conference in Arizona this April. I would
be glad to explore the possibility some churches, if anyone is
interested. I plan to be in the Philadelphia area and the Phoenix
area from March 31 to April 18.
The 2005 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
187
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