May 28, 2005

Dear Friends!

Greetings to you in the name of our risen Lord!

The days grow noticeably longer, and the nights shorter, and we are beginning to have warm summer days interspersed with the cool rainy days of spring. The sun is up by 6:00 a.m. and does not set until after 9:00 p.m. By June 21, it will still be light at 11:00 p.m. Fortunately, we do not experience the “white nights” in Moscow. They’re rather disorienting.

Our first group of the summer caught their flight home yesterday. This past week, we have had the pleasure of hosting Charlotte Walker and Janet Deavor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Charleston, South Carolina. From the beginning, their visit was full of “Russian moments.” Al got caught in traffic and did not make it home in time for the taxi to the railroad station. He came by metro, arriving seven minutes before departure. On our return, Moscow experienced a full blackout when a transformer blew at one of the power stations, causing a cascading shut down across the whole city, the region, and several adjoining regions. Even our cell phones ceased to function. By some miracle, our apartment was back on line when we made it home. The next day, the elevators in our building broke, forcing us to hike down eleven stories. Fortunately, they were fixed by the time we got back, saving us the hike up. For all these aggravating “Russian moments,” though, there were bountiful warm and wonderful “Russian moments” in fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ in Vologda.

I find it impossible to capture all the different dimensions of this visit. Through Charlotte and Janet, the two churches began to get to know one another and find those points of connection that create deep bonds. The congregation in Vologda is warm and loving, so their ministry is deep and rich. We saw some new and exciting models that need to be replicated.

Early Saturday morning, the pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Pavel, met us at the station. Al and I had shared in advance that Westminster Presbyterian Church was particularly interested in outreach to children, so they prepared to show us as much of their children’s ministry as possible. Their work in this sphere is led by Galina Nikolaevna, a former schoolteacher. She has a heart and a gift for this work. We were deeply touched by her warmth and fully understood how children would be drawn to her.

Our first visit was to a foster home, a new model for orphan care in Russia. The family has fought for the right to take children into their home and care for them as their own. The parents have become a resource for teachers struggling to manage orphans and at-risk children in their classrooms.

The model they have created is the best we have seen. At this point, they are at the limit of what the state will allow, but they are a resource for others who might feel the call. The church sees this as a better model and hopes to emulate it some day.

After worshipping with the congregation on Sunday morning, we had lunch with a group of elderly women that lunch together each Sunday, alternating homes. It was a chance to talk deeply and get to know one another better. After lunch, we went to visit Lyudmila Grigorievna and her daughter Lena. Galina was there ahead of us, waving from the balcony.

Lena is 27. When she was 6, she had an accident at nursery school. A severe head injury left a cyst on the brain. Since that time she has had five major operations. Lena’s balance is very poor, one arm is paralyzed, and she must take medication for epilepsy, but she writes poetry and short stories.

Lyudmila is also on medical disability, having an artificial hip. She is a nurse and must work, as their pensions do not cover their medical expenses, but it can be very painful for her to stand for long shifts. Galina is a shining light in their lives, visiting regularly, sharing her faith with them, and working on craft projects with Lena. Lyudmila and Lena want to be baptized, but Lyudmila is terrified of water. Pastor Pavel gently encourages her to overcome her fear. The church prays for Lyudmila and Lena regularly.

On Monday, we visited a center for those with Down Syndrome. It is unusual for families to keep their handicapped children, but still some do. Often, the father abandons the family. Families with handicapped children feel cut off from society. Russians are more likely to feel pity than see potential. We were deeply impressed and encouraged by the work of this center. Children with Down Syndrome are now being educated in schools, but adults missed this opportunity. The center provides a ministry, offering lessons for their clients and providing family with some respite. Galina is at the center each week. We watched as she taught a Bible lesson and worked with the group on an art project. Then everyone played a game of Bible concentration. The group knew the stories associated with each picture. Galina and Irina, the center’s director, are challenging the clients to reach their fullest potential.

On Monday afternoon, we visited an orphanage outside of Vologda. It is a smaller facility with about 36 children. Church members have each taken one child to sponsor. They pray for their child, gather small gifts for holidays, and visit, especially if the child is hospitalized. Galina visits the orphanage every other week with lessons.

Our last visit, on Tuesday, was to an old folks home. Interestingly, the word they use for this home is the same that they use for orphanages—”internat.” The residents are people without family. The older sisters from the church joined us for this visit. They have felt a particular call to this ministry, and I could see the bond as they mingled with the residents. They put on a concert for the residents and shared their faith.

Like so many of the Baptist churches in Russia, Emmanuel Baptist church has endured ugly slander, but they have not fought back and their ministry has silenced those against them. They have been praying for a partner for two and a half years, a partner from whom they could glean ideas and with whom they could reach further to minister to the weak and suffering. Westminster Presbyterian Church has been praying too. Deeply committed to children’s ministry in their own community, they have sensed a call to reach out internationally as well and a call to Russia in particular. The prayers of these two churches on far sides of the ocean have come together.

Our new friends are safely home. They have much to think about and to share.

Peace and blessings,

Ellen and Al

The 2005 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 187