September 13, 2005
Dear Friends in Christ!
I was at the circus twice this summer with visiting groups. One
of the best acts of the program was that of the jugglers. They
worked in a team of four, with individual jugglers moving in and
out of the flow. Now and then they would drop one of their pins,
but not often. The fluidity of motion that they achieved was a
thing of great beauty. One tends to focus on the movement of the
pins, as they arc through the air. Looking at the jugglers themselves,
I saw their rapt attention and effort to maintain the rhythm and
the flow. I imagine that their first attempts at juggling were
not so fluid and rhythmic, that they had to find the rhythm each
time they tried something new.
My thoughts about juggling have run parallel with thoughts about
life in general and our work more specifically. With as many as
five groups at once in Russia this past summer—and 10 groups
overall—there were many times when I felt like a juggler
as I managed the logistics of it all. In reality, I think that
most of us lead lives that require a great deal of juggling. Juggling
can be exciting and beautiful, but only if we center ourselves
and find the rhythm. When we find the right rhythm, our lives
flow smoothly and we are able to accomplish many things at once.
When we add something new to what we are doing, it takes a period
of adjustment to find a new balance and rhythm, so that things
flow smoothly. When challenges come, our balance is disrupted.
It is at those times that we must re-center ourselves and reconnect
with the source of beauty, rhythm, and harmony. That source of
course is that still small voice, the Holy Spirit, guiding us
gently on the course chosen for us. When we stray from that course
or ignore it, the rhythm is lost and life is just a frantic effort
to keep the pins in the air.
Sometimes, even when we feel like things are flowing rhythmically,
events occur to knock our feet out from under us and send the
pins flying. Some of you already know that for our family, that
happened last month, when we got word that Al’s brother
had died unexpectedly. We had lots of pins in the air at the time.
We were in the midst of the last group visit of the summer, and
Al was getting ready for the start of a new school year. When
the pins go flying they can only be picked up again one at a time,
and it is necessary to prioritize which pins need to be picked
up first. We scurried to get Al a flight back to the States, and
then the girls and I focused on working with the group. As overwhelmed
as I felt in those days, I know that the prayers and support of
that group that were with us, our Russian colleagues, and those
friends Stateside who knew what had happened helped us to re-center,
to find the strength to put one foot in front of the other and
seek the rhythm again.
I have been following the news of Hurricane Katrina and the havoc
that storm has wrought on lives along Gulf Coast. All the pins
went flying when that storm struck, and it looks like its going
to be a slow and painstaking process to pick them up again. I
can only imagine the confusion, frustration, and despair that
have flooded people’s lives with the floodwaters of that
storm. I give thanks for all that Presbyterians across our country
are doing to help restore hope in those shattered communities.
Many of our Russian colleagues have shared that their congregations
are holding the Gulf region in prayer. There is hope, hope in
our Lord, Jesus Christ, who stands beside us in the valley of
the shadow of death. May the Gulf Coast residents feel strengthened
and renewed by all the prayers that are being lifted for them
and encouraged by the hands of Christ outstretched through volunteers.
In Russia, the end of summer returned our attention to the shattered
lives of Beslan. It is only a year ago that so many families were
torn apart by the violence at School #1. Many articles have focused
on the fear, anger, and despair that still haunt people’s
lives. They have not found the strength and courage to even begin
to pick up the pins that scattered. Many huddle in the refuge
of their homes, afraid to leave. The church continues to work
in this place, trying to bring healing and wholeness. Please remember
the families of Beslan in your prayers.
Our lives are returning to a state of normalcy. Al returned to
Russia in time for the beginning of school. He is back to teaching
full time at Hinkson Christian Academy, the school our girls attend.
This year Al is teaching Algebra 2, Geometry, and Advanced Math,
Calculus and Physical Science. Meg, a ninth grader, is in two
of those classes. So far, we are all chuckling.
Emma is now a third grader and enjoying her new teacher. This
fall, Emma joined the Moscow Youth Soccer League for the very
first time. After years of resistance, I’m actually enjoying
going to her games each Saturday. Allison, our oldest, is now
back at college beginning her senior year. I have had a couple
of quiet weeks to get things organized again. Our first fall group
arrives in a few days. I think the logistics are in order. In
mid-October, I return to the United States for a couple of conferences,
including the Global Mission Conference at Peachtree Presbyterian
Church in Atlanta. I hope to see some of you there.
I know how important getting home and back to routine has been
for our family. We pray for all those people stranded by the storm
that they can feel the love of Christ surrounding and uplifting
them so that they can put one foot in front of the other and pick
up the scattered pins of their lives. We pray also that they will
find their way home soon.
May the juggling of our lives be a thing a beauty and an act
of praise to our Lord, Jesus Christ. May the peace and blessings
of our Lord be with each of you.
In His hands,
Ellen & Al
The 2005 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
187
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