Russia 2002
Yes, I know this is not up to the standards I set myself after China '99 and Russia '01. I don't even have pictures for you. I did take pictures- lots and lots- but I was so jazzed about them that I went and stuck them in my scrapbook before I even thought about scanning them. Oops.
So...The trip was pretty much the same. Harder, better, etc. Luana and I returned with Dave Bishop, David Siow, and John Selbak. Dave Jr worked with Lena, Larisa and Luana worked together, Dave Sr stayed with and worked with Olga, and Lina and I were partners. Yippee! John got to work with Lina's friend Dima, our lead translator. Valera turned up a couple times, but he didn't work with us. I did enjoy visiting with him, though. We spent most of our time wandering the streets and swimming in the river. It was really hot, so everyone was at the river. We played with the kids, swam, talked, had fun, got beat up in the water by adoring fans, and did our best to love the people and somehow reach them. It was great.
After a week of work, the police decided we didn't have the right visas, and we had to stop. It was Friday afternoon. All we had left was the rally that night, which we cancelled. We were under house arrest. We could stay at church or go home. They threatened deportation! It was the best day. We all felt proud to have this happen. There was no danger or threat of any kind for us, but we knew we were doing something right, because the whole week had gone that way- roadblocks everywhere and increasingly so as the week progressed. Through the trials, God was still victorious, as we saw lives change over that week. Oh, and the cancelled rally? No biggie. Everyone showed up at the church to talk with us!
When we shipped out the next day, goodbye was difficult, but not like the first time around. I began to sense that I was definitely coming back, so it wasn't like I'd never see Luba or Luda again. No, I see them now if I close my eyes. I can recall any of their faces to my mind at any time. Luba's always comes with bilingual Shout to the Lord.
Russia 2003 is coming up- July 16th. It's less than a month away. I look forward to this trip with great anticipation. All is peace, nothing is about me. Thank goodness. I'm not overly excited, but I so want to see my friends and I so long to see God's hand at work again. I need to be there...