to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord....

Dear Friends-

Tuesday was a beautiful day! The sun was been shining and melting the snow a little. I can actually see some of the sidewalks around campus now. And it was warm enough that I didn’t have to wear gloves or a hat. I thought about taking a walk but that didn’t happen:) We got out of class an hour early and Wednesday we didn’t have class because it was “Men’s Day”. A “national” holiday when they celebrate men in the military which is pretty much everybody. Once a guy reaches a certain age he has to attend like an after school military training s. That is unless he has the right diplomatic connections or has some kind of medical reason. “Women’s Day” is in March apparently. I was excited for the first day that I could sleep in since being here! By the way, my cold is gone and pretty sure I’ve seen the last of the jet lag. So that’s wonderful.

The Asian students in the classes next to mine have a 30 minute lunch break and a 10 minute break at the same time as my class. They can be very rambunctious and can do a lot of damage in just 40 minutes. The other day they played leap frog in the hall, threw tennis balls around, and were picking up multiple people at a time. One guy picked up two girls at once and was trying to flip them but he dropped them on their heads. Thankfully, they’re heads were already close to the ground but I’m sure they both have a good sized knot on their head. There are only a few of them that can hold a conversation in English with me but if a bunch of them get together they can eventually figure out how to say something in English. Monday they were trying to find out if I knew Jackie Chan… Yeah not personally… There are now two guys in my class from China. We are an odd group I must say.

Since it was such a nice day I took my time walking to and from the Golden Bird, my grocery store down the street. On my way back from the store, I happened to see a guy sprawled across the side of one of the dorm buildings. His friend was helping him out of a second story window. Apparently he doesn’t know about the easy way of exiting a building…

On my day off, I went to a museum with Tonya, her kids, and the Hinson kids. Each Russian speaker had an English speaker partner in case of getting separated from the rest of the group. Tim was my Russian buddy, official tour guide and took his job very seriously:) We all had a great time at the museum. I’ve never been to a museum that I couldn’t read the little explanations of what things are. Not being able to read anything Russian is a little like that time in your childhood when you can’t read but are ready to start learning. But yes, we all had fun and it turned out to be a very educational day off for me. When I went back to school the next day one of the guys in my class, Ivan, asked what I did for my holiday. I told him, then I asked what he did and he replied, “Party!” Soooo while I was at a museum he was somewhere getting drunk… Oh dear.
These were pics of us at the museum.

On Saturday, I saw an Asian girl walk past our door and look in that I had didn’t know. Later during our break she came into the room and went right up to me. Apparently, she has some Russian friends who told her where they could find me, the American. Between her English and my friend Anton’s translation she is going to be picking me up next week to “talk”…. I don’t know who these Russian friends are or how they knew where to find me… I wonder if there is some sign somewhere with directions on where to find the American… I should look into this. Anyway kind of random and stalkerish but she seems like a nice girl. We’ll see if, when, and where I will be picked up. After she left Anton decided to share with me that, “All the Chinese girls and boys are talking about you all the time. You are very popular.” His words, not mine. And I was just thinking how everything had quieted down from that first week. I guess I thought wrong.

Thursday I helped with a birthday party for some kids from the orphanage who were born in February. The Eshelman’s pick the kids up and bring them to the Hope Center where they play games, have cake, give presents, and just love on the kids. There were six this month that came. I’m not at a point in my Russian studies where I can just talk to the kids so I did setup, cleanup, and anything else that didn’t entail speaking in Russian. They were great kids and it was an honor to serve them. But still it gave me a kind of helpless feeling not being able to do more for them. These kids really don’t have much of a chance once they graduate from the orphanage system. Apparently there are people, gangs, and “businesses” just waiting for them to use them for illegal means. The girls likely become prostitutes and have children at a young age then they bring their own children to the orphanage because they don’t have the knowledge to raise a child. The boys are targeted by gangs and other illegal things. Russia’s orphans need a Savior. Pray for the orphans and for a change in the orphanage system.
These are pics from the birthday party...


I don’t remember if I have mentioned how much I enjoy the sermons on Sundays. This past Sunday, pastor spoke about going into the depths of God’s presence. That we should search for depth, that when we are in the depths that is when God is changing something in you, and that we should get rid of anything keeping us from the depths. Pastor said (through translation of course:), “We should never exchange Gods depth for small ponds.” An image of me splashing around in little puddles came to my mind. Yes, kind of fun and I could get decently wet. But then I imagined swimming in the deepest waters where I could see the beauty of the ocean floor. The beauty of the Lord. Pastor read Psalms 27:4 “One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek… to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord...” What better place to see His beauty than in the depths of His presence? What better place to experience His perfect love? Psalm 50:2 “From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth.” I challenge you, as I have been, to rid yourself of anything that is keeping you from the beauty of God’s presence. We need depth.

Thanks for reading my humble blog. Thank you for your prayers!! Prayer for my classes, my conversations, and that God would work everything out in His timing (not mine) managing to fit everything that He wants me to do while I’m here:) You are all AMAZING.

Miss popular,
Leah

The One and Only- American

Greetings Friends!!

I hope this finds you all well and safe. I am safe and I hope to be well from this cold in a few days. Being sick is one of the loneliest feelings you can have. But being sick in a foreign country beats that by far. Pretty sure it was the jet lag and not having enough sleep that resulted in a lowered immune system which allowed me to get sick. Anyway, I’m feeling better each day.

I’m writing to you from my dorm room as usual. Its about 5pm and there is someone playing a piano in the building. Whoever it is is very good and plays at just about the same time every day. Sometimes there are women singing and one day it sounded like elephants were dancing. But most of the time it is a pleasant sound. Other usual sounds I hear are car alarms outside, the baby next door, and heels clicking all around me. And pretty sure there is someone upstairs that teaches little children how to do something like sing and dance. Very enthusiastically. Smells differ very much. The whole floor is mostly Asian students and they like to cook their own food which smells amazing. Although someone burned their dinner last night. May have been my roommate…. Soap smell is common because many students wash their clothes in big tubs or bowls in their room. And people like to smoke in the hall. People like to smoke in the bathrooms at school too. Only for emergencies will I go in the bathrooms at school. No tp, cigarettes in the toilet, no soap, no paper towels and when you get out you smell like you just smoked 10 cigarettes. All in all a very enjoyable experience.

I wouldn’t be American or a woman if I didn’t mention more about the “clicking heels” that I constantly hear…. But first I should explain the sidewalks and walkways. It snowed here a lot during the winter and pretty much all the streets, sidewalks, and walkways have not been completely shoveled. When I walk from my room to the university building I walk on several inches of firmly packed snow. In fact, in some places it is no longer snow but ice. Needles to say, it is difficult to walk because you never know when you are going to hit an icy patch. So what kind of shoes do the women here wear? They wear boots with high, thin heels. Heels. In the firmly packed snow. And ice. Heels. I’m slipping and sliding along my merry way in flat boots just trying to stay afloat and some Russian girl clicks past me with her ridiculous boots. Very fashionable. Oh yes. But I can’t figure out how they do it!? I’ve asked some girls about it and they just say something like, “We do what we have to do” or “There aren’t many opportunities to be fashionable so we use what we’ve got.” I told my family about it and my dad thinks that maybe the heel serves as like a spike or something. I don’t know. I’ll be walking and hit a spot where its not level or where its icy and look behind me to see if the girl passing me with her boots will fall. They never do. Its probably not a very nice thing to be watching for but… it would be kind of funny. Oh I need to get saved.

Another interesting thing about Russian people is that they don’t look to the side, or play on their phone, or even slow down while walking. They just plow straight ahead. Of course there are a few exceptions but most of the time they walk very fast and are focused. Cecil said that one way people could possibly tell that I’m American is from the way I walk. I didn’t believe him at first but now I definitely do. Whenever I’m doing anything that Russians don’t usually do while walking I get funny looks. I get those looks a lot though. Especially when I’m in a public place talking with someone in English like the bus or a restaurant. I think my friend Vika is getting used to the looks we get.

I had planned to attempt to “blend in” while I was here. Just try to look and act Russian and stay out of trouble. But apparently God has another plan:) I am the only American at my university and they are proud of it. After my first two days of being here I had 7 girls’ phone numbers who spoke a little English and wanted to “talk” sometime. My first 2 days of classes there were random girls coming in to “talk with my teacher” and then would start talking to me. Word has definitely gotten out that I am there. My teachers like to announce that I am an American to anyone and everyone that they come in contact with. This includes the workers at the school café who in turn tell the whole line behind me, who in turn look at me and talk amongst themselves all though their meal, who in turn tell others. It’s a giant domino effect. And I had planned to be a chameleon… God has such a sense of humor. Har har.

There are definitely downsides to not knowing the Russian language. Like at the café at school. I don’t know what these Russian dishes are called and the workers don’t usually appreciate me pointing to things. Or at the store today. I was paying for my things and the lady said something to me. Eventually I figured out that she would have liked me to give some change if I had some but by that time the line was getting long and she just took what I gave her. Also today, I needed to put some money on my phone (phones here are basically go phones or pay as you go phones) so I went to the phone place hoping they had a machine that had an English button. No button, no machine. Only employees. Thank God they were in a good mood and understood what I wanted. I hope the same workers are there when I go at least until I can say what I want in Russian.

There are three other classrooms next to mine that are learning higher levels of Russian. That I know of they are all Chinese and South Korean students. They are very friendly and do their best to talk with me in mixed Russian and English. There are about 8 guys that thoroughly enjoy watching me get my food in the café. I’m almost sure they plan to be in there when I order just so they can watch. It’s probably the highlight of their day. But I’d probably be doing the same thing if the situation was reversed:) There is a new student in one of the other classes that speaks English pretty well so I’m excited about that.

I’m getting used to people trying to speak to me in English and they eventually start laughing and get embarrassed. Or they give up and start talking to their friends and are making fun of English or making fun of the little they know. When on break at school all of a sudden I’ll hear the Asian students randomly saying things like, “How are you? My name is… Nice to meet you.” That’s when I know they are talking about me:)

I am excited about the girls that God is putting into my life. I just pray that God will help me make time to get together with them all. It is amazing how God has put so many in my life that speak some English! It is just another reminder of how perfect Gods timing really is.

On Sunday I had my first service at a Russian church which is held at the Hope Center. The Hope Center is on the 6th floor of a commercial building downtown. Two churches hold services on Sunday and there are several events during the week. The worship service was difficult but Tonya translated the sermon for me. It was a very good sermon and I look forward to next Sunday. The people were very welcoming even though we couldn’t talk without a translator. There are a few who speak English so that’s great. Many of the people who attend this church are also involved with other things at the Hope Center like game night, prayer night, and movie night. In the pastors sermon he said, “The old wine tastes good but the new wine will taste better. The old strategies will need to be changed for the new.” Those aren’t the exact same words he said but it was like God speaking straight to my heart. The old times back home were great but the new times here will be even greater. And the things that worked well in the past will need to be changed for the new things.

I’m excited for the new things ahead. Like learning how to order something other than borscht and pancakes. Like being over this cold and the jet lag. Like being able to find my way around town on my own. Like the talks I will have with these girls. Keep praying for me. You are all amazing.

The Americanka- Leah

"Always Winter But Never Christmas..."

Greetings Friends!

I am finally writing to you from Russia! From my dorm room at the university to be exact. I arrived on Monday the 7th and it is now Wednesday the 16th so it has been a little over a week.

My trip here had its interesting moments. I left the 5th of February from St. Louis and went to Chicago’s O’Hare airport. At O’Hare, I was asking directions from one of the workers to the international terminal when the man behind me said that he was also headed that way. In fact, he was to be on my flight from Chicago to Seoul, Korea. We helped one another find our way to the terminal, print boarding passes, go through security again, and find our gate. I was very thankful for his help as well as his company as we waited for about 4 hours for our departure. He was on his way to Japan to teach English and I was on my way to learn Russian so we definitely had things to talk about. We eventually met another passenger who was on her way to visit her mother in Korea who also taught English. The Americans bonded:) The flight from Chicago to Korea was about 14 hours… Longest flight of my life and one that I am not looking forward to on the way home. I sat between two Asian guys my age which made sleeping an awkward situation. Thus I slept much of the time on the table that folds down. A pillow does wonders to those things. Okay not really.

At the Seoul airport I went through security for the third time. Hooray. I didn’t know my gate number and it didn’t show up on the screens for a few hours which was quite frustrating since I didn’t want to wander far in case my gate was nearby where I was at the time. The Seoul airport is basically a mall. It has many many stores with tons of employees. The purchases made there are duty free so pretty much everyone buys at least something. I truly believe that people fly to that airport just to go shopping. Anyway, my gate number WAS changed after I found it but it all worked out. Something about a “thick” fog. Whatever. I’ve never experienced having to listen to announcements waiting for my language to come next until flying international. It gets pretty annoying after awhile especially when you see other people getting up when you still don’t know what’s going on. Well “A” for “American” comes before “K” for “Korean” right? I know. Nice try.

I experienced the roughest landing I have ever had when coming to Khabarovsk. Also the scariest and most serious passport and visa check. I didn’t have any problems except that they wanted to weigh my suitcases. Not sure why but everything was fine after they weighed them. Probably trying to get more money out of me:) I was met outside customs by Cecil Eshelman, the missionary I’m working with. He took me to meet the rest of his family (his wife Tonya, and children Timothy, Vera, and Deanna) and to stay for the night. At the Eshelman’s place I was able to clean up and meet about 5 people who help in the ministry they have with orphans coming out of the orphanage system. One girl, Alina, knew some English so it wasn’t completely overwhelming hearing them all speak in Russian all at once. But I was pretty tired so I don’t think I could fully comprehend everything the way I normally would. But that was the first time I experienced speaking through a translator and learning to figure out what someone is saying even though you can’t speak their language. It was also the first time I have heard a group of Russian people praying. Its amazing how even though it was all in another language I didn’t feel separate from them. It didn’t matter that I couldn’t understand WHAT they were praying. I could feel Gods presence anyway in my heart. .

My first full day in Russia was definitely a FULL day in Russia. Cecil & Tonya took me to see some ice sculptures and took some pictures. Then we went to the university and signed papers, talked with lots of people, had a small tour, and met two of my instructors. It was a lot to take in and a lot to do. I believe we had to go twice to finish some things. While we were there, a student recognized Tonya and came over to say hello (well not hello but hello in Russian:). Come to find out, she is a Christian & knows some English…. I was shocked. It was another wonderful confirmation that I was where I need to be.

I was taken to the bank that is across the street from my dorm and shown how to use the ATM, and exchange American money for rubles. Next was the Golden Bird also not far from my dorm. It’s just down the street. The Golden Bird has 3 restaurants, a grocery store, and bumper cars. Slightly random, but hey, you never know when you might need some bumper cars… We had lunch at the cafeteria style restaurant, and went grocery shopping. A cell phone was purchased and a calling card to call home with. My things were taken and moved to my room where I spent the evening unpacking.
I was exhausted that night but when I heard my suitemate go in her room next to mine (we share a bathroom but not a bedroom) I figured I should at least say hello. Turns out her name is Marsha and she is from China, I believe. She knows little Russian and even less English. I know nothing. So we sat together in her room, Marsha holding a small translation device and me holding my Russian/English dictionary. It was ridiculous. She was very nice and offered me an orange. An orange of friendship:) We sat for quite awhile trying to communicate with one another. One thing I finally did understand (after a demonstration) was a problem with the water draining in the shower. It doesn’t. Hooray.

The third day after my arrival I had my first day of class. I have class Monday through Saturday from 9am-2pm. I’m still in denial about having class on Saturdays. I’m busy enough and then they add another day of school? Soooo wrong. At school they have what you might call a coat check room. The buildings are kept very warm (thankfully) so they have you check in your coat and they give you a number to pick it up on your way out. Also it’s just a nuisance to carry it around with you. They also have large mirrors by the coat check where people can fix their hair and such from having hats and coats on. Russians (male and female) have no problem standing and fixing their hair for long periods of time in front of these mirrors. I find it quite humorous for some reason. They also have security at every entrance of the school (complete in cameo) and they will randomly ask people for ID especially if they don’t recognize you. Since I don’t have my ID yet, my instructors meet me at the front entrance and walk to the classroom with me. My first morning while waiting for my instructor, a lady asked me something in Russian and my reply was something like “I don’t understand…. Uhhhh..Americanka…” She was shocked and SO excited to hear that I was American. She started talking in mixed Russian and English and invited me to her class (not sure what that was about). I had a difficult time explaining to her that I was there to learn Russian. By the end of the conversation she had gotten my phone number and planned to call me the next day. That didn’t happen but I’m totally okay with that. I actually saw her in the hallway the other day when I wasn’t feeling good and hid from her. I’m sure someday she will see my number and think to call me to “talk”. Oh how I await the day.

The first day of class wasn’t too bad. I have three instructors that trade off and I can’t say any of their full names. Until today, I have been the only student in my class. The other students have/are still celebrating their New Years. There are three in my class as of today. The other two are guys from China. But because they came we are starting the lessons over from the very beginning of the book… :) Why have I been coming to class just to relearn everything again? And will we have to start over every time more people come? Well… that’s Russia for you:) Its fine with me cause I can catch up with work and catch up on my sleep since I decided to get a cold this past weekend. My New Year’s resolution to not get sick lasted…. about 7 weeks. Epic fail.

There is a girl at school my age named Jane who speaks English very well. She is a student and also works for the school. Apparently, she is kind of in charge of me while I’m here for the school and I guess the government. Not sure how that works, but she has been great. She usually has lunch with me at school every day, and helps me with various things like buying a hairdryer and getting someone to fix the drain in the shower. I feel bad that she is in charge of me (I’m helpless you know) but I am excited at the opportunity to be with her.

Russia is an amazing place. I will never completely understand it but I am privileged to have the opportunity to try. Cecil mentioned that Russia is kind of like Narnia where it’s always winter but never Christmas. I have found that to be the best reminder of why I’m here. The people are caught in this “curse”, if you will, of a never ending winter and only Aslan can make it spring again. In other words, sin has a hold on the people and only God can break its grip. Don’t get me wrong because there definitely are believers here. But there are so many who need to see spring in their lives. I hope I making myself clear because I tend to think words in broken English now:) Relient K’s song “In Like a Lion (Always Winter)” describes it perfectly.

I will write again very very soon because I have SO much to tell you all. I appreciate your prayers and the time you took to read this. Prayers concerning my health, learning the language, rest, and opportunities to share the joyous news of a spiritual spring would be wonderful.

Blessings!!
Leah

On the Cosmic Scale....

Hello Friends!

I send you greetings from Illinois for probably the last time (for six months) during our worst snowstorm of the year. Pretty sure everything in town is closed, except Family Video, and they probably won’t last long now. I would recommend that it’s not the best time to watch “The Day After Tomorrow” or “2012”. Just a thought. As long as we keep the electricity I don’t mind the storm. It is just giving me more time with the fam since they didn’t have to work today. So hurray for that.

Everything for the trip has come together. A bit last minute but it’s all working out. My visa is scheduled to arrive the day before I leave and that’s the last thing I’ve been waiting for. I officially leave this Saturday, February 5^th and arrive in Khabarovsk the 7^th. I come back to the States July 26^th.

I’ve been slowly packing for at least a week. Probably more like two weeks and I’m sick of it. Right now the same two words are going through my head, “Space & weight. Space & weight.” I only have so much room for stuff and can fill it only so heavy. At this point I’m thinking, “What can I take out to save weight and room? … Shoes! I don’t need shoes in Russia anyway. Besides it will make room for another purse!” Okay not really. But by starting to pack early it has actually helped with narrowing down to what I really do need. Although I am dreading when they weigh my suitcases….

It has been pretty cool that in the last year I’ve been able to see friends from long ago. We keep in touch but we only get to see each other every few years. It has been in Gods perfect timing with each visit in that they were each such an encouragement to me. Beth, Kelly, and Rebekah it was awesome seeing you!

There are a few things that I have to keep reminding myself of in these last days with family and friends. One is from my wise friend Amber, who said, “You won’t be gone forever.” Too true :) Another is, “It’s only for 6 months” and still another is just the fact that I know I need to go. At least by going I can have that peace in my heart that this is God’s will. My life would not be satisfied if I stayed.

I keep a journal and since I like to write AND vent to God I tend to go through them rather quickly :) The last couple that I have had were just $3 WalMart notebooks that I decorated. While packing I decided I needed to make one for while I’m in Russia and thought that having a Russia/travel theme would be fun. Anyways, while looking through my stash of cut outs from magazines, I found a line that said, “On the cosmic scale it may be a small thing.” Going to Russia for six months on the cosmic scale is an extremely small thing. And really compared to my entire lifetime it’s a very small thing. But I’m so glad that in Gods eyes He sees the small things that we do and sacrifice for:)

Am I going to miss my family and friends? Uhhh yeah. Of COURSE. It seems like every day I’m thinking,
“This is the last time that I will do this.” And every day I have to keep myself from crying (I’m not too big on crying in front of people although I can’t help it anyway). And every day I say to God, “This better be worth it.” But I’m coming back in six months so it’s not forever. And hopefully I will come back more like the woman God wants me to be.

I look forward to when I return and can tell all my stories and show all of my pictures. But even more I’m excited to hear about what God has done while I was gone. What’s your plan for the next six months?

Thank you everyone for the gifts: the supplies, the money, the cards, the messages, the hugs, and prayers. You are all amazing! I’ll keep in touch.

Blessings,

Leah