"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