Sunday, November 1, 2015
inspired
Last year around this time of the year, I had the privilege of introducing Savannah Smith to my dear and close friend, Ginny Porterfield. Following this introduction Savannah and I were able to attend a Wednesday Prayer service at the Children of the Nations headquarters in Silverdale. The Lord used this time to open the door for Savannah to start working for COTN. My friend Ginny and I soon began planning a trip to the Dominican Republic so that I could finally meet the dear people who have become Ginny's family. As time passed, our group went from two to 12. The love Ginny has for the children and adults living in the Dominican was contagious and inspiring. And so it was decided that the purpose of our trip would be to interview the university students who have grown up under the wings of an amazing organization led by an amazing couple who by the leading of the Lord is making it possible to transform children to transform nations.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
In a Moment, In the Twinkling of an Eye
I Corinthians 15:51,52 "We shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed."
Dust to dust is the title of my blog. It is so titled because I am reminded continually that all we experience becomes history as soon as we live the moment. At birth our flesh begins a depreciation process. Our souls, however, will live on. Our lives as a whole are a history book. What is written on the pages of our personal history book? We can be assured that the Lord is the author. He is author and finisher of our faith and He will receive the glory.
The moments I lived on this day have seemed difficult but God has helped me reflect and learn. He has used people and circumstances to teach me about both selfishness and selflessness. He reminded me that my words and reactions, in the flesh, cannot be retrieved or deleted. The affects of my words will be remembered either in a positive light or a negative light.
Dust to dust is the title of my blog. It is so titled because I am reminded continually that all we experience becomes history as soon as we live the moment. At birth our flesh begins a depreciation process. Our souls, however, will live on. Our lives as a whole are a history book. What is written on the pages of our personal history book? We can be assured that the Lord is the author. He is author and finisher of our faith and He will receive the glory.
The moments I lived on this day have seemed difficult but God has helped me reflect and learn. He has used people and circumstances to teach me about both selfishness and selflessness. He reminded me that my words and reactions, in the flesh, cannot be retrieved or deleted. The affects of my words will be remembered either in a positive light or a negative light.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
My Favorite Russian Recipes
I am back home now and have truly been procrastinating with adding the actual recipes of some of the favorite dishes we ate. But, now I am here and I will do my best to tantalize your taste buds. The recipes I plan to give you are for the following: Potato Salad, Garlic Pecan spread for cucumbers and tomatoes, Crab salad, Borsch, Fruit salad the Russian way, Vinaigrette, Pickled Tomatoes, and my favorite of all, Plov. As I reflect upon the opportunity I had to work in a Russian kitchen, I am reminded that my friends were our cup bearers. Before anything was served to us, whether it was fresh vegetables, or a hot item, they would try a piece, or sample with a spoon. They did not want us to eat anything that was not good.
1. Potato Salad
Ingredients: Potatoes, carrots, peas, sweet pickles, sausage( ham is good), and mayonnaise. All you need to do is cook the potatoes, and dice them very small so the potato cannot be cooked until it is mushy or too soft. Dice the carrots very small, dice the sweet pickles, dice your sausage and I do think ham or even polish sausage will work, and add a can of peas. In a separate bowl, mix your mayonnaise until it is smooth and add a little bit of sugar just until it is a bit sweet. Instead of sugar, you could add some sweet pickle juice. Then mix the dressing with the rest of the ingredients and you have a wonderful potato salad. I think the difference with this salad is the time they took to carefully dice all of the ingredients and the love that they put into each thing they make. They cook with passion.
2. Garlic Pecan Spread
Ingredients: 2 or 3 cloves of fresh garlic, 1 cup of pecans, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper.
In a food processor, chop the garlic and the pecans until they are pretty fine. Put this mixture into a bowl and add the mayonnaise and the salt and pepper, tasting until it is just right. Spread this onto cucumbers, and tomato slices. It is wonderful and refreshing.
3. Crab Salad
Ingredients: 4 or 5 packages of imitation crab meat, 1 dozen eggs (hard boiled), 2 cans of sweet corn, mayonnaise, salt, pepper, sugar. Dice the crab meat into small squares, dice the hard boiled eggs, and then drain and add the cans of corn. Mix crab, egg, and corn in a large mixing bowl. Mix mayonnaise, salt, pepper, and sugar together. All is done to taste. Some prefer less sweetness, or less salt, or pepper. It is up to the cook. Mix mayonnaise with the other ingredients, and you have a wonderful salad that can be eaten plain or on bread.
4. Borsch
Ingredients: 2 to 3 pounds of beef(stew meat, roast, round steak), 2 to 3 small onions cut into strips, 2 to 3 carrots diced, 1 head of cabbage shredded, 4 small potatoes julienned,2 tomatoes peeled and pureed, 1 tsp vinegar, salt and pepper to taste, 2 to 3 beets cooked and julienned, lemon, garlic and sour cream.
Cut meat up into chunks, put in a large kettle, cover with 3 liters of cold water. Bring to boil, reduce heat, remove the grease and froth from the broth surface with a spoon. Cook for 1 1/2 hours until meat is tender. In the meantime wash, and cook beets in a pot of salted water. When they are tender, remove and set aside. When the meat is tender, add chopped or julienned onions, carrots, and shredded cabbage. Simmer until the vegetables are tender. Salt everything as you go along and taste. Then, add potatoes, which are cut into little sticks, keep at a small boil until tender. Add tomato puree, and salt now to a good taste. Add grated beets, vinegar ( 1 tsp.), lemon squeezed from a fresh lemon, and crushed garlic. Heat through, serve in bowls and top with a spoonful of sour cream.
5. Fruit Salad
Ingredients: 2 fresh apples, 1 fresh pineapple peeled and cut into squares, 2 oranges dissected and cut into pieces, 4 bananas peeled and sliced, and any other fruit of your liking. Cut up the fruit. Sprinkle lemon juice on the apples and bananas to prevent browning. Mix together in a bowl, and for the dressing use a yogurt of your choice. We used peach and strawberry yogurts. If the fruit is not sweet enough, add some sugar. Toss to coat and chill. It is so delightful.
6. Vinaigrette
Ingredients: I will write this recipe as I received on email translated from Russian to English. The Recipe Vinegrete: It is necessary to cut a cooked potato, cooked carrots, a pickle, an onions, at desire it is possible to put a green peas. In last turn to grate cooked beet. To fill with vegetable oil and to add salt and pepper. Masha also squeezed some fresh lemon on top. Enjoy. Raw onion is optional.
Pickled Tomatoes
I found the recipe for pickled tomatoes online that we had in Russia. These were so sweet and delicious with the plov that we ate. The plov recipe will follow.
Ingredients: 2 kg average tomatoes, 1 liter water, 1 tablespoon salt, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1/3 cup vinegar 9% acidity, 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, carrot tops, dill, garlic cloves.
In a clean, sterilized gallon jar, put the tops from the carrots, some dill, and some cloves of garlic. Then put the tomatoes up to the top. Sterilize the top to the jar in boiling water for 15 minutes. In the 1 liter of water, add the sugar and the salt and boil it. After boiling, add vinegar and let liquid boil for 5 minutes. Pour hot liquid into the jar to the brim. Close the jar and turn the jar upside down to check for leaking. Put someplace covered with a blanket and leave for 4 to 6 hours. After that if the jars are still warm, let them cool down. Then place them in a cool place such a refrigerator or a cellar and keep for months. I thought this was one of the best things I ate.
7. Plov
Ingredients: oil, meat, 5 carrots, 4 small onions, 2 heads of garlic, 2 cups rice, 2 cups water, salt, pepper, cumin seeds, barberries, saffron powder or turmeric, coriander seeds.
Heat oil. Masha put the oil in the bottom of her heavy pot about 1 1/2 inches in depth. She added a wooden match stick. When the match ignited it was her way of knowing the oil was to the correct temperature. Remove the match stick. Add the onion, cook until tender. Add the chicken or meat of choice which has been cut up and cook until the meat is browned and about half way cooked. Add the julienned carrots, salt, and pepper and other spices, including the saffron or turmeric and stew. Now, Masha opened each small bag of rice, dumped it on the table, and sorted the rice for any bad pieces. This is very time consuming but a precious thing for her to do. After sorting the rice, she washed it under running water and then put it evenly on the layer of meat. Add boiling water to where the water is about 2 cm above the rice. Cover and do not stir, cooking at a low heat for about an hour. Now add two whole heads of garlic. Only take the outer skin off, but do not break into cloves. Bury it in the rice and let it cook for 15 to 20 more minutes on very low heat. Now stir and serve.
Please know that these recipes are put together from conversations I had with my friend who speaks little English. It was hard to understand everything so I would recommend if you want more precise recipes, search for these recipes under Russian Recipes on Google. Most, if not all of what we ate there is found on the internet. If you have any questions or if any of my friends from church want to get together for a Russian meal, please let me know. It would be great. In another post I will put a small entry on how to make pig fat. So good.
I did not ever lack while I was in Russia. God provided each and every day more than we could have ever asked for. I thank the Lord with a more sincere heart after taking this trip.
1. Potato Salad
Ingredients: Potatoes, carrots, peas, sweet pickles, sausage( ham is good), and mayonnaise. All you need to do is cook the potatoes, and dice them very small so the potato cannot be cooked until it is mushy or too soft. Dice the carrots very small, dice the sweet pickles, dice your sausage and I do think ham or even polish sausage will work, and add a can of peas. In a separate bowl, mix your mayonnaise until it is smooth and add a little bit of sugar just until it is a bit sweet. Instead of sugar, you could add some sweet pickle juice. Then mix the dressing with the rest of the ingredients and you have a wonderful potato salad. I think the difference with this salad is the time they took to carefully dice all of the ingredients and the love that they put into each thing they make. They cook with passion.
2. Garlic Pecan Spread
Ingredients: 2 or 3 cloves of fresh garlic, 1 cup of pecans, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper.
In a food processor, chop the garlic and the pecans until they are pretty fine. Put this mixture into a bowl and add the mayonnaise and the salt and pepper, tasting until it is just right. Spread this onto cucumbers, and tomato slices. It is wonderful and refreshing.
3. Crab Salad
Ingredients: 4 or 5 packages of imitation crab meat, 1 dozen eggs (hard boiled), 2 cans of sweet corn, mayonnaise, salt, pepper, sugar. Dice the crab meat into small squares, dice the hard boiled eggs, and then drain and add the cans of corn. Mix crab, egg, and corn in a large mixing bowl. Mix mayonnaise, salt, pepper, and sugar together. All is done to taste. Some prefer less sweetness, or less salt, or pepper. It is up to the cook. Mix mayonnaise with the other ingredients, and you have a wonderful salad that can be eaten plain or on bread.
4. Borsch
Ingredients: 2 to 3 pounds of beef(stew meat, roast, round steak), 2 to 3 small onions cut into strips, 2 to 3 carrots diced, 1 head of cabbage shredded, 4 small potatoes julienned,2 tomatoes peeled and pureed, 1 tsp vinegar, salt and pepper to taste, 2 to 3 beets cooked and julienned, lemon, garlic and sour cream.
Cut meat up into chunks, put in a large kettle, cover with 3 liters of cold water. Bring to boil, reduce heat, remove the grease and froth from the broth surface with a spoon. Cook for 1 1/2 hours until meat is tender. In the meantime wash, and cook beets in a pot of salted water. When they are tender, remove and set aside. When the meat is tender, add chopped or julienned onions, carrots, and shredded cabbage. Simmer until the vegetables are tender. Salt everything as you go along and taste. Then, add potatoes, which are cut into little sticks, keep at a small boil until tender. Add tomato puree, and salt now to a good taste. Add grated beets, vinegar ( 1 tsp.), lemon squeezed from a fresh lemon, and crushed garlic. Heat through, serve in bowls and top with a spoonful of sour cream.
5. Fruit Salad
Ingredients: 2 fresh apples, 1 fresh pineapple peeled and cut into squares, 2 oranges dissected and cut into pieces, 4 bananas peeled and sliced, and any other fruit of your liking. Cut up the fruit. Sprinkle lemon juice on the apples and bananas to prevent browning. Mix together in a bowl, and for the dressing use a yogurt of your choice. We used peach and strawberry yogurts. If the fruit is not sweet enough, add some sugar. Toss to coat and chill. It is so delightful.
6. Vinaigrette
Ingredients: I will write this recipe as I received on email translated from Russian to English. The Recipe Vinegrete: It is necessary to cut a cooked potato, cooked carrots, a pickle, an onions, at desire it is possible to put a green peas. In last turn to grate cooked beet. To fill with vegetable oil and to add salt and pepper. Masha also squeezed some fresh lemon on top. Enjoy. Raw onion is optional.
Pickled Tomatoes
I found the recipe for pickled tomatoes online that we had in Russia. These were so sweet and delicious with the plov that we ate. The plov recipe will follow.
Ingredients: 2 kg average tomatoes, 1 liter water, 1 tablespoon salt, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1/3 cup vinegar 9% acidity, 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, carrot tops, dill, garlic cloves.
In a clean, sterilized gallon jar, put the tops from the carrots, some dill, and some cloves of garlic. Then put the tomatoes up to the top. Sterilize the top to the jar in boiling water for 15 minutes. In the 1 liter of water, add the sugar and the salt and boil it. After boiling, add vinegar and let liquid boil for 5 minutes. Pour hot liquid into the jar to the brim. Close the jar and turn the jar upside down to check for leaking. Put someplace covered with a blanket and leave for 4 to 6 hours. After that if the jars are still warm, let them cool down. Then place them in a cool place such a refrigerator or a cellar and keep for months. I thought this was one of the best things I ate.
7. Plov
Ingredients: oil, meat, 5 carrots, 4 small onions, 2 heads of garlic, 2 cups rice, 2 cups water, salt, pepper, cumin seeds, barberries, saffron powder or turmeric, coriander seeds.
Heat oil. Masha put the oil in the bottom of her heavy pot about 1 1/2 inches in depth. She added a wooden match stick. When the match ignited it was her way of knowing the oil was to the correct temperature. Remove the match stick. Add the onion, cook until tender. Add the chicken or meat of choice which has been cut up and cook until the meat is browned and about half way cooked. Add the julienned carrots, salt, and pepper and other spices, including the saffron or turmeric and stew. Now, Masha opened each small bag of rice, dumped it on the table, and sorted the rice for any bad pieces. This is very time consuming but a precious thing for her to do. After sorting the rice, she washed it under running water and then put it evenly on the layer of meat. Add boiling water to where the water is about 2 cm above the rice. Cover and do not stir, cooking at a low heat for about an hour. Now add two whole heads of garlic. Only take the outer skin off, but do not break into cloves. Bury it in the rice and let it cook for 15 to 20 more minutes on very low heat. Now stir and serve.
Please know that these recipes are put together from conversations I had with my friend who speaks little English. It was hard to understand everything so I would recommend if you want more precise recipes, search for these recipes under Russian Recipes on Google. Most, if not all of what we ate there is found on the internet. If you have any questions or if any of my friends from church want to get together for a Russian meal, please let me know. It would be great. In another post I will put a small entry on how to make pig fat. So good.
I did not ever lack while I was in Russia. God provided each and every day more than we could have ever asked for. I thank the Lord with a more sincere heart after taking this trip.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Thank You
To my friends and family I want to say thank you for praying for me and those I went with to Russia. We are back in the states now and all are home with the exception of myself. I will be back in Washington state late Saturday night. I will be in my place of service Sunday Morning and will have a much greater appreciation for the freedoms and independence we will be celebrating on that very day, July 4th. I will look at our flag, pledge my allegiance and enjoy our National anthem so much more.
Thank you again, all of you, for taking this trip with me in your hearts and thoughts.
Thank you again, all of you, for taking this trip with me in your hearts and thoughts.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
The Royal Thrones Of Russia
Before I actually left the United states to go to 
Russia, I was told that if I were to use the restroom, especially in the market areas, I would first of all have to pay, and I would have to buy my toilet paper. The toilet would actually be a fancy hole in the ground.
And so with this in mind, I have decided to present to you the varied thrones of Russia. In the average Russian home, the toilet is in a small separate room. In the states it would be considered a 1/4 bathroom.
I was amazed to find out that the toilet on the train
going to Ulyanosvk emptied directly on to the railroad tracks when it was flushed. We could only use the toilet when the train was 20 minutes away from a city and when the train was moving.
We had a very useful portable toilet at the work site
in a makeshift bathroom. The women weren't too thrilled to use it. And yes, when we were out touring 
Moscow we had the choice of using the hole in the ground or a typical honey bucket. I felt very fortunate to always have the better of the facilities to use.
I will come home with a new appreciation for what we often refer to as a throne and I will thank the Lord that he has blessed America with freedom to live anyway we choose without a cloud of communistic oppression hanging overhead. And so with these glorious thoughts and pictures I conclude my glorious experience to a country that God has created for us who are saved to go plant seeds. He will reap His harvest.
Russia, I was told that if I were to use the restroom, especially in the market areas, I would first of all have to pay, and I would have to buy my toilet paper. The toilet would actually be a fancy hole in the ground.And so with this in mind, I have decided to present to you the varied thrones of Russia. In the average Russian home, the toilet is in a small separate room. In the states it would be considered a 1/4 bathroom.
I was amazed to find out that the toilet on the train
going to Ulyanosvk emptied directly on to the railroad tracks when it was flushed. We could only use the toilet when the train was 20 minutes away from a city and when the train was moving.We had a very useful portable toilet at the work site
in a makeshift bathroom. The women weren't too thrilled to use it. And yes, when we were out touring 
Moscow we had the choice of using the hole in the ground or a typical honey bucket. I felt very fortunate to always have the better of the facilities to use.I will come home with a new appreciation for what we often refer to as a throne and I will thank the Lord that he has blessed America with freedom to live anyway we choose without a cloud of communistic oppression hanging overhead. And so with these glorious thoughts and pictures I conclude my glorious experience to a country that God has created for us who are saved to go plant seeds. He will reap His harvest.
Moscows Beauty/Some Final Thoughts
Yesterday, Wednesday, our host, Davida, hired a bus to take us to a magnificent park which is home to a castle
that was built for Catherine the Great. Before the castle was completed, Catherine decided she did not want it. For many years it remained only partially complete.
Years later city officials agreed to complete the castle according to the original blueprints. Now this magnificent castle sits amidst a beautiful park. It was delightful to spend a bit of time wandering the grounds.
From the park we went to Moscow's version of Times Square in New York. We ate lunch at
Hard Rock Cafe, and then had an opportunity to shop and finally meet back at Starbucks. In the evening we passed some time at a park next to a very old convent for 
nuns and then we were treated to an enjoyable time at the Russian Circus.
When we first arrived in Moscow, we boarded an old train going to Ulyanosvk. The tone was set for the definite change in culture. We became an intricate part of a culture that continues to feel the affects of communist oppression.
Eight days later, we boarded a new, fancy train headed back to Moscow. Now our minds were getting ready to see the part of the wealthy Russian culture, and that we did.
Now I am on one of the largest commercial airplanes enjoying its comfort and ammenities that are a part of the flight. I will take time now to reflect and ask myself what I am bringing back home with me?
I desire to pray for my Russian friends and for the individuals whose lives the Lord allowed me to become a part of. I think of the security man at the hotel who gave me his seat in order to teach me some Russian. And I will always remember our bus driver who for some reason treated me like a queen and as a token of how he felt about me presented me with a bottle of the finest Cognac he could buy.
I prayed that our mission would not stop simply because we left the work in Ulyanosvk. The Lord continues to allow me to share Him even as I am on the plane sitting next to students from a private school in Pennsylvania. They have been traveling in Spain and its surrounding country. It was fun to show them pictures of the little church building in the making.
My concerns about our trip would fall into the category of leadership. Fortunately the Lord was most gracious and through His power blended people who were vastly different. I saw my dad, who normally sets the pace with the carpentry, step back so a highly skilled man could work efficiently. At times, at the work site, the authority of the experts was challenged. It is clear in the scriptures that we need to submit to those who are in leadership. The more we apply God's instructions, the more we will desire to submit to God's leadership.
I will go home a richer person as I have had a rare opportunity to actually become a "Russian" for a week. I do leave a part of my heart in the small city of Ulyanosvk.
that was built for Catherine the Great. Before the castle was completed, Catherine decided she did not want it. For many years it remained only partially complete.
Years later city officials agreed to complete the castle according to the original blueprints. Now this magnificent castle sits amidst a beautiful park. It was delightful to spend a bit of time wandering the grounds.From the park we went to Moscow's version of Times Square in New York. We ate lunch at
Hard Rock Cafe, and then had an opportunity to shop and finally meet back at Starbucks. In the evening we passed some time at a park next to a very old convent for 
nuns and then we were treated to an enjoyable time at the Russian Circus. When we first arrived in Moscow, we boarded an old train going to Ulyanosvk. The tone was set for the definite change in culture. We became an intricate part of a culture that continues to feel the affects of communist oppression.
Eight days later, we boarded a new, fancy train headed back to Moscow. Now our minds were getting ready to see the part of the wealthy Russian culture, and that we did.
Now I am on one of the largest commercial airplanes enjoying its comfort and ammenities that are a part of the flight. I will take time now to reflect and ask myself what I am bringing back home with me?
I desire to pray for my Russian friends and for the individuals whose lives the Lord allowed me to become a part of. I think of the security man at the hotel who gave me his seat in order to teach me some Russian. And I will always remember our bus driver who for some reason treated me like a queen and as a token of how he felt about me presented me with a bottle of the finest Cognac he could buy.
I prayed that our mission would not stop simply because we left the work in Ulyanosvk. The Lord continues to allow me to share Him even as I am on the plane sitting next to students from a private school in Pennsylvania. They have been traveling in Spain and its surrounding country. It was fun to show them pictures of the little church building in the making.
My concerns about our trip would fall into the category of leadership. Fortunately the Lord was most gracious and through His power blended people who were vastly different. I saw my dad, who normally sets the pace with the carpentry, step back so a highly skilled man could work efficiently. At times, at the work site, the authority of the experts was challenged. It is clear in the scriptures that we need to submit to those who are in leadership. The more we apply God's instructions, the more we will desire to submit to God's leadership.
I will go home a richer person as I have had a rare opportunity to actually become a "Russian" for a week. I do leave a part of my heart in the small city of Ulyanosvk.
A Sad Farewell
Three days ago I left Ulyanosvk, Russia on a train bound for Moscow, Russia. Leaving my new found friends has left an empty spot in my heart. It was truly a sad farewell.
We arrived in Moscow on Tuesday morning and boarded a bus to go to our hotel. After we showered and changed we made our way by foot to a Russian restaurant where we ate traditional Russian food. The rest of the day we traveled by foot and subway all over Moscow.
Our touring was focused mainly on visiting the Kremlin and all of the Russian orthodox churches and also walking through Red Square.
We were able to enter several of the churches so we could take in the breathtaking murals that are painted all over the walls and the ceilings. The pictures are intended to reveal to the people all that is contained in God's Holy Word. I learned that as you face the altar, the second icon to the right of the altar tells the name of that church. The first church we entered was called the church of the assumption of Mary.
We also went to the church of the archangel and then finally made our way to The Church of Christ Our Saviour.
It was the grandest of the grand with its high ceilings, its murals and its ornamentation
I watched women and children lighting candles and praying to those who to them are truly saints. Seeing this made me think again about emptiness. My heart felt empty when I waved farewell to my brothers and sisters in Christ in Ulyanosvk, but it felt full of the Lord to think I was able to take part in their first church service in their new building. The empty I felt in the Russian churches in Moscow was knowing they believe the means by which they will enter into Heaven is good works. Ephesians 2:8-9 says "For by grace ye are saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God not of works lest any man should boast." I also thought of when Jesus said to the people, I am the way, the truth and the life. No man cometh unto the father but by me.
These churches are very beautiful but they are empty. In order for the parishoners to be full they must first hear of the truth of the gospel of Christ. It is in Him and Him only that the fulness of God dwells.
We arrived in Moscow on Tuesday morning and boarded a bus to go to our hotel. After we showered and changed we made our way by foot to a Russian restaurant where we ate traditional Russian food. The rest of the day we traveled by foot and subway all over Moscow.
Our touring was focused mainly on visiting the Kremlin and all of the Russian orthodox churches and also walking through Red Square.
We were able to enter several of the churches so we could take in the breathtaking murals that are painted all over the walls and the ceilings. The pictures are intended to reveal to the people all that is contained in God's Holy Word. I learned that as you face the altar, the second icon to the right of the altar tells the name of that church. The first church we entered was called the church of the assumption of Mary.
We also went to the church of the archangel and then finally made our way to The Church of Christ Our Saviour.
It was the grandest of the grand with its high ceilings, its murals and its ornamentationI watched women and children lighting candles and praying to those who to them are truly saints. Seeing this made me think again about emptiness. My heart felt empty when I waved farewell to my brothers and sisters in Christ in Ulyanosvk, but it felt full of the Lord to think I was able to take part in their first church service in their new building. The empty I felt in the Russian churches in Moscow was knowing they believe the means by which they will enter into Heaven is good works. Ephesians 2:8-9 says "For by grace ye are saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God not of works lest any man should boast." I also thought of when Jesus said to the people, I am the way, the truth and the life. No man cometh unto the father but by me.
These churches are very beautiful but they are empty. In order for the parishoners to be full they must first hear of the truth of the gospel of Christ. It is in Him and Him only that the fulness of God dwells.
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