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.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
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.
Food
During our stay in Russia, we have been treated to the best of the best which includes the food we were served. We have eaten American cuisine ( KFC, McDonalds, carry out pizza, Hard Rock Cafe and Starbucks), and we have eaten the food of Russia.
1. Sunday-Russian form of crepes, and pork shish kabobs. In the evening we were served cabbage with pork and beef.
2. Monday-for lunch we had penne with a carrot, tomato, and onion sauce, and cooked beef similar to stew. For dinner we had Russian chicken and rice pilaf and a wonderful potato salad.
3. Tuesday-for lunch we ate mashed potatoes and sausage which in America would be a boiled weiner. For dinner we had Borsh and a crab salad.
4. Wednesday-lunch was a taco sub and ice cream cones for dessert. For dinner we ate leftovers.
5. Thursday-for lunch we ate breaded chicken filets and coleslaw and vinegaret. For dinner we had pork with boiled potatoes.
6. Friday-we made a russian goulash. It was so good. For dinner Maxim made salanka and we had a fresh fruit salad.
7. Saturday-for lunch we made a fresh tomato, cucumber, lettuce, olive and cheese salad topped with a lemon and oil salad dressing. For dinner we were treated to dinner in a fancy Chinese restaurant. Yum. My favorite course was dessert which was a fruit tempura.
8. Sunday-we ate pilaf for lunch after church and we ordered Russian pizza in the evening.
9. Monday-for lunch we ate a greek salad and delicious cookies. Monday night we ate our dinner on the train. Denise and I experienced God's grace as he really took loaves and "fishes (salami) and increased it to serve 15 people one of which was a young Russian business man. A seed was planted.
And yes we ate breakfast everyday. Ralph cooked one morning and then the rest of the week we ate whatever we could create from leftovers.
I will add recipes to this post later on today.
1. Sunday-Russian form of crepes, and pork shish kabobs. In the evening we were served cabbage with pork and beef.
2. Monday-for lunch we had penne with a carrot, tomato, and onion sauce, and cooked beef similar to stew. For dinner we had Russian chicken and rice pilaf and a wonderful potato salad.
3. Tuesday-for lunch we ate mashed potatoes and sausage which in America would be a boiled weiner. For dinner we had Borsh and a crab salad.
4. Wednesday-lunch was a taco sub and ice cream cones for dessert. For dinner we ate leftovers.
5. Thursday-for lunch we ate breaded chicken filets and coleslaw and vinegaret. For dinner we had pork with boiled potatoes.
6. Friday-we made a russian goulash. It was so good. For dinner Maxim made salanka and we had a fresh fruit salad.
7. Saturday-for lunch we made a fresh tomato, cucumber, lettuce, olive and cheese salad topped with a lemon and oil salad dressing. For dinner we were treated to dinner in a fancy Chinese restaurant. Yum. My favorite course was dessert which was a fruit tempura.
8. Sunday-we ate pilaf for lunch after church and we ordered Russian pizza in the evening.
9. Monday-for lunch we ate a greek salad and delicious cookies. Monday night we ate our dinner on the train. Denise and I experienced God's grace as he really took loaves and "fishes (salami) and increased it to serve 15 people one of which was a young Russian business man. A seed was planted.
And yes we ate breakfast everyday. Ralph cooked one morning and then the rest of the week we ate whatever we could create from leftovers.
I will add recipes to this post later on today.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Fitly Framed
Ephesians 2:17-21 "And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord."
Almost two weeks ago I left Washington state for New Jersey to join 12 other individuals on a trip to Ulyanosvk, Russia. Our purpose and mission was to continue with the construction of the future church home for the members of the Nazarene church. We had the privilege of attending the very first service in what was just a brick shell.
In Ephesians 2 Paul writes about how people who are different are brought together by God and through Him become fitly framed together.
It is only God who can accomplish this and who will receive the glory. This team of 13 including me, is truly diverse in all ways. Our team consists of the following individuals and or couples:
1. Christian and Denise are self employed working in the field of pharmaceuticals.
2. Ralph is a chef for catholic priests and nuns in New Jersey.
3. Johnnie Britt is the associate pastor under my dad. He is a retired corrections officer and by God's grace a retired drug dealer.
4. Marjorie Britt is a chief financial officer for a non profit organization.
5. Adam is the son of Christian and Denise and is 16 and a junior in high school.
6. Mackenzie is Ralph's daughter and is 14.
7. IjesNae is Johnnie Britt's grandaughter. She is 12.
8. Don Overby is my biological father. He is the pastor of the Nazarene church in South Brunswick, NJ. He is a carpenter by trade.
9. Frank Smith is from Manchester, Connectricut and is a tin smith.
10. Donna is a school administrator/school teacher.
11. Steve, Donna's husband works for Aetna health insurance. He and Donna also came from Manchester, Connecticut.
12. I am a homemaker from Washington state and I attend a Baptist church.
We came together diverse in every way. We differ in our occupations, personalities, physical builds, emotions, skill levels, and spirituality. Some of us have been leaders and some are not. With all of this in mind, it was only the Lord who could bring us together in unity as we worked at the church building site, as I worked with Masha and her family preparing food, as we shared personal space in a Russian cottage.
Without the Lord this group would not have blended. He indeed has been the Chief Administrator over all the affairs of the week ranging from group devotions to even our touring Moscow today. He protected Ralph when we accidentally left him at Red Square and then when it seemed I had lost my passport. We were truly a team of prayer. And so once again I say, to God be the glory.
Almost two weeks ago I left Washington state for New Jersey to join 12 other individuals on a trip to Ulyanosvk, Russia. Our purpose and mission was to continue with the construction of the future church home for the members of the Nazarene church. We had the privilege of attending the very first service in what was just a brick shell.
In Ephesians 2 Paul writes about how people who are different are brought together by God and through Him become fitly framed together.
It is only God who can accomplish this and who will receive the glory. This team of 13 including me, is truly diverse in all ways. Our team consists of the following individuals and or couples:
1. Christian and Denise are self employed working in the field of pharmaceuticals.
2. Ralph is a chef for catholic priests and nuns in New Jersey.
3. Johnnie Britt is the associate pastor under my dad. He is a retired corrections officer and by God's grace a retired drug dealer.
4. Marjorie Britt is a chief financial officer for a non profit organization.
5. Adam is the son of Christian and Denise and is 16 and a junior in high school.
6. Mackenzie is Ralph's daughter and is 14.
7. IjesNae is Johnnie Britt's grandaughter. She is 12.
8. Don Overby is my biological father. He is the pastor of the Nazarene church in South Brunswick, NJ. He is a carpenter by trade.
9. Frank Smith is from Manchester, Connectricut and is a tin smith.
10. Donna is a school administrator/school teacher.
11. Steve, Donna's husband works for Aetna health insurance. He and Donna also came from Manchester, Connecticut.
12. I am a homemaker from Washington state and I attend a Baptist church.
We came together diverse in every way. We differ in our occupations, personalities, physical builds, emotions, skill levels, and spirituality. Some of us have been leaders and some are not. With all of this in mind, it was only the Lord who could bring us together in unity as we worked at the church building site, as I worked with Masha and her family preparing food, as we shared personal space in a Russian cottage.
Without the Lord this group would not have blended. He indeed has been the Chief Administrator over all the affairs of the week ranging from group devotions to even our touring Moscow today. He protected Ralph when we accidentally left him at Red Square and then when it seemed I had lost my passport. We were truly a team of prayer. And so once again I say, to God be the glory.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
From a caterpillar to a butterfly
One week ago, 13 of us arrived by train to our destination which is Ulyanosvk, Russia. Our goal was to continue helping the members of a little Nazarene church prepare their new church building to be used for services. I have not been a part of the work at the site but for sure have enjoyed seeing what was a brick shell of a building become useful for the service of the Lord. In addition to our team of workers, I have seen the Russian youth arrive everyday to help us in any way they could be used. Please now enjoy an array of pictures that will help you see how a caterpillar has become a butterfly.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Me First?
One of the first impressions I have had in Russia is how the younger serve the elder. In the church we are helping, I have witnessed young Russians continually serving us first. They even refused at first to eat with us at our meal times.
In Sasha and Masha's home, the grandma is cared for most lovingly, and the men, both Maxim and Sasha, treat their wives like queens. On Alberts and Anyas birthday, they brought everyone at the work site candy. When the youth have had candy they have divided it amongst themselves evenly.
I have seen the young teenagers take on responsibilities of serving all aspects of our meals and they have made sure that we are first. Masha has worked very hard to instill in her son, as well as the youth in the church that the adults are to be respected and served first. What a privilege it has been to be the recipient of this gracious giving.
And then I have had to take a step back when I think about the youth from America. As a society, we possess more of a me first mentality. I think we have taken our freedoms in America to a place that neglects teaching our youth the basics of common courtesy. I hear the statement, "they are young." I believe that is all the more reason our churched youth need to first of all be grounded in the word. We need to be their examples and we need to hold them to a higher standard.
I pray that we will remember how we were served by very special individuals. I pray that we will remember to esteem others better than ourselves.
In Sasha and Masha's home, the grandma is cared for most lovingly, and the men, both Maxim and Sasha, treat their wives like queens. On Alberts and Anyas birthday, they brought everyone at the work site candy. When the youth have had candy they have divided it amongst themselves evenly.
I have seen the young teenagers take on responsibilities of serving all aspects of our meals and they have made sure that we are first. Masha has worked very hard to instill in her son, as well as the youth in the church that the adults are to be respected and served first. What a privilege it has been to be the recipient of this gracious giving.
And then I have had to take a step back when I think about the youth from America. As a society, we possess more of a me first mentality. I think we have taken our freedoms in America to a place that neglects teaching our youth the basics of common courtesy. I hear the statement, "they are young." I believe that is all the more reason our churched youth need to first of all be grounded in the word. We need to be their examples and we need to hold them to a higher standard.
I pray that we will remember how we were served by very special individuals. I pray that we will remember to esteem others better than ourselves.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
An addendum
Please pray for Ilvira, a young lady with a face that has a story. Her face is deformed and considered to be grotesque. A man caused her to be with child and now after she has had her baby named Albina, will not marry her. He only lives with her but will not marry because she is considered ugly.
The Faces Tell the Story
As in any location, the people who live there give color and life to the neighborhood, the city, the country. The faces we encounter have a story to tell.
Here in Ulyanosvk I have had the opportunity to meet individuals whose lives are truly impacted by their surroundings and yet they have risen above their own set of circumstances to come faithfully to a little Nazarene church where they cannot help but feel the presence of our Lord and Saviour. They love their teacher and friend, Miss Masha. They love Maxim and Svetlana, and I am sure they love Sasha, Masha's husband.
In general, the impression I have had of the people I have seen everyday walking around the city and who are the heart of this Russian city, is that even though the wall of communism came down, they remind me of a Sims computer game. There is still a sense to me that they are under a control and that their freedom really isn't free.
The main church in Ulyanosvk is the Orthodox church. There are two baptist churches, one lutheran church, one Methodist church, and one Nazarene church. There are numerous muslim, mormon, jehovah witness, seventh day adventist, moonies and the unchurched is right up there. The men, women, and teenagers are given to alcoholism, especially the men. The majority continue to be under the rule of tradition and an old lifestyle.
When Gorbachev led the way for the wall of communism to be broken there grew two classes of people, the rich and the poor and the two shall never meet. Maxim described his country to me as giving new birth and so they are growing with the hope that in time Russia will become a "gooder" place.
Please let me introduce to you just a few of the faces I am growing to love. Each person has a story. As I share just a little bit about each person please remember that God is sovereign even in the city of Ulyanosvk Russia.
Andre is a young man who used to be in the military. He had money and was very intelligent. He was attacked. His head was bashed in and he was left to die. He was in a coma and is now physically impaired but boy he works and he solves problems and is faithful to his church.
Albert and his sister Anya are twins. Yesterday they celebrated their 13th birthday. Their father is a heavy drinker. Their mother goes to the orthodox church and yet these two walk at least 15 minutes to come to church for services and every day to help our team work on the building.
Natasha and her sister Nastia also come from a home where the father is a heavy drinker. Their mom does not go to any church.
Alesia was born out of wedlock. Her father was a muslim. When he found out he had a daughter he went and got her. The mother willingly gave her away. She then lived with her father and grandmother. Her father was a heavy drinker and is now dead along with her grandmother. She now lives with a cousin and although she was a muslim by birth she is a big part of this little church.
There is a little girl named Albina. She lives with her mother in the apartments designated for the deaf because her mom cannot hear.
Katia is a young woman who cannot walk because of cerebral palsy. The doorways in her apartment are not wide enough to get a wheel chair in and out of so her mother just comes to church. The church people then go to Katia.
There are many others who have very similar stories. I think the thing we need to remember though is as God is freely a part of our lives in America, he too is here in Russia working in the hearts of his willing vessels to seek and to save that which is lost.
When I leave this very old city of Ulyanosvk I will remember the words of the song "His Eye is on the Sparrow.". Because of the power of the Gospel, even though it is heard predominantly inside the four walls of this little church, we who have served on this witness team can rest assured that this Gospel will shine and as with the sparrow He will watch over these precious people.
"The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell. It goes byond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell.
Here in Ulyanosvk I have had the opportunity to meet individuals whose lives are truly impacted by their surroundings and yet they have risen above their own set of circumstances to come faithfully to a little Nazarene church where they cannot help but feel the presence of our Lord and Saviour. They love their teacher and friend, Miss Masha. They love Maxim and Svetlana, and I am sure they love Sasha, Masha's husband.
In general, the impression I have had of the people I have seen everyday walking around the city and who are the heart of this Russian city, is that even though the wall of communism came down, they remind me of a Sims computer game. There is still a sense to me that they are under a control and that their freedom really isn't free.
The main church in Ulyanosvk is the Orthodox church. There are two baptist churches, one lutheran church, one Methodist church, and one Nazarene church. There are numerous muslim, mormon, jehovah witness, seventh day adventist, moonies and the unchurched is right up there. The men, women, and teenagers are given to alcoholism, especially the men. The majority continue to be under the rule of tradition and an old lifestyle.
When Gorbachev led the way for the wall of communism to be broken there grew two classes of people, the rich and the poor and the two shall never meet. Maxim described his country to me as giving new birth and so they are growing with the hope that in time Russia will become a "gooder" place.
Please let me introduce to you just a few of the faces I am growing to love. Each person has a story. As I share just a little bit about each person please remember that God is sovereign even in the city of Ulyanosvk Russia.
Andre is a young man who used to be in the military. He had money and was very intelligent. He was attacked. His head was bashed in and he was left to die. He was in a coma and is now physically impaired but boy he works and he solves problems and is faithful to his church.
Albert and his sister Anya are twins. Yesterday they celebrated their 13th birthday. Their father is a heavy drinker. Their mother goes to the orthodox church and yet these two walk at least 15 minutes to come to church for services and every day to help our team work on the building.Natasha and her sister Nastia also come from a home where the father is a heavy drinker. Their mom does not go to any church.
Alesia was born out of wedlock. Her father was a muslim. When he found out he had a daughter he went and got her. The mother willingly gave her away. She then lived with her father and grandmother. Her father was a heavy drinker and is now dead along with her grandmother. She now lives with a cousin and although she was a muslim by birth she is a big part of this little church.
There is a little girl named Albina. She lives with her mother in the apartments designated for the deaf because her mom cannot hear.Katia is a young woman who cannot walk because of cerebral palsy. The doorways in her apartment are not wide enough to get a wheel chair in and out of so her mother just comes to church. The church people then go to Katia.
There are many others who have very similar stories. I think the thing we need to remember though is as God is freely a part of our lives in America, he too is here in Russia working in the hearts of his willing vessels to seek and to save that which is lost.
When I leave this very old city of Ulyanosvk I will remember the words of the song "His Eye is on the Sparrow.". Because of the power of the Gospel, even though it is heard predominantly inside the four walls of this little church, we who have served on this witness team can rest assured that this Gospel will shine and as with the sparrow He will watch over these precious people.
"The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell. It goes byond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Ulyanosvk day 2
I have no idea how I can write what is in my heart. Please be patient with me as I search for words that will adequately convey what I am seeing and experiencing.
Our days begin with breakfast that we prepare for ourselves. Then my dad leads in group devotions and testimony time. At around 8:15 our drivers arrive to take us to the construction site. Our driver is Maxim. He would make a great cab driver in New York. It is wild and crazy. Mrs. Mashas husband, Sasha drove for us yesterday as well. Maxim is their son.
When we arrived at the work site
yesterday morning I was asked to go to the
missionary's home where she and I would prepare the food for all of the work crew. I considered this to be a great privilege. The work on the new church was going to be too difficult for me so the Lord had already prepared the way.
Mrs. Masha lives no differently than the people of her city who are all living with the results of communistic leadership. Her apartment is home for her and her husband, her mother, and her son and his wife, and future home for a grandchild on its way.
They are fortunate to have a 3 room flat. Each room is a bedroom. They have a tiny kitchen, a little room for a toilet, and a little room for a tub and a sink and a washing machine. This family of 5 have lived in this flat for 28 years.
By having this opportunity to prepare meals with Masha and
Svetlana (Masha's daughter-in-law), not only am I learning how to prepare Russian food but I am blessed to have an opportunity to spend intimate time with some very precious people.
Masha is becoming a dear friend. She came to know the Lord as an adult when she started going to church with her son and after her country was opened to Bibles and she could read about the Lord with her own eyes. It was her desire to separate from the orthodox church so the Lord directed her paths to meet people who would be instrumental in helping her start a work that is available to all but is mainly reaching women and children.
Masha's husband is a train engineer. Her son, Maxim and his wife both work for a computer company. They all work hard in their church. Masha's mom is revered in the home. She is a sweet, sweet Russian lady who reminds me of my mom, Mrs. Hilliard.
Yesterday and today I have learned to make Russian chicken and rice pilaf, and their version of potato salad. We prepared a crab, egg, and corn salad and borscht. I have been to the Russian market 4 times and I have been to the little building to buy bottles of water. 
It was going to the water building that really gripped my heart. They go to this round building and ask for bottles and then a lady fills them. All I have to do is turn on a faucet to have a refreshing drink.
When I went with Svetlana to the market, she pointed out an apartment building that is occupied entirely by deaf people.
As I have had an opportunity to be a guest in the home of a gracious, Godly missionary, I am learning about an old and new Russian culture. They do not wake to a glorious sunrise nor do they have an amazing view from their little porch but if you ask them if they like Russia they will say "I love Ulyanosvk and I love my people."
Tomorrow I will introduce you to some children, and update you on the progress of the church building.
We did take a wild ride to a new bridge that goes over the Great Volga river. It is one of the widest rivers in world, 4 1/2 miles wide.
Our days begin with breakfast that we prepare for ourselves. Then my dad leads in group devotions and testimony time. At around 8:15 our drivers arrive to take us to the construction site. Our driver is Maxim. He would make a great cab driver in New York. It is wild and crazy. Mrs. Mashas husband, Sasha drove for us yesterday as well. Maxim is their son.
When we arrived at the work site
yesterday morning I was asked to go to the
missionary's home where she and I would prepare the food for all of the work crew. I considered this to be a great privilege. The work on the new church was going to be too difficult for me so the Lord had already prepared the way.
Mrs. Masha lives no differently than the people of her city who are all living with the results of communistic leadership. Her apartment is home for her and her husband, her mother, and her son and his wife, and future home for a grandchild on its way.They are fortunate to have a 3 room flat. Each room is a bedroom. They have a tiny kitchen, a little room for a toilet, and a little room for a tub and a sink and a washing machine. This family of 5 have lived in this flat for 28 years.
By having this opportunity to prepare meals with Masha and
Svetlana (Masha's daughter-in-law), not only am I learning how to prepare Russian food but I am blessed to have an opportunity to spend intimate time with some very precious people. Masha is becoming a dear friend. She came to know the Lord as an adult when she started going to church with her son and after her country was opened to Bibles and she could read about the Lord with her own eyes. It was her desire to separate from the orthodox church so the Lord directed her paths to meet people who would be instrumental in helping her start a work that is available to all but is mainly reaching women and children.
Masha's husband is a train engineer. Her son, Maxim and his wife both work for a computer company. They all work hard in their church. Masha's mom is revered in the home. She is a sweet, sweet Russian lady who reminds me of my mom, Mrs. Hilliard.
Yesterday and today I have learned to make Russian chicken and rice pilaf, and their version of potato salad. We prepared a crab, egg, and corn salad and borscht. I have been to the Russian market 4 times and I have been to the little building to buy bottles of water. 
It was going to the water building that really gripped my heart. They go to this round building and ask for bottles and then a lady fills them. All I have to do is turn on a faucet to have a refreshing drink.When I went with Svetlana to the market, she pointed out an apartment building that is occupied entirely by deaf people.
As I have had an opportunity to be a guest in the home of a gracious, Godly missionary, I am learning about an old and new Russian culture. They do not wake to a glorious sunrise nor do they have an amazing view from their little porch but if you ask them if they like Russia they will say "I love Ulyanosvk and I love my people."
Tomorrow I will introduce you to some children, and update you on the progress of the church building.
We did take a wild ride to a new bridge that goes over the Great Volga river. It is one of the widest rivers in world, 4 1/2 miles wide.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Day 1 part 1 Ulyanosvk
After riding 16 hours on the train we arrived in Ulyanosvk at around 6:00am. We were met at the train station by Mrs. Masha, the lead national missionary, along with her son and his wife. The church is made up of women and children. Masha has amazing helpers in the church. Anyway, we were brought to a very large home that is rented for the purpose of housing mission teams. Every bed was neatly made and breakfast was prepared. What a welcome.
We left for the new church building around 11. I really had no idea what I would see. As we arrived we saw the women both young and old walking to church. This was their very first service in the unfinished building. These dear people were kicked out of the place they had been renting so they desperately need this building.
We had a worship service and were taught from Deuteronomy. After the service the people prepared an outdoor barbecue and fixed us kabobs and bread and cheese. We were stuffed. We came back to our home and showered and rested. At 8 the missionaries came with a cabbage and meat soup and fresh strawberries.
I have now been for a walk and must get some sleep for a work day tomorrow.
Friday, June 18, 2010
How God Prepared the Way
It is Saturday morning shortly after 9:00. I just spent the last hour writing a post only to press the wrong key and poof it disappeared. My thoughts will have to be added to this post when we get on our way by train. I will publish this portion and add to it later. Until then da svidanya.
It is now 4:00pm, Saturday. We are on board a train bound for Ulyanosvk. When I initially wrote this post it was early this morning. I was enjoying my breakfast on the little balcony outside my cozy room.
It was my wish to convey to you how God absolutely prepared our way as we entered Moscow. Before we boarded our plane in France my father gathered us together to instruct us on our dialogue going through customs. We were told to say we were tourists and we were here visiting moscow and Ulyanosvk. We were told not to say we were in a group or that we were working with a church.
With this in mind, we boarded our plane and prepared our hearts and minds for rest and a mission. We arrived in Moscow around 10:30 pm. ( It was actually still daylight.) We made our way to passport control. There was a long line of Russian citizens so it was slow at first. Then all of a sudden it was just our group. We all made it through to find our luggage. It was all there. Then we disbursed to go through customs. Lo and behold there were absolutely no customs agents anywhere to be found. We walked through without being checked. We were all carrying our Bibles and between us all 14,000.00 in American currency. We were met by our missionary host and without delay boarded a shuttle to the hotel.
We were met at the hotel by another missionary, a single lady serving faithfully in Russia. Her name is Linda Russell. She had prepared our suites with food and refreshment. We are coming here to serve and yet we are being served. I am truly overwhelmed.
And so I can say in my heart, To God be the Glory, great things he hath done. He truly goes before and prepares the way.
It is now 4:00pm, Saturday. We are on board a train bound for Ulyanosvk. When I initially wrote this post it was early this morning. I was enjoying my breakfast on the little balcony outside my cozy room.
It was my wish to convey to you how God absolutely prepared our way as we entered Moscow. Before we boarded our plane in France my father gathered us together to instruct us on our dialogue going through customs. We were told to say we were tourists and we were here visiting moscow and Ulyanosvk. We were told not to say we were in a group or that we were working with a church.
With this in mind, we boarded our plane and prepared our hearts and minds for rest and a mission. We arrived in Moscow around 10:30 pm. ( It was actually still daylight.) We made our way to passport control. There was a long line of Russian citizens so it was slow at first. Then all of a sudden it was just our group. We all made it through to find our luggage. It was all there. Then we disbursed to go through customs. Lo and behold there were absolutely no customs agents anywhere to be found. We walked through without being checked. We were all carrying our Bibles and between us all 14,000.00 in American currency. We were met by our missionary host and without delay boarded a shuttle to the hotel.
We were met at the hotel by another missionary, a single lady serving faithfully in Russia. Her name is Linda Russell. She had prepared our suites with food and refreshment. We are coming here to serve and yet we are being served. I am truly overwhelmed.And so I can say in my heart, To God be the Glory, great things he hath done. He truly goes before and prepares the way.
A post from Paris
I met sarah and sandra. They are from pennsylvania and are on their way to Syria for the summer. Sarah will be 8 tomorrow and her sister will be 5 in August.
We are in the Paris airport. When I took a walk around our waiting area I was interested to see that the most populated store was the alcohol and tobacco store. There were so many people and now we will be going to a country where there is no age restriction on the use of alcohol.
There is no distinction in the Lord's eyes when it comes to nationalities. He says to go into all the world. The world indeed is in need to hear the Gospel.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Anticipatory
It was just brought to my attention that in my little profile I got saved August 30, 2010. How amazing is that since we have not yet come to August of 2010. I did in fact get saved August 30, 2009, following a message preached by Scott Brown. Thank you Matt for letting me know that I had made a prediction for my future.
Last minute details
Hello to my friends and family who are following my trip to Russia. It is 1:00 pm here in New Jersey. I am enjoying some restful time in my Dad and Mom Overby's home. God has given me much needed strength after having a challenging time with my back after flying. He is faithful. In just a few hours we will be boarding our plane in New York, leaving to go to a land, not like Africa or a third world country, but still with vast cultural differences and great need to hear the Gospel of Christ. My dad has graciously shared with me some of the differences in ammenities and boy oh boy, it will be interesting.
Pastor and Anna captured the story of Africa in the faces of the people. My dad has told me the same, that the story of Russia will be seen in the faces of both young and old alike.
I am getting excited now that we are getting closer to leaving. I have been pretty numb and have found it hard to realize that I am not in a dream world. It is exciting to spend time with my birth father and to enjoy his love. My adoptive father, Ken Hilliard, and my Mom Hilliard, devoted their older years to raising me and my sister when most parents would have been empty nested. I thank the Lord that He placed me in their home and that through their testimonies I was introduced to the ways of the Lord and that many years later, the Lord drew me to Him.
Now I am blessed to be a part of the lives of both my adoptive parent and my birth father and mom. And more importantly I have been adopted into the family of my Lord and Saviour.
My next post will be a report from Paris, France. I can't wait to tell you what it is like. I hope I find a Starbucks. I will have a coffee for Pastor. I love you all and ask you to please pray for me to have extra stamina. Please pray that I can focus on talking to people about the Lord.
Goodbye for now.
Pastor and Anna captured the story of Africa in the faces of the people. My dad has told me the same, that the story of Russia will be seen in the faces of both young and old alike.
I am getting excited now that we are getting closer to leaving. I have been pretty numb and have found it hard to realize that I am not in a dream world. It is exciting to spend time with my birth father and to enjoy his love. My adoptive father, Ken Hilliard, and my Mom Hilliard, devoted their older years to raising me and my sister when most parents would have been empty nested. I thank the Lord that He placed me in their home and that through their testimonies I was introduced to the ways of the Lord and that many years later, the Lord drew me to Him.
Now I am blessed to be a part of the lives of both my adoptive parent and my birth father and mom. And more importantly I have been adopted into the family of my Lord and Saviour.
My next post will be a report from Paris, France. I can't wait to tell you what it is like. I hope I find a Starbucks. I will have a coffee for Pastor. I love you all and ask you to please pray for me to have extra stamina. Please pray that I can focus on talking to people about the Lord.
Goodbye for now.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Thank you
I want to thank my dear husband for encouraging me to take this missions trip. He has supported me in the whole process of my journey. I want to thank Pastor for teaching us to have hearts for missions and for being willing vessels to be used by God. Thank you church family for your prayers and words of encouragement. The story has already begun.
Headed to Russia
It is Tuesday night, June 15, and I am sitting in my seat waiting to depart from seatac airport on the first leg of my journey.
We are in the air headed for Chicago and from there to New Jersey. So far I have met a man named Charlie. He took me to the plane via a wheelchair. I realized when we got to the airport that I cannot move quickly enough to get from one plane to the other. I was able to tell Charlie about my missions trip. He was very good to me.
I am now sitting next to a woman headed to her home in Africa. I shared with her about Pastor's trip to Uganda and told her where I am going. She wanted to know if I was going to go spread the Gospel. She said we need to take the good news to every nation.
It is time for me to rest if I can. I love you all and covet your prayers for strength during the actual flights.
I found out as we got ready to land that the sweet African lady's name is Janet Kamanji. She is a vice principal in a highschool in Camaroun. She used to teach Chemistry. I had the opportunity to give her a tract from church along with my blog address. She attends a Presbyterian church.
It was a rush to get to my flight in Chicago but I made it. I am now on my way to Newark, New Jersey where I will find the open arms of my father, Don Overby. I am seated next to Jennifer and her 10 year old son, Nicholas.
As I go to new places I will claim many scriptures. Today I think of Paul when he wrote in Romans "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation,to everyone who believeth, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
There will be more to come as I meet new people and see more places.
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