Duane
Hey gents,
Just a quick report from Ufa. We’re here; we’re safe; we can’t get the wireless to work. They forgot the codes. Today I’m going to tap into their system with a cable, but I have so far hesitated… Arkady takes great care of us, but he’s a little reluctant to let us mess around in his office.
Sunday went great. I was in Ufa Baptist Church. Wonderful. Sergei told me I could “preach freely” in his church. Fine with me. Scott went to Peter’s church and enjoyed his time; Henry went to another place I don’t know. At night I spoke at the House of Prayer; Scott spoke at Ben’s Church, and Henry spoke at the training session for Ufa Baptist church which meets here at the training center. All went well.
It is good to see the brothers. This is my third time here, and I seem to have established a good rapport with the men. I feel WAY better this trip because…
…the topic (Christology) isn’t nearly as controversial at first appearances as last year’s (if they only knew!) …the men who are a bit antagonistic haven’t shown. The class is small (10 guys as of Monday) and they are tired from Easter (yesterday) and listening well but not real responsive.
…I am sharing the teaching responsibilities with Scott, and his insights and encouragement have been a great blessing.
So I am totally at peace and enjoying the trip (so far) more than any
other I’ve done.
Emelia is her usual cheery self, more open than ever about her struggles in being a vibrant colorful believer in the context of a tight Russian Baptist tradition.
I wonder if I have become so associated with last year’s topic (Man, Sin, and Salvation) that a lot of the men are staying away? Or it is the season of year when they need to work with the bees? Emelia thinks the divisions here are affecting the men’s participation in the Antioch Initiative. No surprise. But Peter is fully supportive, as always. And I’m having a great time! So, in the words of our post-modern youth-driven nihilistic culture: whatever.
This weekend, we will probably go on a tour of the camp, and I may get to go with Ivan to Octobersky. They are sending us out to different places and it should provide an interesting experience. I guess it makes sense. We paid the full amount to sponsor a full class, and if it is not better attended, I assume they will have some left over money to spend carting us around.
Things are super expensive here, what with the declining dollar and all that. Our meals in Moscow cost over $20.00 each for simple fare, and Ufa has not been much better.
Ran into Chris Carr. He’s having trouble getting visas for his teammates. He’s not feeling persecuted — just feeling like his ministry is caught in the middle of Russia’s attempt to deal with illegal aliens. That sounds funny. Illegal? I asked him if people were tying to leave the country illegally. He laughed and said no, they have a real problem with Asians just like we have a problem with illegals from south of our border.
I’m looking forward to completing our trip and getting home. The last I heard, my father was in the hospital and mom had been working hard to care for him while she recovers from her second chemo treatment. I wish I could be there to help in some way.
Thanks for your prayers.
Oh, and the guys liked the shirts.
Jim Achilles
Pastor
Grace Bible Church of Hollister
…growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (II Peter 3:18).
