Gods ways are unpredictable and incredible. After a youth conference that I had here in Yekaterinbrug, I am being invited to several areas around the area. A youth leader that got married and moved to Yekaterinburg from Kurgan was very persistent to send me to the church and youth that he left behind in Kurgan, a city the middle of Russia, somewhat close to the Khazakhstan border.
Traveling on a train is typical here in Russia, and I loved riding second class (not third) into the unknown. This was a first for me to just go by faith without knowing the person who is to meet me and take me in. It was a lovely simple adventure. Arriving after midnight, a young lady met me at the station. It was very chilly out, in -20’s.
Sunday we got to church, and I was immediately transported back to my childhood, and our conservative underground church in Leningrad. The simple house turned church, with the bathroom outhouses in the freezing cold.
As soon as the service began, I was flooded with the memories and the Spirit within me bubbled up with joy for these people simply loved the Lord and praised Him as they knew.
We had a simple lunch and tea afterwards. Sitting at the long table with the long benches, brought memory upon memory from my decade spend in Russia growing up prior to moving to the comforts of America.
The youth seminar was to be held at another church, and youth took the public transportation to get there, enjoying the laughter and company of each other. I was taken there by car, to escape the icy weather.
The Seminar.
It was a blessed time of sharing Gods truth. With every time I share my seminar is getting more and more polished. After receiving numerous questions via text messages and email I have realized the importance of explaining the wisdom of God in designing the human body. The main portion that has been added here in Russia, is sharing the truth about Gods Design for human body, which is teaching simple physiology, talking about menstrual cycle and wet dreams. This is becoming a vital aspect of my seminars and it was great fun with not knowing the right terminology for everything in Russian. The comfort and simplicity with which I share these topics are surprising even myself. The youth said that they have never had anyone share with them on any of these topics.
This trip was a gift for me. A travel back in time sort of. I was truly honored and blessed to meet my brothers and sisters in the deep center of Russia. An unexpected financial gift that exceeded the amount I paid for train tickets, completely shocked me. Even in the remote, cold Russian village, God is taking care of me. I am never alone. Never forgotten. Loved, and taken care of. For this I am overwhelmed with gratitude.
I felt like such a foreigner on the way back, in my uggs, earphones blasting worship music, my water bottle and starbucks thermos cup. The train glided thru the forest of a winter wonderland, that I unfortunately was not able to capture on camera. This trip and the train ride, is one of those rare moments we have in life that we are overflowing with contentment and are unable to explain the bouquet of emotions. This moment is simply engraved as a permanent sweet memory in my heart.
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