A trip to "Rock City"

In the Buryat village where the church is reaching out

     I have tried to make a trip to "Rock City" at least once a year for a while now.  Some years I have even made it a couple of times, but it isn't easy as it is a 7-8 hour bus ride including long stretches of windy, rough gravel and patchy paved roads, and I have to get special government permission to travel there because it is on the boarder with Mongolia.  But the trip is always worth it in the end to visit this remote area where a small church has been gathering for a number of years now.  One of the exciting things I always like to check up on is the ministry in a small Buryat village not far from the town of "Rock City".

Raising animals is a big part of Buryat village life

     It was great to see how the church is supporting the work out in this village, and to have the chance to go out to talk with and encourage the young Buryat family that is living there.  They are very comfortable with living in the village and are able to build relationships with their neighbors in ways that foreigners and Russians can't because Buryat is their first language and they understand naturally all the cultural rules.

In the house in the village

     It is encouraging to hear and see how this family is growing in their faith too.  The wife "S" shared her testimony at the church service on Sunday, sharing how God has brought her to Himself through many different relationships and trials in her life.  It was a reminder again that usually people need to hear from a number of different sources about Jesus before they decide to follow Him.  After the service we had lunch together at the pastors house and talked about Christian resources in Buryat.  There is unfortunately not much available, and what is available is not always understandable because it is written in the literary dialect.  I hope and pray that more resources will become available for people like "S" and "D" so that they can hear and think about God in their heart language.  Maybe God will even use this young family in making things available in their dialect.

Dave and I at the pastor's house with his family

     People living in more remote places like "Rock City" are often encouraged when people visit because they can often feel isolated and even forgotten about.  This young family has four fun, active children, and Dave and I enjoyed some "uncle" time playing with them as well as having good conversations with their parents.  Please pray for this family as they are working through some questions related to their ministry in the church.

Our hosts for the weekend

     A little over a year ago when we visited we drove down and back with "S".  He was praying about moving to "Rock City" with his family and wanted to check things out at that time.  This time we got to stay with he and his family for our weekend there.  It is cool to hear about the step of faith they took in moving and to see how they are pouring into the church.  Every Saturday he spends time walking through the city and praying, then goes with another young man in the church to visit a retirement home and help bring some encouragement to those in the later years of life.

Sunday church service

     I'm glad we were able to go and be an encouragement and that we were able to see this small, remote church following God and growing.  We are praying that they will continue to grow in being a witness for Jesus in "Rock City" and in all the Buryat villages throughout that region!

Siberian Festival of Arts

     A few weeks ago, I was asked to speak at a Festival of Arts for students, ages 10-24.  The theme of the festival was the Refugee Crisis.  As part of an international competition, students were to prepare something (e.g. essay, powerpoint, video, skit, song, artwork) that spoke from their perspective on potential solutions to the crisis.  Before I went, I knew little about what I was getting into.  But I have to say it was such a delight to both speak to and hear from these bright young people!  This (pictured above) presentation was touching, as each person stepped forward representing Buryats, Russians, Tartars, Azerbaijanis, and Ukrainians.  They held hands after their introductions and said, "And we are friends".  They went on to speak of peace and opening the borders of our hearts to one another.




     I don't have any pictures of me speaking, but here I am passing out certificates at the end.  =)  I enjoyed talking with people afterward and met students who are interested in further practicing their English.  It'll be interesting to see if anything comes of these connections.

5th Annual White Party

    It's White Month here in Buryatia, and a few years ago we started a tradition to have a White Party.  It's been a chance to share and learn more about Buryat culture as well as to share about how we can truly be clean and whiter than snow.  We served white foods, including the traditional Buryat food- pozie!  (it's a meat dumpling)  We also had meat, white salads, white pizzas, white chocolate fondue, and white desserts.  The kids all took part in preparing for the special night.

     These two friends brought a traditional Buryat bread, called Boobyn, that they made.  It's hard to see the design on the bread in the picture, but it was made with a wooden stamp that he carved himself. It's very good- almost like a tea biscuit (but not as sweet).  It can be stored for a long time- over 10 years!


     In years past we have made pozie with friends before the party.  This year we just steamed them.  Zhenya is the expert on how long to steam them!
   


     We enjoyed talking and eating all of the delicious food.  People came in waves, which made it nice for conversation and not feeling too crowded.




     Martina made these awesome white cheescakes with the Buryat New Year's greeting.  We the traditional gifts of tea and chocolates to our guests.  We attached a Bible verse-blessing to each one (written in both English and Russian).  Leif shared about how he loves that blessings are a big part of Buryat culture and how in the Bible, blessings are very important, too.

 Leif shared a bit more as our girls passed them out.

      Then we played a couple of silly games.

      In this game, people had to draw a steppe, sheep, and moon on the plate while it was on top of their head.

     Following the "white" theme, we played a game where we had to put cotton balls into the cup on our heads while blindfolded, using a plastic spoon.  It turned out to be really funny!

    Everyone took a turn, including our kids.  One guy that came is normally so serious, but he kept laughing and laughing during this game.  It was really fun to see.

     We spent time mingling and talking more.  Our friends drove a car load of people back to their village 1.5 hours away and they had great conversation as they traveled.

      We're thankful for these new friends that we've made and for a successful party!

Thinking of the Next Generation

     Some day (hopefully very soon!), I will share more about all that's been going on these past weeks.  But for now, I'll leave you with a few pictures of the construction on our church building.  When we first came a few years ago, the whole church fit inside what is now our main meeting room.  Since then we added a bathroom (running water!), kitchen, and kids' room.  Something wonderful is that our church is bursting at the seams with KIDS, and so just last month, construction began on a second floor (for more kids' rooms).  Kids are so important, and I love to think of families becoming healthy and the next generation rising up to praise our Lord and to share Him with others!