3 Things I Learned Today

I learned three interesting things about Russia today.

1. While at the post office trying to send off some gifts back to the USA, turns out that sending souvenirs is illegal. So that’s pretty neat. I searched the internet far and wide for this kind of outrageous law, but no such luck. I personally think its balderdash, and I know it wasn’t a translation error because I had my trusty English and Russian speaking friend with me. So when all your mailboxes are emtpy, know that I tried, and expect something around June. haha.

2. There is a giant flea market plus fruit market and mall, merely a block away from my flat, and it’s just full of glorious things. I’m sorry, can’t mail you anything. But that wont stop me from going there all the time.


3. Russian students would rather skip class and come to the English Club. Or at least Tatiana and Natalia would. This morning they showed up at the English Club, and we were surprised because they have school on Saturday. Well we were even more surprised to find out that they snuck out of their building and walked all the way from the school to the church (more than 25 minute walk). I told Pastor Sasha this and he just laughed and said “well that’s fruit for us.” True…. Haha.


Peace Out,
-Alissa

Think on These Things: 2

Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you.

-Jan Goldstein

Nizhny Novgorod: ions better than the toilet in a Newport mansion

This weekend I went to Nizhny Novgorod, the fourth largest city in Russia. I have been there three times before, all at night, but really only at a train station to get on a train, or to get into a car going between Moscow and Zavolzhye. I described those combined ten minutes spent in Nizhny as going to a Newport Mansion but only seeing the bathroom.

In my wildest dreams I never thought it would be such a beautiful city, and it is a shame that I have not spent more time there.

The city is made up of two large regions, the Upper City and the Lower City, divided by the Oka River. It is said that the city is built on hills, and that it is. The Upper part is the oldest part of the city, and set up on a giant hill, where you can go to the embankment and see for miles into the distance. The Lower City is newer and less expensive to live in, but also still historic. As a city, Nizhny offers more than 600 unique historic, architectural, and cultural monuments in the city, which gave UNESCO a reason to include it in its top 100 cities of the world which are of great cultural and historical value.

Saturday I drove up with Mike (Sasha), Lena, and Mike Haynes for a day trip of sightseeing. We stopped at their favorite restaurant, in English translated to “Eater,” and enjoyed new Russian tastes. Then we drove around the Upper City, seeing the embankment, multiple churches, and the awesome bridges that the city has. We stopped into an art gallery and walked through the modern art showcase, which was so interesting. I am not sure of the artist being featured, but the colors and textures of his pieces were just so catchy. Then we walked around the Kremlin, which is the main government area. This is cool because it has kind of a castle wall going around it, and there are many interesting things inside the walls- like the eternal flame, beautiful church building, and cool views of the surrounding area.

Mike and Lena new of a concert going on, so we bought tickets. It was such a great performance. The main feature was a talented violinist from St. Petersburg, along with the Nizhny Orchestra. The musician was incredibly talented, and there were time when people clapped for ten minutes to try and get him to come back out and perform some more. In the crowd, there was a lady with purple hair.

Afterwards I met up with my friend Asya, who I met last week when the student team was here- she was our interpreter. We all split ways and I went home with Asya. Her family is so awesome, and it really was an encouragement to spend time with them. While she is the only fluent English speaker, I felt right at home with them. Her cute little sister put on a “concert” for me, which consisted of a Michael Jackson-esque dance to a Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack. It was hilarious. Then we stayed up late watching Pirates of the Caribbean (in English!).

The next morning I went with her family to their church, a ten year old Vineyard Church plant in the Upper City, close to their home. Since the church is made up of so many nationalities with English and Russian being the common languages, the service is craftily combined using the two languages. The worship music is both English and Russian, and then the American pastor has a Russian interpreter. It was a good sermon, and the people were so kind and welcoming.

Asya, her friend Anya, and I walked to the embankment, where we could truly see the lower city in all its glory. It was soo cool, as there was a bridge that sits between two cliffs. So cool.

Then sadly, it was time for me to get on the bus to come back to Zavolzhye! Thanks to the bus driver for telling me what station to get off, and Pastor Sasha for picking me up=)

Think On These Things: One

It is said that in some countries trees will grow, but will bear no fruit because there is no winter there. 

-John Bunyan

Double Your Breakfast, Double Your Fun.

A giant part of being a missionary in a foreign land is simply living. Other than ministry work, one must figure out how to get food, where to buy a backpack if yours breaks, learning the language, and how to get along with the people. Im well equipped to tell some of these kinds of stories.

I accidently ate two breakfasts yesterday. Lost in translation was the fact that Anya’s mom, a professional chef, was coming to the apartment yesterday to cook some food for me. So after I ate a hearty breakfast consisting of onions, potatoes, garlic and jam and bread, I hopped in the shower, only to hear someone walking through the house. Unusual I thought, as Anya was at work for the day. Maybe she stopped home to see how I was doing. I got dried off and took a peak into the kitchen, where most of the ruckus was, and was definitely surprised to see Anya’s mother cooking up potatoes and chicken, with a further spread on the table of cheese, bread, sausage, homemade jam, candy, chocolates and tea. She doesn’t speak English, and I didn’t want to offend, so I just ate. Ha-ha. Oh man so fullll for the rest of the day.

Mike and I have come to a conclusion that we didn’t remember how "intense" the food is here from last year. Everyday it’s fried, buttery, carb saturated, salt infused, and sugar coated. (What, am I in the Southern USA?) If it isn’t fried, than you probably have to fry it. If you seem hungry, they will offer cheese and sausage and bread. Even the cake seems greasy. The 3-8% milk does nothing for my system.

Don’t get me wrong, their food is delicious, and maybe it’s just because I am still a guest that they are heaping me up with such rich and delicious foods.

In my suitcase I brought Mexican and ranch seasoning packets, and hope they can be the start of some youth food parties! Or maybe I can make something for the English club. That would be great.

Some other observations about the food:

• they do not have ground meat here, and turkey is not readily available. 
• Peanut butter is not an option, unless you are in a bigger city. 
• I can’t figure out what the Russian translation for cous cous is here. But I would love to know.
• They love tea, and soup. The tea is great, and the soups are all delicious, my favorite being pickle soup. (Imagine a glorious soup made of pickles, with tons of other pickled veggies.) 
• No one has coffee brewers, and that’s because their coffee is all instant, and surprisingly delightful. 
• They don’t call what we call cereal, cereal. Their definition of cereal is more like a hot, grainy oatmeal kind of thing, and the stuff you get in a box and pour with milk isn’t really popular. 
• Everyone here gets their potatoes, carrots, garlic, and berries from their garden (but since there are more apartment buildings than homes, I’ve yet to stumble on these gardens I’m told exist.) 
• Everyone makes their own jam, from strawberry, raspberry, currant, cherry, etc. And it’s ALLL delicious. The Russian word for jam actually stems from the term “to boil."

I cant wait to try new Russian foods though. Their flavor profile is so interesting, and surely there are some recipes I can bring home.

In a little while I am going to trek across the icy tundra to the Spar grocery store and pile up on all of the produce available. I have seen avocado and pomegranate around, which would be a delight. Otherwise, I saw mushrooms, tomatoes, oranges, berries, and apples! I was also told that there is also a farmers market across the way, bring it on!!!!

Sorry for the delay in posting. Its difficult here with the dial up internet. Im tryin though=)
God Bless,
-Alissa

Experience of a Lifetime

Why Hello There!

Just writing to you all to quickly let you know how things are going
in the good old country o' Russia.

The trip with the JWU/GHCC team has been awesome. God has been at work
in Russia, and the whole week was one blessing after another, some
probably in disguise. Doors of opportunity were swung open as we
invited college students to church, and the gospel was preached to
students who have never before heard it.

Last night I experienced something that literally was the most
terrifying, yet amazing and awesome experience in my entire life. I
watched my team mates: Kim, Jake, Kevin, and Erica drive off on their
way back to America, and I was now in a place where no one fluently
spoke my native language. Riding in the car with Pastor Sasha and his
wife Galina, we drove to Anya's apartment, where I will be staying for
3 months. The drop off was full of broken English & Russian, but
that's how it's going to be for a while.

This morning we walked to the church, a brisk and icey 15 minutes,
where the English Language Club was taking place. I am "shadowing"
Mike for the next month, until it is time to take over the teaching!
This is a new outreach for the church, and people have been coming who
have not been to church in years, or never at all!

Zavolzhye Baptist Church has been incredible in their hospitality and
are committed and dedicated to teaching the bible. Pray for them, that
they stay committed and become bold in the Gospel.


Thank you all for your support, and I am incredibly excited about the
opportunity to serve God in this way. Let us pray for one another
faithfully =)

Love you & God Bless
-Alissa-

p.s. feel free to write back anytime, and keep me updated on your lives!
Skype: ClosingatNever
=)

What Am I Doing Here?

It’s a question I like to think about a lot, because I’m still wondering myself sometimes. At the moment it relates to being in Zavolzhye Russia.

My visa says “business of religion,” but that does not exactly sum up the three reasons that I am here.

First and foremost I am here as a volunteer missionary to work with the Zavolzhye Baptist Church and assist in establishing their English Language Club. I am working with Mike Haynes, another missionary from Chattanooga, TN. This club is open to the public and is a means to practice, not teach, English. We do not go over grammar and we do not give out grades. What we do facilitate is conversation and comprehension using tools like bible reading and watching Christian based movies. This club takes precedence of my time as I learn the tools and equipment, get to know the people, and research different methods of imparting the English language to non native speakers. It meets three times a week and is an outreach method for the church, meeting a need in the community while hopefully spurring them to think on things above.

Second of all I am here as a student from Johnson & Wales University earning a trimesters worth of experiential education credit. I am documenting my experiences and will be completing multiple assignments that will bring me closer to a Bachelors degree in Travel and Tourism. JWU has generously allowed me to gain credit through this experience, and I am taking advantage as I cooperate with the International Missions Board.

Thirdly I am here as a writer, adventurer, and people lover. Mike Haynes started writing books about 2 years ago when his wife Phyllis died. Together we are co-authoring a book that will highlight our experiences in Russia and starting the English Club. It will be a quick read, but full of life experience, exciting stories, and history. This will be his third, and by the time I am graduated from college I will have a published book on Amazon.com.

There is not much documentation about this area of Russia available to Westerners, so I also want to photograph and record the amazing things here. Using my blog, Flickr, Facebook, Twitter, etc, I hope to spur an interest in Russia beyond the obvious. There are amazing people and places nestled in the small villages and faraway towns, and being someone engaged in the tourism field, it is a great undiscovered land that we should discover. Also because we are more inclined as Christians to reach out when we know what needs exist.

I am only here for three months, and do not want to discount the long term work being done by missionaries and native born christians here, but it is definitely a blessing to be able to serve God in this way.

-Alissa

Hello From Russia

So here I am. Day 3 into this awesome adventure. We are all safe and sound, the plane ride was smooth, but oh man so long, the day in Moscow was exciting and exhausting and brought us to see the Kremlin and other new and exciting sights, good food, a flat tire, and the train ride was fast, because we slept (I slept… haha).

Yesterday we had church in the morning at Zavaolzhye Baptist Church, and Kevin shared his powerful testimony. We also were able to see the new additions to the church since last year, which include a floor in the sanctuary, English Club room, and nice kitchen!!!! They also have a legit door, instead of just a piece of steel. Last night we ventured into Gorodets, a small town about 20 minutes from Zavolzye. There we lead their Sunday night service by singing (haha, we sang), sharing about ourselves, and Kevin sharing his testimony once more. We were able to have some really good and encouraging conversations with some of the youth, and please pray for the 17 year old boy who came up to Jake and asked him how he could believe in God, since he had a mathematical brain. He was truly searching for the truth, and they talked for a good 35 minutes until we had to leave.
Pray that our time today in the schools, that sharing our presentation, is fruitful.

Thanks!
-Alissa

Show Us How You Live: What Do You Collect?

 

Over at Kelly's Corner blog, a blog carnival is being hosted! This week's topic?  

What do you collect?

 So I'm not a hoarder, but I cant remember a time when I didnt have a weird collection going on. How about the mini eraser collection I had? Or clover grass from the back yard because it was pretty. Or intense amount of horse everything. Well, I threw all that crap out, and kind of developed a phrase:

One thing that my collections won't collect: dust.  

Magnets. I dont know how people cant love magnets. They are a fun addition to every refridgerator, and can express a multitude of things, as well as being useful to hold things up, and remind you of fun memories. I have collected magnets from everywhere in the world I've been, from Buffalo to Moscow, Gatorland in Florida, to Athens Greece to Hawaii. I have over 25 magnets. Here is a small pic of my fridge for you all to see.



My two favorites are the Buffalo, from Buffalo, and the cracked plate from Greece (which cracked because it fell on the floor ten times! but makes it look ancient and authentic haha).

 Books. Lets just say I was raised a reader. Ever since reading The Junkyard Dog and Saddle Club books as a kid, Ive been tearing up pages ever since. Also worked at a library for 3 years, which was the best time of my life. (I am the master of Dewey Decimal)

Pretty sure there's over a thousand books on my bookshelves, a vast collection generally made up of nonfiction. Me and my nonfiction =true love. I would read them all again for sure.

Lastly, I'd like to mention my small but hopefully growing collection of "destination" art, art work that is focused on a city or destination. For example, my beautiful old map of Block Island, Rhode Island. Sure it only costs 50 cents and it got wrinkled on the ferry ride, but its so cool! Also, my colorful rendering of Moscow! A little more pricey, but completely worth it.
  The last piece I have is a sketched drawing of Paris. I got it while hanging out in the Charles De Gaulle airport on the way back from Greece.

Anyone else collect anything good? 

How to: Pray for Missionaries

Taken from MissioMishmash, "How To Pray For Missionaries" click here for expanded version.

Is there more to missionary intercession than “Lord, please bless all the missionaries”?

 Much missionary prayer is shallow. Yet prayer is a vital part in the fulfillment of the Lord’s Great Commission. Every Christian should be involved in world evangelism through faithful, biblically based prayer. Here are some suggestions (of ways to pray for a missionary) I think will empower your intercession:  

• Love for God. .
•  Genuine love for others.  
•  A deeper relationship with God.  
•  Vital, supportive home churches and individuals who are willing to pray fervently and faithfully. 
•  The supply of financial need.  
•  Cultural adjustment. 
•  Protection from Satan’s attacks. 
•  Single life. 
•  Fruitfulness.  
•  A sense of urgency. 
•  Health and strength. 
•  Specific ministry needs. 

It is so exciting to be on the brink of something crazy beautiful. Lately I have learned what a global God we serve!

Hope this list helps you in your prayers for all the missionaries you know=)
Check the expanded version for some more indepth tips.

Leaving for Russia tomorrow morning!