Missions: Hands On Training!

It must have been early evening when our train left Moscow, because I believe, it was early morning when we got to Minsk. Hadley and his crew were there to escort Ulia and to meet me, and Patrick and his family along with the gang that they had assembled to whisk me off to the Belarusian Daily happenings after I thanked Ulia for all the help..

The Saws had continued their domestic ministry of inviting people back in the States , mostly young men and women, around fifteen to twenty+ year olds, to their home even here in Minsk. After every Bible study there was always refreshments that ranged from different kinds of fruits to some times even big sausages that they would boil then serve hot later in the evening. You could watch them put on weight, especially the young men, as the economy was in hyper state of inflation and the Saws were partakers in ‘Seedtime and Harvest’ (Gen. 8:22) or sowing & reaping (2Cor. 9:6 & Gal. 6:7) depending on what Scripture you would explain their prosperity.

Their Children were impressed that they were living from the Giving that was generated from the limited deputation they generated. It was coming in regular intervals from diversified sources. Baptist Churches, Assembly Of God Congregations and different Friends, Relatives and Spiritual Associations involved in their support! Talk about The Body Of Christ being in one accord, and it was phenomenal in their situations.

So many times in The States, you would find the different factions warring with one another, because of Doctrine, Perspectives and Petty Dogmatic Beliefs.

Patrick was in charge of the design for the ministries per se. Buying Russian new testaments, tracts and what ever was needed. Jamie has told me that she kept track of monies, that were coming in and I know she was influential in the specifics of how it was being spent and getting done. She told me that they were functioning fully on about $500 USD a month, including, housing, food, Ministry and social travel and entertainment, that always included those who were being ministered to. All of that along with Visas and what ever it took to function in the bureaucracies of the strange laws and double standards of the former USSR. It does not take you long to learn to partake of the national economy and prices for the Locals when you are working on a limited income. There always seem to be enough!

Speaking about their economy, Inflation was so bad that they had added invisible Zeros to the only currency that was printed. It changed at least 3 times during those four months I was there. The 100-ruble bill was 1,000 rubles and before I left, I think it was a hundred thousand rubles, even tho it had only two zeros printed on it. The locals changed what money, oh yea some of my Russian is coming back. They exchanged their not needed ‘Dingy’ into $USD so it hung onto is value. I was still able to go to the Opera, Ballet, Circus and other forms of entertainment for the equivalent of an American dime. Jamie always seem to have some project lined up for the “Youth Ministry” and since I was a part of the Ministry, I also got an adequate education in ‘Culture” that I would not ever had at home. The following year my wife and I had to pay $1USD for the same thing, they had printed bigger denomination bills, and the invisible Zeros had disappeared. She was so pleased to having seen so many Operas and Ballets by the best professionals of those countries. Jamie was still at work educating the poor and providing some interesting outings!

BTW! Their bills look like Monopoly money and when I commented about it, I was told that a toy manufacturer had printed it for them. The following year it did look a little more sophisticated though.

Another step of Faith, the Saws were walking in, was they believed GOD to be their ‘Great Physician’, as not having any kind of medical plan, even if you had it, trusting their medical facilities in the former USSR, would have been a quantum Leap of Faith in itself. I was told that years ago their youngest daughter fell out of a hi-Chair and her shoulder was thrown out of joint. It was terribly painful and it took a hospital visit to get it back in shape. While playing in one of the many parks and thru a little horse play, her shoulder jumped out of place again. They knew what it was from their previous experience. Even with the grotesque look of the situation, she did not seem to be in much pain and this former Baptist, Now Bapticostal man laid hands on his daughter with the rest of the family in agreement and watched GOD restore it to its proper place.

Having a part in his Mentoring, the only thing better for me than hearing about it, would have been watching them do it!

A quick note on their Medical field: Their hospitals were like walking into the 1940’s in The States. One of the head Pediatricians who was also a Professor at one of the medical universities became a very good and dear friend of ours. She was a part of those who we were ministering to. My wife & I loved her and her dedication to the children of need in her country very much. A year or two after we came back home she was chosen to visit some of our hospitals here in the US and we were told that she cried when she seen what was available & used to help our disabled children here!

By the time I arrived in Belarus the Saws had close to a year under their belt and I will have to come back later to fill in how Jamie came across a job opening teaching young children of bureaucrats that were from many different countries. They were assigned to their Country’s Embassies &/or working for companies that were under contract to the Belarusian Government to help them get their post Soviet Bureaucracies and Banking Systems up to speed. Now they were ministering, as Tentmakers in the true sense of the term. (Now even with the Title &/or Office!) With this background … track record … other doors were constantly being opened that has taken them to many places that HE has brought them to. This also allowed Jamie to continue in her called ministry to Women in general and Children specifically. She was doing a phenomenal job at this during the day, now generating a steadier stream of Ministry Revenue. She was also a major player to “The Youth Ministry” in the evening!

My assignment was to go with the Saw kids, as they did some of the shopping & delivering messages and ministries that made each one an important part of what was going on. I was told I had two weeks to learn my way around and where different people lived, as the 3 girls needed to be back in their own room, that they had given up for me, instead of camping out in the main room of their 3 room flat. The youngest, being a boy had his cot in the entry hall with the shoes, wraps and umbrellas. Them chillens, sure impressed me, jumping on a motorboose, Tramvia or disappearing below the snow on a meetro (Underground Train) like gophers and having us pop up somewhere else on the other side of town. Keep in mind this was a city of about 2 million people and a great accomplishment for kids from about 14 to even the boy of eight who also had directions dialed in.

I had a need to learn as fast as I could and they all turned out to be great teachers, as they would show me milestones and monuments to tie it all together. I do not think I ever really got lost, tho they might differ with me.

The City had certain street crossings under the street and they would have shops &/or temporary Kiosks where you would be able to buy some of the things that only came available at different times. Since you had to walk about 20 feet down and then back up that 20 feet on the other side of the street. When I had enough Toilet Paper or some other necessities, I gave thought to watch for the cars and when clear jot across the street without all the Up & Down. The first time I did it, I did not pay attention to a Guyee (Police on foot) that had a car pulled over and was doing his thing. I just stepped on the opposite curb, when I heard this loud and persistent whistle being blown. I had a hunch that it was being blown at me and I tried to ignore it and picked up the pace when I then heard this angry yelling still coming in my direction. I incredulously look back over my shoulder and saw him yank his arm motioning me to come to him. He was yelling at me and pointing to the street corner that I had just crossed and I shrugged my shoulders and used two of the Russian words I had learned. Nyet Parooskie, I said over & over again. (No Russian) and he finally slapped his left wrist with his right hand cupped like a bracelet, yanking his left arm like he was going to drag it down the sidewalk and I said, “OH!” He responded with a Sarcastic Ponimyish? (Understand? That I learned later!) & a final “Nyet Parooskie” almost spitting and waved me on down the sidewalk knowing he had adequately warned me. Nevertheless, to say, I very seldom jay walked above ground unless in a “BIG” hurry after looking way up & down both streets.

Next week we will look at some of the Ministry that was going on, including Bible Studies and also praying for the sick and disabled. Oh Yes my newly made friend and roomy for my first move.

©2008

What is too long?

As I continue to Blog, it is so obvious that it is an on going School. Becoming aware that writing a book & Blogging maybe close to the same or completely opposite. I am reading “THE JESUS I NEVER KNEW” by PHILIP YANCEY at my bedside before going to sleep and I try to read a chapter every time. Needless to say, it is ‘Sleep O’Clock’ before coming to the end of the chapter. There will be a posting of ‘Reviews’ here as soon as they are typed up.

That brings to mind the need to get ‘Joel Osteen’s’ “YOUR BEST LIFE NOW” Reviewed and Posted too!

Now for the QUESTION! For you that are reading this Blog, “Google Analytics” tells me you are there! Are the posts too long or do you have time to read it every week as it is? Make a comment and let me know one way or another.

OK back to ‘The Salt Mines’ 1

©2008

Getting Out of Dodge! I mean Moscow!

Loved of The LORD, Happy New Year! I will preface this next section with looking back that I was walking in The Faith that I knew about for 17 years and in turn had taught it to others for many of those years as grew in it myself. It seemed like I was in a dream and having my own working capital and Several Thousand for the Saws on me I was very uncomfortable. I was always coming to that place of deciding to Trust HIM again! And Again! AND AGAIN!

If there was ever one … This Is ... “The Secret!”

I am glad that I am writing all this down now, as trying to remember what happened, names and places are not jumping out at me yet! Thank you Becky for encouraging me to do this. Yes and Jamie too, for so many of the particulars!

After we got all my gear up the 3 flights of stairs, Ulia introduced me to her parents and I walked in & over to them to shake hands. I am not sure how I became aware that I was doing something wrong, nevertheless, all three seemed to be looking at my brand new Sorel Snow Boots and then I noticed that they were not wearing any shoes of any kind. I looked back at the entry passage & saw all their shoes there. Thus, my first lesson in Russian Culture. It is easier to stay up with “Outside Dirt” kept in that one spot!

I need to place a side note here about my Sorel Snow Boots. Knowing that I was to be in weather that I was not used to, I researched the weather in the north and knew if I kept my feet warm & dry, that I would be able to make it. Where was Google when I needed it. Well I used what was a search engine back then as Google did not come on the scene for about four years later. I found several weather boot manufacturers and read the specs and knew I wanted a pair of Sorel Caribous and was really proud that I had found them. Yes, my brothers & sisters, I was thanking GOD to have found them and the peace that these were the ones! I remember several Belarusian women laughing at me because I held comfort, i.e. keeping warm & dry, ahead of being fashionable.

Ulia's, Parents were Jewish, tho I did not find out if they were practicing or not. Ulia became what was called a ‘Completed Jew’ and was going with an American who headed up a fellowship made up of mostly Jewish people who knew Yeshuah, as their Savior. The Saws were hooked up with him and of course the scenario to send Ulia back to Moscow and help me get to Minsk developed from there. More about him later.

A hot meal of borch, which is a kind of Russian soup with water, meat, potatoes, cabbage, carrot, tomatoes and beetroot, was served with sour cream. The Saws had fixed a dinner before they left, so it was the second time I ate it. With 3 foot of snow outside and the end of February, it hit the spot!

Ulia’s Father & I conversed with hand signs and grunts and by the time Ulia and I left for Minsk, he had me counting to five in Russian. Ulia explained that she was sleeping in her parent’s bed with her mom and her dad would sleep on the couch. Her room (The 2^nd room of the 2 room flat.) had a single bed and on top of the closet was stacks to the ceiling wrapped with cloth to keep their identity unknown. It was plain what was off limits for me and I soon was nestled in.

The next morning was Sunday and after a hot cereal of some kind of grain and my counting lessons, Ulia and I headed to one of the 3 local assemblies of the “Non-Denominational” Denomination that I mentioned that we were a part of years before.

See: Sunday, October 14, 2007 Where Do I Fit In The Body Of Christ? VI

Even in 1994 there were already three of them in Moscow! The Pastor was an American and he taught in English with a Russian Interpreter. I was welcomed with open arms and know I could have functioned there if there were not all ready plans in motion to keep me busy for what wound up to be 4 months away from home.

A side Note: The Pastor was going with a national and they were planning on getting married later on that year. A couple months later, I found out that the… Let me just all him “The Overseer” of the Eastern European Assemblies of the Local churches of that “Non-Denominational” Denomination told the Pastor that he could not marry this woman, because of the complications that it would cause.

Nevertheless, they got married and the Pastor was removed from that Church by the N-D Denom. When they tried to place another Pastor in that spot, the congregation refused, because they wanted their original Pastor and the Church was pulled from the rolls. Several years later, being privy to the N-D’s Pastor’s Conference from friends who were still involved, I found out that the original Pastor had been restored into their ranks and was even addressing the conference about what was happening in Russia.

After Church we all headed to a restaurant and fellowshipped a couple hours. Ulia took me around to some of the sites and we made a quick pass of “Red Square” and headed back to visit with her parents.

After dinner, I excused myself and read Scripture for a while. I started to read 3 Chapters every day and 5 chapters on Sunday in the late 70’s that put me thru the Bible in a year. I doubled up 2 or 3 years so it would tally up to thru it once for every year of commitment. As I write this now I am in the last few chapters of Revelation, now for the 30^th time. Every time it has open up even more to my understanding and enhanced my relationship with HIM.

The night before I spotted a chart on the door that had the Russian alphabet with Hebrew comparison and started giving it my attention. I had taken 1 year Hebrew several years ago, yet never took it any further. What happen was for those few evenings I had the groundwork of learning the Russian sounds, tho some had to come from Hades, as I never learned to pronounce them really right. Nevertheless, things looked like they were dropping into place.

The next morning, Monday we left after breakfast and my Russian lessons … well numbers anyhow and headed back up town to purchased our train tickets to Minsk. After several inquires, Ulia found out that the train ticket for me was going to cost about $150+ USD being a foreigner and after talking it over for awhile we decided to take a step of Faith and buy two national tickets for around $8 USD each and believe that we would not be checked crossing the border into Belarus.

As that took several hours standing in lines, (i.e. Ulia did) she showed me some other sites on the way back to her folk’s place. We also shopped for our meals for the 12 hours trip to Minsk.

Tuesday morning up early … Hot gruel … what ever it was, thanking her folks for the accommodations, saying our goodbyes, (They hated to see Ulia leave as she had only been there for 4 days.) we made our way to the train station.

I was not aware of the train situation & was surprised that the 2^nd class compartments had 4 bunks in them. My next surprise was when two young Belarusian ladies were our compartment mates. My 1^st thought was, What would my wife think? Just a short round of Q &A’s we settled in for our half a day trip. We bought hot chai (Tea) from the porter to go with our meal now enhanced with the other girl’s contributions and settled into conversation with Ulia translating as fast as she could.

Twelve Hours later … MINSK The Capitol of the Republic Of Belarus! And The Cowboy Missionary in Action!

©2007

Cartoons And Comedians In The Church

071221 I have just visited Jon Birch’s “The Ongoing Adventures Of ASBO Jesus!” and I recommend you taking a look! Jon’s Cartoons made me think and remember and I have to insert this thought in the middle of my story, because it is another look at who HE made me.

Almost thirty years ago, the Zeal was prominent with out much finesse. As soon as I learned anything about the word … It Was Published! I would embarrass my wife, … what the Hey! I still do at times! During those years we were serving in the Local Assembly I would have enjoyed having a turn up front, yet because I took what I learned literally and seriously, it was considered borderline “Faith Movement” (See: Where Do I Fit In The Body Of Christ? VI ) … If not “Blab It And Grab It!” and was never allowed to be up front with out a muzzle on. Nevertheless, anyone with a Guitar around their neck and who could carry a tune … at least in a bucket … was given free reign to spew anything that came to their mind. Some were babies not, but a few months old and their thoughts were barely Scriptural if in fact at all. And don’t you know the Regular Worship Team were always letting you know how “It Is”!

So, As I was enjoying Jon’s Cartoons I came across this one and just had to pen these thoughts as they were refreshed by his take on the “Church Rock Star”! #236
As a teenager, I carried a Bongo set with me and enjoyed playing with them every chance I had. Later in my walk, I would play along with the group in “Home Style Worship”! Always an understudy to be a comedian, when there was a discussion time; I would let all know that I also played the guitar, and assured them that I could play the guitar like I did the Bongos! Someone would hand me a guitar and after strumming a couple cords, I would twirl the guitar around and start the beat on the back like a drum of some kind. Most of the times it got a few laughs and of course made my day!

After a few years, I told the wife I was going to get up on the platform with a guitar around my neck and strum once or twice and start preaching & teaching GOD’s Word! Needless to say, she never would let me. But, at least I get to tell you about it now. And … Oh Yea! Thanks Jon!!!

During this Season when and where we take a special day to celebrate “That HE Was Born” I would Bless you with all that HE has for you and yours, as you remain obedient to HIS Direction at what HE is having you do!

Honest I will get Ulia & me out of Moscow next week! 1

©2007

Simpleology

Mark Joyner has been one of my mentor's for some time now and I have learned a lot from some of his resourses. Simpleology sends me an encouraging direction all week long!
I am going to be taking this new Blog Course, to see if it will help me on my other web sites! Take a look, all it will cost you is some time! 1
©2007

The Tentmaker

Loved of The LORD! I wanted to start this post and address the term “Tentmaker”! When I wrote my deputation letter, I said, that I would work my way for my own support, while I was on Missions and was only looking for support for the home fires and making sure my wife was able to pay the bills, while I was gone. When this all ‘Came To Pass’ I was reminded of Acts 18:3 and Paul’s reference to sustaining him self Thru his trade.

Being a General Contractor by Profession and a Carpenter by Trade, I figured I could find something I could do to keep a couple beans on the table. Therefore, I coined the term ‘Tentmaker’ and used Acts 18:3 as the example. I had never heard it used that way in my 14 years of ministry. No doubt, others had used it before and since then I know it has been used that way.

In fact, when I got a hold of Jamie Saw last month, she was in another country with no Religious Freedom and was using it as “A Talk Around” in case we were monitored. She was meaning, “A Believer” who was earning a living and paying their way, while ministering. I thought that was interesting that it was now being used as common understanding. It did take a couple different terms before they stopped going over my head and then made sense to what she was saying!

Do not give up on me, as I will get back to Ulia & me getting out of Moscow, … yet I need to finish this post with the “Tentmaker”!

All the time I was there, I only came across one time that might have been an opportunity, yet as I started to go that way it was straight up hill all the way and besides I was eating well and the ‘Min Ops’ were coming out of our ears!

Cutting to the Chase ...with the only time I actually tried to drive a nail. A couple months after getting to Minsk and moving twice (great stories too!), I found my self very adept at laundering my clothes. Keep in mine that I was constantly seeking whether I should be using any of the talents and skills that I had for anything and the answer always was “To Teach, Preach and Minister, as it was put in front of me.

I was in a four room flat (i.e. counting the kitchen.), which was Up Town” compared to the one & two room flats that was the norm. It had a main room, which Westerners would call the living room that was used as a meeting room. I would try to wash clothes when there were no meetings scheduled, because it was easy to rig temporary clotheslines in that room.

One day that Patrick & I had nothing planed, till later on in the afternoon, I needed to get some of my clothes washed. After getting them washed, (By Hand.) the phone rings and Patrick tells me that he has all the young men of this Ministry/Humanitarian Aid group coming over for an important meeting.

Knowing I could not hang the wet clothes in the usual place and manner, I tried to innovate some kind of solution in my sleeping room. There was a fixture on one side of the room, but nothing on the other side to tie my nylon line. After scouring the flat I found a couple bent nails in the bath room that were being used as hanging hooks. After about ten minutes, I finally straighten them out, using something that was some kind of a wall ordainment, as a hammer. When I tried to drive the nail into that opposite wall, it bent so bad that I could not straighten it. It had started a hole though, that I was able to get the other nail into the wall enough to tie my string.

All during this time, I was having an in depth conversation with the Lord and I finally resolved that I would not ask HIM Again about using my talents and skills while I was there. That was when the second nail finally took hold. My Nail driving days were over for the duration.

Next week, back up to Moscow and Ulia & I getting out of town. Cowboy Missonary and the Train Ride!

©2007

! “The Secret” of being a ‘Cowboy Missionary’! Part 2.

Wow! How time flies!!! Well only two days behind. Here we go!!!

Anyone who has went thru the process of getting Visa’s, know that it is a learning experience. First The Passport and then receiving a letter of invitation from some legal entity in the Country you are requesting to visit.
This letter was from a group of young Belorussian Christain men that Patrick had put together for this purpose and for getting "humanitarian Aid" into Minsk, for the Ministry. The group had to be made up of Nationals only.

Russia was easy and the Russian travel agency in Hollywood had it all dialed in. The Travel Agency sent my Passport to Russian Embassy in San Francisco and because all the “T”s crossed and “I”s dotted (Naturally for a … … fee) was back in a couple days.

Then “I” sent the Passport to The Belarusian Embassy in DC with Letter of invitation and two weeks later received the (Torn) empty envelope . Now I had to apply for another Pass Port and make several trips to LA and pay more fees etc. Back to DC for Belarusian Visa and barely back in time to make connections in San Francisco on Aero Flop … I mean Aeroflot to Moskava! (Moscow) A group of Russians in airport, with ½ hour till boarding, about 9 or 10 of them, took the cap off a half gallon of Vodka, threw the cap away, and passed it back and forth till it was time to board and naturally the Vodka was gone. I was praying that it was not because they had flown with the pilot before.

The plane was not full, so there was an empty seat between a young Siberian Law Student and me. He was studying International law in, … I believe it was South Dakota. In the North anyhow.

Shucks! I have to back up a minute, in order to go on. Before they left, Patrick had found an old book on survival Russian words & phrases and the family would come over several different times and we would spend 2 or 3 hours practicing what we thought was Russian. Why I was doing it with them, was beside me. I honestly was trying to learn with them, and as a teacher was taking the lead much of the time, in order to expedite their learning.

Nevertheless back on the plane, I strike up this conversation with this young man and I find out that his father is a big shot in the Government and there were some things, about he would not talk.

One of the things I found out, was our Russian Lessons put me way behind, as far as the lessons this young man was giving in me in Russian there on the plane. I was talking to one of the Saws’ daughters a couple weeks ago on the phone and she was laughing, as she reminded me of the Russian Lessons at my house before they left. They still had the book with them when they finally landed in Moscow, 8 hours late and missed their connection. She told me that when they showed the book to someone that they were told that the author did not know what he was talking about in this book and all the Russian they had learned was to no avail for them too!

Therefore, I learned how to count to 2, say thank you and was in Belarus two months before I finally heard how to say Please and Your Welcome the right way. They said it so fast that I did not hear one syllable ever, until I held someone’s mouth and made them say it one syllable at a time. Keep in mine that up until then, they would smile and the younger ones outright laughed, every time I said it!

Now, let us get back to my new Siberian friend and the flight into Moscow. I really enjoyed talking to him and he seemed to like me and we talked about a lot of things, except like I said, when it came to why he was on his way back to Moscow and a few other obvious things, he would look uncomfortable and change the subject.

When we landed, he headed for a gate that had nobody at it, while I was herded into one of 10 or 12 that were already 40 deep. When I looked up, he was gone. Finally, thru the line about an hour later, I am looking at Immigration and he is looking at my passport and Russian Visa with this puzzled look on his face, as he is asking me questions in Russian and I do not understand.

Low and Behold … the Siberian reappears, I found out he came back to get his baggage and as he walks by he sees me, and was wondering what was going on. Customs would show him my passport, pointing at something and then the Visa, pointing and shaking his head.

I do not know what was said, yet the young man spoke to customs sternly and with authority and customs nodded his head, stamped my documents and handed them back to me with a smile. You tell me! My seat on that plane was ordained and I know who was sitting in that empty seat! This is a part of what it means to be “A Cowboy Missionary”! 'Partaking In The Kingdom'!

I went for the baggage. I had two big suitcases and a giant duffle bag that had a couple rollers on the bottom end, plus a backpack that I carried on. It was quite an experience getting it stacked up so I could pull them with both hands.

I went on thru the airport to the non-passenger area and HOW Blessed I was when I seen this young woman with a sign with my name on it! Ulia could speak English very well and she had hired a driver to pick me up and take us to her Mom & Dad’s Flat, about 50 km on the other side of Moscow. Patrick had prearranged this, when they knew I was coming. In fact, Ulia had barely returned from Belarus and was only with her folks a day when I came in.

It was the middle of night, nevertheless the driver would point out different spots and she would translate for me. When he pointed out the Kremlin, it was all lit up with different colored lights and I told Ulia that it looked like Disney Land. She hesitantly told the driver what I said and with out any missed licks he responded with, “That Is What It Is” and all 3 of us cracked up! When we got to her folk’s building I was so wound up that, the Driver and Ulia had to tell me 2 or 3 times to pay him the $50 bucks that I owed for the ride.

We went up four flights of stairs, made three or four trips and then to meet Ulia’s Parents. Keep in mind this is a two room flat and Ulia gave up her room to me, while she slept with her mom and her dad slept on the couch.

Need to get this posted so I can go to bed now, myself. We will pick this up in the next post and explain “The Tentmaker” too. Oh! Before I skip over it, remember when my first Passport and Belarusian Visa was lost. The new Passport had a new number and the Russian Visa had the old Passport number on it. That is what had the Customs Agent in a quandary until my friend straightens him out. Later!

©2007