Friday, June 24, 2005
From the Field -- 3 - from Ken
From: pochta
To: Kenneth Briden
Sent: Friday, June 24, 2005 6:49 AM
Subject: From the Field -- 3
It was a typical Russian meeting. What more can you say?
Art, Luba, and I entered the rented room and were greeting by some 60 smiling faces and a few old grouches (but not many). It took awhile before we could get to the front of the room because so many wanted to greet us personally. In that setting, at that very moment, I forgot all about the lo-o-o-o-ng plane ride, the difficulties with raising the money, the airport waiting, the heavy suitcases, etc., etc., etc.
As Vladimir was making the introductions, many kept saying, "We know. We know." In other words, "Let's get on with it."
It was easy to speak to all those smiling faces. They were warm and receptive, and the Holy Spirit just took over. I think I referred to my notes on about the first paragraph. From then on, everything just flowed. What a wonderful feeling!! Several held up their hands to ask Jesus into their lives. Luba was ecstatic after the meeting.
"Ken, those were just the right words. They were right on the mark."
"Luba, I wish I knew what I said."
"Yeah, Ken. Me too. I wish I knew what I interpreted. I feel the Holy Spirit was at work."
Little did we know, though, that there was a spy in our midst. I wouldn't have said anything differently, but after I finished and we had a couple of prayers, then the excitement began. A lady city official approached the front of the room and said she wanted to ask a question and then she proceded to make a speech. At least she started to make a speech. She said everyone in the room was Orthodox, and I was trying to make Baptist out of them. (Of course, I never mentioned the word Baptist. That was just the worst profanity she could think of at the time.) She said no more than two sentences before she was verbally assuaulted by nearly everyone in the room. They were coming to my defense.
That's the Russian way, by the way. No worry. No problem. You are free to speak your mind as long as your mind agrees with most of the minds around you. They don't thoroughly understand freedom of speech just yet. Anyway, 95% of the room seemed to be on my side. One fellow approached the front and said that he was Muslim by birth, but, thank the Lord, he is a Christian now. He said more, but that was mainly what touched my heart. There were other positive testimonies, but I don't have the time to go into all of them. Suffice it to say, everyone wanted to express their opinion, and the lady didn't receive many positive vibes.
It was somewhat hard to restore order, but eventually the room calmed down to a semi-normal state. I tried to explain to everyone that it's okay to disagree with me. If someone can show me in Scripture where I didn't speak the truth, then I will be the first to admit it. I didn't take her objections personally. I took them with a loving attitude, because I know that lady is walking in darkness (although I didn't express that last thought out loud).
I asked Art after the meeting, "Art, what were you doing while all that ruckus was going on?"
He laughed. "I was in the back praying for you."
"Art, my friend, if you don't do another thing on this trip, you might have earned your stipes right there."
The Orthodox lady got the last word, though. The Veteran's Organization was unable to rent the room today or subsequent days. Something about they don't allow religious organization to use that room. Consequently, we met in a much smaller room today, but it's a room I love. It has a gigantic portrait of Vladimir Lenin on the wall, the Father of Communism and the one who said there is no God in heaven or anywhere else. "Religion is the opiate of the masses," Mr. Lenin stated. Well, we are telling people that there is a God right under his nose. And we are telling people just exactly what it takes to be saved -- also right under his nose. What a blessing.
Thank you so very much for those of you who donated money to buy food for these dear people. They may speak a different language, but they have the same needs as you and as I. They need to be loved. They need to feel the love of God flow from you to them.
What a mighty God we serve.
Thanks for all the e-mails. I may not have time to answer you personally, but know you are loved and appreciated. Keep those prayers coming -- for good health and a lot of energy. A personal note to my aunts: Don't worry. I'm safe, and I'll be home the middle of next month (I think).
Ken
To: Kenneth Briden
Sent: Friday, June 24, 2005 6:49 AM
Subject: From the Field -- 3
It was a typical Russian meeting. What more can you say?
Art, Luba, and I entered the rented room and were greeting by some 60 smiling faces and a few old grouches (but not many). It took awhile before we could get to the front of the room because so many wanted to greet us personally. In that setting, at that very moment, I forgot all about the lo-o-o-o-ng plane ride, the difficulties with raising the money, the airport waiting, the heavy suitcases, etc., etc., etc.
As Vladimir was making the introductions, many kept saying, "We know. We know." In other words, "Let's get on with it."
It was easy to speak to all those smiling faces. They were warm and receptive, and the Holy Spirit just took over. I think I referred to my notes on about the first paragraph. From then on, everything just flowed. What a wonderful feeling!! Several held up their hands to ask Jesus into their lives. Luba was ecstatic after the meeting.
"Ken, those were just the right words. They were right on the mark."
"Luba, I wish I knew what I said."
"Yeah, Ken. Me too. I wish I knew what I interpreted. I feel the Holy Spirit was at work."
Little did we know, though, that there was a spy in our midst. I wouldn't have said anything differently, but after I finished and we had a couple of prayers, then the excitement began. A lady city official approached the front of the room and said she wanted to ask a question and then she proceded to make a speech. At least she started to make a speech. She said everyone in the room was Orthodox, and I was trying to make Baptist out of them. (Of course, I never mentioned the word Baptist. That was just the worst profanity she could think of at the time.) She said no more than two sentences before she was verbally assuaulted by nearly everyone in the room. They were coming to my defense.
That's the Russian way, by the way. No worry. No problem. You are free to speak your mind as long as your mind agrees with most of the minds around you. They don't thoroughly understand freedom of speech just yet. Anyway, 95% of the room seemed to be on my side. One fellow approached the front and said that he was Muslim by birth, but, thank the Lord, he is a Christian now. He said more, but that was mainly what touched my heart. There were other positive testimonies, but I don't have the time to go into all of them. Suffice it to say, everyone wanted to express their opinion, and the lady didn't receive many positive vibes.
It was somewhat hard to restore order, but eventually the room calmed down to a semi-normal state. I tried to explain to everyone that it's okay to disagree with me. If someone can show me in Scripture where I didn't speak the truth, then I will be the first to admit it. I didn't take her objections personally. I took them with a loving attitude, because I know that lady is walking in darkness (although I didn't express that last thought out loud).
I asked Art after the meeting, "Art, what were you doing while all that ruckus was going on?"
He laughed. "I was in the back praying for you."
"Art, my friend, if you don't do another thing on this trip, you might have earned your stipes right there."
The Orthodox lady got the last word, though. The Veteran's Organization was unable to rent the room today or subsequent days. Something about they don't allow religious organization to use that room. Consequently, we met in a much smaller room today, but it's a room I love. It has a gigantic portrait of Vladimir Lenin on the wall, the Father of Communism and the one who said there is no God in heaven or anywhere else. "Religion is the opiate of the masses," Mr. Lenin stated. Well, we are telling people that there is a God right under his nose. And we are telling people just exactly what it takes to be saved -- also right under his nose. What a blessing.
Thank you so very much for those of you who donated money to buy food for these dear people. They may speak a different language, but they have the same needs as you and as I. They need to be loved. They need to feel the love of God flow from you to them.
What a mighty God we serve.
Thanks for all the e-mails. I may not have time to answer you personally, but know you are loved and appreciated. Keep those prayers coming -- for good health and a lot of energy. A personal note to my aunts: Don't worry. I'm safe, and I'll be home the middle of next month (I think).
Ken
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
From the Field -- 2 - from Ken
From: pochta
To: Kenneth Briden
Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2005 8:59 AM
Subject: From the Field -- 2
Greetings from where the sun shines while you sleep,
I had a few minutes with Shushanna at the sanitorium yesterday. She tries to smile, but it is a weak effort. All the life has gone from her eyes and from her posture. It has been two years since her daughter Inna was killed in that senseless terrorist train explosion. I am afraid Shushanna will never recover. Her whole life was wrapped up in Inna, and it's as if there is no hope for her;. She still rejects God. I will have a chance to visit with her in her home later when the rest of the team gets here.
Art and I visited in Maxim's home too. For those of you who don't know Maxim, he is a man of 49 who went into surgery a few years back to correct a problem with his back. When he came out of the hospital, he was a total invalid. He can sit up in the bed with support, but getting to a sitting position is pure agony. He just wanted to visit and talk about America and God, not necessarily in that order. He is holding on to his faith through extremely difficult circumstances. I hope that we were able to answer some of his questions and that he was comforted by our visit. He always looks forward to the Americans coming. The screen saver on his computer is a picture of the American flag waving above the White House. I told him I felt like standing a saluting his computer. Not necessarily good humor, but Maxim enjoyed the thought.
We also visited with Tanya today. Again, for those of you who are new to the Russian ministry, Tanya has had many problems in her life. She is unable to walk or move. She loves to talk, though, although she is extremely hard to understand. Luba is exhausted by the time we leave her place. She lost her adopted mother and caretaker two years ago. Tanya is extrememly blessed to have two former classmates look after her. Both of their names happen to be Tanya. So that household is known as Tanya Bolshoye (Big Tanya), Tanya Malinki (Little Tanya) and Nasha Tanya (Our Tanya). Those ladies, all in their late 40's, are quite a sight. We talked and had a little time in the Word. We laughed some. We cried some. We prayed some. I think they all felt comforted when we left, although Our Tanya is somewhat distressed that this is going to be my last time in Kislovodsk. More tears.
Much more has happened, but there is not enough time or energy left to relay it all. As for myself: Health and spirits are high. Energy is low. In other words, not much different from being in the States.
I send my love from old Mother Russia,
Ken Garlandovich
To: Kenneth Briden
Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2005 8:59 AM
Subject: From the Field -- 2
Greetings from where the sun shines while you sleep,
I had a few minutes with Shushanna at the sanitorium yesterday. She tries to smile, but it is a weak effort. All the life has gone from her eyes and from her posture. It has been two years since her daughter Inna was killed in that senseless terrorist train explosion. I am afraid Shushanna will never recover. Her whole life was wrapped up in Inna, and it's as if there is no hope for her;. She still rejects God. I will have a chance to visit with her in her home later when the rest of the team gets here.
Art and I visited in Maxim's home too. For those of you who don't know Maxim, he is a man of 49 who went into surgery a few years back to correct a problem with his back. When he came out of the hospital, he was a total invalid. He can sit up in the bed with support, but getting to a sitting position is pure agony. He just wanted to visit and talk about America and God, not necessarily in that order. He is holding on to his faith through extremely difficult circumstances. I hope that we were able to answer some of his questions and that he was comforted by our visit. He always looks forward to the Americans coming. The screen saver on his computer is a picture of the American flag waving above the White House. I told him I felt like standing a saluting his computer. Not necessarily good humor, but Maxim enjoyed the thought.
We also visited with Tanya today. Again, for those of you who are new to the Russian ministry, Tanya has had many problems in her life. She is unable to walk or move. She loves to talk, though, although she is extremely hard to understand. Luba is exhausted by the time we leave her place. She lost her adopted mother and caretaker two years ago. Tanya is extrememly blessed to have two former classmates look after her. Both of their names happen to be Tanya. So that household is known as Tanya Bolshoye (Big Tanya), Tanya Malinki (Little Tanya) and Nasha Tanya (Our Tanya). Those ladies, all in their late 40's, are quite a sight. We talked and had a little time in the Word. We laughed some. We cried some. We prayed some. I think they all felt comforted when we left, although Our Tanya is somewhat distressed that this is going to be my last time in Kislovodsk. More tears.
Much more has happened, but there is not enough time or energy left to relay it all. As for myself: Health and spirits are high. Energy is low. In other words, not much different from being in the States.
I send my love from old Mother Russia,
Ken Garlandovich
Prayer needed for Debbie's Hip - from Tom
From: Tom Zimmer
Date: June 22, 2005 8:15:29 AM CDT
Subject: Prayer needed for Debbie's Hip
I spoke with Debbie last night, she leaves this morning. She says that she is doing a lot better. It still hurts, but not like it did. Thank you for your prayers for Debbie and the whole team leaving today for two weeks, please keep it up, it is working.
in Christ,
Tom
Date: June 22, 2005 8:15:29 AM CDT
Subject: Prayer needed for Debbie's Hip
I spoke with Debbie last night, she leaves this morning. She says that she is doing a lot better. It still hurts, but not like it did. Thank you for your prayers for Debbie and the whole team leaving today for two weeks, please keep it up, it is working.
in Christ,
Tom
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Debbie did a stupid thing - from Tom
Hi all,
I talked to Debbie this morning, she is ready to go, but she did a stupid thing (her words). She was playing with the girls in the back yard, and Chloe did a cartwheel. You can guess the rest, Debbie tried it, and dislocated her hip momentarily. She says she can stand and walk ok, but sitting is pretty painful. I think she learned an important lesson, something about not being 15 years old any more. Anyway, it won't keep her from going, but it will make for a very uncomfortable trip, unless God chooses to heal here very quickly. Please pray for that, or whatever God leads you to pray for. I know from experience, after dislocating my shoulder some years ago, it was painful for several months.
In Christ,
Tom
(editor's Note: Here is a link to the video, You need Quicktime to play it)
I talked to Debbie this morning, she is ready to go, but she did a stupid thing (her words). She was playing with the girls in the back yard, and Chloe did a cartwheel. You can guess the rest, Debbie tried it, and dislocated her hip momentarily. She says she can stand and walk ok, but sitting is pretty painful. I think she learned an important lesson, something about not being 15 years old any more. Anyway, it won't keep her from going, but it will make for a very uncomfortable trip, unless God chooses to heal here very quickly. Please pray for that, or whatever God leads you to pray for. I know from experience, after dislocating my shoulder some years ago, it was painful for several months.
In Christ,
Tom
(editor's Note: Here is a link to the video, You need Quicktime to play it)
From the field -- 1 - from Ken
From: pochta
To: Kenneth Briden
Sent: Sunday, June 19, 2005 7:20 AM
Subject: From the field -- 1
The trip was long and arduous -- an exercise in endurance -- but 27 hours after leaving our home in Bolivar, we were safely checking into our home away from home. What can I say about the trip? Nothing. The best that can be said is, "It's over."
Saturday was a day of rest as we tried to get our body clocks turned around. It still hasn't happened, but we're working on it.
The smiles, hugs, and kisses that greeted us at the Baptist church this morning made the trip over the big water worthwhile. It is nice to be back with all our friends, brothers, and sisters in old Mother Russia.
There is a certain sameness about the Baptist church service in Kislovodsk. Promptly at 9:00 a.m. Pastor Sergei purposefully strides in from the side door followed by two or three deacons. Immediately the people jump to their feet where they wait in anticipation for the Pastor's opening remarks, the opening prayer, and the 1st congregational hymn.
The typical service ("typical" means "every" service) has three sermons, three or four choir specials, two or three poems by various parishioners (Every Russian is a poet as well), and two or three special solos or ensembles. You always pray after the 1st sermon and after the 3rd sermon, but never after the 2nd sermon. I was asked to preach the second sermon today, and I found it very ironic that I came on the Day of Pentacost. I came speaking in an unknown tongue, and only Luba had the gift of interpretation. (Does anyone know why we don't celebrate the Day of Pentecost in most American churches? It is a VERY big holiday over here.)
Once the service began, there were few smiles to be seen. I injected some humor into my sermon, and the people responded well, but humor from the pulpit is not typical Russian. (That may be one reason why I am received so warmly here. It would be impossible for me to speak without some levity now and then.) The Pastor has an almost total control over the people. Why not? What other choices do the people have? There are no other protestant churches in the city. Unfortunately, they have no real joy and freedom in their faith, but they have an abundance of passion. During my time in the pulpit, the people were very attentive. An older gentlemen was trying to adjust the sound system while I was speaking, and it squacked several times. I thought the people were going to attack him. He stopped fooling around with the sound system before the revolution began.
I know that when you go into another culture, you adjust to that culture and not vice versa, but there are certain corners I have difficulty turning. Fortunately none of the guys that greeted me this morning had mustaches. I don't kiss guys with mustaches.
We have a full schedule of preparing for the rest of the team that comes on Friday. Please keep us in prayer: for health, safety, and that we would have a fruitful mission, proclaiming the Gospel boldly and in truth.
Ken
To: Kenneth Briden
Sent: Sunday, June 19, 2005 7:20 AM
Subject: From the field -- 1
The trip was long and arduous -- an exercise in endurance -- but 27 hours after leaving our home in Bolivar, we were safely checking into our home away from home. What can I say about the trip? Nothing. The best that can be said is, "It's over."
Saturday was a day of rest as we tried to get our body clocks turned around. It still hasn't happened, but we're working on it.
The smiles, hugs, and kisses that greeted us at the Baptist church this morning made the trip over the big water worthwhile. It is nice to be back with all our friends, brothers, and sisters in old Mother Russia.
There is a certain sameness about the Baptist church service in Kislovodsk. Promptly at 9:00 a.m. Pastor Sergei purposefully strides in from the side door followed by two or three deacons. Immediately the people jump to their feet where they wait in anticipation for the Pastor's opening remarks, the opening prayer, and the 1st congregational hymn.
The typical service ("typical" means "every" service) has three sermons, three or four choir specials, two or three poems by various parishioners (Every Russian is a poet as well), and two or three special solos or ensembles. You always pray after the 1st sermon and after the 3rd sermon, but never after the 2nd sermon. I was asked to preach the second sermon today, and I found it very ironic that I came on the Day of Pentacost. I came speaking in an unknown tongue, and only Luba had the gift of interpretation. (Does anyone know why we don't celebrate the Day of Pentecost in most American churches? It is a VERY big holiday over here.)
Once the service began, there were few smiles to be seen. I injected some humor into my sermon, and the people responded well, but humor from the pulpit is not typical Russian. (That may be one reason why I am received so warmly here. It would be impossible for me to speak without some levity now and then.) The Pastor has an almost total control over the people. Why not? What other choices do the people have? There are no other protestant churches in the city. Unfortunately, they have no real joy and freedom in their faith, but they have an abundance of passion. During my time in the pulpit, the people were very attentive. An older gentlemen was trying to adjust the sound system while I was speaking, and it squacked several times. I thought the people were going to attack him. He stopped fooling around with the sound system before the revolution began.
I know that when you go into another culture, you adjust to that culture and not vice versa, but there are certain corners I have difficulty turning. Fortunately none of the guys that greeted me this morning had mustaches. I don't kiss guys with mustaches.
We have a full schedule of preparing for the rest of the team that comes on Friday. Please keep us in prayer: for health, safety, and that we would have a fruitful mission, proclaiming the Gospel boldly and in truth.
Ken
