Camp view with new yurts

Does it seem to you that Kolya fails in this Trust-me game?

Treasure hunt (spread around half the beach, thanks to our kind organizers)

Found it! In spite of anything

Favorite time of the program – picking-up blueberries

The smartest kid – Cheena’s – reads books at 4 months

About 5 years ago my friend Mike and I (Tanya) made a bet: Who does David (Mike’s son) look like more - Mike or Maya? Back then in 2002 we desided that we should resolve that bet when David is 5.

So you should go to Mike’s blog and make a vote (one vote per person). You can make a vote right on his sidebar.

You will find out about the results and the prize (or, better say, the consequences) in the beginning of September.

Thanks

Oops, it feels so weird coming back to the blog after such a long pause. The reason is a lack of suitable events, global enough. I feel like a paparazzi in search of some hot stuff; and since it’s missing, he’s trying to fabricate it. 

So I should write about our near future then. Lord willing, in August we’ll go as usually to our favorite spot at Baikal Lake. If you can join us, then you should come in August, 2 to 8. As I wrote our summer is starting in August. I guess it’s the shortest summer in the world – about 10 days. Unusual way of thinking of a regular “Good-News-Church-Goer”: Summer is a period of time when we have summer camps (at Baikal, so the sports camp doesn’t count). And since the camp is in August, so our summer is in August too. 

I heard they brought some Mongolian yurts instead of big cabins (Farewell to our comfortable cold cramped cabins!). It takes a long time to assemble a yurt, they say. Even though they were bought and are considered a ready-made product, there’re some natural materials being used as you assemble it, and it makes it more complicated. Besides, locals are not used to assembling yurts they used to live a century ago. 

The theme we are going to study is called “You are amazingly created for God’s plan”. Sounds very encouraging. That’s what should be awaiting us in just a few days. We’d be thankful for your support.

A Mongolian yurt in a Mongolian plain

“The coolest camp” which was a new thing in our church has just finished. As I wrote, you mustn’t necessarily spoil before you spin. As many people shared after the camp, everything was new. And everyone had his own new thing: for some it was sleeping in the tent, for others – rock climbing, or seeing a snake, etc. Everyone who has been there found something new, yet unexplored in his life. Just like in our life with God – He likes to make surprises, and likes to reveal Himself to those who seek Him.

 

A few words about the camp: it went off on the rocks of Goose Lake. There were 11 campers and almost the same number of the team members. Every day included lessons, a captivating game with a few laps, evening program and lots of fellowship. It was very simple, but also funny, deep and satisfying. The purpose of “the most purpose-driven person in our church” (Pasha G.) was fulfilled!?

 

Special thanks to those who prayed for the guys and those who provided sports equipment and tents. Another thanks for the T-shirts for the camp.

On the peak

One of the campers

Old Macarius is giving instructions

More than a week passed from the time our chief and his family left. Supposedly for a year. But we all know how it is. We can only hope we’ll see them next fall. They left but we are not alone, the Comforter is with us and in everyone of us. Also His Word and promises.

 

Everything that is going on now is in God’s hand – this departure and recent ordination. This year will be a good training for our young leaders. So look at Him and see where He’s leading you. And also rejoice. Praise the Lord!!!

I’m writing from Gorno-Altaisk. Shawna and I met Vera in Krasnoyarsk, who saw us off and we left for Gorno. There we had a warm welcome, and the gifts which we brought were gladly received. Mike and Maya hadn’t been back yet, they came back just 2 days ago. 

On Saturday, my friend there took me to Chemahl, a local resort. Even though it was raining, it was still very beautiful there. Strong Katoon-river, hills with rocks and caves, hanging bridges. Also, I rode a horse all by myself for the first time in my life. They promised me they would hold the bridle, but it was so only for 5 seconds. Then the horseman went away, and I had to rule it myself. It was cool. I should learn how to ride. 

Spent all of yesterday with the Johnsons while they were still awake. I don’t know what they will be like today, but I have just 2 days to spend with them, so they’ll have to catch up on their sleep after I leave. 

I’ll tell about the rest after I’m back home. Miss you all.

Vera (and Olya, and Nastya) send their greetings, and miss you all

On Sunday meeting (with the Joyful News Bible translation)

On the hanging bridge over Katoon

I had the meekest and kindest horse

I’m writing from Gorno-Altaisk where I was brought to by an evil wind’. Memories of the Krasnoyarsk trip are still fresh in so memory, so I should share about it.

So it was like that: A week of intense studies every day, even on Sunday. Heard lots of emotionally loaded stories some of which are beyond imagination. Miracles of human nature. Meeting with Vera (and Nastya) on Sunday (They’re sending their greetings and love).Might of Yenisey-river.Constant well-trained intention to use ‘brother’ or ’sister’ instead of a person’s name. I like it. Already tried to do that at home, but there it doesn’t work.Failed to go to the movie theatre to watch Shreck-3.

The main thing is new friendships. Just imagine – only believers in one place for a few days. Almost like in heaven, but for exams.

By the way, the seminar was about Leadership. Here’s a typical picture of a team which needs such a seminar: No unity!!! Also, Misha is taking pictures.

The game had prizes, otherwise we wouldn’t have come out. Just kidding.

In the church ‘Grace’ where it was such a bliss to be. And it’s so beautiful there as if they have a wedding ceremony the next day.

With Vera and Nastya. There’s an onion-shaped dome on the side, which you can’t see. Such an interesting solution of the ticklish culture question.

  

Yesterday was a special day for us. Ordination day. Lets read what it says in the Acts about how it happened in the early church. Chapter 6: “Brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose … set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied … greatly …”

  

Well, not seven but four guys were ordained yesterday. Their happy faces are eternally imprinted both digitally and in our hearts. We are all glad that you are with us, from among us and that you are with Him and after Him.

   

And also Paul’s words about the GOAL: “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14).

April 13, 2007, Friday, at 11:40am this baby was born. As you can see, he’s got red hair. You can’t see the eyes, but, trust me, they are blue, not brown. He’s already home with his family. So you can come visit him, watch him more closely and ask for details of his birth. Congratulations to the parents.

In his own bed.

Who does he look like?

There’s a verse in Isaiah: When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee (43:2). I guess our guys could take this as a project from God. They’ve already fulfilled its first point – passed through the waters, and the kind of waters! 

 

Baikal finally froze over. And so our men set off. They also converted new people into this thing. That is life: some people can’t live without coffee, some can’t live without difficulties, which they deliberately choose. And for some reason they call the former addition, and the latter – God’s plan for a man. 

  

It would be great to hear from those who have been there, some memorable things about this hike. Especially from those who never leave comments, like Sasha G. J

10 good guys (there’s another one left behind to guard the cars).

 

 

 

 

 

 

They are so much alike. Penguins!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Especially this one. Sorry for too much blue. It’s a filter.

Only Lyosha could take these glasses on a HIKE. And to make this hairdo.