Letters To Denise

I realize that I haven't posted in a while. I suppose it's been too hard to cope with. There's so many things I want to tell you about  from my trip but I know I can't. My trip was amazing. There were some hard times. It was probably one of my hardest experiences in years. I was so beyond worn out most of the trip. I know though that it was all worth it. There were kids who became saved and who's lives changed. I know that and hold onto that. Honestly, I feel like I didn't really do or accomplish a whole lot. Like everything that was done was done without my help or involvement. Maybe that's true. Maybe I could've done better. There were definitely times that I held back from not really knowing people or not knowing the system. I know next year will be better. There were a lot of cool experiences though. Like being able to answer some of Angelina's questions about Christianity, getting to spend time with amazing fellow Christians, and developing a relationship with Bryden. These are the things I want to share with you and tell you all about. I know they were the things that you lived for. Knowing that I can never tell you is probably the hardest. You were greatly missed on this trip but I know you saw from heaven and were just as excited about the salvation as I was. Love you, Teresa

It's Always Consequential

Well I've been back in Saint Petersburg for about three days now. I can't say that I have concrete answers to the questions in my mind but I still feel right about being here. Igor came and picked me up on Tuesday night and brought me to Elena's flat. I was so relieved when I got here. Wednesday was a day of rest and recovery. I was able to just sleep and then listen to worship for the day. So refreshing and I felt like myself again. The life was breathed back into me. Afterwards I was able to go to Dima's for a home study. It's cool to know that despite the language differences and cultural differences, you can always have a bond with others in the body. It was also a lot of fun to shock Daniel. He thought I was back in America and yet he stepped out of his bedroom and there I was. It was a great study time and I was reminded of a lot of truths. I walked back with one of the girls and enjoyed spending some time with Elena in her flat. Yesterday was also really nice. I was able to spend some time with Anya and we walked around downtown. I finally saw the church of spilled blood, the park, rabbit island, and back to the hermitage. It was a really pleasant walk and there was so much good discussion. She actually knew my church in Moscow, I couldn't believe it! After Anya I met with Angelina. We went searching for the mysterious carls jr and finally gave up and went to some soviet cafe. I can't say that on the surface we did anything special but it was time well spent. She is a brand new Christian and it was so cool to be able to answer some of her questions and share with her. I hope to be able to develop this relationship further. Who knows, maybe I came back to St Pete just for last night. Just to create a bond with a young russian girl. Sometimes our callings are incredibly exciting and sometimes they seem inconsequential. However, if it's Gods calling and He ordained it, it's always consequential. The human world doesn't always show the magnitude of our decisions in the spiritual world. I may never know for sure if she is why I came back or not but I'm glad for the opportunity either way. Tonight I will go to an Easter play with some of the students. Most of them don't know I'm here which will be fun. I'm excited to see how the kids respond to the play, it's another opportunity to open up with them and have them do the same. Prayers for tonight and tomorrow will be appreciated. It's another opportunity for movement and growth but with that comes warfare. Pray for protection for us but also openness and a willing heart in the kids.

God of This City

The city continues to amaze me. I can't even wrap my mind around it. There is so much beauty in the architecture and the people are much more kind. Sometimes I wonder if the people who live here see it too. I assume it's something like the ocean for us. The beach is beautiful and fun but it's average and everyday for me. The Russians come out and are amazed by it. They can't peel their eyes away and yet I find it commonplace. It's probably the same for the Russians here. I see the Italian style architecture and am amazed. I see incredible cathedrals and can't image having a church that was that beautiful. We become accustomed to whatever is right around us. But for now, Saint Petersburg is anything but commonplace for me.  The same applies to the spiritual world. The fight is strong in this place. We become immune to the battles around us sometimes.  I know that often we don't feel anything in our hometown. We are used to our own specific battles. However, to walk into someone else's is always eye opening. Saint Pete is an incredibly dark city. I'm not sure of what the specific reason is but it's palpable. I've experienced some of the strongest warfare here. There is a part of me that hates that fact but I know that there is only warfare when there is a fight. If you've already surrendered, the enemy won't bother trying to destroy you. You send your strongest and sneakiest men to your weakest points. You fight the most fiercely when you fear demise. I believe that is the case in this city. There is movement and growth that is happening and gaining strength and it's rippling through the forces. There is no amount of ambush, terrorizing, and demoralizing that can possibly stop the strength and desires of God. He is the God of this city and will continue to be even in the midst of the darkness.  "Greater things are yet to come, greater things are still to be done in this city. "

A Life Devoted

     Well I arrived in Saint Petersburg last night. Today is my first full day back. I can't even express the level of relief I feel. I feel like I can finally breathe again. That I was in a constant state of drowning and struggling while I was in Moscow. I suppose it's the price of not being where you are supposed to be. I am so grateful to have been able to see my friends again but am relieved to be out of there. This trip has been the most dramatic for me in many respects. Some of my highest highs and lowest lows. Moscow literally made me feel like I was losing my mind. My emotions and thoughts were so out of control, I couldn't grasp reality. At camp I felt the sting of the loss of a friend so much stronger than I've ever experienced. To be at camp and know I can never tell her about it. To never be able to share the successes and changes in students lives literally knocks the wind out of me. There's still many days here that I try to hold back the tears as that reality strikes me again. I'm reminded of what an amazing mentor and leader she was though and it inspires me to strive to be that for these kids. She was always there, always ready to be a shoulder, always ready to bring you into her home regardless of the time. So excited to pray, read and praise with you at a moments notice. I want to be that for others. I want to be the next Denise. So I wear her necklace as a reminder of what a life devoted to others looked like.

Great Expectations

Well I have officially been in Moscow 3 days. I came with high expectations to see all my friends again and just be able to hangout. Have a carefree break after the missions trip if you will. However that isn't what I have experienced. There is something so deep within me that has just completely snapped. Moscow is no longer my home, it isn't the place I left. I am happy to see some of my friends again but I know this is no longer my place. Something so strong within me continually pulls at me while I'm here. There is a tether on my spirit and my heart that is consistently being pulled harder and harder. I can no longer stand it. I have to go back. Saint Petersburg is now my place for the next week. I will return to the call that both terrifies and thrills me. I don't know when I will fly, I don't know where I'll stay, I don't know what I'll do; but I know I need to do it. To walk into the unknown and just travel in faith is difficult for me but I'm ready to take that step. God will travel with me and He'll be waiting for me on the other side when I land.  There is so much of this whole experience and decision I don't understand. Why not Mosccow? Why can't I return to my old home and old life? Because I am not the old me. The old me is dead and gone, lost somewhere in the sea. The new me is alive and thriving  and ready to jump into the violent warfare that will most likely surround me.

On Bypass

Written March 23

Russia. The motherland if you will. It is an incredibly dark and cold place. Corruptions are all around along with the depression of the youth who carry the burdens of a difficult life. It is not considered a destination spot for most Americans; snow and communism aren't desirable. Similarly the language is considered harsh or ugly. So by appearance my decision to go there is foolish, reckless even. However, there is a hunger for the truth and for deep personal relationships here that is entirely unmatched by the American population. The people are loyal, the language is vivid, the fire within them burns bright, and they are open to new experience. The winter may be cold and dark, but soon there is spring and summer filled with tulips and green trees. So people may ask why sometimes I feel that my life is on pause until I return to Russia but that's ok. You see, while in the states my body remains on bypass, a moment of rest and waiting. Then time comes to return to the motherland and the bypass is turned off and the heart begins to pump full and strong once again.

Reasons Not Included

Well yesterday the inevitable happened. I was sat down by the pastors I've slowly grown to despise and told that I needed to step down. I really appreciate the lack of reason as well. That was really helpful. Really biblical too. We all know the reason, you don't want to deal with the conflict with crazy people. Yes, clearly I am the one that needs to step down. The one who actually does her job and gives a crap about the kids. Well you got your wish dear spineless pastors, I'm gone. You will no longer have the one person fighting to keep this afloat. Do you know what happens when a youth group collapses? The church does. Enjoy your church taking another step towards the grave. You've been enjoying that downward spiral for a while. You chose an entitled problematic parent  over your leader whom you've known over 20 years. So don't sit there and continually tell me you love me. Bull crap! Actions show love not that phrase. Your actions have told me otherwise for a long time. Love is showing respect. Love is having loyalty and someone's back. Love is not flip floppig on them all the time. This? This crap that you've been showing me and putting me through? That's not love. So spare me the I love you speech because we both know it's not true. That's you saving face so that I don't go ballistic on you and start throwing the truth back in your face. You don't want the truth though you want peace. Because you don't want the truth, you don't want to see what a mess is under the rug. Because what's under the rug exposes your poor decision on the youth pastors. Well there's a mold under that rug and it's growing. You ignoring the mold just allows it to strengthen and eventually it's going to take over the house and it will be destroyed. You want to know the best part? I won't be there to take the fall for it. It will all be on you. You continually acted like I contributed nothing. Like I was always the problem. Well time will tell won't it? The truth will come out and you all will be exposed for the apathetic failures you are. Now that, that's a show I'm ready to see.