Focus

It's New Year's morning! So far, Tambov is a lot nicer in terms of creature comforts...plenty of food to eat, beds to sleep in, and a hot shower (if you're one of the first 3 out of 40 people to get one.) The teenagers don't look much different than back home. They like name brands, they have cell phones, and they wear jeans with furry boots. (I did notice, however, that they're all wearing the same outfit as yesterday.) The amazing part has been how much church and serving others is a part of their lives. The youth were at church all day yesterday decorating for Youth Camp, helping out with camp, and just hanging out together. The New Year's Eve party was beautiful how they came together in song and prayer to usher in the new year. They played a really cool video of the year (rivaling anything technologically advanced that we can do) focusing on youth-led ministry from the year. They talked a lot in their church service about the trappings of technology. "I don't have time to serve at church because I have my cell phone and TV to keep up with." They talked about becoming plastic when the vanity of technology and materialism take over. And yet they're using technology in such cool ways. They film almost everything to make inspirational video clips or to take that week's church service to someone who was too sick to attend. The theme of church camp is worship. Jim will be preaching four different days about worship. Already, I have learned a lot from the purity of their worship. They have the camp theme of "Focus" and are using the lens of a camera as a metaphor for how worship can be an individual portrait (you and God) and a group photo (the church). Worship is the frame; people are the picture~ Imagine a city the size of Boise with only TWO Christian churches in the whole place. It is staggering to think of how few Christians there really are here. It's neat how God is using our experience thus far, almost like the zoom of a lens. First, we were circling Moscow because the airport was too busy for us to land. Then we visited that city of TWENTY million people. Then, coming to Tambov and seeing life within the church...still on the upper end of living conditions. The youth will be practicing their Christmas play for 2-3 hours a day in preparation for Immanuel's Child. There is such a huge void of Christianity, and they have the light of Christ to share! They certainly know how to joke and have fun. It was amazing how excited they are about decorating flags with the craft supplies that seem so commonplace to us. But things really are more basic here...like living in the 50s. After coordinating games and crafts at camp, we will be going to much more rural areas surrounding the city and ministering to orphanages and small churches through Christmas outreaches. There is such joy in the camaraderie that God is building in our Boise team. There is truly no greater gift than to worship Jesus Christ and to serve side by side in sharing His truth with others. One of the passages from last night's service--
"But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, 'Awake sleeper, and arise from the dead,and Christ will shine on you. Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time because the days are evil." The passage goes on to describe how we are not to be controlled by alcohol, but by God's Spirit. Indeed, last night's New Year's Eve celebration was a testimony of the next verses in Ephesians 5..."Do not get drunk with wine...but be filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord:always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to God, even the Father."

We were also thankful to talk with family last night on the phone. We are thankful for the many ways they are serving so that we can be here. I have officially fulfilled by journaling quota. Soon it will be Larry or Jen's turn to post. I love you, Hunter and Hadley! Mom and Dad miss you! Thanks for sewing the flags, Judy! They are a HUGE hit!

Megan