Home - Part Two

I'm going to try and be brief. As usual Megan has already covered a lot more ground than I could hope to, and with a lot more eloquence.

Two weeks ago I looked around Red Square in the frigid night air and couldn't believe that I was standing a half a world away from my home, my family, my life. Our mission had just begun and I was exhausted and euphoric that we had actually made it this far without a major disaster. In 24 hours we had crossed the globe and at that moment I felt like the world was so small, and I even smaller. As I type this from the comfort of my desk I still feel very small and can't believe we are finally "home." I wanted to give you all some of my final thoughts on the trip.

Life is hard in Russia. I don't mean that in any kind of condescending way. I mean that in the most sincere and sympathetic way that I can. It is an incredible understatement to say that I take my American life for granted. I can't think of one single aspect of life that isn't more difficult in Russia. Even so, God has used the conditions here to purify and refine a faith and zeal for serving the local church that can't be found in the good ol' US of A. Vadim is fond of the phrase, "Suffering for Christ". Usually he used in a lighthearted joking manner when talking about how we were adapting to the local cuisine. However, I believe this is absolutely true when it comes to the people here and how they approach their everyday activities. There is an air of humility in their suffering, an understanding of the fact that this isn't their permanent home, that heaven awaits for those who are faithful.

I know that two weeks anywhere is probably not the right amount of time to generate a complete understanding of a people or culture, however, this place is a paradox to me. Brand new buildings look 50 years old, there is wireless internet connectivity in a building with 3rd world plumbing, and a gold encrusted orthodox church is being built by the government next to a crumbling subway system. There are many more examples. Then it occurs to me that they are just trying to be like us! They are running so fast to catch up since the fall of communism that they have been skipping some steps. I liken it to building a house. First they frame up the walls, then put on the roof, hang pictures on the wall and fill it with furniture. Once that is all done they start thinking about putting in the foundation, electrical, and plumbing.

In the end we are the same, it's all about how it looks on the outside and instant gratification, we can't get things fast enough. In America we just have more money and more "building codes."

The trip has been a complete success. We have served our brothers and sisters in the local church and in orphanages in Russia. God has been glorified in that work. Our eyes have been opened widely to the blessings we have here in America and in Christ. God has been glorified in this. Our perspective on God's greatness and my "smallness" has been re-tuned. God has been glorified through this.

Hopefully we have inspired you to find some way to serve in your local church or in the mission field. I highly recommend taking advantage of any opportunity to explore new cultures, language, and people whenever possible.

Please pray for Jen, Larry, and Jim as they wrap up the final week and travel back home to us.

Thanks for reading......-Rader